Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed?

Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed on my computer? Is just the
most current update adequate? In other words, can I uninstall older updates
to free up disk space? Is most of the information contained in updates
redundant from older versions, or is each update completely original and
necessary? I have numerous updates of the following:

Security Update for Windows XP
Update for Windows XP
Windows XP Hotfix
Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7
--
Thanks,
McBane

Are you running WinXP SP2 or WinXP SP3 currently?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

McBane wrote:
> Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed on my computer? Is just
> the
> most current update adequate? In other words, can I uninstall older
> updates
> to free up disk space? Is most of the information contained in updates
> redundant from older versions, or is each update completely original and
> necessary? I have numerous updates of the following:
>
> Security Update for Windows XP
> Update for Windows XP
> Windows XP Hotfix
> Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7

SP2

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Are you running WinXP SP2 or WinXP SP3 currently?
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
> McBane wrote:
> > Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed on my computer? Is just
> > the
> > most current update adequate? In other words, can I uninstall older
> > updates
> > to free up disk space? Is most of the information contained in updates
> > redundant from older versions, or is each update completely original and
> > necessary? I have numerous updates of the following:
> >
> > Security Update for Windows XP
> > Update for Windows XP
> > Windows XP Hotfix
> > Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7
>
>

"McBane" <McBane@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:73C68EA5-BA0F-456C-B630-13CF71C627A2@microsoft.com...
> SP2
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Are you running WinXP SP2 or WinXP SP3 currently?
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>> McBane wrote:
>> > Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed on my computer? Is just
>> > the
>> > most current update adequate? In other words, can I uninstall older
>> > updates
>> > to free up disk space? Is most of the information contained in updates
>> > redundant from older versions, or is each update completely original
>> > and
>> > necessary? I have numerous updates of the following:
>> >
>> > Security Update for Windows XP
>> > Update for Windows XP
>> > Windows XP Hotfix
>> > Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7
>>
>>
You need to keep all updates. These updates are not cumulative.
Jim

You have to keep them. But you can remove folders that have uninstall as part of the name
(for example $NtUninstallKB282010$ which reside in C:\windows (hidden folders) are Window
Hot Fix Update folders/files) can be safely deleted (providing you never wish to uninstall
the updates). I would recommend leaving these folders for a period of at least a month to
make sure the update is working correctly.

These updates can be deleted individually or in multiples. To find out more about the
update/s go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX
NB: XXXXXX = the actual number not including the "Q" or "KB"

Once you have deleted the uninstall folders/files, then go to Control Panel, Add/Remove
Programs. Select the matching Windows Hotfix Title relating the update folder/file you
have just deleted and select remove. You will get a Windows error. This is because you
have deleted the uninstall folder/files. Just choose OK and the entry will be deleted from
the Add/Remove Programs Listing.


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"McBane" <McBane@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F4930141-018F-41B3-BB23-330FCF07446F@microsoft.com...
| Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed on my computer? Is just the
| most current update adequate? In other words, can I uninstall older updates
| to free up disk space? Is most of the information contained in updates
| redundant from older versions, or is each update completely original and
| necessary? I have numerous updates of the following:
|
| Security Update for Windows XP
| Update for Windows XP
| Windows XP Hotfix
| Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7
| --
| Thanks,
| McBane

Prior to installing WinXP SP3, see
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm
--
~PA Bear

McBane wrote:
> SP2
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> Are you running WinXP SP2 or WinXP SP3 currently?
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>> McBane wrote:
>>> Do I need to keep all Windows Updates installed on my computer? Is just
>>> the
>>> most current update adequate? In other words, can I uninstall older
>>> updates
>>> to free up disk space? Is most of the information contained in updates
>>> redundant from older versions, or is each update completely original and
>>> necessary? I have numerous updates of the following:
>>>
>>> Security Update for Windows XP
>>> Update for Windows XP
>>> Windows XP Hotfix
>>> Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7