removing old updates ?

cozza

Is it safe to remove old updates like windows defender that was first updated 2007 since then it updates regualy and other things like old updates for security microsoft windows installeed 2007 etc or is it best to leave them alone ?

crampo_2

I don't know what other people think about it. But i would leave them alone, Removing one update could upset other updates or programs that could use it or need it to be there

GunJack

leave updates for windows alone.....

remove defender updates if you no longer have defender installed but they still show separately....

remove old versions of Java....

[Deleted User]

crampo wrote: »

I don't know what other people think about it. But i would leave them alone, Removing one update could upset other updates or programs that could use it or need it to be there

It would depend if the update was cumulative or not. I'd leave the Windows updates alone and go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ to get the latest updates for your machine. I'd also uninstall crappy defender and anything left over from it within Add / Remove programs.

A decent on demand anti-spyware would be something like SuperAntiSpyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

GunJack wrote: »

remove old versions of Java....

Agreed. Check your version installed here - http://www.java.com/en/download/dt_verify.jsp?plugin=false&latest=false&users_jre=1.5.0

While you're cleaning up your PC you could also run CCleaner, run an anti-virus check (the best free one is Avira Anti-Vir) and finally an anti-malware scan (use Malwarebytes).

cozza

Hi thank yo for all your info replys davidmt 83 i have got avira but having trouble at the mo updating i have uninstalled and re installed 2 times but still cannot up date so trying to sort that one out ?
cozza

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Try uninstalling again, rebooting, then running the following registry cleaner:

http://dl1.pro.antivir.de/down/windows/registrycleaner_en.zip

Reboot then install again from here:

http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html?part=dl-10322935&subj=dl&!!!!!button&cdlPid=11012914

Have you installed any other anti-virus programs in the past? Can you confirm if there are any other one's installed at the moment?

isofa

Many can be safely removed to save space, but never touch the $hf_mig$ folder, nor the IE updates.

Tons of articles on-line about it, many at the MS KB. This is a good summary: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Hotfix_backup.htm

[Deleted User]

isofa wrote: »

Many can be safely removed to save space, but never touch the $hf_mig$ folder, nor the IE updates.

Tons of articles on-line about it, many at the MS KB. This is a good summary: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Hotfix_backup.htm

Does the OP mean the uninstall folders or actual OS security updates in Add / Remove programs?!

cozza

Hi i mean windows updates when i go in to updates it shows wots been updated . from this file im on about / And i only have windows defender and avira and maleware remover and hijack this / Before i used to us avg but it started to not pick up anything so deleted that the trouble there is so many free spy-anti virus and male ware removers it diffucult which one to choose . but still having problems updating avira i have removed it 6 times now and reinstalled but still no luck

[Deleted User]

cozza wrote: »

Hi i mean windows updates when i go in to updates it shows wots been updated . from this file im on about / And i only have windows defender and avira and maleware remover and hijack this / Before i used to us avg but it started to not pick up anything so deleted that the trouble there is so many free spy-anti virus and male ware removers it diffucult which one to choose . but still having problems updating avira i have removed it 6 times now and reinstalled but still no luck

Did you try uninstalling it, rebooting, running the registry cleaner (above), rebooting then installing it again?

What error message do you get?

Just to make sure it's not AVG getting in the way run the following AVG Remover tool before installing Avira again.

http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/avg_arm_sup_____.dir/avgremover.exe

Regarding what free ones to choose you could do a lot worse then simply using the following:

Anti-spyware - SUPERAntiSpyware
Anti-malware - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Anti-virus - Avira AntiVir
Firewall - Windows XP SP3 / Vista SP1

Even if the updates don't work for Avira straight away can you try running a scan to see if it finds anything?

isofa

cozza wrote: »

Hi i mean windows updates when i go in to updates it shows wots been updated . from this file im on about / And i only have windows defender and avira and maleware remover and hijack this / Before i used to us avg but it started to not pick up anything so deleted that the trouble there is so many free spy-anti virus and male ware removers it diffucult which one to choose . but still having problems updating avira i have removed it 6 times now and reinstalled but still no luck

Don't remove the actual Windows updates from add/remove, as they are there to protect you, patch the system and so forth. But if you are technically minded and want to save some space, read my post 7 above.

PS you are only running one anti-virus checker aren't you? Never run more than one, it'll kill your machine.