I cannot update my guide here because it is in 10 parts. Each part requires one post because of its length. The guides forum here only allows to update the first post of my guide. You can view the fully updated guide in its entirety here...

SLIMMING DOWN WINDOWS XP: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

MY BATCH FILES ARE AVAILABLE HERE

UPDATE:

My site went down for the full month of September. I really haven't much control over the site, because it really isn't "my" site. The site belongs to a generous lady named Sadie who lives in England. She gave it to me to support my work on Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide.

The guide was always for you. That is why I created it. It is my gift to those who always wanted to know which files they can delete from Windows XP, but couldn't find their answers. My site was only an afterthought.

Should the unforeseen happen, should my site go down again, whether temporarily or permanently, you should know that two other sites now host my guide for you, WinCert.net and Jan's Graphix an Stuff.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide has always been and will always be a work in progress. I edit and make changes to its contents on a continuous basis. I will continue my work on my guide on my site as well as on the above two sites.

Sincerely,

Bold_Fortune






Thanks go out to Fred Langa for his acknowledgment of Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide in The LangaList.

Bold,

Awesome job on the "Slimming Down XP" article. I especially like the fact that your penchant for deleting files is tempered by the idea that (1) the OS should still work as required and (2) that there be zero errors in the Event Viewer. Like you, I can't stand errors in the Event Viewer; makes me feel dirty! And any schmuck can delete files willy-nilly, but it takes real talent, thought, and patience to do it the way you did. I can only imagine how long all the trial and error must have taken. Years, I'd bet.

Anyway, just wanted to drop a note letting you know that your efforts are appreciated.

Ugly Genius

From Gizmo's Top Picks, Ian Richards' Support Alert Newsletter:

If you want to slim down your version of Windows, I suggest you read Bold_Fortune's "Complete Guide to Slimming Down Windows XP" first. It will not only tell you what to do, but also alert you to the pitfalls you need to avoid. Highly recommended.


Why I Don't Use Programs Like XPLite and nLite

Sure, programs can be written that will remove some applications and their specifics. Many programmers use the "inf file method". That is to say, if files are listed within the .inf file for a certain Windows component, all you have to do is remove those particular files, and wallah! component gone.

Deleting whole components, however, oftentimes also removes some files that are necessary to an individual's use of a computer.

Users put their computers to many different uses. And all have very different needs from another.

Let me give you a couple of examples of what I'm talking about.

You decide you no longer want Windows Media Player on your system.

You set your file removal program to delete all files associated with WMP. ...Which would mean you also won't be needing the codecs installed for WMP. So you set the program to also delete all WMP codecs.

But you're also a big fan of Yahoo Chat.

Only now, you can't get Yahoo Chat to work properly. You want to talk with your friends in Voice, but you no longer have the ability...because along with all the other WMP codecs, you've deleted the specific codecs that allow this function.

So now we're talking about a program that would have to have a setting to delete Windows Media Player and all its codecs, while keeping only the codecs needed by Yahoo Chat.

There are many other variables that would also need to be written into the program. It would have to take into consideration all of the many individual users who all put their computers to all very different uses.

You don't play games on the Internet.

Then you won't be needing all the DirectX files. Unless you decide you like Windows Media Player after all. Then you're going to need to keep nine specific DirectX files on your system.

In this instance, you would need have incorporated into your file removal program a special setting that would single out and keep the specific DirectX files needed for WMP, while deleting the other ninety-six DirectX files that you won't be needing, because you don't play games on the Internet.

You elect to remove DirectX with your file-removal program.

You don't play games on the Internet. You could care less if Windows Media Player needs nine specific DirectX files. Because you never use it anyway, and you had the program remove WMP too.

Then you make yourself a nice TV dinner. Grab a bottle of pop from the refrigerator. And make yourself comfortable in front of your computer. It's movie time!

You pop in a DVD. Up springs NVDVD Player. Only it's telling you, "Sorry, you don't seem to have the proper files installed on your system."

You see, NVDVD Player needs seven specific DirectX files to work.

So you decide to re-install DirectX so you can watch your movie.

And now you've defeated your purpose (Remember your purpose?) to remove all unnecessary files from your system. ...Because now you have ninety-eight DirectX files installed on your system that you really don't need.

File removal programs give you a choice: keep an entire Windows component and all its associated files, or remove the component completely, and lose functionality elsewhere.

You set your program to remove the Computer Management and Disk Management.

(The only reason I personally would have for accessing Computer Management would be to utilize Disk Management. The only reason I would have for utilizing Disk Management would be to format a drive. I do that with XP's installation disc during the installation process. The only utilities I need in Computer Management are the Services and Event Viewers, and I can access both from my Start Menu.)

Your program takes out these files:

capesnpn.dll....Microsoft Certificate Template Management Extension
certmgr.dll.....Certificate MMC (Microsoft Management Console) Snap-In Tool
certmgr.msc.....
compmgmt.msc....Computer Management Console
diskmgmt.msc....Disk Management Console
DISKPART.EXE....
DmAdmin.exe.....Local Disk Manager Administrative Service
dmconfig.dll....Logical Disk Manager Configuration Library
dmdlgs.dll......Disk Management Snap-in Dialogs
dmdskmgr.dll....Disk Management Snap-in Support Library
dmdskres.dll....Disk Management Snap-in Resources
dmintf.dll......Disk Management DCOM Interface Stub
dmocx.dll.......TreeView OCX
DMREMOTE.EXE....Logical Disk Manager
DmServer.dll....Logical Disk Manager service dll
dmutil.dll......Logical Disk Manager Utility Library
dmview.ocx......Disk Management Snap-in
fsmgmt.msc......Microsoft Common Console Document (Shared Folders)
localsec.dll....Local Users and Groups MMC Snapin
lusrmgr.msc.....Microsoft Common Console Document
mmcshext.dll....MMC Shell Extension DLL
mycomput.dll....Computer Management
ntmsapi.dll.....Removable Storage Public Interfaces
ntmsmgr.dll.....Removable Storage Service
osuninst.dll....Uninstall Interface
sendcmsg.dll....Send Console Message
smlogcfg.dll....Performance Logs and Alerts Snap-in

Oops! Now you can't get into your Device Manager, because Device Manager is dependent upon the dmocx.dll.

See what I mean? There are just too many variables involved. It is impossible to have a file removal program remove whole components without disrupting an individual's use of a computer. Many times, while removing components, these programs remove along with them files that also have other uses.

"Aha!" you say. "nLite has an 'additional files to keep' box. Why not use this nLite feature to keep all the files you don't want it to remove along with certain whole components?"

With some 1,800 individual system32 files alone, a person would have quite a few decisions to make. You would really need to know your stuff to setup that program effectively.

And it is not always just about the choices we make about which files to keep or delete. It is also about which registry entries should be intact after the installation.

Some files we delete should never be UnRegistered...meaning their registry entries, or at least some of them, should never be removed. The files themselves can be removed, but UnRegister them, and you've got problems.

If certain files are removed before the installation, their registry entries are not delivered to the registry. Would it not follow, that if some of their registry entries are needed, they would not be present?

Some people refuse to look at this, or choose to ignore it. I personally believe it is one of the reasons programs that remove files pre-installation are doomed to forever leave the individual user with post-installation problems.

Take for example my favorite (or at least one of the more interesting) .OCX files, the daxctle.ocx.

This one .OCX file is attached to 11,741 Registry Keys and 12,864 Values under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface...and every one of them will be removed by UnRegistering it.

11,741 Registry Keys and 12,864 Values That's a lot. ...No, that's really a lot. And those numbers show up after I have run registry cleaners. I have seen it associated with as many as 13,583 Registry Keys before any registry cleaner was used.

It's not so much I need the daxctle.ocx on my system, I don't. But UnRegistering it removes registry entries that belong additionally to other files that I do need on my system. I can delete the daxctle.ocx, no problem. But UnRegister it, and Windows Media Player will not play...anything.

Here are a few other examples of files I delete, but I do not UnRegister.

initpki.dll.....(Microsoft Trust Installation and Setup). Contains functions that support encryption. Should I UnRegister this file, I experience a few problems with Internet Explorer displaying certain items on Webpages, and also some problems entering certain Websites. I can delete the initpki.dll and no such problems will occur...just so long as I do not UnRegister it.

mssip32.dll.....(MSSIP32 Forwarder DLL). Should I UnRegister this file, Microsoft Update will not function. I can delete the mssip32.dll and Microsoft Update will still function...just so long as I do not UnRegister it.

softpub.dll.....(Softpub Forwarder DLL). Contains functions that support encryption. Should I UnRegister this file, I experience a few problems with Internet Explorer displaying certain items on Webpages, and also some problems entering certain Websites. I can delete the softpub.dll and no such problems will occur...just so long as I do not UnRegister it.

---------------------------------------

Many people have asked for my personal batch files. I have declined to release them to the general public. I will however help you get started making your own batch files. You can then add any individual files you want to them. Which individual files you choose to remove from your system will be entirely up to you.

I have incorporated a failsafe feature into my batch files.

Files and folders will be moved and saved (Not deleted permanently. Later that will be up to you.) to a backup folder on C:\. The backup folder is simply named "Backup".

Within the Backup folder, you will find the files and folders you removed, in smart placement. Their order of appearance will be identical to how XP's files and folders appear on your C Drive.

When you remove files and folders from the WINDOWS and system32 directories, in the Backup folder you will first see a WINDOWS folder. Within the WINDOWS folder you will see the individual files and subfolders you removed, including the system32 folder. And within the system32 folder you will see its individual files and subfolders you removed. The same applies to the Documents and Settings and the Program Files directories.

I created this smart placement so you would always know exactly where these files and folders came from should you decide to replace any to their original locations.

Note: Be sure to temporarily delete the Backup folder filled with files and subfolders before using any registry
cleaners. The registry cleaners will more than likely correct the files paths to the Backup folder, rather than remove their paths.

This batch file I designed with individual system32 files in mind.

Copy and Paste between the lines to Notepad. Save as "any name you choose.bat" Then insert your file choices where I have mine.


I designed this particular batch file below a little differently, with the inf folder files in mind. As with the system32 batch file above, it will "move and save" (not delete) files to a Backup folder on C:\.

This one, however, will move all files in the inf folder (C:\WINDOWS\inf), and will instantaneously return the inf files you choose to keep to the inf folder. All this takes place so fast you'll think the files you chose to keep never moved at all.


---------------------------------------

One very important step before we set about deleting files together.

Create a full system backup image using a good backup program like Acronis or Ghost.

This backup image should be of a full install of XP. It should include all of your programs, drivers, setting changes, and tweaks applied...everything you normally do to make your Windows experience an enjoyable one.

So now when you set about deleting files, you'll always have a the perfect safeguard. And you should never have to say on a forum, "I deleted this, and now that doesn't work!"

Well, revert back to your backup image, and don't delete that anymore.

---------------------------------------

The first thing I do is download the "Preview Version of XPLite." It's really makes it easy to disable Windows File Protection.

Go to this page. In the upper right-hand corner click on "Download Preview".

http://www.litepc.com/xppreview.html

Open its zip folder and copy the "XPLite_TRIAL.exe" to your Desktop or a folder of your choice.

Open it and go to its "Windows File Protection" tab. Select "Disabled" and then "Apply". Close the program and reboot your computer.

---------------------------------------

This registry tweak helps me easily UnRegister DLL and OCX Files I remove.

It puts two entries into the right-click context menu: "Register" and "UnRegister" when you highlight and right-click on a single DLL or OCX File, or when you highlight and right-click on multiple DLL and OCX Files.

It really makes Registering and UnRegistering DLL and OCX Files very easy. Plus it gives me the ability to UnRegister multiples (even hundreds) of these files at once.


I normally do not use any registry cleaners, or UnRegister any DLL and OCX files, for a very long time after I have Slimmed Down my installation. I want to be certain everything is A-OK first.

---------------------------------------

One final word before we get started. What you will find in this Guide are the "possibilities" of which files and folders can be removed from a Windows XP Installation, while maintaining stability and keeping functionality in Microsoft's operating system.

The "possibilities" of what can be removed. That is very important to keep in mind before proceeding from here.

I could not expect anyone other than myself to remove everything listed in the guide. It would be practically impossible for anyone to duplicate what I do without running into problems.

Yes, I delete every file and every folder you will see listed....but my computing needs are different from yours. My system is different from yours. The programs I have installed are different from yours.

Which files and folders to remove from your own Windows XP Installations, you will have to make these choices for yourself. I have given you as much information about these files and folders as I could, given the limitations of my knowledge and understanding of their uses and functions.

---------------------------------------

Now let's remove some files.


Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 1

TEMP and Junk Files


There are a lot of very good TEMP and Junk File Cleaners out there. I use two: IE Privacy Keeper and CCleaner. I think they are both great. TEMP and Junk File Cleaners will remove most TEMP and Junk Files. There are some TEMP and Junk Files they do may miss, though.

This is a list of TEMP and Junk Files I delete on my own because my TEMP and Junk File Cleaners miss them:

*.bak Files...Backup Files

---------------------------------------

*.chk Files...Lost Cluster Log Files

NOTE: If the edb.chk is deleted from the C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs folder, you will need to reboot your computer before your next visit to the Microsoft Update Website...otherwise, the Microsoft Update Website will not function. The same holds true for the edb.log located in this folder. Further note: the edb.chk can be deleted only after your system settles in from after rebooting, or after a time from a visit to the Microsoft Update Website.

---------------------------------------

*.cnt Files

*.diz Files
*.doc Files

---------------------------------------

*.edb Files...Exchange Server store (a database)

This system *.edb file can usually be deleted after a reboot:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2\tmp.edb

These system *.edb files can be deleted only after your system settles in from after rebooting, or after a time from a visit to the Microsoft Update Website:

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\DataStore.edb

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\tmp.edb

---------------------------------------

*.gid Files......Windows Help Index Files

*.lic Files

---------------------------------------

*.log Files

I delete all *.log files I find. However, these system *.log files cannot be deleted:

C:\WINDOWS\WindowsUpdate.log. (The WindowsUpdate.log can only be deleted if the Automatic Updates Service is stopped.)

