HOW TO: Remove the Service Pack Restore Files and Folders in Windows (290402)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3
This article was previously published under Q290402

IN THIS TASK

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article provides instructions and discusses the precautions for safely deleting the Service Pack Uninstall folder ($NtServicePackUninstall$). It also provides guidance for relocating the ServicePackFiles folder without losing functionality of the Windows File Protection system and the updated Service Pack files (which can be used to add additional components).

When a Windows 2000 Service Pack has been installed and tested, you may want to free hard disk space on the local computer by deleting and/or relocating the Service Pack folders. WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
If you want, you can free disk space on the local system by deleting the Service Pack Uninstall folder (refer to the "Deleting the Service Pack Uninstall Folder" section). Additionally, the ServicePackFiles folder may be relocated to an alternate drive or to a centralized network sharepoint (refer to the "Relocating the ServicePackFiles Folder" section). Both actions can be accomplished independently of each other.

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Delete the Service Pack Uninstall Folder

NOTE: The Service Pack uninstall capability must only be removed after you have determined that there is no longer a need to return the system to the pre-Service Pack state.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

268989 Considerations Before You Uninstall Windows 2000 Service Pack 1

The Service Pack Uninstall folder is a hidden file. If you do not find it in the following path, ensure that you have enabled the Show hidden files and folders option in the View tab in Folder Options:
  1. Locate the Service Pack Uninstall folder in the %Systemroot%\$NtServicePackUninstall$ folder.
  2. Select the $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder and delete it.
  3. To remove the Service Pack uninstall option from the Add/Remove Programs menu, delete the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows 2000 Service Pack x

    where x is the version number of the Service Pack that is installed.
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Troubleshooting

If you delete the ServicePackFiles folder, the Windows File Protection system is unable to work if a Service Pack file becomes corrupted. The Windows File Protection system does not prompt you for an alternate file location nor does it restore the corrupted file. If you remove the ServicePackFiles folder, and then attempt to install optional components [such as, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Windows Internet Name Service (WINS)], the system is unable to automatically install the latest Service Pack version of the files. You are prompted for an alternate location for the file installation.

To work around both of these issues and to successfully free disk space, refer to the following KB article for steps to permanently configure an alternate directory location:

271484 Files and Folders Are Added to Your System After Service Pack Is Installed

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REFERENCES

Relocating the ServicePackFiles Folder

The ServicePackFiles folder contains the updated versions of the Windows 2000 system files installed by the Service Pack. This folder is used when additional components are installed to ensure that the most recent version of the files are used. This folder is also used by the Windows File Protection system to restore corrupt or missing versions of the Service Pack files.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

274215 Not Necessary to Reinstall Windows 2000 SP1 After System Changes

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Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/19/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbHOWTOmaster kbsetup KB290402 kbAudITPro
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