Can i delete these files...

[maviscoull]

in my windows folder, i have quite a few of files similar to this $NtuninstallKB8885836$ although the numbers at the end differ. the folder icon next to the file names are faded as in greyed out. can i safely delete all these or is it best to leave them ? thank you.

[wildwood]

I wouldn't, they are probably part of a Microsoft Service pack.

And stop poking about in your Windows folder if you don't know what you're doing! lol

[maviscoull]

lmao, i will just leave them then. thank you

[LewPaper]

I know how you feel. I'm often tempted to delete files I think are just cluttering up the hard drive. Couldn't you use one of the many computer maintenance programs available? That should delete what can be, safely.

[Ethel]

I second to push a button to delete.

Hours and hours of heartache

[trish432]

I agree, leave well alone, I deleted some files when I was fairly new to computing. It used to take me about 10 minutes to restore computer to factory settings. Now I have to do a complete reinstall of Windows, as I`d deleted files needed by the restore disc.

[ACtheTROLL]

lol
ethel - I'm surprised at you!... I thought you were a chancer

these files (actually folders - compressed folder to be exact ... they are blue) are all the hotfixes, security updates .... and yes service packs that have been installed on your 'puter.

Or rather they are the files required to uninstall them if there is a problem.

the "rule" I use is update the PC .... see how things run - I generally give an update at least two weeks ... often a month.

once I'm reasonably sure that my system is stable ... I delete them.....

I never touch
ie7
and microsoft say you should NEVER EVER delete $hf_mig$ .

(it's actually the manifest for all your updates - if you do delete it - update downloads and installs all of them again... so it's a pain ... but not a disaster

this is free
http://www.ccleaner.com/download
and it works well and is very safe ... use the default settings and it will recover tons of wasted space ...

if you bank and remember passwords ... take the tick out of cookies in the IE section before you run it
ccleaner will delete the safe stuff for you

[Ethel]

I am a chancer, Ac.

I am speaking from experience. :(

Now, what happens if.....

[ACtheTROLL]

one of the ABers talks mavis through a rebuild ;(

seriously ... microsoft recommends deleting these folders
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290402

they do mount up - especially on a "vintage" service pack 0 system it can be a lorra lorra space

the benefits outweigh the dangers ... I can honestly say that I've never killed a system by doing it - and I do in on every system I work on!
I like to do it manually - the month rule is important ... not because of the danger of deleting the files .... it's the more real danger of installing a microsoft fix - or needing to uninstall it

[maviscoull]

good morning to you all and thank you for your answers. i have had a think about what you have all said and i have decided that i will leave them where they are.

i will however download the ccleaner as suggested by ACtheTROLL and let it do its job and leave it at that.

once again, thank you all.