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\NTUSER.DAT.LOG

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat.LOG

C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\ntuser.dat.LOG

C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat.LOG

C:\WINDOWS\Debug\PASSWD.LOG

---------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\ReportingEvents.log

If you look through the ReportingEvents.log in Notepad you will notice time-stamped, Microsoft Update installation information, which can date back quite awhile. Normally the ReportingEvents.log cannot be deleted, nor can its text be altered.

However, something interesting about the ReportingEvents.log file was discovered by nataliecv one of our forum members.

"If you go into Services and STOP Automatic Updates Service for a moment, ReportingEvents.log CAN be deleted. A fresh copy of the ReportingEvents.log will be created upon your next visit to the Microsoft Update Website, and it starts anew. NOTE: Do not forget to restart the Automatic Updates."

---------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\default.log
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SAM.LOG
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SECURITY.LOG
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\software.LOG
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\system.LOG

These system *.log files can usually be deleted after a reboot:

C:\WINDOWS\Sti_Trace.log
C:\WINDOWS\wiadebug.log
C:\WINDOWS\wiaservc.log

C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2\edb.log
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2\edbtmp.log

These system *.log files can be deleted only after your system settles in from after rebooting, or upon a visit to the Microsoft Update Website:

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edbtmp.log

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log

NOTE: If the edb.log is deleted from the C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs folder, you will need to reboot your computer before your next visit to the Microsoft Update Website...otherwise, the Microsoft Update Website will not function. The same holds true for the edb.chk located in this folder. Further note: the edb.log can be deleted only after your system settles in from after rebooting, or after a time from a visit to the Microsoft Update Website.


I DO NOT DELETE any INSTALL.LOG or UNINSTALL.LOG files. Without them I cannot uninstall certain programs.

---------------------------------------

*.old Files....Backup Files

*.query Files

*.sav Files....Backup Files

---------------------------------------

*.txt Files

I delete all *.txt files I find. However, these system *.txt files cannot be deleted:

C:\WINDOWS\SchedLgU.Txt. (The SchedLgU.Txt can only be deleted if the Task Scheduler Service is stopped.)

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WebSetup\wuident.cab\wuident.txt (The "wuident.txt" can only be deleted if the Automatic Updates Service is stopped.)

I DO NOT DELETE these program *.txt files:

C:\Program Files\RAXCO\PerfectDisk\Readme.txt because PerfectDisk 6 will not operate without its "Readme.txt" or "Register.txt" files. (PerfectDisk 8 does not include this file.)

C:\Program Files\RAXCO\PerfectDisk\Register.txt because PerfectDisk 6 will not operate without its "Register.txt" or "Readme.txt" files. (PerfectDisk 8 does not include this file.)

You yourself might want to take a look in any program's folder to consider which, if any, *.txt files just might be important to them.

Additional Note: Windows Genuine Advantage installs the WGAErrLog.txt to the C:\WINDOWS\Temp folder. Should you delete this file, be sure to reboot your system, so that a new WGAErrLog.txt can be created. Otherwise, Microsoft Update may not work for you.

---------------------------------------

Make Your Own TEMP and Junk File Cleaner

You can make your own TEMP and Junk File cleaner using Search Assistant.

In Notepad, make a list of TEMP and Junk File extensions you would like to remove.

Like so:

*.bak, *.chk, *.cnt, *.diz, *.doc, *.edb, *.gid, *.lic, *.gid, *.log, *.old, *.query, *.sav, *.txt

Copy and Paste your list into the search box of Search Assistant.

Be sure that under Search Options you have checked "Advanced Options."

Under Advanced Options check "Search system folders," "Search hidden
files and folders," and, "Search Subfolders."

Now run your search by clicking on Search Now.

Now, at the top of the Search Assistant, select File then Save Search.

Next time you want to search for those particular TEMP and Junk files, just click on your new search file.

Search Assistant will automatically popup, and your ready. Just click Search Now.

---------------------------------------

Here's an extensive list of TEMP and Junk Files I compiled. You may find it useful.

*.~* ......Temporary Files
*.~mp......

*.^* ......Temporary Files
*.^........Temporary Files

*.---......Setup Temporary Files

*.__.......Temporary Files
*__ofidx*.*...Microsoft Find Fast Indexer File

*._dd......Lost Cluster Files
*._detmp...Temporary Files

*.&db......Temporary Files (dBASE IV)

*.?$?......Temporary Files(st Reader)
*.?~?......Temporary Files
*.??$......Temporary Files

*.$$$......MS-DOS Temporary Files

*.!!!......

*.000......sequential file in split Zip archive?
*.001......sequential file in split Zip archive?
*.002......sequential file in split Zip archive?

*.1st......(system.1st is a Windows diagnostic file)

*.b~k......Backup File, some text editors
*.bak......Backup Files
*.bk.......Backup File
*.bk?......Potential junk
*.bmk......
*.bsc......Visual Studios Temp File

*.cam......
*.cb.......
*.chk......Lost Cluster Log Files
*.cln......
*.cnt......
*.cpy......Backup Files

*.da1......
*.da2......
*.db$......Temporary Files (dBASE)
*.diz......
*.dmp......Potential junk
*.doc......

*.edb......Exchange Server store (a database)
*.err......Error File

*.fic......Potential junk
*.fix......
*.fnd......Find Result Files
*.ftg......Word List File of *.HLP
*.fts......Word List File of *.HLP

*.gid......Windows Help Index Files

*.ign......
*.ilc .....Borland Temporary File
*.ild .....Borland Temporary File
*.ilf .....Borland Temporary File
*.ilk......Visual Studios Temp File
*.ils......Borland Temporary File
*.ink......

*.lgc......
*.lge......
*.lhx......
*.lic......
*.license.txt...Potential junk
*.log......
*.log.txt...Log Files Windows diagnostic files

*.mp.......Temporary Files
*.MS.......Microsoft Product Backup Files

*.nav......Backup Files
*.new......
*.nu3......Symantec Backup File

*.old......Backup Files
*.out......

*.par......
*.pch......Visual Studios Temp File
*.pvt......
*.prv......Backup Files (bootlog.prv: Windows diagnostic file)

*.query....

*.res......Visual Studios Temp File

*.sav......Backup File
*.sdi......Archive Content File
*.sik......Potential junk
*.spc......Temporary Files (WordPerfect for Windows)
*.syd......Backup Files

*.tds......Borland Temporary File
*.temp.....Temporary Files
*.tmp......Temporary Files
*.txt Files

*.umb......

*.wbk......Word Backup Files


*modemlog.txt...Windows Modem Log File

*install*.txt...Potential junk

*order*.txt...Potential junk

*whatsnew*.txt...Potential junk


0*.nch....Temporary Files created by MS Outlook Express

ABEND.LOG...Novell Abend Log
anti-vir.dat...Created by F-Prot Anti-Virus

chklist.*...Lost Cluster Files

eula.txt...Microsoft end-user license agreement

file_id.diz...Description of Shareware

ghosterr.txt...Norton Ghost Error File

iebak.dat...Internet Explorer Junk File

modemdet.txt...Windows Diagnostic File
mscreate.dir...Setup Temporary File
msoe.txt...Readme for Microsoft Outlook™ Express
mssecure.xml...Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer File

readme.txt...Potential junk

pq_debug.txt...PowerQuest PartitionInfo file
pspbrwse.jbf...Paint Shop Folder Image Information Cache File

suhdlog.dat...Windows diagnostic File
system.st...Windows diagnostic File

twain???.mtx...TWAIN Temporary File

ws_ftp.log...WS_FTP Temporary File

--------------------

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide is my gift to those who always wanted to know which files they can delete from Windows XP, but couldn't find their answers. I have always offered my guide freely, and never asked anything in return.

Those of you who wish to make a donation, showing your support and appreciation for Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide, My Batch Files Are Available Here

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 2

Disabled Services




25 Services remain showing in my Services window:



14 Automatic:

Acronis Scheduler2 Service
Automatic Updates
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
Event Log
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Plug and Play
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Shell Hardware Detection
System Event Notification
Task Scheduler
Themes

User Profile Hive Cleanup...(This Service I installed to help me with faster shutdowns. It really works, too.)

Windows Audio


1 Disabled:

Windows Time


10 Manual:

Application Management
Background Intelligent Transfer
Cryptographics Services
Help and Support
Local Disk Manager
Local Disk Manager Administrative Service
Network Connections
PDEngine...(Belongs to PerfectDisk)
PDScheduler...(Belongs to PerfectDisk)
Windows Installer



When I delete a Service, I do not just delete that one file considered to be the Service itself. I delete other files too that are associated with that Service either directly or indirectly.

For example, I remove Performance Logs and Alerts Service by deleting its direct file, SMLOGSVC.EXE. But then, I no longer have use for all the Performance Counters and Performance Monitoring files that go along with it. So I'll remove those files, too.

Whether you choose to disable some, or all of the same Services I do, you are bound to start experiencing a few DCOM Errors in the Event Viewer upon first rebooting your machine.

I personally don't recieve any DCOM errors when I disable any of my Services. I'm just lucky, I guess.

Not really. I'll get them, too. But I'm going to show you how to eliminate these errors at the bottom of this page.



These then are the Services I disable on my system:

----------------------------------------

Alerter Service

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

alrsvc.dll.....Alerter Service DLL

----------------------------------------

Application Layer Gateway Service

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\System32:

ALG.EXE........(Application Layer Gateway Service). Used to configure the different accessibility options of your system.

----------------------------------------

Clipbook

Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

CLIPBRD.EXE....(Clipboard Viewer). Used to view the contents of the object or data currently copied into memory (also known as the Clipboard).

CLIPSRV.EXE....(Clipboard Server). The network dynamic data exchange (DDE) clipboard service used by Clipboard Viewer to access objects or data copied into memory.

---------------------------------------

COM+ Event System & COM+ System Application


Delete these 18 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

catsrv.dll
catsrvps.dll
catsrvut.dll
clbcatex.dll

clbcatq.dll.....<< This file may or may not delete for you. Windows won't allow it to be deleted on my system.

colbact.dll
comaddin.dll
comrepl.dll
comsnap.dll
comsvcs.dll
comuid.dll

DCOMCNFG.EXE....(DCOM Configuration). Used to display and configure DCOM settings and configuration.

es.dll

mtxdm.dll
mtxex.dll
mtxlegih.dll

stclient.dll

txflog.dll


Then delete this folder and its contents:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Com

It contains these 6 files:

comadmin.dll
comempty.dat
comexp.msc
comrepl.exe
comrereg.exe

mtsadmin.tlb

---------------------------------------

Computer Browser

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

browser.dll.....Computer Browser Service DLL

---------------------------------------

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

dfsshlex.dll...Distributed File System shell extension

trkwks.dll.....Distributed Link Tracking Client

---------------------------------------

Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Delete these 9 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

MSDTC.EXE......(DTC Console Program). The console for the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTC).

msdtclog.dll...MS DTC log manager DLL
msdtcprf.h.....
msdtcprf.ini...
msdtcprx.dll...MS DTC OLE Transactions interface proxy DLL
msdtctm.dll....MS DTC transaction manager DLL
msdtcuiu.dll...MS DTC administrative component DLL
mtxclu.dll.....MS DTC amd MTS clustering support DLL

xolehlp.dll....MS DTC helper APIs DLL

---------------------------------------

DNS Client

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

dnsrslvr.dll...DNS Caching Resolver Service

---------------------------------------

Error Reporting Service

Delete these 4 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

DUMPREP.EXE....(Windows Error Reporting). A dump reporting tool.

DWWIN.EXE......(Microsoft Application Error Reporting). The application used to report errors in Microsoft applications.

ersvc.dll......Windows Error Reporting Service

faultrep.dll...Windows Error Reporting

---------------------------------------

Fast User Switching Compatibility

Has no file to delete (that I'm aware of anyway).

---------------------------------------

Fix-It Task Manager

Belongs to my Ontrack Registry Cleaner

I delete this file in C:\Program Files\Ontrack\Fix-It:

mxtask.exe

---------------------------------------

Http SSL

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

w3ssl.dll......SSL service for HTTP

---------------------------------------

Human Interface Device Access

Has no file to delete (that I'm aware of anyway).

---------------------------------------

Indexing Service

Delete these 14 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

ciadmin.dll...CI Administration (MMC)
ciadv.msc.....
cic.dll.......CIC - MMC controls for Taskpad

CIDAEMON.EXE..(Content Index Filter Daemon). Process that determines which files will be indexed on the hard disk for faster search queries.

ciodm.dll.....Indexing Service Admin Automation Objects

CISVC.EXE.....(Content Index Service). The Content Index engine that performs file indexing to improve performance of resource searches.

idq.dll.......Indexing Service ISAPI Extension
infosoft.dll..Wordbreaker and stemmer dll
ixsso.dll.....Indexing Service Server-side Object

LangWrbk.dll..English wordbreaker

mimefilt.dll..Microsoft ® IMimeFilter Persistent Handler DLL

nlhtml.dll....Net Library HTML filter

offfilt.dll...OffFilt

webhits.dll...Indexing Service Webhits

---------------------------------------

IPSEC Services

(See Routing and Remote Access below)

---------------------------------------

Messenger

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

msgsvc.dll....NT Messenger Service


Then delete this folder and its contents:

C:\Program Files\Messenger

---------------------------------------

MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

---------------------------------------

Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing

Delete these 7 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

mnmdd.dll.....Application Sharing Display Driver

MNMSRVC.EXE...(NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing). Allows authorized users to remotely access your desktop.

msconf.dll....Conferencing Utility Dll
msh261.drv....Microsoft H.261 ICM Driver
msh263.drv....Microsoft H.263 ICM Driver

nmevtmsg.dll..NetMeeting Event Logging DLL
nmmkcert.dll..NetMeeting Event Logging DLL


Then delete the Netmeeting folder and its entire contents:

C:\Program Files\Netmeeting

---------------------------------------

Network DDE

and

Network DDE DSDM

Delete these 5 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

ddeml.dll......DDE Management library

DDESHARE.EXE...(DDE Share). Displays the active DDE shares and enables property editing for these shares.

NDDEAPIR.EXE...The server-side application programming interface (API) for the Network DDE Agent.

nddenb32.dll...Network DDE NetBIOS Interface

NETDDE.EXE...(Network DDE). A background network DDE provider.

