Hotfix?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mel
  • Start date Start date
M

Mel

What are the "Hoxfix" entries in the ADD/REMOVE in the Control Panel. Could
they be slowing down my new computer? Can they be removed without causing
any problems? Fifteen Hotfix items have been automatically downloaded onto
my computer in the last month. I disabled the automatic update feature
today.
 
You're right, the hotfix entries are windows updates --
some are patches for windows bugs, some are improved
features (like security), some are special functions.
Unless you really know what a specific upgrade does,
removing would not be a good idea.

Since you've disabled automatic update, you can check for
updates periodically and select the ones you need.
That's what I prefer.

Updates should not slow down your computer, unless you
downloaded the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean character
sets in those updates. It is possible that running a
defrag will get those updates together with the programs
they patch and improve speed a little.
HTH
 
Hi Mel,

Some of the Hotfixes (Mostly security updates) do not have an uninstall
feature, these will not appear in the Add and Remove list. If a Hotfix does
appear in the Add and Remove list then it can be uninstalled just like any
other program.

If you uninstall the Hotfix, you will lose the benefits of that patch. This
should only be done if you can determine that you are experiencing negative
effects from the particular Hotfix.

If you simply do not want them to appear in the Add and Remove list and you
are sure that you will not need the uninstall option, you can remove items
from that list by using a registry tweak.

Automated Edit:

Remove Hotfixes from Add or Remove (Line 193)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual Edit: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key"

HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall

Expand this branch and look at the list. The Hotfixes are all listed by a
"Q" number that corresponds to the entry in the Add and Remove list. Make
sure that you back up each Key before deleting it.

Select the key and then select File/Export and include the Q number in the
name of the file. Right click the entries you want to remove and select
Delete.


/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
 
Hi Kelly

<snip>
HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
<\snip>

Should this be:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Will

Kelly said:
Hi Mel,

Some of the Hotfixes (Mostly security updates) do not have an uninstall
feature, these will not appear in the Add and Remove list. If a Hotfix does
appear in the Add and Remove list then it can be uninstalled just like any
other program.

If you uninstall the Hotfix, you will lose the benefits of that patch. This
should only be done if you can determine that you are experiencing negative
effects from the particular Hotfix.

If you simply do not want them to appear in the Add and Remove list and you
are sure that you will not need the uninstall option, you can remove items
from that list by using a registry tweak.

Automated Edit:

Remove Hotfixes from Add or Remove (Line 193)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual Edit: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key"

HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall

Expand this branch and look at the list. The Hotfixes are all listed by a
"Q" number that corresponds to the entry in the Add and Remove list. Make
sure that you back up each Key before deleting it.

Select the key and then select File/Export and include the Q number in the
name of the file. Right click the entries you want to remove and select
Delete.


--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm


Mel said:
What are the "Hoxfix" entries in the ADD/REMOVE in the Control Panel. Could
they be slowing down my new computer? Can they be removed without causing
any problems? Fifteen Hotfix items have been automatically downloaded onto
my computer in the last month. I disabled the automatic update feature
today.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hmm, good catch, Will. :o)

/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm


Hi Kelly

<snip>
HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
<\snip>

Should this be:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Will
 
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