Space saving tip for the paranoid

[ElmerBeFuddled]

I've started converting all my updates, as they arrive from SoLoR into .cab files. This makes a small difference to my install media, and my hard drive. I save these to a single .cab folder for updating images, which I always load largest to smallest. Fools me into thinking WTK is getting faster .

Trouble is SoLoR doesn't recognise the majority of .cab files when checking through for updating old updates. So I now use a cunning ruse. In my SoLoR folder is a load of "blank" .msu files it does recognise.

Using Karens Directory Printer, I get a list of the files contained in the SoloR folder and sub-folders. For example:

Windows6.1-KB2023591-x64.cab
Windows6.1-KB2205122-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2276594-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2394535-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2401553-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2411938-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2417168-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2427341-v3-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2427997-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2431799-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2443643-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2444677-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2446607-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2456741-v2-x64.msu
Windows6.1-KB2457458-x64.msu

I then replace (using Wordpad) Windows with type NUL > Windows to give me:

type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2023591-x64.cab
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2205122-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2276594-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2394535-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2401553-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2411938-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2417168-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2427341-v3-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2427997-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2431799-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2443643-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2444677-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2446607-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2456741-v2-x64.msu
type NUL > Windows6.1-KB2457458-x64.msu

I save that as a .bat file, double click it and end up with a folder full of zero byte "misnamed" txt files. Swap them into SoLoR's folder, which they auto replace, and save myself some space. Also makes the new downloads easy to spot as they're the only ones with something in them.

SoLoR's updates recognises and moves/replaces them every time.

This is probably me being anally retentive with regards to space. I suppose I can't shake off the Windows XP 256mb ram and 20gb HDD days mentality.

Now, if I could only find out how to turn my bank balance into a permanent positive, life would be Hunky Dory!!

Edited April 7, 2012 by ElmerBeFuddled

[bphlpt]

Karen Kenworthy was a great app developer. She died almost a year ago now - http://langa.posterous.com/rip-karen-kenworthy - She is missed. Thanks for reminding folks that her apps are still appropriate, Elmer.

Cheers and Regards

[ElmerBeFuddled]

I didn't realise she'd passed on. That makes me feel sad