---------------------------------------

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Has no file to delete (that I'm aware of anyway).

---------------------------------------

Network Provisioning Service

Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

xmlprov.dll...Network Provisioning Service
xmlprovi.dll..Network Provisioning Service Client API

---------------------------------------

NVDIA Display Driver Service

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

nvsvc32.exe

---------------------------------------

Performance Logs and Alerts

Delete these 23 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

DISKPERF.EXE...(Disk Performance Counters). Used to switch performance counters for the disk subsystem on and off.

LODCTR.EXE.....(Load Counters). Used to add new counters to Performance Monitor.

logman.exe.....Performance Log Utility

perfc009.dat...
perfci.h.......
perfci.ini.....
perfctrs.dll...Performance Counters
perfd009.dat...
perfdisk.dll...Windows Disk Performance Objects DLL
perffilt.h.....
perffilt.ini...
perfh009.dat...
perfi009.dat...
perfmon.exe....Performance Monitor Command Line Shell

perfmon.msc....Microsoft Common Console Document (System Performance Monitor). I delete this file, and in Control Panel/Administration Tools I delete its shortcut, "Performance".

perfnet.dll....Windows Network Service Performance Objects DLL
perfproc.dll...Windows System Process Performance Objects DLL

PerfStringBackup.INI

perfwci.h......
perfwci.ini....

prflbmsg.dll...Perflib Event Messages

SMLOGSVC.EXE...(Performance Logs and Alerts Service). An application that allows statistics to be monitored and collected on local and remote PCs.

UNLODCTR.EXE...(Unload Counter). Used to unload Performance Monitor counters.

---------------------------------------

Portable Media Serial Number Service

---------------------------------------

Print Spooler

I do not have a printer, so I remove every system32 file associated with the printing process.

I delete these 19 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

cnbjmon.dll..Language Monitor for Cannon Bubble-Jet Printer

htui.dll.......Common halftone Color Adjustment Dialogs

icm32.dll......Microsoft Color Management Module (CMM)
icmui.dll......Microsoft Color Matching System User Interface DLL

inetpp.dll.....Internet Print Provider DLL
inetppui.dll...Internet Print Client DLL

localspl.dll...Local Spooler DLL
lprhelp.dll....LPR Print Monitor
lprmonui.dll...LPR Print Monitor UI

msw3prt.dll....ISAPI dll for Web Printing

ntprint.dll....Spooler Setup DLL

photowiz.dll....Photo Printing Wizard

PRINT.EXE.......(Print). A command-line print utility used to send print jobs to a port.

printui.dll.....Print UI DLL

spoolss.dll.....Spooler SubSystem DLL

SPOOLSV.EXE.....(Spooler SubSystem App. Print Spooler Service). The spooler service for the print subsystem.

win32spl.dll....32-bit Spooler API DLL

winspool.exe....Windows 16-bit WOW Psuedo Printer Driver (loaded as WINSPOOL.DRV)

wpnpinst.exe....Support exe for Internet Printing


Then I delete this folder and its contents:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool

---------------------------------------

Protected Storage

Delete these 3 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

psbase.dll......Protected Storage default provider
pstorec.dll.....Protected Storage COM interfaces
pstorsvc.dll....Protected storage server

---------------------------------------

QoS RSVP

Delete these 6 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

RSVP.EXE......(Resource Reservation Protocol. QoS RSVP Service.). A protocol that sets up a reserved pathway with a specific quality of service for a set of data packets.

rsvp.ini......
rsvpcnts.h....
rsvpmsg.dll...RSVP Messages DLL

rsvpperf.dll..Microsoft® Windows™ RSVP Performance Monitor

rsvpsp.dll....Microsoft Windows Rsvp 1.0 Service Provider

---------------------------------------

Remote Access Connection Manager

and

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager


Delete these 17 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

rasauto.dll....Remote Access AutoDial Manager

RASAUTOU.EXE...(Remote Access Dialer). A program that allows remote dial-up connections between PCs.

raschap.dll....Remote Access PPP CHAP
rasctrnm.h.....
rasctrs.dll....Windows NT Remote Access Perfmon Counter dll
rasctrs.ini....
RASDIAL.EXE....(RAS Command-Line Dialer). A client-side user interface.

rasmans.dll....Remote Access Connection Manager

rasmontr.dll...RAS Monitor DLL

rasmxs.dll.....Remote Access Device DLL for modems, PADS and switches

RASPHONE.EXE...(RAS Phone). The Dial-Up Networking Phonebook application.

rasppp.dll.....Remote Access PPP
rasrad.dll.....Remote Access Service NT RADIUS client module
rassapi.dll....Remote Access Admin APIs dll
rasser.dll.....Remote Access Media DLL for COM ports
rastapi.dll....Remote Access TAPI Compliance Layer
rastls.dll.....Remote Access PPP EAP-TLS

---------------------------------------

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager

Delete these 6 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

MSTSC.EXE......(Remote Desktop Connection). An application that enables a computer to be accessed remotely.

racpldlg.dll...Microsoft Remote Assitance
rcbdyctl.dll...Microsoft Remote Assistance

RCIMLBY.EXE....(Remote Assistance). A program used to help another user with a computer problem over the network or Internet.

RDSADDIN.EXE...(Remote Desktop Addin). A Remote Desktop Terminal Services session add-in.

sessmgr.exe....Microsoft® Remote Desktop Help Session Manager

---------------------------------------

Removable Storage

Delete these 8 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

ntmsdba.dll...Removable Storage Manager DB Object APIs
ntmsevt.dll...Removable Storage Manager Event Logger
ntmsmgr.msc...Removable Storage Console
ntmsoprq.msc..Removable Storage Console
ntmssvc.dll...Removable Storage Manager

RSM.EXE.......(Removable Storage Manager). Command-line interface for the Removable Storage Manager.

RSMSINK.EXE...(Removable Storage Manager). Sink layer for the Removable Storage Manager.

RSMUI.EXE.....(User Interface). A Removable Storage Manager component.

---------------------------------------

Routing and Remote Access

Delete these 32 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

adptif.dll......IPX Interface via WinSock

ALG.EXE.........(Application Layer Gateway Service). Used to configure the different accessibility options of your system. (Application Gateway Service...This Service is required for Windows Firewall.)

IPCONFIG.EXE....(IP Configuration). A TCP/IP command-line tool that displays the IP configuration for all installed interfaces and can be used to renew and release DHCP leases.

ipmontr.dll.....IP Router Monitor DLL
ipnathlp.dll....Microsoft NAT Helper Components
ippromon.dll....IP Protocols Monitor DLL
iprtprio.dll....IP Routing Protocol Priority DLL
iprtrmgr.dll....IP Router Manager

IPSEC6.EXE......(Ipv6 Security Configuration Utility). A tool for configuring IPv6 security.

ipsecsnp.dll....Internet Protocol Security Policy Management
ipsecsvc.dll....Windows IPSec SPD Server DLL
ipsmsnap.dll....IP Security Monitor Snapin

IPV6.EXE........(Ipv6 Configuration Utility). A tool to install and configure IPv6.

ipv6mon.dll.....IF Monitor DLL
ipxmontr.dll....IPX Router Monitor DLL
ipxpromn.dll....IPX Router Monitor DLL
ipxrip.dll......IPX RIP

IPXROUTE.EXE....(IPX Route). A utility used to display and control the IPX routes when using the IPX protocol.

ipxrtmgr.dll....IPX ROUTER MANAGER
ipxsap.dll......SAP Agent DLL
ipxwan.dll......IPXWAN

mprddm.dll......Demand Dial Manager Supervisor
mprdim.dll......Dynamic Interface Manager
mprmsg.dll......Multi-Protocol Router Service Messages DLL
mprui.dll.......Multiple Provider

NETSH.EXE.......(Routing and Remote Access Service Configuration Tool). Used to configure RRAS settings.

PING6.EXE.......(Ipv6 Ping Command). A utility that verifies connectivity to a specific IP address or hostname.

ROUTEMON.EXE....(Router Console Monitor). A utility that is no longer supported. Refers you to the netsh command.

rtm.dll.........Routing Table Manager

TRACERT6.EXE....(Ipv6 Traceroute Tool). A tool to trace the route a packet would take to get from the source host to the destination host.

winipsec.dll....Windows IPSec SPD Client DLL

wship6.dll......IPv6 Helper DLL


Then delete these 5 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

ipfltdrv.sys....IP FILTER DRIVER
ipinip.sys......IP in IP Encapsulation Driver
ipnat.sys.......IP Network Address Translator

nwlnkflt.sys....NWLINK2 Traffic Filter Driver
nwlnkfwd.sys....NWLINK2 Forwarder Driver

---------------------------------------

Secondary Logon

Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

sclgntfy.dll....Secondary Logon Service Notification
seclogon.dll....Secondary Logon Service DLL

---------------------------------------

Security Accounts Manager

---------------------------------------

Security Center

---------------------------------------

Smart Card

Delete these 9 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

scarddlg.dll.....SCardDlg - Smart Card Common Dialog
scardssp.dll.....Smart Card Base Service Providers

SCARDSVR.EXE.....(Smart Card Resource Management Server). Smart Card Server component.

sccbase.dll......Infineon SICRYPT® Base Smart Card CSP

sccsccp.dll......Infineon SICRYPT® Smart Card Crypto Provider COM Objects

scredir.dll......Smart Card Redirection for TS
slbcsp.dll.......Schlumberger Smart Card CryptoAPI Library

slbiop.dll.......Schlumberger Smart Card Interoperability Library v2

slbrccsp.dll.....Schlumberger Smart Card CryptoAPI Resource File

---------------------------------------

SSDP Discovery Service

---------------------------------------

System Restore Service

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

sr.sys...........System Restore Filesystem Filter Driver


Then delete the Restore folder and its entire contents:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore


Then delete these 3 individual files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

srclient.dll.....SR CLIENT DLL
srrstr.dll.......System Restore Restore Operation Library
srsvc.dll........System Restore Service

---------------------------------------

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Delete these 19 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

ARP.EXE.......(ARP). The Address Resolution Protocol command-line utility used to manage the ARP cache on TCP/IP systems.

FINGER.EXE....(Finger). A TCP/IP utility used to obtain information about a user account via a remote system.

HOSTNAME.EXE..(Hostname). A TCP/IP command-line utility that displays the hostname of the current system.

lmhsvc.dll....TCPIP NetBios Transport Services DLL

LPQ.EXE.......(Line Printer Queue). Displays printer queue information on a printer hosted on a Unix system.

LPR.EXE.......(Line Printer.) Prints to a printer hosted on a Unix system.

NBTSTAT.EXE...(NBT Statistics). Displays NetBIOS over TCP/IP statistics.

NETSTAT.EXE...(Network Statistics). Displays TCP/IP network statistics.

PATHPING.EXE..(PathPing Command). A command for verifying an IP route that enables the user to specify options to test for along the path.

PING.EXE......(PING). A TCP/IP utility used to test the existence of, or the capability to communicate with, remote systems.

RCP.EXE.......(Remote Copy). A TCP/IP utility used to copy files between the current system and a remote RSHD (Remote Shell) server.

REXEC.EXE.....(Remote Execute). Used to issue commands on remote systems running the REXEC service.

ROUTE.EXE.....(Route). Used to view and edit the local routing table.

RSH.EXE.......(Remote Shell). Issues commands on remote systems running the RSH service.

tcpmib.dll....Standard TCP/IP Port Monitor Helper DLL
tcpmon.dll....Standard TCP/IP Port Monitor DLL
tcpmon.ini....
tcpmonui.dll..Standard TCP/IP Port Monitor UI DLL

TCPSVCS.EXE...(TCP Services). The TCP Services provider.

TRACERT.EXE...(Traceroute). Used to identify the route between the local system and a remote system on a TCP/IP network.

---------------------------------------

Telephony

Delete these 8 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

tapi3.dll........Microsoft TAPI3
tapi.dll.........Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony Server1

tapiperf.dll.....Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony Performance Monitor

tapisrv.dll......Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony Server
tapiui.dll.......Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony API UI DLL
termmgr.dll......Microsoft TAPI3 Terminal Manager

TCMSETUP.EXE.....(Telephony Client Setup). Used to set up the Telephony configuration on a Windows XP client.

telephon.cpl.....Telephony Control Panel

---------------------------------------

Terminal Services

First, Disable Security Accounts Manager Service so no errors report to Event Viewer.

Delete these 6 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

rdpcdd.sys......RDP Miniport
rdpdr.sys.......Microsoft RDP Device redirector

rdpwd.sys.......RDP Terminal Stack Driver (US/Canada Only, Not for Export)

tdpipe.sys......Named Pipe Transport Driver
tdtcp.sys.......TCP Transport Driver
termdd.sys......Terminal Server Driver


Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem:

tscfgwmi.mfl
tscfgwmi.mof


Delete these 41 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

cdmodem.dll....Modem Connection Driver
cfgbkend.dll...Configuration Backend Interface

drprov.dll.....(Microsoft Terminal Server Network Provider) This file may or may not delete for you. Windows won't allow it to be deleted on my system.

icaapi.dll.....DLL Interface to TermDD Device Driver

LOGOFF.EXE.....(Session Logoff Utility). A utility to terminate a user's session on the PC.

MSG.EXE........(Message Utility). A utility for sending messages to other users.

mstlsapi.dll...

MSTSC.EXE......(Remote Desktop Connection). An application that enables a computer to be accessed remotely.

mstscax.dll....Terminal Services ActiveX Client

perfts.dll.....Windows 2000 Terminal Services Performance Objects

QAPPSRV.EXE....(Query Terminal Server Utility). Identifies terminal servers on the network.

QPROCESS.EXE...(Query Process Utility). Displays processes running on a machine. Can be sorted by username and other criteria.

QWINSTA.EXE....(Query Session Utility). Displays session information and related statistics, such as connect and flow control settings.

rdchost.dll....RDSHost Client Module

rdpcfgex.dll...Terminal Server Connection Configuration Extension for the RDP protocol

RDPCLIP.EXE....(RDP Clip Monitor). A Remote Desktop Protocol component.

rdpsnd.dll.....Terminal Server MultiMedia Driver
rdpwsx.dll.....RDP Extension DLL

RDSADDIN.EXE...(Remote Desktop Addin). A Remote Desktop Terminal Services session add-in.

