Uninstalling the uninstaller

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Each time we download a Microsoft update it is accompanied by an uninstal package. After a while these occupy significant space. How can they be removed? Can they simply be deleted? Do they place entries in the registry? Do they need to be uninstalled? Advice welcomed.

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You can simply delete the directory containing the update files.
I suggest you leave them for 2 – 4 weeks in case you need to un-install.

cheers, Paul

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The MS updates are easy enough to find in XP, but I’m not sure where they reside in Windows 7 or Vista.

You can also copy them to a partition or other disk and then delete them from their default location. Wait a few weeks
to be sure you won’t need them for whatever reason. They can be put back in their default location if they do need uninstalling.

Can someone please post their location in Windows 7

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The MS updates are easy enough to find in XP, but I’m not sure where they reside in Windows 7 or Vista.

You can also copy them to a partition or other disk and then delete them from their default location. Wait a few weeks
to be sure you won’t need them for whatever reason. They can be put back in their default location if they do need uninstalling.

Can someone please post their location in Windows 7

Try this
Control Panel / Programs and Features / – in left panel – view installed updates

Hope this helps
Clive

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Try C:Windowswinsxs

cheers, Paul

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XP system patches are easy to spot, and yes i would leave them for a few weeks, especially the SP ones. If you delete the hidden patch folders in C:Windows, remember you cannot un-install the patch.

Windows 7 updates are stored elsewhere (haven’t found them yet).

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I can buy a 1TB drive for $99 in Australia – surely a few kB’s of uninstall scripts are not an issue??? They may save your bacon in the future!

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