Windows update file location

[sggaunt]

Sorry if there have been posts on this before but I haven't been able track them down with search!

I have moved the update uninstall files [$NtUninstall...] to another drive partition to free up space on my Windows partitions (no problems there). However a CCleaner scan shows lots of broken registry links to these files (as you would expect).

My questions are.

1. Is it possible to force Windows to look in the new location if an uninstall is required.

2. Can windows be forced to place these files in an alternate location when windows update runs?

3. I can see it would be possible to manually change all the registry values or write a program to change them, but would there be problems with this?


Steve [The sane]: Delphi a feersum engin indeed.

 

[linney]

See if these articles give you a few clues.

Cleaning up pc and $NTUninstall files
thread779-985163

Returning (copy but leave originals in their new current position too) the files to their original location, and then using the mentioned Doug Knox program should uninstall them correctly as well as the Registry entires.



Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder.

875350 - How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875350&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

That should give you a working guide of how to uninstall Updates ($NtUninstall) if you have no uninstall in either the Registry or Add or Remove programs.

It is possible (I imagine) to rewrite the uninstall strings in the Registry to point to your new location, but seems fiddly and unnecessary if the updates can be removed manually by the above method.

It is only once in a blue moon that any update is removed, and that usually occurs within a couple of days of any download, the moral being don't copy, move, or uninstall them until you are happy with your position, that way you can have the best of both worlds.

 

[sggaunt]

linney: Cheers for that articals saved for reference!!


Steve [The sane]: Delphi a feersum engin indeed.