System Restore Point Query

I am running Windows XP on my computer. I have been advised that I should turn off the System Restore Point function, in order for certain programs such as scans to work effectively. Along with avast 4.6, I have Spybot Search and Destroy, Zone Alarm, AdAware,Win Patrol and Tune Up Utilities.
It seems that if I dont disable System Restore Point, some options in theses programs will not be fully workable. Please excuse my lack of technical expertise. Another thing I want to know is when cleaning up to free up disk space, I went into Add or Remove Programs and noticed that there is a whole heaps of Windows XP Hotfix items. Now, obviously, they have already been installed. Does that mean I can safely remove them, or do they have to stay there? Please advise.

maruading,

You should not turn off the System Restore! The only reason to turn it off, is if Avast shows you a bunch of files that are unscanned located there. Most of these files are not scanned because they are protected for you. If you need to return to a previous date becuase your system has difficulty, you will need them. Most programs are unaffected by the System Restore being enabled.

Note: Remember that whenever you disable the System Restore, you will loose all back stored date files and will not be able to restore your system to a previous date. When I view my Avast scan results, I look at the “names” of the files that are in the system restore to see if any are “potentially” dangerous. Only then will I disable the SR and rerun the Avast scan.

I would not remove any Windows Hotfix entries using the Add/Remove since the “Remove” will attempt to uninstall them from your system as will it with any other program listed. The fact that they are listed will not hurt your system, but attempting to remove them surely will cause difficulty.

Good luck.

Also note that in XP (Home, anyway, I’ve never used Pro), in Add-Remove at the top there’s a tick-box option to show updates (as in Win updates). You can simply untick that to free up some “real estate” in the Add-Remove list, plus of course it’s a lot less likely that you’ll accidentally un-install one or more if they’re not even showing up.

DO NOT remove those entries manually ever ! Here you can download hotfix mess remover:

HOTFIX MESS REMOVER

Download it, unzip it and run it… it will clean all that mess for you and it will not hurt any of those Windows updates or system files…

Cheers !