DOCUMENT:Q184305
TITLE   :How to Install and Remove Hotfixes with HOTFIX.EXE
PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT
PROD/VER:4.0
OPER/SYS:WINDOWS
KEYWORD :kbhowto 
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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
 - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
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SUMMARY
=======

Hotfix.exe is a utility used in the installation of Windows NT hotfixes. A
hotfix is a collection of one or more files that can be applied to a system
in order to correct a problem.

Hotfix.exe supports the following switches:

   HOTFIX [-y] [-f] [-n] [-z] [-q] [-m] [-l]
      -y Perform uninstall (only with -m or -q)
      -f Force apps closed at shutdown
      -n Do not create uninstall directory
      -z Do not reboot when update completes
      -q Quiet or Unattended mode with no user interface
         (this switch is a superset of -m)
      -m Unattended mode with user interface
      -l List installed hotfixes

To view the available switches, type one of the following at a command
prompt:

   hotfix /?
   hotfix /help
   hotfix /h

MORE INFORMATION
================

When you install a Windows NT hotfix, information about the hotfix is
stored in the registry in the following key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
   \Hotfix\<KBArticleNumber>

   where <KBArticleNumber> is the Q number of a Microsoft Knowledge Base
   article associated with a particular hotfix.

   NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for
   readability.

The installation of a hotfix also stores uninstall information in a hidden
folder called %SystemRoot%\$NtUninstall<KBArticleNumber>$.

Perform the following steps to uninstall a Windows NT hotfix:

1. Extract the files within the hotfix. To do this, copy the original file
   to a temporary folder and type the name of the hotfix with the "/x"
   switch. For example, to extract a hotfix called HotfixA without
   installing the files, type the following at a command prompt:

      hotfixa /x

2. Type the following at a command prompt:

      hotfix -y

If multiple hotfixes replace the same file, you must remove the most
recently installed hotfix first in order to successfully return your system
to its original state. For example, assume HotfixA and HotfixB replace the
same file and that you install HotfixA before you install HotfixB. If you
want to return your system to the state prior to the installation of
HotfixA, you must uninstall HotfixB before you uninstall HotfixA.

Hotfix.exe is included with each hotfix you download from the Microsoft ftp
site (ftp.microsoft.com). You can also obtain the latest version of
Hotfix.exe from the following location:

   ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/utilities/hotfix/

You can find information about specific hotfixes on the following Microsoft
sites:

 - http://support.microsoft.com/Support/NTServer/Hotfixes.asp

 - ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/

Additional query words: 4.00 sp lifo last in first out hotfix.inf
hotfix.ini

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