Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I thought
the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my computer still
functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange because I've deleted every
non-essential program. I suspect that a big part of the problem is Windows.
I recall that when I installed a major update to Windows XP, it recommended
that I leave in place part of the older version in case I experienced
difficulties with the new version. However, that was months ago, so I think
I can safely delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed that
when I clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$. Can they
be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any techniques to
free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new computer, but that will
have to wait another three months.)
Thank you.
Bob

"Robert McN" <RobertMcN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5EE96AE-AB7C-4CEF-8DC6-90FC58EAA11F@microsoft.com...
> Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I
thought
> the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my computer still
> functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange because I've deleted
every
> non-essential program. I suspect that a big part of the problem is
Windows.
> I recall that when I installed a major update to Windows XP, it
recommended
> that I leave in place part of the older version in case I experienced
> difficulties with the new version. However, that was months ago, so I
think
> I can safely delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed that
> when I clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
> literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$. Can
they
> be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any techniques to
> free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new computer, but that
will
> have to wait another three months.)
> Thank you.
> Bob

A few comments:
- Suspecting that Windows is causing your problems is unsafe.
It might as well be something else. Use one of these tools to
find out:
DriveUse:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~nulif...are/index.html
Bullet Proof Folder sizes: http://www.foldersizes.com/
- Check your System Restore settings. This function might gobble
up a very large amount of space.
- There is no need to buy a new computer. Buying a larger
hard disk will suffice - disks are cheap!

All those folders with the $NtUninstall**** can be deleted. They are the
uninstalls for hotifex/patches/etc and once installed and you are happy with
them there is no reason to keep them around.

Look in Add or Remove Programs for the listing of the backup prior to the
upgrade.

"Robert McN" <RobertMcN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5EE96AE-AB7C-4CEF-8DC6-90FC58EAA11F@microsoft.com...
> Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I
> thought
> the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my computer still
> functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange because I've deleted
> every
> non-essential program. I suspect that a big part of the problem is
> Windows.
> I recall that when I installed a major update to Windows XP, it
> recommended
> that I leave in place part of the older version in case I experienced
> difficulties with the new version. However, that was months ago, so I
> think
> I can safely delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed that
> when I clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
> literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$. Can
> they
> be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any techniques to
> free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new computer, but that
> will
> have to wait another three months.)
> Thank you.
> Bob

Also take a look at CCleaner as a tool to remove temp files and other junk.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

JS

"Robert McN" <RobertMcN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5EE96AE-AB7C-4CEF-8DC6-90FC58EAA11F@microsoft.com...
> Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I
> thought
> the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my computer still
> functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange because I've deleted
> every
> non-essential program. I suspect that a big part of the problem is
> Windows.
> I recall that when I installed a major update to Windows XP, it
> recommended
> that I leave in place part of the older version in case I experienced
> difficulties with the new version. However, that was months ago, so I
> think
> I can safely delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed that
> when I clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
> literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$. Can
> they
> be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any techniques to
> free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new computer, but that
> will
> have to wait another three months.)
> Thank you.
> Bob

Robert

Are you using Norton Protected Storage?

To investigate how you are using hard disk space you need to make sure
that
you can see all files. Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View,
Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and
folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files " is
unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You
should
also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file
types"
is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View, Details is
selected
and then select View, Choose Details and check before Name, Type, Total
Size, and Free Space.

You still will not see the System Volume Information folder.
How to Gain Access to the System Volume Information Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;309531

FileSize -a useful tool for use with Windows Explorer when investigating
how
disk space is being used.
http://markd.mvps.org/

The download link is not obvious. Click the here in the two sentences of
the
web page accessed through the link above. "I can't count the number of
times
someone has asked for this. So here is a module you can install that
shows a
Folder Size column in Explorer."

To increase you free space on your C partition select Start, All
Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More Options, System Restore
and
remove all but the latest System Restore points? Restore points can be
quite
large.

You should use Disk CleanUp regularly to Empty your Recycle Bin and
Remove Temporary Internet Files. Whenever you remove redundant files you
should always run Disk Defragmenter by selecting Start, All Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.

It is likely that an allocation of 12% has been made to System Restore
on
your C partition which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb.
Right
click your My Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore.
Place the cursor on your C drive select Settings but this time find the
slider and drag it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you
get
to the Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

If your hard drive is formatted as NTFS another potential gain arises
with
your operating system on your C drive. In the Windows Directory of your
C partition you will have some Uninstall folders in your Windows folder
typically: $NtServicePackUninstall$ and $NtUninstallKB282010$ etc.

These files may be compressed or not compressed. If compressed the
text of the folder name appears in blue characters. If not compressed
you can compress them. Right click on each folder and select Properties,
General, Advanced and check the box before Compress contents to
save Disk Space. On the General Tab you can see the amount gained
by deducting the size on disk from the size. Folder compression is
only an option on a NTFS formatted drive / partition.

Another default setting on a large drive which could be wasteful is that
for
temporary internet files especially if you do not store offline copies
on
disk. The default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude
to
offline copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer
select Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files,
Settings
to make the change. At the same time look at the number of days history
is held.

