OK to delete servicepack files dir?

I've deleted the C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles on three computers, and none have BSOD on the next bootup (after deleteing the dir) or suffered any other problems.

They appear to have the same file versions as in \Windows and \System dir... so what's the point of this dir? I also have disabled System Restore and said "No" to backup old service pack files.

I've also compressed Installer & PChealth dirs.

And deleted most of the files in Help dir, and the $UninstallQXXXXXX" etc dirs

Ta

OK to delete servicepack files dir?

Click to expand...

Probably not a good idea, as that directory in effect takes the place of the ...\i386 folder on your XP CD as the place for the system to go for replacement files (if one or more gets damaged/corrupted), or for new ones needed by a hardware or software install. You could, if pushed for HDD space, probably copy it off to a CD...then change the pointer to it at the following location in the Registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion | Setup

String Value: ServicePackSourcePath.