How to save updates downloaded via Automatic update

I have some low disk space problem with Automatic updates. Articles I have
read on the topic normaly say that I should delete and uninstall unnecessary
files and programs, which I have done so many times that I left with fewer
files and programs. majority of space is taken up by these updates. I want
to know where the Automatic update downloads the updates so that I can move
those to some other place, and how can I reuse those downloads again same
computer or on another computer. I found downloads in "c:\windows\software
distributions" folder, and some other hidden folders starting with a "$" sign
followed by update name, what is the importance of those folders. sholuld I
remove those or not ?

Innocent Lady wrote:

> I have some low disk space problem with Automatic updates. Articles I have
> read on the topic normaly say that I should delete and uninstall unnecessary
> files and programs, which I have done so many times that I left with fewer
> files and programs. majority of space is taken up by these updates. I want
> to know where the Automatic update downloads the updates so that I can move
> those to some other place, and how can I reuse those downloads again same
> computer or on another computer. I found downloads in "c:\windows\software
> distributions" folder, and some other hidden folders starting with a "$" sign
> followed by update name, what is the importance of those folders. sholuld I
> remove those or not ?

Do NOT delete *anything* from the $hf_mig$ folder !!!
It's a storage folder that is needed to determine which branch an update
is on. There are 2 branches, QFE and GDR. The former are *usually* Hot
Fixes that are obtained directly from MS for specific issues limited to
certain system that are experiencing those specific issues. The latter
are General Distribution Releases that apply to a much broader base of
Operating Systems.

Description of the contents of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows
Server 2003 software update packages
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824994


If you need to save space advise you to delete the updates' uninstall
subfolders that have been created in the WINDOWS directory [folder].
IF an update is not causing an issue it is safe to remove said uninstall
folders. To view them you will need to show hidden files, folders, and
system files:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...l62.html#winxp

Instructions for deleting the $NTUninstallxxxxxx$ folders and the
subsequent entries for them in Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel
are here: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

The reply from"MowGreen [MVP]" was very helpful, Only one thing remaind
unsolved to me is that: How to reuse those downloads, incase of a clean
install on same computer or an other computer ? I hope "MowGreen [MVP]" or
some other person has the answer.

"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> Innocent Lady wrote:
>
> > I have some low disk space problem with Automatic updates. Articles I have
> > read on the topic normaly say that I should delete and uninstall unnecessary
> > files and programs, which I have done so many times that I left with fewer
> > files and programs. majority of space is taken up by these updates. I want
> > to know where the Automatic update downloads the updates so that I can move
> > those to some other place, and how can I reuse those downloads again same
> > computer or on another computer. I found downloads in "c:\windows\software
> > distributions" folder, and some other hidden folders starting with a "$" sign
> > followed by update name, what is the importance of those folders. sholuld I
> > remove those or not ?
>
> Do NOT delete *anything* from the $hf_mig$ folder !!!
> It's a storage folder that is needed to determine which branch an update
> is on. There are 2 branches, QFE and GDR. The former are *usually* Hot
> Fixes that are obtained directly from MS for specific issues limited to
> certain system that are experiencing those specific issues. The latter
> are General Distribution Releases that apply to a much broader base of
> Operating Systems.
>
> Description of the contents of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows
> Server 2003 software update packages
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824994
>
>
> If you need to save space advise you to delete the updates' uninstall
> subfolders that have been created in the WINDOWS directory [folder].
> IF an update is not causing an issue it is safe to remove said uninstall
> folders. To view them you will need to show hidden files, folders, and
> system files:
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...l62.html#winxp
>
> Instructions for deleting the $NTUninstallxxxxxx$ folders and the
> subsequent entries for them in Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel
> are here: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>

Hi there, you can't reuse automatic updates for a fresh installation.

You can however save updates for future use -

You can also download individual updates from the Catalog and save to be installed later.
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx
Click Add button for each update you want to download. Once you have what you want, Click
the "Go To Download Basket" link. Type in or browse to the location where you want the
updates saved to and then Click the "Download Now" button.
Once downloaded, you can then burn them to CD.

How to download updates and drivers from the Windows Update Catalog or from the Microsoft
Update Catalog
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323166

Other links which may be of interest:

Search for a download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/s...displaylang=en

How to install multiple Windows updates or hotfixes with only one reboot
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296861

For security and other patches released for a given month :
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms##-***.mspx
Replace ## with the two-digit year
Replace *** with the three character month abbreviation

Providing there are releases for that month, you will see the list of "critical"
"important" patches for that month
Check on the 2nd Tuesday of each month - later in the day.

For just the current listing:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"Innocent Lady" <InnocentLady@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:193F04F1-DBA9-4CF8-B895-F90DBCEB1C17@microsoft.com...
| The reply from"MowGreen [MVP]" was very helpful, Only one thing remaind
| unsolved to me is that: How to reuse those downloads, incase of a clean
| install on same computer or an other computer ? I hope "MowGreen [MVP]" or
| some other person has the answer.
|
| "MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:
|
| > Innocent Lady wrote:
| >
| > > I have some low disk space problem with Automatic updates. Articles I have
| > > read on the topic normaly say that I should delete and uninstall unnecessary
| > > files and programs, which I have done so many times that I left with fewer
| > > files and programs. majority of space is taken up by these updates. I want
| > > to know where the Automatic update downloads the updates so that I can move
| > > those to some other place, and how can I reuse those downloads again same
| > > computer or on another computer. I found downloads in "c:\windows\software
| > > distributions" folder, and some other hidden folders starting with a "$" sign
| > > followed by update name, what is the importance of those folders. sholuld I
| > > remove those or not ?
| >
| > Do NOT delete *anything* from the $hf_mig$ folder !!!
| > It's a storage folder that is needed to determine which branch an update
| > is on. There are 2 branches, QFE and GDR. The former are *usually* Hot
| > Fixes that are obtained directly from MS for specific issues limited to
| > certain system that are experiencing those specific issues. The latter
| > are General Distribution Releases that apply to a much broader base of
| > Operating Systems.
| >
| > Description of the contents of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows
| > Server 2003 software update packages
| > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824994
| >
| >
| > If you need to save space advise you to delete the updates' uninstall
| > subfolders that have been created in the WINDOWS directory [folder].
| > IF an update is not causing an issue it is safe to remove said uninstall
| > folders. To view them you will need to show hidden files, folders, and
| > system files:
| > http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...l62.html#winxp
| >
| > Instructions for deleting the $NTUninstallxxxxxx$ folders and the
| > subsequent entries for them in Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel
| > are here: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
| >
| > MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
| > ===============
| > *-343-* FDNY
| > Never Forgotten
| > ===============
| >
| >