RDSHOST.EXE....(RDSHost Server Module). A Remote Desktop Service module.

REGINI.EXE.....(Registry Initializer). A utility to change Registry values from a command line or script.

remotepg.dll...Remote Sessions CPL Extension

RESET.EXE......(Reset Utility). A Terminal Services reset utility.

RWINSTA.EXE....(Reset Session Utility). A utility to reset a hardware or software session.

SHADOW.EXE.....(Session Utility). A Session Remote Control utility.

termsrv.dll....Terminal Server Service
tsappcmp.dll...Terminal Services Application Compatibility DLL
tscfgwmi.dll...Terminal Server Configuration WMI provider

TSCON.EXE......(Session Connection Utility). Attaches a user session to a terminal session.

TSCUPGRD.EXE...(Setup Custom Action DLL). The Terminal Services setup component.

tsddd.dll......Framebuffer Display Driver

TSDISCON.EXE...(Session Disconnect Utility). A Terminal Services utility for disconnecting a session.

TSKILL.EXE.....(End Process Utility). A utility to terminate a Terminal Services process on a session-by-session basis or for all sessions.

tslabels.h.....
tslabels.ini...

TSSHUTDN.EXE...(System Shutdown Utility). A Terminal Services utility to perform a controlled shutdown of the server. Includes variables for rebooting or powering down the server.

usrlogon.cmd
utildll.dll....WinStation utility support DLL

winsta.dll.....(Winstation Library) This file may or may not delete for you. Windows won't allow it to be deleted on my system.

wscsvc.dll.....Workstation Service DLL

---------------------------------------

Uninterruptible Power Supply

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

UPS.EXE........(UPS Service). The uninterruptible power supply service.

---------------------------------------

Uninversal Plug and Play Device Host

Delete these 5 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

ssdpsrv.dll....SSDP Service DLL

udhisapi.dll...UPnP Device Host ISAPI Extension

UPNPCONT.EXE...(UPnP Device Host Container). A Universal Plug and Play component.

upnphost.dll...UPnP Device Host ISAPI Extension
upnpui.dll.....UPNP Tray Monitor and Folder

---------------------------------------

Volume Shadow Copy

Delete these 5 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

eventcls.dll..Microsoft® Volume Shadow Copy Service event class

swprv.dll.....Microsoft® Volume Shadow Copy Service software provider

vss_ps.dll....Microsoft® Volume Shadow Copy Service proxy/stub

VSSADMIN.EXE..(Shadow Copy Service). Command-line interface for the Volume Shadow Copy Service.


VSSVC.EXE.....(Volume Shadow Copy Service). Manages and implements a volume shadow copy for backup purposes.

---------------------------------------

WebClient

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

webclnt.dll....Web DAV Service DLL

---------------------------------------

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Before I disable Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), I first turn off Windows Firewall: Start > Control Panel > Firewall > Put a tick in "Off (not reccomended)"

Then delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

ip6fw.sys.....IPv6 Windows Firewall Driver

tcpip6.sys....IPv6 driver


Then delete these 5 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

firewall.cpl..Windows Firewall Control Panel
fwcfg.dll.....Windows Firewall Configuration Helper

IPSEC6.EXE....(Ipv6 Security Configuration Utility). A tool for configuring IPv6 security.

ipsecsvc.dll..Windows IPSec SPD Server DLL

IPV6.EXE......(Ipv6 Configuration Utility). A tool to install and configure IPv6.

---------------------------------------

Windows Image Acquistion (WIA)

Delete these 10 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

camocx.dll.....WIA Camera View DLL

WIAACMGR.EXE...(Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard). A program that steps you through downloading pictures from a digital device to a file location.

wiadefui.dll...WIA Scanner Default UI
wiadss.dll.....WIA TWAIN comptibility layer
wiavusd.dll....WIA Video Stream device USD
wiascr.dll.....WIA Scripting Layer
wiaservc.dll...Still Image Devices Service
wiashext.dll...Imaging Devices Shell Folder
wiavideo.dll...WIA Video


Then, to delete the Scanners and Cameras Control Panel Applet Icon:

Delete this registry key...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\ControlPanel\NameSpace\{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD}

---------------------------------------

Windows Management Instrumentation

IMPORTANT: First, move the "framedyn.dll" from C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem to C:\WINDOWS\system32. It is the only important file in the folder.

Sometimes when you run System Restore you'll get the error 'System restore was unable to start due to a missing framedyn.dll. Please reinstall the application to fix this problem'.

Without "framedyn.dll" you might also get an error when right-clicking on My Computer. Keeping this file in the system32 folder prevents this from happening.

You will also need to disable Windows Management Instrumentation in Services.

When you go to disable WMI in Services, you will also be disabling Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Windows will pop up window up telling you that when you go to disable WMI.

Before I disable Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), I first turn off Windows Firewall itself:

Start > Control Panel > Firewall > Put a tick in "Off (not reccomended)"


The files listed below belong to Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

From C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

ip6fw.sys.....IPv6 Windows Firewall Driver
tcpip6.sys....IPv6 driver

From C:\WINDOWS\system32:

firewall.cpl..Windows Firewall Control Panel
fwcfg.dll.....Windows Firewall Configuration Helper

IPSEC6.EXE....(Ipv6 Security Configuration Utility). A tool for configuring IPv6 security.

ipsecsvc.dll..Windows IPSec SPD Server DLL

IPV6.EXE......(Ipv6 Configuration Utility). A tool to install and configure IPv6.


Then go into safemode and delete the entire contents of C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem.

I've found it best to delete the contents of the wbem folder in safemode, because there are about three of its files that will not delete for me unless I do.


Upon rebooting, delete these 5 additional files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

cmprops.dll....WMI Snapins

licwmi.dll.....Windows Product Activation Configuration WMI provider

mmfutil.dll....WMI Snapin Helpers

servdeps.dll...(WMI Snapins) The "servdeps.dll" file may not delete for you until you reboot. It may not even delete after a reboot. Either way, it's not all that important.)

wmimgmt.msc....


You might as well delete this folder and its contents, too:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo

And its shortcut here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

The System Information Utility will not work without WMI.

I use "EVEREST Home Edition" for my system information needs. It's much better, I think. It offers many more details.

http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en

---------------------------------------

Windows Time

I keep this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32 (It will not delete anyway for me):

w32time.dll...Windows Time Service


I delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

w32tm.exe.....Windows Time Service Diagnostic Tool

---------------------------------------

Windows User Mode Driver Framework

Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

wdfapi.dll...Windows User Mode Driver Framework API
wdfmgr.exe...Windows User Mode Driver Manager

---------------------------------------

Wireless Zero Configuration

Delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

irprops.cpl..Wireless Link Control Panel Applet

wzcdlg.dll...Wireless Zero Configuration Service UI

---------------------------------------

WMI Performance Adapter

Delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem:

wmiapsrv.exe

---------------------------------------


Whether you choose to disable some, or all of the same Services I do, you are bound to start experiencing a few DCOM Errors in the Event Viewer upon first rebooting your machine.

DON'T PANIC! I'm going to fix that for you right now.

(Even though we know that DCOM Error are benign, right?)


When I am done with the above...

I run my registry cleaners to pickup what could not be unregistered with the "Register - Unregister This DLL v1.0.0.1" app I told you about in PART 1.

Then I make sure to purge the Prefetch folder of all its files, (C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch), because I want a new Layout.ini file created that does not point to some of the files I have removed.

Windows will remake the Layout.ini file automatically after a couple of reboots of your system, and some up time in an idle state (usually in around twenty minutes or so).

There is a neat little app called "Service Installer.exe" (which I can't find on Google right now for you) that can eliminate the registry entry for Services you've disabled. Then their entries will no longer show up in the Services Window.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 3

Documents and Settings Folders


-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings...

-----------------------------------------------------------

I completely delete the Default User folder, not just its contents.

Whenever a new user logs on for the first time, Windows copies settings from the Default User profile to the newly created user profile. Basically, the Default User profile is as a blueprint that Windows uses to initialize new logins.

I completely delete the LocalService folder, not just its contents.

I completely delete the NetworkService folder, not just its contents.

ALTHOUGH, I notice that the NetworkService folder will no longer delete for me, even with System File Protection disabled. It either has something to do now with SP2, or because I am now using DSL.

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users...

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM

Digital Rights Management (DRM) provides functions relating to Digital Rights.

Per Microsoft: The Windows Media DRM platform enables the secure delivery of protected content for playback on a computer, portable device, or network device.

I find I can still burn a music cd off my computer using Windows Media 10 without the DRM files and the cd will still play on my home cd player.

I delete the DRM folder and its contents.

Then I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

drmclien.dll...DRM Client DLL
drmstor.dll....DRM Store DLL
drmv2clt.dll...DRMv2 Client DLL

msnetobj.dll...DRM ActiveX Network Object
mssap.dll......DRM

WMDRMdev.dll...Windows Media DRM for Network Devices Registration DLL

WMDRMNet.dll...Windows Media DRM for Network Devices DLL

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents)\My Pictures
I delete the My Pictures folder and its contents.

(When you delete the desktop.ini file from Shared Documents, the folder is renamed to simply Documents.)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Removing the subfolders in Documents (or Shared Documents) Permanently...

In order to permanently delete the My eBooks, My Music, My Pictures, My Videos subfolders from appearing in the Documents (or Shared Documents) folder in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents) and in My Documents in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents, you first have to unregister the mydocs.dll, and then delete the folders.

(Although, it's very difficult to stop the Shared Music folder from returning in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents). We'll get to that down below.)

To unregister:

Start > Run > type in - regsvr32 /u mydocs.dll and click OK

Then go here and delete their subfolders folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents)

and here

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents

Now, about the "Shared Music" folder in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents)....

Go to Windows Media Player Tools > Options > Library tab > Click on Monitor Folders > Highlight C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Music > then click Remove. You can even remove any other paths to folders you may see in there.

Now...

Again in WMP go to Tools > Options > Rip Music tab. Under "Rip music to this location" click the Change button. Then create your own special folder in a location of your choice. I made a folder called Temporary Downloads on my D Drive.

(Keep this in mind, if at some point you clear the MUI cache for ripping and burning Cd's, the new designated folder path you created in WMP could very well disappear, and WMP will default to the path C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Music.)

While you're in WMP, go to Tools > Options > Privacy and take the tick out of "Update music files by retrieving media info from the internet." I do this mostly to stop album cover art from cropping up on my computer. You may like the album art.

The "Shared Music" folder in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents), is the most difficult folder to keep from returning.

However, you can delete the Value data of a certain registry string. (Let me say here, this is to be done in addition to what I have outlined above.)

Navigate in the Registry Editor to...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders.

In the right panel look for this entry...

My Music REG_SZ C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My Music

You will notice that since you unregistered the mydocs.dll as I outlined above, that the Value data for "My Pictures" and "My Video" have already been removed.

Double click on My Music, and delete the Value data. Don't delete the entire String, just the value data.

Now navigate also to here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

In the right panel look for this entry...

CommonMusic REG_SZ C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\My Documents\My Music

Just as you did above, Double click on CommonMusic, and delete the Value data. Don't delete the entire String, just the value data.

NOTE: If you use MRU Blaster, the Value Data you just removed will return here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders.

...and also, the My Music folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents will return.

...and, the "Rip music to this location" you chose in Windows Media Player will revert back to C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My Music.

NOTE: Using Ad-aware to remove the MRU (Most Recently Used), the Value Data you just removed will return Here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

...and, the Shared Music folder back to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents will return.

There is one another part of this tweak that needs some work. I don't have it figured out yet, so if you have any ideas, let me know...

When you rip a music CD, the "Shared Music" folder will return to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents (or Shared Documents) ...no matter what. But this is the only time, as far as I can see.

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Accessibility
I delete the Accessibility folder and its contents.

Then I delete these additional files that belong to Accessibility Options...

From C:\WINDOWS\Help:

acc_dis.chm
access.chm
access.hlp
accessib.chm

magnify.chm
magnify.hlp

osk.chm
osk.hlp

utilmgr.chm
utilmgr.hlp

From C:\WINDOWS\system32:

access.cpl
accwiz.exe

mag_hook.dll
magnify.exe

narrator.exe
narrhook.dll

osk.exe

sethc.exe

utilman.exe

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Communications
I delete the Communications folder and its contents.

This removes its shortcuts from my desktop. I rarely access them anyway. If I do I'll usually enter the Control Panel to get to them.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates
I delete the Templates folder.

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft...

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C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto
I delete the Crypto folder and its subfolders.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Dr Watson
I delete the Dr Watson folder.

The Dr Watson folder will eventually return unless you disable Dr Watson.

To Disable Dr. Watson go to this location in your registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug

Delete the AeDebug key.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\HTML Help
You can delete this folder.

However, the HTML Help folder will return should you open an HTML Help File (.chm extention file).

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

I delete the shortcuts I never use in Quick Launch. Then I move the ones I do use to C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

I keep the Quick Launch folder in case certain programs look for it when they are installing.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index
I delete the Media Index folder.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player
I delete the Media Player folder and its contents.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Network

Inside the Network folder are two subfolders, Connections and Downloader.

You can the delete the Network folder and its contents.

However, the Network folder will be re-generated upon your next visit to Windows Update, along with one of its subfolders, Downloader.

The subfolder, Connections, and its contents, will not be re-generated. Since one of the subfolders within the Connections folder, the Pbk folder, contains a sharedaccess.ini file, I personally leave the Network folder alone.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures
I delete all the avatars.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures
I delete the avatars I will probably never use, but keep the folder in case I want to place a few of my avatars in the folder.

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME...

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Favorites
I delete "MSN.com" and "Radio Station Guide".

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Favorites\Links
I delete the Links folder and it's contents.

