.msp files

[whs]

I have removed some of my biggest .msp files. Nothing has happened yet - everything seems to work. But maybe it will hit me in the neck at a later time. I have, of course, taken an image before venturing into that experiment.

Does anybody know whether those .msp and .msi files are really required once the relevant code has been installed?

 

[marsmimar]

From what I've read and heard from other people, the .msp is a Microsoft installer patch used to update the OS with security patches, hotfixes, etc as well as updating some other Microsoft programs. The .msi is a Windows installer used for some Windows updates as well as some other 3rd party program installers.

If a new patch or hotfix comes out, it will scan the computer looking for an existing .msp file to use. If there isn't one it will simply bring along its own installer. Same with the Windows updates. If a .msi is available it will be used, otherwise the update or 3rd party software brings along its own file.

So it should be OK to uninstall .msp and .msi files. They may shave a couple of seconds off of an installation but they shouldn't be critical to anything else. At least this is what I've been led to believe.

 

[whs]

Thanks Lee. I had a similar understanding. The matter is not critical for my system. But earlier there was an OP who had 56GBs worth of .msp and .msi files - and that on a 120GB SSD. I had recommended that he do exactly what I did but was not 100% sure it would work. Therefore my experiment.

 

[kado897]

There is an option in CCleaner(or it might be CCEnhancer) to delete some of these.

 

[whs]

Hi Keith, it's funny that they figure under the Application tab > Windows. And in my CCleaner they are not present.

 

[kado897]

In that case it is the CCEnhancer product that adds extra items to CCleaner. CCEnhancer | SingularLabs

 

[whs]

Thanks Keith. I added that to CCleaner.

 

[kado897]

It's good Wolfgang but it can remove some files you may need so be careful what you check.

 

[whs]

I know. And when anything happens, I always can set back to the latest image.

 

[kado897]

 

[A Guy]

You can delete only the orphaned files with the msizap.exe installed with the now defunct Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. Using the command line of:

C:\Program Files\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap G!

Or

C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap G!

on a x64 system. Unfortunately for me, the command opens and closes immediately, even using suggested compatibility settings for XP SP2. Some of the files may be needed if the program needs to uninstall before updating, or if a repair option is available.

Looks like you can do the same manually.

How to Delete Windows .Msp Files | eHow.com

A Guy

Edit: Using the Everything search engine, and regedit, I can confirm the manual method works, and some of the files were still being used. Most were not.

 

[whs]

Hi Bill, Thanks for the heads up.

PS: Tried to rep but have to first spread more.

 

[A Guy]

OK, 2 words...Acronis Restore Tried to open an Excel file, error, tried to run the Office CD figuring to do a repair, restore whatever files it needed, then do windows update and see what it put back. No go, the installer just hung and slowly opened one explorer.exe after another in task manager. Figured I'd not bother, and restored the Acronis image I made before I started. Shame, as I had removed almost a GB of files. Oh well, my SSD is still only 1/2 full. I can live with it

A Guy

 

[kado897]

Oops. I've had the box ticked in CCleaner/CCEnhancer for at least a year no problem.

 

[A Guy]

I don't know that the CCleaner choice does the same thing. These were .msp files in the Installer folder. I haven't ticked any other windows choices in CCleaner enhanced myself. Might try that next weekend when I make a new image

A Guy

 

[kado897]

Yes you could be right.

 

[marsmimar]

Yes you could be right.

Bill is always right. He just told me that the other day. :roflmao:

 

[kado897]

Yes you could be right.

Bill is always right. He just told me that the other day. :roflmao:

True.

 

[A Guy]

But when I told you...was I right?

A Guy

 

[marsmimar]

But when I told you...was I right?

A Guy

Yes, Sir. Uh-huh, uh-huh. Abso-posi-lutely. (d)