Thread: How to Delete backup files and recover disk space in XP

Windows uses backup copies for the installation of a service pack or an update, so that the modifications can be cancelled again. If everything works smoothly after some time, these files become unnecessary and only take up valuable storage space.

Away with the space-consumers! For this, open 'Start/My Computer' and double-click the system partition; normally 'C:\'. Now, open the Windows installation folder, normally 'C:\ Windows'. After a long system run-time, there are many compressed folders that have accumulated here, whose names have a dollar sign in the start and at the end. Mostly, the names begin with '$NtUninstall'. But you might possibly also detect names that start with '$MSI' or '$NtServicePack'. But all folders have 'Uninstall' as a part of their name.

If you do not find any such folders at all, ensure that you have activated the option 'Display all Files and Folders' in 'Extras/Folder Options/View' in the 'Advanced Settings' list under 'Hidden Flies and Folders'. The specified folders contain information for canceling an Installed update or service pack. In order to clear the disk space occupied by this data, select this folder and press [Del]. Confirm the security query that follows by clicking on 'Yes'. There is an important exception: do not delete the '$htmig$' folder. It does not even have 'Unlnstall' in its name.

CAUTlON: the moment you delete the directories, you can no longer remove
the Installed updates and service packs. Thus, only delete the directories if you are sure you can do without this option. Hence, work carefully with an eye on
the date and only delete folders that are older than six months for Instance.