You need to apply this reg tweak to delete the Links folder permanently:

-----------------------------------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar]
"LinksFolderName"=""

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My eBooks
I delete this folder.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My Music
I delete this folder and its contents.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My Pictures
I delete this folder and its contents.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\SendTo
I delete any SendTo items in the right-click context menu I will never use, and place a few of my own here I'd rather have.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Entertainment

I take the Windows Media Player shortcut here and cut and move it to the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Entertainment, just to keep everything together.

Then I come back and delete the...

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories folder

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Templates
I delete the contents of the Templates folder but keep the folder, as it will not delete.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\UserData
You can delete the contents of this folder, but keep the folder.

New contents for the UserData folder will be re-generated upon your next visit to Windows Update.

------------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data...

------------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Help
I delete the Help folder.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Identities
I delete the Identities folder and its contents.

------------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft...

------------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials
You can delete the Credentials folder and its contents.

However, the Credentials folder and its contents will be re-generated by Windows immediately upon rebooting. So there's really not much point in deleting it.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\Content

and

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\MetaData

I delete the files in the sub-folders of the CryptnetUrlCache: Content and MetaData.

I find the files in Content and MetaData, the sub-folders of the CryptnetUrlCache folder, really interesting.

The very first time I deleted all the files within these two folders, it really blew my mind...

I looked in some of the files in these folders using Notepad, and it looked like a record of URL History of some kind.
By the name of the folder, "CryptnetUrlCache," I figured they must logically be cache-type files.

I deleted all the files within these two folders. Then I cleaned up my system as usual with my Temp File Cleaners. Rebooted, and defragged. Zowie! My browser windows started opening up so much faster it was simply unbelievable.

So, I asked my friend, 2McAbre, about them...

Per 2McAbre:

Those folders are where XP stores a "verified and certified" websites security certificates for such things like SSL (Secure Socket Layers) logins for if you are paying a bill, or shopping at Amazon.com.

If you want to empty these folders (with msie open) "Click on Tools", select "Internet Options" then click on the "Content" tab.

In the center area where it says "Certificates"… Just click on the Clear SSL button to empty these folders of any temporary certificates.

P.S. The reason it it seems to slow IE down is because XP sort of validates each certificate and sort of "Checks" to make sure they are still valid. So its a good idea to empty the SSL cache every once and awhile.

I took it one step further...

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates button > Intermediate Certification Authorities tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates button > Trusted Root Certification tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates button > Untrusted Publishers tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Same here...

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Publishers button > Trusted Root Certification tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Publishers button > Untrusted Publishers tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Per 2McAbre:

Yes you can highlight and remove all the others too if you "Really want too. Those are things like when you get the security window when you install windows update site stuff? Where you can check the box that will always "trust" Microsoft?

If you have ever checked one of those boxes there will be a "trust" certificate in one of these areas. Also trusted sites are kept recorded in one of these areas as well as "sites you don't want anything to do with".

Probing deeper, figured out all this has to do with Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Scroll down to Security section >
"Check for server certificate revocation (requires restart)"

Specifies whether you want Internet Explorer to check an Internet's site certificate to see if it has been revoked before accepting it as valid.

I chose to UNCHECK that particular option.

As it turned out, it doesn't hurt to clear all that out. Because I did, and then I went directly to Windows Update...and what do you suppose happened? The entries needed for Windows Update were recreated.

Not only that, but I noticed a lot of those entries had very old expiration dates, that have since expired.

-----------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto
You can delete the Crypto folder and its contents.

However, the Crypto folder and its contents will be re-generated by Windows a short time after rebooting.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\HTML Help
You can delete the HTML Help folder and its contents.

However, the HTML Help folder and its contents will return should you open an HTML Help File (.chm extention file).

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
I delete the shortcuts I never use in Quick Launch.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\MMC
You can delete the MMC folder and its contents.

However, the MMC folder may be re-generated will be re-generated upon your next visit to Windows Update.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Protect
You can delete the Protect folder and its contents.

However, the Protect folder and its contents will be re-generated upon your next visit to Windows Update.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates
You can delete the SystemCertificates folder and its contents.

However, the SystemCertificates folder and its contents will be re-generated upon your next visit to Windows Update.

------------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data...

------------------------------------------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Help
You can delete the Help folder.

However, the Help folder will return should you open a Help file (.hlp extention file.)

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft...

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning
You can delete the CD Burning folder.

However, the CD Burning folder will be re-generated by Windows immediately upon rebooting your system.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials
You can delete the Credentials folder and its contents.

However, the Credentials folder and its contents will be re-generated by Windows immediately upon rebooting your system.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\HelpCtr
You can delete the HelpCtr folder.

However, the HelpCtr folder will return should you click on a Help and Support Center link. For example, in Event Viewer, when you double-click on an event or error, and then click on the link displayed in the Event Properties.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player
You can delete the Media Player folder and its contents.

However, the Media Player folder, along with new content will be re-generated by Windows just as soon as you use Windows Media Player.

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media
I delete the Windows Media folder and its contents.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 4

Program Files Folders


---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files...

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\ComPlus Applications
I delete the ComPlus Applications folder.

ComPlus Applications. This folder contains files used by ComPlus applications. If there are no ComPlus applications installed on your XP machine, this folder will be empty. COM+ builds on the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) integrated services and features, making it easier for developers to create and use software components in any language, using any tool.

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer...

Internet Explorer. This folder contains the files and executables for Internet Explorer


C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Connection Wizard
I delete the Connection Wizard folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS
I delete the PLUGINS folder.

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP
I delete the SIGNUP folder and its contents.

I also these files that belong to them in C:\WINDOWS\system32:

icfgnt5.dll....Internet Connection Wizard
icwdial.dll....Internet Connection Wizard Autodialer
icwphbk.dll....Internet Connection Wizard
inetcfg.dll....Internet Connection Wizard Library
isign32.dll....Internet Signup

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\Messenger
I delete the Messenger folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\microsoft frontpage
I delete the microsoft frontpage folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Movie Maker
I delete the Movie Maker folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\MSN
I delete MSN folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\MSN Gaming Zone
I delete the MSN Gaming Zone folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Netmeeting
I delete the Netmeeting folder and its contents.

I also delete these files that belong to NetMeeting in C:\WINDOWS\system32:

mnmdd.dll

MNMSRVC.EXE...(NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing). Allows authorized users to remotely access your desktop.

msconf.dll
msh261.drv
msh263.drv

nmevtmsg.dll
nmmkcert.dll

C:\Program Files\Online Services
I delete the Online Service folder and its contents.

Online Services. This folder contains files used to establish Internet connectivity. These files enable you to set up Internet access through MSN or to select another available Internet service provider.

C:\Program Files\Uninstall Information
I delete the Uninstall Information folder.

C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\Skins
You can delete here any Windows Media player skins you will never use.

C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate
I delete the WindowsUpdate folder.

This WindowsUpdate folder once belonged to Windows Update before SP2. Now it is no longer used by Windows Update. Instead Windows Update now uses C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution.

C:\Program Files\xerox
I delete the xerox folder and its contents.

Xerox. This folder contains all the files used by Xerox applications. By default, this folder is empty.

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\Common Files...

Common Files. This folder contains files shared with the Microsoft applications.

---------------------------------------

Let's do the folders for MSAC separately so you'll have a better understanding of what it is we are removing.

MSAC (MS Data Access Components)

Per X-teq: Microsoft Data Access Component (MDAC) includes a service DataFactory, that allows developers to easily access data over the internet on this machine.

However, it can happen that this technique is a security problem. If configured in "Unsafe Mode", it allows hacker to execute code, query data and other ugly things. This bug was fixed with MDAC 2.0, but can still be a problem.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DAO
I delete the DAO folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\MSSoap
I delete the MSSoap folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\ado
I delete the ado folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\msadc
I delete the msadc folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Ole DB
I delete Ole DB folder and its contents.

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Services
I delete Services folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\SpeechEngines
I delete the SpeechEngines folder and its contents.

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared...

---------------------------------------

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo
I delete the MSInfo folder and its contents.

This is the System Information Utility.

I use "EVEREST Home Edition" for my system information needs. I think it's much much better. It offers many more details.

http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Speech
I delete the Speech folder and its contents.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Stationary
I delete any stationary in the Stationary folder I most likely won't use.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Folders
I delete the Web Folders folder and its contents.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 5

WINDOWS Folders


-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS...

-------------------------------------------------------

Individual Files I remove from C:\WINDOWS:


any *.bak Files

All *.bmp Files

any *.log Files (I regularly delete any ".log" Files that turn up in this folder.) "WindowsUpdate.log" will not be deleted in SP2.

any *.old Files

any *.tmp Files

any *.txt Files ("SchedLgU.txt" will not delete. It belongs to Task Scheduler)

_default...Shortcut to MS-DOS Program. Which is an invalid 16-bit program in XP.

clock.avi

control.ini (zero-length file)

desktop.ini

NOTEPAD.EXE (There is another one in system32 I keep.)

----------------------------------------------

soundman.exe (Realtek Audio Configuration Utility)

If I were to keep soundman.exe, I would also need to keep hid.dll (Hid User Library) in C:\WINDOWS\system32, as it needs this file to open.

----------------------------------------------

system.ini (XP doesn't use this. However it will usually return after awhile anyway.)

TASKMAN.EXE (There is a duplicate in system32.)

twain.dll ....Twain Source Manager (Image Acquisition Interface) I don't have a scanner.

twain_32.dll..Twain_32 Source Manager (Image Acquisition Interface) I don't have a scanner.

twunk_16.exe..(Twain Working Group) Thunking Server. Allows 16-bit DOS applications to make 32-bit calls.

twunk_32.exe..(Twain Working Group) Thunking Server. Allows 32-bit DOS applications to make 16-bit calls.

win.ini (XP just ignores it anyway.)

WINHELP.EXE....(Windows Help). A 16-bit Windows Help reader.

-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$
I delete the $hf_mig$ folder and its contents.

Per Microsoft: When a security update, critical update, update, update rollup, driver, or feature pack installs GDR (General Distribution Releases) version files, the hotfix files are also copied to the %windir%\$hf_mig$ folder. This supports migration to the appropriate files if you later install a hotfix or service pack that includes earlier versions of these files. For example, consider the following scenario:

1. You apply a security update that installs a GDR version of File.dll with a version number of 5.2.3790.1000 and copies a hotfix version of File.dll with a version number of 5.2.3790.1000 to the %windir%\$hf_mig$ folder.

2. You apply a hotfix that includes a hotfix version of File.dll with a version number of 5.2.3790.0000.
In this scenario the hotfix installation in step 2 installs the hotfix version of File.dll (version number 5.2.3790.1000) from the %windir%\$hf_mig$ folder instead of the hotfix version of File.dll (version number 5.2.3790.0000) from the hotfix package.

C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$
I delete all the $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ folders and their contents.

These $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ folders contain the uninstall files for the Windows Updates.

They have nothing to do with the Updates being in good working order on your system. If you are certain that you won't need to uninstall any of these Updates, by all means, delete these folders.

C:\WINDOWS\addins
I delete the addins folder.

ActiveX controls (.ocx) files. The addins folder is always empty on my system.

C:\WINDOWS\AppPatch
You can delete the AppPatch folder and its contents.

The AppPatch folder contains application compatibility .dlls and Appfix packages.

Personally, I don't delete the AppPatch folder and all its contents. When I do, I start receiving Application Popup Error messages in the Event Viewer when I open certain applications.

These are benign error messages for the most part. Your applications will usually still work and function properly under most circumstances.

Myself, I will not tolerate ANY error messages on my system.

I will not delete from my system ANY file or any folder that will cause ANY errors...in the Event Viewer, or anywhere else on my system.

I really dislike seeing error messages on my system...even if they are only benign Application Popup errors...or even the most benign of all errors, DCOM errors.

However, I've found that if I keep these 3 files in the AppPatch folder and delete the other 7 files, I do not recieve any Application Popup errors in the Event Viewer when I open certain programs:

ACGENRAL.DLL

DRVMAIN.SDB

SYSMAIN.SDB

C:\WINDOWS\Config
I delete the Config folder.

The Config folder contains configuration .idf files used by the MIDI sound system. Depending on system configuration, this folder might be empty.

C:\WINDOWS\Connection Wizard
I delete the Connections Wizard folder.

Connection Wizard. Files used for establishing Internet connectivity. Can be an empty folder.

C:\WINDOWS\Cursors
I delete any cursors and animated cursors in here I will never use.

Contains static and animated cursor files. You can use these files by configuring the Mouse applet in the Control Panel.

C:\WINDOWS\Debug

The Debug folder contains .log files that can be used to debug network connectivity and other setup functions.

I delete the Usermode subfolder folder

I delete the WPD subfolder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations
I delete the Download Installations folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files

Contains ActiveX controls and Java applets that have been downloaded from the Internet.

I delete the contents of the Download Installations folder, and, every so often, I check there for any ActiveX controls or Java applets installed I don't want there.

Alternatively, you can view and delete these ActiveX controls or Java applets by going to Internet Properties -> under Temporary Internet files click on Settings -> then under Temporary Internet files folders click on View Objects.

C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386

The Driver Cache folder contains a platform subdirectory and a copy of the driver.cab file so that new devices can be easily installed without needing the Windows XP CD. Might contain sp1.cab or sp2.cab if installing an integrated copy of the operating system (Sliptreamed CD).

I delete the drivers.cab and the sp2.cab

I have backup copies of the drivers.cab and the sp2.cab on a backup image I have saved on another partition. Should I ever need one of their original files, I can get it from this backup image.

I DO NOT DELETE ANY NEW FILES EVER CREATED IN i386. As new Updates arrive from Microsoft, newer versions of files are sometimes placed in the "i386" folder. These would then be the only copies of these newer files I will have.

-------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\Fonts

Many .fon extension fonts (The red A fonts) hide, so you need to run a search for *.fon in Search Assistant.

Open Search Assistant.

Be sure under "More Advanced Options" you have "Search for hidden files and folders" selected.

Do a search for *.fon

About 138 of these Fonts should show up.

Highlight these specific 15 Fonts...

cga40woa.fon
cga80woa.fon

coure.fon

dosapp.fon

ega40woa.fon
ega80woa.fon

modern.fon

roman.fon

serife.fon

smalle.fon

sserife.fon

symbole.fon

vgafix.fon
vgaoem.fon
vgasys.fon

At the top of Search Assistant click on "Edit". Then select "Invert Selection". Now you can delete all the other 123 unnecessary Fonts all at once because they will now be the ones highlighted, and the fonts you want to keep won't be.

