mitch
07-05-2005, 09:39 PM
One of the nasty features of XP is that they do not make it easy to uninstall some of the components via the add/remove programs like in earlier versions of Windows... (System Tools...Accessories.. Multimedia, ect) etc)
Normally you would go to "Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel and select "Add/Remove Windows Components". Your system gets scanned and shows you a list of what you have installed you can then deselect the programs that you don't need/want.
For some silly reason WinXP hides certain components so that they can't be seen but if you follow the tip below you can make them reappear so you can uninstall them...
Use Notepad to edit the sysoc.inf file it is located in the Windows/Inf folder
Do a search and replace for the word "hide" (leave match case unchecked)... replace hide with nothing.
Save the file. (If you can not see the "inf" folder make sure you have it set to show "Hidden Files and Folders" .. My Documents... Tools... Folder Options... View)
Now when you go back to "Add or Remove Programs" and select "Windows Components" you should see the ones that were missing before.. One of the ones that is a resource pig is Windows Messenger.
You will have to reboot after removing components for the changes to take effect.
Some of the typical components that can be removed are... Accessibility Options, Indexing service, Update Root Certificates, Windows Automatic Updates, Windows Messenger, Games, Desktop Wallpaper, Communications, MSN Explorer
Normally you would go to "Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel and select "Add/Remove Windows Components". Your system gets scanned and shows you a list of what you have installed you can then deselect the programs that you don't need/want.
For some silly reason WinXP hides certain components so that they can't be seen but if you follow the tip below you can make them reappear so you can uninstall them...
Use Notepad to edit the sysoc.inf file it is located in the Windows/Inf folder
Do a search and replace for the word "hide" (leave match case unchecked)... replace hide with nothing.
Save the file. (If you can not see the "inf" folder make sure you have it set to show "Hidden Files and Folders" .. My Documents... Tools... Folder Options... View)
Now when you go back to "Add or Remove Programs" and select "Windows Components" you should see the ones that were missing before.. One of the ones that is a resource pig is Windows Messenger.
You will have to reboot after removing components for the changes to take effect.
Some of the typical components that can be removed are... Accessibility Options, Indexing service, Update Root Certificates, Windows Automatic Updates, Windows Messenger, Games, Desktop Wallpaper, Communications, MSN Explorer