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Download size vs space on hard drive

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of Security updates.@discussions.microsoft.com Size of Security updates.

unread,
Dec 21, 2009, 5:14:01 AM12/21/09
to
I've just stripped my computer back to factory setting in an attempt to get
it running faster. After the re-installation of Windows I had to install
over 75 different security updates for Vista. Windows update told me the
download size was just 280mb yet afetr installation I noticed I lost almost
10gb from my hard drive. Does anyone know how this works? I was using a
mobile dongle to access the internet, I only get a 3gb allowance and I'm
hoping I haven't exceeded that!

Robert Aldwinckle

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Dec 21, 2009, 11:09:24 AM12/21/09
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"Size of Security updates." <Size of Security updates.@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:334547C5-FFAC-41DB...@microsoft.com...


It may be an illusion but if you want there are a few things you can do
to reduce the space being used to allow uninstalls...

http://www.winvistaclub.com/f16.html

(BING search for
winsxs uninstall updates space delete
)

<quote>
In practice, nearly every file in the WinSxS directory is a "hard link" to the
physical files elsewhere on the system-meaning that the files are not
actually in this directory. For instance in the WinSxS there might be a file
called advapi32.dll that takes up >700K however what's being reported is
a hard link to the actual file that lives in the Windows\System32, and it will
be counted twice (or more) when simply looking at the individual directories
from Windows Explorer.
</quote>

So, how does your space problem look if you discount all the space reported
for that one directory?


The article mentions a tool for cleaning up after a service pack
but unfortunately doesn't mention what the context of that operation
would be...

<quote>
Service Pack 1 contains a binary called VSP1CLN.EXE, a tool that will make
the Service Pack package permanent (not removable) on your system,
and remove the RTM versions of all superseded components.
This can only be done because by making the Service Pack permanent
we can guarantee that we won't ever need the RTM versions.
</quote>

E.g. if this was being written after installing VistaSP1 that would be one thing
but if written after installing VistaSP2 it would be something entirely different...

This seems to answer that question

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949472

(BING search for
vsp1cln uninstall updates space delete
)

<quote>
You can use the Vsp1cln.exe tool to uninstall the files that are archived after you apply Windows Vista SP1.
</quote>


So then a question might be is there also a vsp2cln.exe? <eg>

Doesn't look like it...

(BING search
vsp2cln site:microsoft.com
- 0 hits
- maybe 1 after this gets posted? <eg>
)


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
---


MowGreen

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Dec 21, 2009, 11:32:23 AM12/21/09
to
Robert,

The tool is compcln.exe in Vista SP2

Reduce the size of the WinSxS folder with vsp1cln.exe and compcln.exe
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=1060

As to 'fiddling' with the contents of Winsxs:

Deleting from the WinSxS directory
http://blogs.msdn.com/jonwis/archive/2007/01/02/deleting-from-the-winsxs-directory.aspx


MowGreen
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"

Michael

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Dec 21, 2009, 12:50:50 PM12/21/09
to
Great article, Mow. All the "tinkerers" should read it.

--


"Don't pick a fight with an old man.
If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."


"MowGreen" <mowg...@nowandzen.com> wrote in message
news:O7xWrslg...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

readysteadygo

unread,
Mar 17, 2010, 5:45:03 PM3/17/10
to

sp2 don't have either of the exe's.
These advices are utterly useless.
Tnx for nothing

Shenan Stanley

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Mar 17, 2010, 8:05:06 PM3/17/10
to
<snipped>

<entire archived conversation>
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/browse_frm/thread/bbcf33d6f7fd1d8/
</entire archived conversation>

It took you 3 months to respond to this?

Are you sure it is useless advice (there is no "s" at the end)?

It wasn't directed toward you anyway - and if it took you three months to
comprehend it - it might *only* be useless to you. ;-)

I'll check back in June for any response. ;-)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


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