How to remove uninstalled windows sp3 download?

Question

windows automatic updates downloaded the sp3 on my computer , i dont have enough space to install it ...i tried to find it in add-remove programs but i didnt see it --the icon that there is an update is always in the bottom right tray i would like to get rid of the download and the icon in the tray, can someone please tell me how to do this??? and tell me how to prevent it from happening again?

Answer 1

You're in a bad situation, because these updates are crucial for your computer's safe functioning, and hence installing them is necessary. I highly recommend you to free up space from your hard drive or else, if it is really small, buy a new one, atleast 120 GB, looking at today's file's sizes.

Well, what I would first think of doing in such a situation is disable Automatic Updates. To do so, press Win key + PauseBreak key, or else rt click on My Computer on desktop and press Properties. Now, go over to the Automatic Updates tab, and select 'Notify me but don't download or install them auto.' Thus, in the future you'll be asked if you want to download them or not.

Next, to delete your currently downloaded update go to D: or C:\Windows\Software Distribution\Downloads. Now, there look for the large folder which you might think be containing the SP3 download. It will be around 300 MB. Delete that folder. If it can't be deleted then search for Unlocker in Google, download and install it and use it to delete the folder.

Hopefully you should be able to free up the space. Hope your problem gets solved.

EDIT - After reading Arend V's answer, I do believe he is right, you don't need it compulsory. I didn't know the thing he said about SP2 so I'd also like to thank him for letting me know that.

But, about clearing up space, I'd recommend removing the software that is stored on your computer that you don't use frequently and is taking up space as well. For example, if you watch movies on a large player like PowerDVD and that too occasionally, you could uninstall it. The Camera software, if not used too frequently used by you, can be removed for sure. But, provided that you have the setup files for these programs to install them later on when you need them.

Again, I agree with Arend to not to uninstall Spyware Doc as it is an essential program to run your computer safely.

To uninstall unneeded programs:

>> Go to Start>Run, and type appwiz.cpl.

>> In the list of Add/Remove programs you see, scroll through all of them, and see the ones taking up large space, and if unneeded by you, can be uninstalled to free up space.

>> Also, use a file explorer app like the one I've linked to delete too big files, that are on your computer, but have been forgotten by you:

http://www.sb-software.com/visdir/

In the future you might need to be up-to-date, so if you want to install SP3 feel free to do so. After all, it has been released to be used. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Listen, you do not have to install sp3, because it is not needed. What Assassin is saying, that the update is absolute necessary is not true, believe me. SP3 does not doe anything positive or negative with your computer. It was different with sp2. We had to install it, since SP1 was not supported any more. We needed SP2 to get the necessary updated.

This is not the case with sp2. Be happy with SP2 and leave it as is is.

No do not remove programs you need, like Spyware Doctor etc.

It does not create that much extra space.

Do you have such a small hard drive that is is nearly fill or is it because you do not use computer clean up programs.

Here are a couple of free programs. You do not have to use them, but because they are all free, why not do it. Might even help you.

http://www.freewarefiles.com/Glary-Utili...

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Syste...

http://www.download.com/Argente-Registry...

http://www.defraggler.com/

These programs are very trustworthy and also free. Just install and drun them. It will never harm your computer.

Again, NO NEED TO INSTALL SP3.