Unused(?) ServicePack files 1

[imagenetics]

After installing SP1a there is a folder "ServicePackFiles\i386" located in Windows directory. In this folder there are files that SP installs in various locations - fonts, screensavers, dlls. All of these files exist in the system at their place, so I assume this is some kind of backup folder. Can I delete it without risking any crashes and reinstalls?

 

[bcastner]

I would leave this folder, as if you ever need to do a SFC /Scannow or similar it is this folder that will be searched for Service Pack 1 files.

There are Hotfix folders than can be removed, let Doug Knox's little utility handle the chore:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

 

[linney]

329260 - How to Remove Windows XP Service Pack 1 Folders

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;329260&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[bcastner]

linney,

If this is a correction to my posting, please explain.
Bill

 

[bcastner]

linney,

figured it out. Thanks.
Bill

 

[bcastner]

It occured to me that my comments were too cryptic above to help others with this question:

. For the folder asked about by the original poster:

The %systemroot%\Servicepackfiles Folder
IMPORTANT: Do not delete or move this folder.

This folder contains files that are required when you add or remove optional Windows components. This folder is also used by Windows File Protection (WFP) to replace damaged or changed protected system files.

There may be temporary folders created, and as linney's link noted, these can be safely removed:

Windows XP SP1 Installation Temporary Files Folder
This folder is not required after you install the service pack, and you can safely delete this folder. When you install Windows XP SP1, this temporary folder is created on the volume that has the most free space. The folder name contains 20 random characters, and is not always created on the same volume as the Windows folder. For example, this temporary folder may have the following name:
9470bb12e8a4f3447657236478e41c5

This folder is automatically deleted by Windows XP after you install the service pack. However, if the folder is not automatically deleted by Windows XP, you can safely delete this folder.

 

[MountainNetworks]

what if you can't delete the "somelongstringofnumbers" directory?

I've got a machine that no matter what I do...safemode, boot from cd into repair console, anything... It won't delete. I've renamed the parent folder to "wontdelete" and I've tried several different methods for deleting. But it jst won't go away.

 

[linney]

Are you sure the folder is related to SP1? What message do you get when you attempt to delete it?

Do you have the appropriate permissions set (on the folder and on any subfolders or files) to perform this action? Many of the Uninstall files placed on your machine by Windows Update are compressed and/or locked even if you are an Administrator. In such situations you have to burrow down to the file level altering permissions wherever necessary.

If it is not a permissions issue, then something may be using the folder. This program may help you trace that.

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/utilities.shtml

Handle (or Process Explorer).



This is handy to use too.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/21.asp