Can I Delete Old Windows Updates

As time goes by, I get updates on different programs, which are stored on my computer and taking upward infinite. Can I delete earlier versions as new ones are updated?

The answer to your question really depends on exactly which updates you're talking most – equally well as exactly how they're delivered and installed.

Windows updates

Let's start with Windows itself. The answer here is generally no.

Updates frequently build upon previous updates, so removing a prior update can sometimes cause problems. But there's a a caveat: a cleanup utility – sometimes called Windows Update Cleanup – may have the selection to remove prior updates.

Two things though: If you lot're going to do this brand sure to use Windows disk cleanup; information technology will continue track of those dependencies that I mentioned, where a new update relies on an older update.

And if you do this, keep in heed that you lot will exist losing the ability to uninstall whatsoever updates that remain. Currently, yous can uninstall an update, which basically means that Windows replaces the current updated files with the old ones from the previous version. If y'all remove those previous versions with a cleanup, then it just tin't put them dorsum to perform the uninstall.

This same scenario is besides generally true for Microsoft Function: updates are applied to the program directly. Files are either removed for you at that fourth dimension or if they're not, they're probably needed to keep things working.

Replace-manner updates

Other programs, all the same, often update themselves quite differently. Rather than just updating parts of the program or patching the program, they just have you download a completely new version and install it.

When this technique is used, you tin typically delete the previously downloaded installer.

Notation that you're not deleting the installed program that's been updated by the new download. What you can delete is the quondam download from the original installation, or from the previous update, and this applies only when the programme updates itself by downloading an entirely new copy.

And for the record, I do recommend that you salvage at least the most recent download installers, particularly for programs that yous may have purchased. Should you ever need to reinstall from scratch, you'll have them set up to go.

Now, if it's not clear that a program updates in this manner – a complete download and replacement – then honestly, I'd practice zero. I'd leave well enough alone. Chances are the program is either cleaning upwards after itself, or the parts that remain are required for some reason.