Deleting Various Updates

Rather than give a blanket response to the affirmative (or otherwise) I'd advise that each instance is examined on its own merits.

For example, if you were referring to instances of [b].NET Framework[/b] - each item is cumulative and builds WITH the one (s) before it, they are not replacements for each other. ;)

I presume you are looking at the list of installed updates in the Add / Remove programs listing.

It is NOT safe to use the remove function to uninstall older versions of Windows updates.

In actuality, what you have in the updates section of Add / Remove programs is a full list of what updates have been installed. When a new version of a specific update is released, most of the time, the new version replaces the same files or registry keys that the original update installed with newer versions. So, in reality, the only "space" that the old update is taking up is the space for the text in the update list.

Keep in mind that often a Windows file is changed by any number of updates. Cumulative updates are just 1 example.

The ONLY updates that I regularly uninstall are the prior version of JAVA, just before I install the new version. In fact, if you want to see a fairly benign example of what can happen when you uninstall an older update, try removing any older version of JAVA listed in Add / Remove programs. If you can remove the old version, you will most likely find that JAVA no longer functions. Downloading and installing the latest version of JAVA will fix any problems.

Now, if your friend is running low on disk space, you should be safe in removing the restore files for old Windows Updates. So long as the computer is running well, it is safe to remove the old restore points. I normally leave the newest 6 months worth of restore points on the drive.

All of these multiple updates and restore points is part of the reason that Windows slows down over time. The "best" way to clean things up is to perform a clean install of Windows.

Chas