Deleting Updates, Patches & Fixes?

[J W Alexander]

Running Windows XP Pro SP3 and all known to-date updates/upgrades added........

Recently was forced into using DSL which is neither here nor there but just in case it is pertinent...

Looking through my Add/Remove program list I see numerous MS and Windows updates, patches and fixes that appear to have the same title with minor differences in the support information available for each particular item.

Can the oldest versions of such things be deleted without reversing their function to the overall operating system?

I ask because they seem to take up space on the hard drive that can be used for other things.

Thanks in advance, always glad to add more info if its needed!



PS: Its probably already known but SGF has to have one of the computer related forums ever------at least for those of us not operating at Wiz, Jack Stoner and BeeZeroBee’s level anyway!! Thanks so much for all you do, in the past, now and the future as well!

[Wiz Feinberg]

JW;
The Windows Update Uninstallers listed in Control Panel > Add/Remove Software are to allow one to roll back to previous versions of the updated files, in case they cause problems. When updates interfere with other software, the affected companies usually release an update shortly thereafter to bring their programs up to date. Some people will uninstall Windows Updates until a particular program has been updated to become compatible with the new security patches from Microsoft.

It is safe to remove old Windows Update entries using Add/Remove Software. After a week or two from the last updates, you would know if you had a bad update that needed to be reversed.

These uninstall folders don't occupy a lot of space, but if you are low on disk space, they serve little purpose once they have "taken" properly. Service packs do take up a lot of space.

[Dale Gray]

Wiz: What are some of the things an average user dosen;t need?