XP automatic updates: how to "clear patch history" ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NumberOne29
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NumberOne29

Hi all,

I had my first experience with automatic XP Home
updates.

The "update wizard" reported at some point that it had
automatically downloaded a series of updates (in
the background, without my permission), and was
ready to install them.

So I did intall the updates, and all went OK.

I later noticed that many directories appeared on
one of my HD partitions (the biggest), which I
concluded contain all the updates.

The updates are also listed in ctrl-panel's
"add/remove programs".

I find it quite annoying to have directories pop-up
like that, and have my installed programs list "clogged"
by all those updates.

Once I'm convinced that my system is stable (and won't
uninstall the updates), can I just delete those directories,
and somehow "clean" the installed programs list?

Thanks.
 
From memory if you delete those folders the auto windows update will not see
them and assumes no longer hae those updates and will offer them to you
again to be installeed. Upon which you would need to know their numbers and
manually (at windows update page) configure windowsupdate to cease
presenting them to you.
The left of windows update screen has a line for configuring or customising
or some such wording and you untick the ones you dont want.
Personally I believe it will get to be a big pain to have to constantly do
that ...Are you so short of Hard disk space that you cant leave them there
....a damn side easier
re the update working without your permission , it appears your settings are
set that way ..ie "to download and then notify me before installation that
you want to install updates".
There are a couple of other settings available if this one taunts you.
Freda
 
Hi Maurice.

Thanks for the info. I think I won't mess with
the boot drive at this time... :)

The folders I'm referring to aren't on the boot drive (C:),
but rather landed in a logical drive (I:) :

<DIR> 05b87fb86a733b3ec757158c2372
<DIR> 38c2bd84146c7b9d6a
<DIR> 524b9baf8ae0ad68fb9a68d9583
<DIR> b9925cc6a22b406ed116
<DIR> c039c6468831886b31
<DIR> c8725734c9cffae9b6

Each contain the following file structure:

xxxx\SP2\UPDATE\update.exe

I assume those are the (automatically) downloaded update
files.

Can I safely delete them?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Those folder names are not familiar to me. I doubt MS would be using that kind of naming. Does each & every folder only have 1 item?
is it always ya-da-ya-da "update.exe"?
Use Windows Explorer (as you likely are) & Highlight these update.exe and then look at the Properties.

What you may consider is: delete those things, Leave then in your Recycle Bin for a few days.
If your system does not complain, then, delete them.
I suspect these files are from something other than MS Windows Update.

For one thing, after a successful Windows Update, the downloaded files are removed. And these do not follow the usual W U file names.
 
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