Original Title: Windows $Uninstall$Remember - This is a public forum so never post private information such as email or phone numbers!On opening the Windows folder in My Computer, I found that all of its essential system files are now Blue and labeled "$Uninstall$". The mother file is titled "spuninst" which I take to be short for 'service pack uninstall'. This appears to have taken place on 9/5/10 @ 2:05 by Software Distribution Download. Can you help me fix this one? Your assistance is much appreciated. Programs you are having problems withError messages Recent changes you made to your computer What you have already tried to fix the problem

Hi scate39,· Are you able to access the files in My Computer?· How did you download Software Distribution file?You may boot the computer into ‘safemode’ and check if the issue persists. It will start Windows XP with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed, follow the steps to boot the computer in safe mode:a. Restart the computer.b. Start tapping F8 key.c. You will get advanced boot option window.d. Select the option “Safe mode”.A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XPHope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Debleena S: Thanks for getting back to me. To answer your question re 'able to access files in My Computer': Yes. But in the Windows folder which is where I need to go to fix my Content Advisor problem, while the folders are accessible they are all labeled $Uninstall$--no way to know which is what. Re: 'Software Distribution File': If I am misreading "spuninst" as 'service pack uninstall', I have no idea what the download was. If I am reading it correctly, I assume it was an auto update by MS. (?) The project I'm working on now leaves me very little play time, so other than adobe, office updates, and wallpaper, its been word processing with very little downloading.Q: If this sounds dumb my apologies, but what is it you want me to do after I get into safe mode?Thanks. scate39

Debleena S: Thanks for getting back to me. To answer your question re 'able to access files in My Computer': Yes. But in the Windows folder which is where I need to go to fix my Content Advisor problem, while the folders are accessible they are all labeled $Uninstall$--no way to know which is what. Re: 'Software Distribution File': If I am misreading "spuninst" as 'service pack uninstall', I have no idea what the download was. If I am reading it correctly, I assume it was an auto update by MS. (?) The project I'm working on now leaves me very little play time, so other than adobe, office updates, and wallpaper, its been word processing with very little downloading.Q: If this sounds dumb my apologies, but what is it you want me to do after I get into safe mode?PS: From above post: I am fairly confident "spuninst" download @ 2:05 on 9/5/10 was part of MS auto update in that 9/5 was a Sunday, and my update time is set for Sunday @ 2:00 am.No error messages re this problem; No major changes recently; As I am clueless, I came straight to Community for help. Thanks. scate39

Hi scate39,What issue you are facing with Content Advisor?I believe you have installed Service Pack 3 on your machine. The folder $Uninstall$ will automatically get created once you install Service Pack 3.You may check in Update history, the updates which you have installed.a. Click the Start button > select Control Panel from the start menu.b.Double-click "Add or Remove Programs" to open the list of program presently installed on your computer.c.Click the check box next to the "Show Update" option located at the top of the window.d.Locate the "Windows XP - Software Updates". You will find a list of all the installed Window's updates and the date when they were installed.You may try to run disk cleanup on your machine which will remove all unnecessary files. Thereafter, check if the issue persists.Using Disk CleanupHope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Files in with names coloured blue are compressed files. When files are compressed they occupy less space on disk. Accessing compressed files takes a little longer than those not compressed. These files are, however, only there to facilitate uninstalling a Windows Update. Most of the time this is never necessary so speed of access is not an issue. Compressing these filesincreases free disk space which can be helpful on an older system where disk spasce is limited.You need to do nothing to these files. If you have a problem or are seeing errors it will not be related to these files.Hope this helps, Gerry Cornell

What issue you are facing with Content Advisor?See http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/InternetExplorer/thread/d3f74a81-ed31-4a82-9a4e-cc5accca20d0 ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft