how much space do the virus def updates use?

[DavidR]

CCleaner has an option to clear 'Hotfix Uninstallers' in the Windows tab, Advanced sub-section. That however is a no way back if you happened to want to uninstall an MS KB Hotfix.

This isn't something I like to automate, so I too manually remove the old KB hotfixes after a month of no problems seen or reported about them. I also have hard disk imaging software, so my risk level is very low, not the same for everyone. Unfortunately to have such a backup and recovery strategy, you need space on the hard drive (lots of it).

Another area to look at is if windows manages the system restore size and or the Virtual memory size (paging file, a.k.a. pagefile.sys) which can be very large.

[Chim]

Clear out the Software Distribution/ Download Folder, Eh?
Ooooooo!  That would be a mini Gold Mine for me.  That would free up 95.6 Meg.

Okay, I want to make sure I'm clear on this.
All I see in the Software Distribution/ Download Folder in my computer are 16 Folders with LONG File Names made up of letters & numbers that don't make any sense.  Likewise, there are 19 Files with LONG File Names made up of letters & numbers that don't make any sense.

NOW ... would I just simply delete ALL those 16 Folders and 19 Files?  Or how am I supposed to determine that they are "Related to Windows Update Setup Files?"  I mean ... they ARE in the Download Folder.

Or is that one of the options in CCleaner?

[DavidR]

Generally If I'm not sure of what an option does, I check the option and run an analysis (nothing more). You should then be able to see what value (how much KB/MB) is listed in the analysis window. Now double click on that entry and you get a detailed listing of the files and sizes of what makes up that option.

In the case of the  'Hotfix Uninstallers' in the Windows tab, Advanced sub-section, when you double click it you see the detailed view. If you see stuff that you don't want removed then you go back to the Summary view and uncheck the option DON'T run the Cleaner.

[bob3160]

If you upgraded, often you'll find a folder windows.old   which is no longer used and just there for your reference.

[Chim]

I have attached an image of my Hard Drive's Software Distribution / Download Folder
See what I mean that it only has Folders with nondescript File Names?
The Files that it has in there in addition to those Folders, also have nondescript File Names.
How am I supposed to determine whether they're "Related to Windows Update Setup Files" so as to deem them SAFE to delete?

I notice that most indicate they were last modified back in 2007.
Wouldn't that pretty much indicate they aren't needed?