TTF Font Extentions:

Here is a list of the 19 remaining *.ttf Fonts (The blue-green O fonts) I have in C:\WINDOWS\Fonts.

To see them all the *.ttf fonts, because some are hidden, you need to do a search with your Search Assistant for *.ttf

You can do the Search Assistant trick above to keep these and remove all the others.

arial.ttf
arialbd.ttf
arialbi.ttf
ariali.ttf

framd.ttf
framdit.ttf

lucon.ttf

marlett.ttf

micross.ttf

tahoma.ttf
tahomabd.ttf

times.ttf
timesbd.ttf

trebucbd.ttf

verdana.ttf
verdanab.ttf
verdanai.ttf
verdanaz.ttf

NOTE: To delete the wingding.ttf font, you may have to open the Fonts folder itself, and first delete the Webdings.ttf font, and then the wingding.ttf font.

-------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\Help
You can delete all individual help files in the Help folder.

Personally, I keep most of the HELP Files in the Help folder, and only delete those I know I won't be using or maybe contain subject matter I'm not interested in.

C:\WINDOWS\Help\Tours
I delete Tours folder and its contents.

Then I delete this file that belongs to it in C:\WINDOWS\system32:

tourstart.exe

C:\WINDOWS\ime

The ime folder contains files to support the Input Method Editor. Provides language support for Windows XP.

I delete the ime folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\inf

I delete all the .PNF files in the inf folder.

PNF files, are cache-type files that help making the opening of some applications quicker and more responsive.

These are files when deleted will re-create themselves should its corresponding .inf file by the same name be called upon.

Per Rob Elder: "It's a "pre-compiled" version of the ASCII .INF file that gets created when the Setup first processes a particular .INF file. It's done to speed up searches of the .INF files (as you've noticed there are LOTS of those on the system in Windows 2000/XP); if the dates of the .INF and .PNF files compare favorably (.PNF is later than .INF) the corresponding .PNF file will be used (if present)."

Here's what I do...

If, after I give it some time, (30 days or more), I see that corresponding .PNF files are not re-created alongside the .INF files of the same name, (That would mean my system isn't using those particular .INF files.), I will then go ahead and delete the never-used INF files.

Some people will tell you that it is okay to delete the entire contents of the inf folder, including all the .INF files.

I totally disagree with that. INF files aren't just about installing new hardware. Just to be able to get into the Windows Component Wizard, your system needs 36 INF files.

Here are a couple of examples:

Acronis True Image's Explore Image function needs these 3 .INI Files in C:\WINDOWS\inf:

certclas.inf
layout.inf
volume.inf

Windows Disk Cleanup needs these 36 .INI Files in C:\WINDOWS\inf:

accessor.inf

certclas.inf
communic.inf
comnt5.inf

dtcnt5.inf

fp40ext.inf
fxsocm.inf

games.inf

ieaccess.inf
igames.inf
iis.inf
ims.inf

layout.inf

msmsgs.inf
msnmsn.inf
multimed.inf

netbeac.inf
netiprip.inf
netlpd.inf
netoc.inf
netsnmp.inf
nettpsmp.inf
netupnp.inf

oeaccess.inf
optional.inf

p2p.inf
pinball.inf

rootau.inf

setupqry.inf
startoc.inf
sysoc.inf

tsoc.inf

wbemoc.inf
wbemsnmp.inf
wmaccess.inf
wmpocm.inf

In the meantime, however...

I picked this tip up from NeoMayhem.

Do a search for mdm*.* and delete all the *.inf files that comes up. There were 181 mdm*.* files in my inf folder.

These are all modem drivers, and it is very unlikely you will ever need them. You either have a modem already installed, or if you don't, and decide to add one later, it will come with its own set of drivers.

C:\WINDOWS\java
I delete the java folder and its contents. It is no longer used for Microsoft's (Java) Virtual Machine after SP2.

C:\WINDOWS\lastgood
I delete the lastgood folder and it's contents.

Usually the lastgood folder and its contents will delete on its own after a reboot, after the installation of something or other. But every once in awhile it doesn't.

C:\WINDOWS\Media
I delete most of the sounds Windows makes here.

C:\WINDOWS\msagent

The msagent folder contains Microsoft agent files, which are software services that support using animated characters in the Windows interface to assist users in manipulating the operating system.

I delete the msagent folder and its contents.

Then I delete these help files that belong to it in C:\WINDOWS\Help:

agt0c0a.hlp
agt040b.hlp
agt040c.hlp
agt040e.hlp
agt041d.hlp
agt041f.hlp
agt0405.hlp
agt0406.hlp
agt0407.hlp
agt0408.hlp
agt0409.hlp
agt0410.hlp
agt0413.hlp
agt0414.hlp
agt0415.hlp
agt0416.hlp
agt0419.hlp
agt0816.hlp

C:\WINDOWS\msapps

The msapps folder contains files for backward-compatibility with applications that use shared components.

I delete the msapps folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\msdownld.tmp
I delete the msdownld.tmp folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\mui

MUI (Multilingual-User Interface) Packs give companies flexibility in making language options available to users.

I delete the mui folder.

C:\WINDOWS\nview
I delete the nview folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages

Any Web pages designated as offline accessible are stored in the Offline Web Pages folder, along with any images and other files that go with it.

I delete the Offline Web Pages folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS
I delete the OPTIONS folder and its contents.

These are the cab files for my Fast Ethernet NIC Driver Setup Utility.

C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth
I delete all the contents in the PCHealth folder, but I keep the folder.

PCHEALTH. Contains files and subfolders to support the Microsoft Help Center Service. These files support all the Windows XP Help services, including features such as Remote Desktop Assistance.

IMPORTANT: Before you do this "move" msconfig (not copy) from inside the C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries to inside the System32 folder, or you will loose it.

Also, you will no longer be able to view System Information. I use the free program "Everest - system information, system diagnostics and benchmarking" instead. It's much better than Windows System Information.

C:\WINDOWS\PeerNet
I delete the PeerNet folder and its contents.

Per Microsoft: The optional Windows Peer-to-Peer networking component provides a framework for peer-to-peer programs to communicate directly between computers over Network Address Translation (NAT) devices and over the Internet.

C:\WINDOWS\PIF
I delete the PIF folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\Profiles
I delete the Profiles folder and its contents.

Seemingly useless folder created by Adobe Reader.

C:\WINDOWS\Provisioning
I delete the Provisioning folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\pss
I delete the pss folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\RegisteredPackages
I delete the RegisteredPackages folder and its contents.

The RegisteredPackages folder contains installation files. They looked to me like mostly belonging to Windows Media Player 10.

C:\WINDOWS\Registration

In the Registration folder I delete all the *.clb files--one at a time--except the one that Windows will not allow me to delete.

C:\WINDOWS\Registration\CRMLog
I delete the CRMLog folder

C:\WINDOWS\repair
I delete the repair folder and its contents.

Registry backup files. These files are updated if you use NTBackup and choose to back up system state files.

Per Rob Elder: "There are backup copies of the hive files in the systemroot\repair directory. But if you are not running MSBackup, they are from the day that the operating system was installed. If you're using MSBackup then they are from the date of the last backup."

C:\WINDOWS\security
I delete the security folder and it's contents

The security folder contains subfolders and files related to security. Includes log files that define the default security applied during setup and templates for assigning new security privileges.

C:\WINDOWS\setupupd
I delete the setupupd folder and its contents.

Dynamic Update storage location

C:\WINDOWS\ShellNew
I delete the ShellNew folder.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution

The "ReportingEvents.log" file will not delete.

I delete all the contents of these 4 subfolders of SoftwareDistribution...

DataStore
Download
EventCache
SelfUpdate < This folder is always empty on my system.

The contents of WebSetup and WuRedir subfolders will be restored upon your each and every visit to Windows Update...so there is really no reason to delete their contents.

C:\WINDOWS\srchasst
I delete the srchasst folder and its contents.

The srchasst folder contains files and subfolders for the Search Companion. I like the way Search Companion performs without these XP updates. (Even though the little puppy is kind of cute.)

-------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system

System. Contains 16-bit versions of protected and real mode drivers and .dll files used by applications. These files are provided for backward-compatibility with older applications. Additional 16-bit driver files can be stored in this folder.

Some older applications you install might look for files contained in the system folder. However, most program makers these days no longer use these files when adapting their programs to Windows.

I predict someday soon these files will become obsolete, and Windows will write them right out of their Operating Systems.

All but 3 of these backward-compatibility files majority files have duplicates in the system32 folder.

If you want, you can cut and paste all the files from C:\WINDOWS\system to C:\WINDOWS\system32. Then delete the system folder.

The files system32 does not already have will then be placed there, and you shouldn't have any problem installing older applications.

These are the 3 files system32 does not already have:

setup.inf
stdole.tlb
TAPI.DLL

What I do is delete the system folder and its contents. Then I delete all the duplicate backward-compatibility files in C:\WINDOWS\system32. (I do this in PART 9 of the guide.)

At that time, however, I will be keeping in the system32 folder this one file:

WINSPOOL.DRV

One older program I have (PrintFolder) needs this file. (WINSPOOL.DRV also seems to be one of the more important files in the lot, as it is the most difficult to delete. It usually deletes only after a reboot.)

-------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\Temp
I delete any files I ever find in the Temp folder.

Note: It's a good idea to delete these files after a reboot. Some programs you install still use these temporary installation files to complete their installation on the next boot.

C:\WINDOWS\twain_32

Imaging files for scanners.

Twain_32. Contains files to support Twain technology, enabling a scanner document to be inserted into a file.

I delete the twain_32 folder and its contents because I don't have a scanner.

C:\WINDOWS\Web
I delete the web folder and its contents.

The Web folder contains files and subfolders to support Internet printing and document access.

-------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS

The WinSxS folder stores the shared components of side-by-side applications. These can be multiple versions of the same application or the same assembly.

I took on the dreaded WinSxS folder with surprising success.

For you yourself to do this, you must be willing to look inside the Layout.ini file located in C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch. You'll need to spot, and single out, the particular files and folders your system needs.

There are some very long numbered files and subfolders within the WinSxS folder. Your numbered files and subfolders may not be the same as mine.

...Then again, we may have the same numbers. I don't know. I haven't looked in your WinSxS folder.

First I delete every .cat file in the Manifests subfolder and all the subfolders in the Policies subfolder.

Remaining now within C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\Manifests are 12 files. I kept these 6 files, and deleted the 6 others not listed in the Layout.ini file:

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.COMMON-CONTROLS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_6.0.2600.2180_X-WW_A84F1FF9.MANIFEST

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.GDIPLUS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_1.0.2600.2180_X-WW_522F9F82.MANIFEST

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.NETWORKING.DXMRTP
_6595B64144CCF1DF_5.2.2.3_X-WW_468466A7.MANIFEST

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.NETWORKING.RTCDLL
_6595B64144CCF1DF_5.2.2.3_X-WW_D6BD8B95.MANIFEST

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.NETWORKING.RTCRES
_6595B64144CCF1DF_5.2.2.3_EN_16A24BC0.MANIFEST

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.SYSTEMCOMPATIBLE
_6595B64144CCF1DF_5.1.2600.2000_X-WW_BCC9A281.MANIFEST

-----------------------------------------------------

Remaining now within C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\Policies are 6 subfolders. I kept these 5 and delete the 1 other not listed in the Layout.ini file:

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.1.0.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.GDIPLUS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_4E8510AC\

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.5.1.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.SYSTEMCOMPATIBLE
_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_A0111510\

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.5.2.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.NETWORKING.DXMRTP
_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_362E60DD\

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.5.2.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.NETWORKING.RTCDLL
_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_C7B7206F\

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.6.0.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.COMMON-CONTROLS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_5DDAD775\

-----------------------------------------------------

Within C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS are 10 subfolders whose names begin with "x86_Microsoft". Only 1 of these 10 "x86_Microsoft" subfolders is listed in the Layout.ini file:

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.COMMON-CONTROLS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_6.0.2600.2180_X-WW_A84F1FF9\

Here's the rub...

One other of these ten subfolders IS NOT LISTED IN THE LAYOUT.INI FILE. And that 1 subfolder needs to be pinpointed, and kept, too. Otherwise, your screen is going to go goofy on you when you reboot.

That one other needed subfolder that is not listed in the Layout.ini file, has something in common with one of the files in the MANIFESTS subfolder, and one of the subfolders in the POLICIES subfolder:

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\MANIFESTS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.GDIPLUS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_1.0.2600.2180_X-WW_522F9F82.MANIFEST

and

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.1.0.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.GDIPLUS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_4E8510AC

-----------------------------------------------------

The commonality in MANIFESTS is GDIPLUS & X-WW_522F9F82.

The commonality in POLICIES is GDIPLUS & 6595B64144CCF1DF

-------------------------------------------------------

Got it figured out yet? I gave you some pretty big hints.


This is the subfolder:

x86_Microsoft.Windows.GdiPlus
_6595b64144ccf1df_1.0.2600.2180_x-ww_522f9f82

-------------------------------------------------------

So, I keep:

C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.Windows.GdiPlus
_6595b64144ccf1df_1.0.2600.2180_x-ww_522f9f82 (Which isn't listed in the Layout.ini file.)

and

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\X86_MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.COMMON-CONTROLS
_6595B64144CCF1DF_6.0.2600.2180_X-WW_A84F1FF9 (Which is listed in the Layout.ini file.)

and delete the other 8 subfolders.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 6

system32 Folders


-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32...

The system32 subfolder contains most of the files used by Windows XP. This is the primary storage location for DLLs, Control Panel applets (.cpl), device drivers (.drv), help files (.hlp and .cnt), MS-DOS utilities (.com), language support files (.nls), screensavers (.scr), setup information files (.inf), and a handful of other files used for support, configuration, or operation.

-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\3com_dmi
I delete the 3com_dmi folder.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\1025, 1028, 1031, 1033, 1037, 1041, 1053, 2052 & 3076

I delete all the empty number folders except 1033 (The English Language). Folder number 1033 isn't empty.

These numbered folders contain locationization languages files. Most of these folders will be empty. The English language is 1033.

Per Microsoft: Localization (language) files for a specific language, corresponding to the number assigned to this folder. This folder remains empty unless Windows XP Professional is localized for this particular language.

-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot

and

C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2

The Catroot folder contains security catalog files.

The Catroot2 folder contains catalog database files.

You might be able to delete both the CatRoot and Catroot2 folders and their contents It really depends on your system.

You may have some third-party programs installed that may require certain .CAT files to be present. The .CAT files are located here:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}

Some people can delete them and experience no problems. Others can't.

On my system, I find that Acronis True Image looks for a couple of these .CAT files when I use its Explore Image function. If not there, a Windows Hardware Installation window will popup telling me "The software you are installing for hardware: Generic volume has not passed Windows Logo testing to verify its compatibility with Windows XP...and so on."

If I choose to continue the installation an error message from Acronis will popup saying, "Cannot assign drive letter to a partition from the image archive."

The short of it, Acronis True Image's Explore Image function will not work without certain .CAT files present.

Some third-party programs you have installed may also depend upon the presents of certain .CAT files.

I also discovered on my system these two .CAT files seem to be looked for at various times:

"oemO.CAT" and "1.CAT".

When the oemO.CAT and 1.CAT files are not present, errors are reported to "dberr.txt", which is created in C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2.

I noticed these errors occur for me when opening Device Properties in Device Manager, and when I use Acronis True Image's Explore Image function.

I've also spotted other .CAT file errors in dberr.txt at various times: FP4.CAT, IMS.CAT, MSMSGS.CAT, msn7.cat, msn9.cat, MSTSWEB.CAT, NTPRINT.CAT, SP2.CAT, startoc.cat and wmerrenu.cat.

There are so many .CAT files my system points to, it's hardly worth it for me to delete the .CAT files.

I do however delete all the Hotfix .CAT files (KB*.* files). You'll be able to spot them by their assigned Hotfix numbers.)

Here's something you can do if you like...

Place the all the .CAT files in a separate folder for a time. Periodically check "dberr.txt" in C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2. See if any errors show up pointing to missing .CAT files. Then put those .CAT files back into C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}

When you have all the proper .CAT files in place, "dberr.txt" will stop showing up.

dberr.txt..........Log file for catalog file registrations. Contains information about catalog files that are not registered, and exists only if any nonregistered catalogs are identified.

dberr.txt is also created if catalog files are missing.

For the Catroot2 folder, I will configure one of my Temp and Junk File Cleaners (IE Privacy Keepers) to delete all the individual TEMP Files (not the folders) that return here fairly often. All the files created and re-created in the Catroot2 folder are TEMP Files. They have *.chk, *. emb, *log, and *.txt extensions.

-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Com

Component Object Model (COM) objects.

I'll delete the Com folder and its contents.

Then I'll open up the Control Panel/Administartive Tools and delete the "Component Services" shortcut there.

Also, while I'm in Control Panel/Administartive Tools, I'll go ahead delete "Data Sources (ODBC)" as I do not use this either.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config

Contains the Registry hives used during bootup and is the storage location for the System, Security, and Application log files viewed through Event Viewer.

I delete every file in the config folder that Windows will allow me to. Some files in the config folder Windows won't let you delete. These are your actual registry.

All other files in here can be deleted without any problems to your system.

These are the only 13 files that are important in C/WINDOWS/system32/config:

AppEvent.Evt
default
default.LOG
SAM
SAM.LOG
SecEvent.Evt
SECURITY
SECURITY.LOG
software
software.LOG
SysEvent.Evt
system
system.LOG

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile
I delete the systemprofile folder and all its contents.

The systemprofile folder contains a standard profile for the local system.

I've found it best to delete the "systemprofile" in safemode for a clean deletion.

The systemprofile folder itself, and a few empty subfolders, may return once you boot back up. Or it may not.

It's one of those weird folders. Like so many folders you delete from Windows XP. With one installation, you can delete a particular folder like the systemprofile folder, and it never returns. The very next day you can install Windows XP all over again, delete the systemprofile folder, and it re-generates itself after a time. (Beats me.)

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dhcp
I delete the dhcp folder.

The dhcp folder is an empty folder used to hold Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) database files if the host becomes a DHCP server.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\DirectX
I delete the DirectX folder and its subfolder, Dinput and its contents.

The DirectX folder Contains files to support the accelerated performance features of game devices.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

I delete every file in the dllcache folder, but keep the dllcache folder itself.

The dllcache folder contains backup copies of the operating system files that are under the Windows File System Protection system.

I have backup copies of all the individual files in the dllcache folder on a backup image I have saved on another partition. Should I ever need one of its original files, I can get it from this backup image.

I DON'T DELETE ANY NEW FILES EVER CREATED IN THE DLLCACHE FOLDER. As new Updates arrive from Microsoft, newer versions of files are sometimes placed in the dllcache folder. These would then be the only copies of these newer files I will have.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
I delete the files in the etc subfolder.

The HOSTS files within the etc folder are seldom used in today's environment. They are leftover from the days before DNS, and the only mapping that's in there by default is for the loopback address.

Valid hosts files have NO extensions (.sam is a Sample file)

C:\WINDOWS\system32\export
I delete the export folder.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ias
I delete the ias folder and its contents.

If there is no Internet connection capability, the ias folder is an empty folder used to hold configuration files for the Internet Authentication Service. This service is typically found on servers. If the machine has a device capable of connecting to the Internet, the IAS folder should not be empty. It will contain two files: DNARY.MDB (used to phrase IAS log files) and IAS.MDB (used to store remote access policies).

I delete the ias folder and its contents.

Then I delete these individual files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

iasacct.dll
iasads.dll
iashlpr.dll
iasnap.dll
iaspolcy.dll
iasrad.dll
iasrecst.dll
iassam.dll
iassdo.dll
iassvcs.dll

C:\WINDOWS\system32\icsxml
I delete the icsxml folder and its contents.

The icsxml folder contains files for Univeral Plug and Play.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME
I delete the IME folder and its contents.

The IME folder contains files for Input Method Editors. (Language files)

C:\WINDOWS\system32\inetsrv
I delete the inetsrv folder.

The inetsrv folder contains files used by the World Wide Web service. This folder is empty.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Lang
I delete the Lang folder and its contents.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed
I delete the Macromed folder and its contents.

I don't want to have anything to do with Macromedia.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsDtc
I delete the MsDtc folder and its contents.

The MsDtc folder contains Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator files that control transaction output and message delivery between two different applications or processes.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\mui
I delete the mui folder and its contents.

The mui folder contains Multilingual-User Interface files that are created by applications, such as Service Pack 1.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\npp
I delete the npp folder and its contents.

The npp folder contains files to support collecting network traffic from an XP PC by a Network Monitor server.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe
I delete the oobe folder and its contents.

OOBE is Contains "Out of Box Experience" files that prompt users to complete product activation and registration and to create a new user other than Administrator. This feature is activated only after setup.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ras
I delete the ras folder and its contents.

The ras folder contains the default scripts used by Dial-Up Networking.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups

In the ReinstallBackups folder I'll delete all backup subfolders and their files when I'm certain I will be keeping all of my updated drivers.

When the ReinstallBackups folder is empty, I will delete the folder itself. It will be re-generated when you update some drivers again.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore
I delete the Restore folder and its contents.

This is the System Restore App. If you delete this, System Restore will no longer work.

I don't use system restore. I use Acronis TrueImage. So I delete the Restore folder and its contents.

-------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Setup

The Setup folder contains setup files for additional services, such as FrontPage Server Extensions and Microsoft Fax.

You will also need a most of these files within the Setup folder to access the Windows "Optional" Components Wizard (Disk Cleanup -> More Options tab -> Cleanup button).

I myself have no use for these additional services, nor the Windows "Optional" Components Wizard. So I delete the Setup folder and its contents, and also these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

loadperf.dll..Load & Unload Performance Counters

resutils.dll...Wrapper Dll for Richedit 1.0

(Both files are needed to access Windows "Optional" Components Wizard.)

As a matter of fact, I have no use for Disk Cleanup itself, so I also delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

CLEANMGR.EXE...(Disk Space Cleaner). A utility used to remove unused temp files from a hard drive to reclaim used space.

compact.exe....File Compress Utility (Compresses the File System to save space.) Which is rendered pretty much useless without Disk Cleanup.

dataclen.dll...Disk Space Cleaner for Windows

sysocmgr.exe....System stand-alone Optional Component Manager

-------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ShellExt
I delete the ShellExt folder.

By default, the ShellExt folder is empty.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\SoftwareDistribution
I delete the SoftwareDistribution folder and its contents.

NOTE: I keep the SoftwareDistribution on C:\WINDOWS.

The softwareDistribution folder in system32 really isn't necessary because Windows Update uses the folder by the same name that's in C:\WINDOWS. When the SoftwareDistribution folder in system32 is (or if ever is) utilized I couldn't tell you.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool
I delete the spool folder and its contents ONLY BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A PRINTER.

The spool folder is used by the printing system to store spooled print jobs and related files. The Printers subfolder is used to store spool files. The other folders found here vary based on printer drivers and configuration.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\usmt
I delete the usmt folder and its contents.

USMT stands for User State Migration Tool. The usmt folder contains files to support both USMT and the File and Settings Transfer Wizard. Both tools enable user files and settings to be copied to another PC.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem (Windows Management Instrumentation)

Used by Web Based Enterprise Management to store its data and executable files and utilities. The Microsoft implementation of WBEM is the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Service. With WMI, programmers can create applications that control network devices, using the same commands regardless of platform.

This has to be one of the most widely misunderstood things about XP.

Even BlackViper, who we all regard highly for his expertise with respect to Services, I doubt seriously understands Window Management Instrumentation thoroughly.

For years he was telling us how "important" it was to keep WMI
enabled.

These days, however, BlackViper has changed his tune.

These days he says: "With Service Pack 1a, this service was not really required. However, after the installation of Service Pack 2, Security Center and Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing require this service.

This service is also required if you want to see the "Dependencies" tab in service configuration and you want everything to go smoothly. I do not recommend disabling this service as more applications may begin to use this in the future."

People have been beating me up for years for disabling Windows Management Instrumentation. Partly because of BlackViper saying it was a no-no to disable.

Guess now it's okay, though...because he says it is. People rather hear it from experts I guess...even when those experts are wrong.

To be fair, most pros I've bumped into tell us not to disable this Service...and none of them really have a good explanation as to why we shouldn't.

I know you have been told that WMI is very important to the operation of your system. I have never found it so.

Even when I run Si-Soft Sandra, the program tells me that disabling this Service on my system would be a good thing.

If you look in Disk Cleanup, Windows even displays the option to uninstall WMI. However, it doesn't allow you to. (Weird, why would it be listed as an "optional component" ?)

Plus, did you know it can make for a faster boot time and a little less memory usage when you disable it? It does.

-------------------------------------------------------

IMPORTANT: First, move the "framedyn.dll" from C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem to C:\WINDOWS\system32. It is the only important file in the folder.

Sometimes when you run System Restore you'll get the error 'System restore was unable to start due to a missing framedyn.dll. Please reinstall the application to fix this problem'.

Without "framedyn.dll" you might also get an error when right-clicking on My Computer. Keeping this file in the system32 folder prevents this from happening.

You will also need to disable Windows Management Instrumentation in Services.

When you go to disable WMI in Services, you will also be disabling Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Windows will pop up window up telling you that when you go to disable WMI.

Before I disable Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), I first turn off Windows Firewall itself:

Start > Control Panel > Firewall > Put a tick in "Off (not reccomended)"


The files listed below belong to Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

From C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

ip6fw.sys.....IPv6 Windows Firewall Driver
tcpip6.sys....IPv6 driver

From C:\WINDOWS\system32:

firewall.cpl..Windows Firewall Control Panel
fwcfg.dll.....Windows Firewall Configuration Helper

IPSEC6.EXE....(Ipv6 Security Configuration Utility). A tool for configuring IPv6 security.

ipsecsvc.dll..Windows IPSec SPD Server DLL

IPV6.EXE......(Ipv6 Configuration Utility). A tool to install and configure IPv6.


Then go into safemode and delete the entire contents of C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem.

I've found it best to delete the contents of the wbem folder in safemode, because there are about three of its files that will not delete for me unless I do.


Upon rebooting, delete these 5 additional files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

cmprops.dll....WMI Snapins

licwmi.dll.....Windows Product Activation Configuration WMI provider

mmfutil.dll....WMI Snapin Helpers

servdeps.dll...(WMI Snapins) The "servdeps.dll" file may not delete for you until you reboot. It may not even delete after a reboot. Either way, it's not all that important.)

wmimgmt.msc....


You might as well delete this folder and its contents, too:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo

And its shortcut here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

The System Information Utility will not work without WMI.

I use "EVEREST Home Edition" for my system information needs. It's much better, I think. It offers many more details.

http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en

-------------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wins
I delete the wins folder.

The wins folder contains files to support the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS). The wins folder is empty.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\xircom
I delete the xircom folder.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 7

NLS Files and Keyboard Layout Files



There are two areas of files that YOU MUST BE MOST CAREFUL WITH:

*.NLS Files....Multiple Language Resource Files. Character Translation; National Language Services driver (font or font map)

and,

KBD*.DLL Files...which are Language Keyboard Layouts.

IF YOU BLOW THIS ONE, YOUR SYSTEM IS NOT GOING TO REBOOT.



C:\WINDOWS\system32

*.NLS Files and KBD*.DLLS Files.


With the arrival of SP2 there are now some 85 KBD*.DLL Files in the system32 folder...you only need one of them.

KBD*.DLL Files are Keyboard Language Layout files.

My system is U.S. English, so I only need and keep the "KBDUS.DLL".

All the others I remove...

---------------------------------------------------------

You'll need to set the Folder View of the system32 folder to "Arrange Icons By Type".

In the system32 folder, I highlight all the KBD*.DLL Files by first clicking on the first KBD*.DLL File, while pressing and holding down the Shift Key on my Keyboard.

