HFTidy

Introduction

Installing Microsoft hotfixes and security updates consumes disk space. Before the patches are installed the uninstall information and files are stored in the %SYSTEMROOT% directory. These files consume disk space and let’s be honest, how often do you need to uninstall an update?

In a VDI environment the virtual disk space is at a premium. HFTidy was written for this particular environment but can be used on physical desktops or laptops (or servers) if required. Note: Only remove the uninstall files once you are happy that you do not need to uninstall them!

HFTidy supports removing all updates, querying the updates which would be removed, particular updates only or all updates excluding specified updates. Note: HFTidy only works on Windows XP due to differences with patch installation on Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Installation

Just copy HFTidy on to your executable path. Typing “HFTidy /?” displays its usage syntax.

Using HFTidy

Usage: HFTidy [/i:HotFix,HotFix] [/e:HotFix,Hotfix] [/q]

Switch	Description
/i	Removes only the (comma separated) specifed KB updates. If this switch is used then the /e switch will be ignored. The list of updates can include the KB prefix, but it is not required.
/e	Removes all updates excluding the (comma separated) specified KB update(s). The list of updates can include the KB prefix, but it is not required.
/q	Queries and displays the update(s) that would be removed taking in to account the /i or /e switches. No updates will be removed with the /Q switch.

Examples

Example	Description
HFTIDY /e:123456	Removes all update uninstall files and registry entries, except the KB123456 update on the local machine.
HFTIDY /e:kb123456 /q	Displays all the update uninstall files and registry entries that would be removed if run without the /Q switch (as above) on the local machine.
HFTIDY /i:123456,234567	Remove only the KB123456 and KB234567 update uninstall files and registry entries from the local machine.

Download
Version: 1.0.0, Size: 184 kB