The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. On your
drive
5% should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor on your
Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and move the
slider
from 10% to 5%.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Robert McN" <RobertMcN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5EE96AE-AB7C-4CEF-8DC6-90FC58EAA11F@microsoft.com...
> Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I
> thought
> the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my computer
> still
> functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange because I've
> deleted every
> non-essential program. I suspect that a big part of the problem is
> Windows.
> I recall that when I installed a major update to Windows XP, it
> recommended
> that I leave in place part of the older version in case I experienced
> difficulties with the new version. However, that was months ago, so I
> think
> I can safely delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed
> that
> when I clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
> literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$.
> Can they
> be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any techniques
> to
> free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new computer, but
> that will
> have to wait another three months.)
> Thank you.
> Bob

Robert McN wrote:

> Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I
> thought the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my
> computer still functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange
> because I've deleted every non-essential program.


Deleting programs has no effect on the speed of the computer. What is
running has an effect, but what is installed but not running is irrelevant.


> I suspect that a
> big part of the problem is Windows.


I suspect that the major part of the problem is malware infestation. That
is, by far, the most common culprit for a slow computer these days, and is
the first thing you should be looking at. I recommend that you go to Malke's
Malware Removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware and follow
the instructions there.







> I recall that when I installed a
> major update to Windows XP, it recommended that I leave in place part
> of the older version in case I experienced difficulties with the new
> version. However, that was months ago, so I think I can safely
> delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed that when I
> clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
> literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$.
> Can they be safely deleted?


They are uninstalls for the various hotfixes you've installed. If you are
sure that you will never need to ununstall the hotixes, yes you can delete
these files


> Finally, does anybody have advice on any
> techniques to free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new
> computer, but that will have to wait another three months.)


Although there are ways to free up space (I'll mention one below), if space
is that tight, you probably need to consider buying a new larger drive. You
don't necessarily need a whole new computer to get more disk space.

One thing you might do is check whether you are using the default 12% of
your drive for System Restore points. If you are it's almost certainly much
more than you need or can make effective use of. Trying to use System
Restore to go back more than a week, or at most two, seldom works because
if you restored back that far, the operating system would likely be out of
synch with other files on the drive. So you can cut back to around 1-2GB.


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Robert

Are you using Norton Protected Storage?

To investigate how you are using hard disk space you need to make sure
that
you can see all files. Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View,
Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and
folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files " is
unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You
should
also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file
types"
is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View, Details is
selected
and then select View, Choose Details and check before Name, Type, Total
Size, and Free Space.

You still will not see the System Volume Information folder.
How to Gain Access to the System Volume Information Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;309531

FileSize -a useful tool for use with Windows Explorer when investigating
how
disk space is being used.
http://markd.mvps.org/

The download link is not obvious. Click the here in the two sentences of
the
web page accessed through the link above. "I can't count the number of
times
someone has asked for this. So here is a module you can install that
shows a
Folder Size column in Explorer."

To increase you free space on your C partition select Start, All
Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More Options, System Restore
and
remove all but the latest System Restore points? Restore points can be
quite
large.

You should use Disk CleanUp regularly to Empty your Recycle Bin and
Remove Temporary Internet Files. Whenever you remove redundant files you
should always run Disk Defragmenter by selecting Start, All Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.

It is likely that an allocation of 12% has been made to System Restore
on
your C partition which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb.
Right
click your My Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore.
Place the cursor on your C drive select Settings but this time find the
slider and drag it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you
get
to the Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

If your hard drive is formatted as NTFS another potential gain arises
with
your operating system on your C drive. In the Windows Directory of your
C partition you will have some Uninstall folders in your Windows folder
typically: $NtServicePackUninstall$ and $NtUninstallKB282010$ etc.

These files may be compressed or not compressed. If compressed the
text of the folder name appears in blue characters. If not compressed
you can compress them. Right click on each folder and select Properties,
General, Advanced and check the box before Compress contents to
save Disk Space. On the General Tab you can see the amount gained
by deducting the size on disk from the size. Folder compression is
only an option on a NTFS formatted drive / partition.

Another default setting on a large drive which could be wasteful is that
for
temporary internet files especially if you do not store offline copies
on
disk. The default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude
to
offline copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer
select Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files,
Settings
to make the change. At the same time look at the number of days history
is held.

The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. On your
drive
5% should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor on your
Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and move the
slider
from 10% to 5%.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Robert McN" <RobertMcN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5EE96AE-AB7C-4CEF-8DC6-90FC58EAA11F@microsoft.com...
> Hi everyone. My computer is less than three years old and yet while I
> thought
> the hard disk would never be filled, now it is. While my computer
> still
> functions, it is unbearably slow. This is strange because I've
> deleted every
> non-essential program. I suspect that a big part of the problem is
> Windows.
> I recall that when I installed a major update to Windows XP, it
> recommended
> that I leave in place part of the older version in case I experienced
> difficulties with the new version. However, that was months ago, so I
> think
> I can safely delete that file. Does anyone know how? I also noticed
> that
> when I clicked on Windows Explorer and look under "Windows" there is
> literally dozens of files with names such as $NtUninstallkB841873$.
> Can they
> be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any techniques
> to
> free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new computer, but
> that will
> have to wait another three months.)
> Thank you.
> Bob

Robert McN wrote:

> Can they be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any
> techniques to free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new
> computer, but that will have to wait another three months.)

Have you run the Disk Cleanup Tool yet? That's always a good place to start
when you're trying to clean out stuff you don't use anymore.

Robert McN wrote:

> Can they be safely deleted? Finally, does anybody have advice on any
> techniques to free up space on one's hard disk? (Yes, I need a new
> computer, but that will have to wait another three months.)

Have you run the Disk Cleanup Tool yet? That's always a good place to start
when you're trying to clean out stuff you don't use anymore.