Re: Useless Leftover Files In Windows XP

D. Spencer Hines wrote:
>>> C:\WINDOWS\KB873339.log 5.11KB
>> <snipped for brevity>
>>>
>>> But I thought we were told to delete these only AFTER making sure
>>> we NEVER wanted to UNINSTALL ANY of these Microsoft UPDATES and
>>> had already uninstalled the matching UNINSTALL files, of the form:
>>>
>>> C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB885836$...
>>
>> No - you only want to delete these DIRECTORIES when you are sure
>> you no longer need to worry about uninstalling these patches. The
>> log files - delete them at will.
>
> There may be some disagreement on that point.
>
> My understanding, from previous posts in this thread, is that if
> one of the updates turned out to be flawed -- and perhaps
> corrupting other programs -- the LOG file could be most helpful in
> determining what went wrong and should therefore remain on the
> system until the SA is SURE the upgrade is CLEAN and will NOT be
> uninstalled.

It would only be useful for advanced users. The immediate fix for someone
thinking they are having trouble with a patch is to remove the last set of
patches and install each patch one at a time - waiting after each one and
before installing the next one for any issues.

If they finally track down which patch caused them issues - then they will
indeed have the log at that point..

Someone troubleshooting problems with patches does not take the time (after
realizing it was a patch causing the problem and doing the uninstall of the
patches, seeing everything works, installing them one at a time again until
finding the culprit) in the middle of it to use Crap Cleaner and remove
their log files anyway. And each time it is installed - that log file is
created.

Otherwise - if you are not having trouble - these logs are not needed.

> [Uncalled for snide remark about grandfathers deleted as not worthy
> of being dignified by an answer.]

Responded separately.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


.

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