Then I click on the last KBD*.DLL File, while still holding down the Shift Key.

I then lift up on the Shift Key and then press and hold down the Ctrl Key below it.

Then I click on the one KBD*.DLL File I need to keep (In my case, the KBDUS.DLL). This takes that particular file out of the highlighted grouping.

Then I delete the remaining highlighted KBD*.DLL Files.

---------------------------------------------------------

A good registry cleaner will do the job for you of removing the unused KBD*.* on your system.

Or you can manually edit the registry in these three locations of your registry:

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Keyboard Layouts
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Keyboard Layouts
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layouts

---------------------------------------------------------

Or, to manually remove the other KBD*.* entries from the registry, what I do is first Export these 3 registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Keyboard Layouts\00000409

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Keyboard Layouts\00000409

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layouts\00000409

I save them as KBDUS DLL 1, 2 & 3, respectively.

Then I delete these 3 registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Keyboard Layouts

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Keyboard Layouts

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layouts

And then I import back into the registry the 3 KBDUS DLL.regs files I first exported.

---------------------------------------------------------

Or, you could even leave these registry entries alone. They won't hurt anything.

---------------------------------------------------------

Here is a list of the 84 KBD*.DLL Files I delete:

KBDAL.DLL > Albania Keyboard Layout
kbdaze.dll > Azerbaijan_Cyrilic
kbdazel.dll > Azerti-Latin
kbdbe.dll > Belgian Dutch
kbdbene.dll > Belgian
kbdblr.dll > Belarusian
kbdbr.dll > Brazillian
kbdbu.dll > Bulgarian
kbdca.dll > Canadian Multilingual
kbdcan.dll > Canadian National Standard
kbdcr.dll > Croatian/Slovenian
kbdcz.dll > Czech
kbdcz1.dll > Czech_101
kbdcz2.dll > Czech_Programmer's
kbdda.dll > Dannish
kbddv.dll > Dvorak US English
kbdes.dll > Spanish Alternate
kbdest.dll > Estonia
kbdfc.dll > Canadian French
kbdfi.dll > Finnish
kbdfi1.dll > Finnish-Swedish with Sami Keyboard Layout
kbdfo.dll > Faeroese
kbdfr.dll > French
kbdgae.dll > Gaelic
kbdgkl.dll > Greek_Latin
kbdgr.dll > German
kbdgr1.dll > German_IBM
kbdhe.dll > Greek IBM 220
kbdhe220.dll > Greek IBM 319
kbdhe319.dll > Greek
kbdhela2.dll > Greek IBM 220 Latin
kbdhela3.dll > Greek IBM 319 Latin
kbdhept.dll > Greek_Polytonic
kbdhu.dll > Hungarian
kbdhu1.dll > Hungarian 101-key
kbdic.dll > Icelandic
kbdinbe1.dll > Bengali (Inscript) Keyboard Layout
kbdinben.dll > Bengali Keyboard Layout
kbdinmal.dll > Malayalam Keyboard Layout Keyboard Layout
kbdir.dll > Irish
kbdit.dll > Italian
kbdit142.dll > Italian 142
kbdkaz.dll > Kazak_Cyrillic
kbdkyr.dll > Kyrgyz
kbdla.dll > Latin-American Spanish
kbdlt.dll > Lithuania
kbdlt1.dll > Lithuanian
kbdlv.dll > Latvia
kbdlv1.dll > Latvia-QWERTY
kbdmac.dll > FYROMacedonian_Cyrillic
kbdmaori.dll > Maori Keyboard Layout
kbdmlt47.dll > Maltese 47-key Keyboard Layout
kbdmlt48.dll > Maltese 48-key Keyboard Layout
kbdmon.dll > Mongolian
kbdne.dll > Dutch
kbdnec.dll > JP Japanese Keyboard Layout for (NEC PC-9800)
kbdno.dll > Norwegian
kbdno1.dll > Norwegian with Sami Keyboard Layout
kbdpl.dll > Polish
kbdpl1.dll > Polish Programmer's
kbdpo.dll > Portuguese
kbdro.dll > Romanian
kbdru.dll > Russian
kbdru1.dll > Russia(Typewriter)
kbdsf.dll > Swiss French
kbdsg.dll > Swiss German
kbdsl.dll > Slovak
kbdsl1.dll > Slovak(QWERTY)
kbdsmsfi.dll > Sami Extended Finland-Sweden Keyboard Layout
kbdsmsno.dll > Sami Extended Norway Keyboard Layout
kbdsp.dll > Spanish
kbdsw.dll > Swedish
kbdtat.dll > Tatar_Cyrillic
kbdtuf.dll > Turkish F
kbdukx.dll > United Kingdom Extended Keyboard Layout
kbdtuq.dll > Turkish Q
kbduk.dll > United Kingdom
kbdur.dll > Ukrainian
kbdusl.dll > Dvorak Left-Hand US English
kbdusr.dll > Dvorak Right-Hand US English
kbdusx.dll > US Multinational
kbduzb.dll > Uzbek_Cyrillic
kbdycc.dll > Serbian_Cyrillic
kbdycl.dll > Serbian_Latin

---------------------------------------------------------

A WORD OF CAUTION about NLS files: Delete any one of these you're not supposed to and your system will not reboot. Delete others, and some web pages will not be displayed for you.

NLS Files = Multiple Language Resource Files. Character Translation; National Language Services driver (font or font map).

My system settings are for U.S.English.

If you live outside of the U.S. using a foreign from U.S. computer you will need to check within your Layout.ini file within your Prefetch folder to see exactly which NLS files your system uses.

For my U.S.English settings...

I keep these NLS Files

c_437.nls
c_932.nls
c_1250.nls
c_1251.nls
c_1252.nls
c_20127.nls
c_28591.nls
c_28605.nls
ctype.nls
l_intl.nls
locale.nls
sortkey.nls
sorttbls.nls
unicode.nls

I remove all of these NLS files

c_037.nls
c_500.nls
c_737.nls
c_775.nls
c_850.nls
c_852.nls
c_855.nls
c_857.nls
c_860.nls
c_861.nls
c_863.nls
c_865.nls
c_866.nls
c_869.nls
c_874.nls
c_875.nls
c_936.nls
c_949.nls
c_950.nls
c_1026.nls
c_1253.nls
c_1254.nls
c_1255.nls
c_1256.nls
c_1257.nls
c_1258.nls
c_10000.nls
c_10006.nls
c_10007.nls
c_10010.nls
c_10017.nls
c_10029.nls
c_10079.nls
c_10081.nls
c_10082.nls
c_20261.nls
c_20866.nls
c_20905.nls
c_21866.nls
c_28592.nls
c_28593.nls
C_28594.NLS
C_28595.NLS
C_28597.NLS
c_28598.nls
c_28599.nls
c_28603.nls
geo.nls
l_except.nls

TOOOO DAMN LONG BRO!!!! LINK TO A PERSONAL PAGE OR SUMMFIN!

nice guide.
thanx

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 8

Unnecessary Drivers



Many drivers are universal for all XP systems, but every XP system needs different drivers.

Some drivers are there because of third-party programs we have installed. Some drivers are there because of the particular Sound Card we use. Or the particular Video Card. Everybody is going to have something different installed, and a different system setup.

I can't tell you which drivers you personally need. I only know the drivers my system needs.

-----------------------------------------------------

Here's a tip to start you off in the right direction...

Look inside the Layout.ini file within C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch.

Here you can see listed which drivers are important to your system.

A word of caution with this Layout.ini trick: All your essential drivers may not be listed in your Layout.ini file. Then again, they just may.

-----------------------------------------------------

These 79 Drivers are not listed in my Layout.ini file, so I delete them:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers

acpiec.sys.....ACPI Embedded Controller Driver
amdk6.sys......Processor Device Driver
amdk7.sys......
arp1394.sys....IP/1394 Arp Client
asyncmac.sys...
atmarpc.sys....IP/ATM Arp Client
atmepvc.sys....ATM Ethernet Encapsulation Intermediate Driver
atmlane.sys....ATM Lan Emulation Driver
atmuni.sys.....ATM UNI Call Manager

bridge.sys.....

cbidf2k.sys....CardBus/PCMCIA IDE Miniport Driver
cinemst2.sys...CineMaster C 1.2 WDM Main Driver
cpqdap01.sys...Compaq PA-1 Player Driver
crusoe.sys.....Processor Device Driver
cxthsfS2.cty...

diskdump.sys...
dmboot.sys.....
dmio.sys.......
dmload.sys.....

fastfat.sys....
fsvga.sys......

gm.dls.........

hidclass.sys....
hidparse.sys...Hid Parsing Library
HSFBS2S2.sys...
HSFCXTS2.sys...
HSFDPSP2.sys...
HSFProf.cty....
http.sys.......

imagedrv.sys...NERO IMAGEDRIVE SCSI miniport
imagesrv.sys...

irenum.sys.....Infra-Red Bus Enumerator

mcd.sys........Medium changer class driver
mf.sys.........Multifunction Enumerator
mrxdav.sys.....Windows NT WebDav Minirdr
mrxsmb.sys.....
MSKSSRV.sys....
MSPCLOCK.sys...
MSPQM.sys......

ndisuio.sys....NDIS User mode I/O Driver
netbios.sys.....
nic1394.sys....IEEE1394 Ndis Miniport and Call Manager
nikedrv.sys....NikeDrv Usb Driver
nmnt.sys.......Netmon NT Driver
nwlnkipx.sys...NWLINK2 IPX Protocol Driver
nwlnknb.sys....NWLINK2 IPX Netbios Protocol Driver
nwlnkspx.sys...NWLINK2 SPX Protocol Driver

oprghdlr.sys...ACPI Operation Registration Driver

p3.sys.........
pcmcia.sys.....PCMCIA Bus Driver
processr.sys...
psched.sys.....

rawwan.sys.....Raw WAN Transport
rdbss.sys......
rio8drv.sys....Rio8Drv.sys Usb Driver
riodrv.sys.....RioDrv Usb Driver
RMCast.sys.....Reliable Multicast Transport
rndismp.sys....Remote NDIS Miniport
rootmdm.sys....Legacy Non-Pnp Modem Device Driver

scsiport.sys...
sdbus.sys......
secdrv.sys.....
sffdisk.sys....
sffp_sd.sys....
smclib.sys.....Smard Card Driver Library
sonydcam.sys...1394 Desktop Camera Driver
srv.sys........Server driver
stream.sys.....

tape.sys.......SCSI Tape Class Driver
tosdvd.sys.....TOSHIBA DVD Stream Minidriver
tsbvcap.sys....WDM Toshiba Tecra Video Capture Driver
tunmp.sys......Microsoft Tunnel Interface Driver

usb8023.sys....Remote NDIS USB Driver
usbcamd.sys....Universal Serial Bus Camera Driver
usbcamd2.sys...Universal Serial Bus Camera Driver
usbintel.sys...Universal Serial Bus Camera Driver

vdmindvd.sys...CineMaster C WDM DVD Minidriver

wpdusb.sys.....
ws2ifsl.sys....Winsock2 IFS Layer

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 9

Miscellaneous



-------------------------------------------------------

From the Root Directory,


C:\...

Zero-Length Files I Delete:

AUTOEXEC.BAT
BOOTSECT.DOS
CONFIG.SYS
IO.SYS
MSDOS.SYS

The only files that must be in the Root Directory for an NT based operating system are: BOOT.INI, NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR.

-------------------------------------------------------

Active Directories Service

Per Microsoft:

Active Directories Service directory service provides a place to store information about network-based entities, such as applications, files, printers, and people. It provides a consistent way to name, describe, locate, access, manage, and secure information about these individual resources.

Active Directories Service acts as the main switchboard of the network operating system. It is the central authority that manages the identities and brokers the relationships between these distributed resources, enabling them to work together.

It also plays a critical role in an organization's ability to define and maintain the network infrastructure, perform system administration, and control the overall user experience of a company's information systems.


Normally, I would also delete these 3 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem, except I always delete the wbem folder and its contents before I get to this part of the guide:

dsprov.dll
dsprov.mfl
dsprov.mof

I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

activeds.dll....(ADs Router Layer DLL). << This file may not delete.

activeds.tlb....Microsoft ® ActiveDS Typelib
adsldp.dll......ADs LDAP Provider DLL

adsldpc.dll.....(ADs LDAP Provider C DLL). << This file may not delete.

adsmsext.dll....ADs LDAP Provider DLL
adsnt.dll.......ADs LDAP Provider DLL

dsprop.dll......Windows Active Directory Property Pages
dsprpres.dll....Windows Active Directory Property Pages Resources
dsquery.dll.....Directory Service Find
dssec.dat.......
dssec.dll.......Directory Service Security UI
dsuiext.dll.....Directory Service Common UI

-------------------------------------------------------

Windows Calculator files

CACLS.EXE......(Change ACLs). A command-line utility used to change or edit permissions for files and folders.

CALC.EXE.......(Calculator). A GUI calculator that can act as a standard or scientific calculator.

-------------------------------------------------------

These files belong to Connection Manager

Microsoft Connection Manager, a RAS add-on that manages the process of establishing dial-up connections to remote networks.

cmcfg32.dll....Microsoft Connection Manager Configuration DLL
cmdial32.dll...Microsoft Connection Manager

CMDL32.EXE.....(Auto Connection Manager). Tracks network addresses to their appropriate connection destinations to support auto-dial functions.

cmmgr32.hlp....Help File

CMMON32.EXE....(Connection Manager). The Connection Manager Monitor.

cmpbk32.dll....Microsoft Connection Manager Phonebook
cmsetACL.dll...Connection Manager ACL update

CMSTP.EXE......(Connection Manager Installer). Installs and configures Connection Manager service profiles.

cmutil.dll.....Microsoft Connection Manager Utility Lib
cnetcfg.dll....Connection Manager Library

-------------------------------------------------------

I don't delete all DirectX files...just nearly all of them.

I keep a few DirectX files because NVDVD Player needs them to work.

I also found I only need 2 files that belong to DirectX for WMP 10 to do all the things I need it to: "dsound.dll" and "quartz.dll"

I don't play games on my computer so I really don't need the extra graphics and sound support DirectX gives.


These are the files that belong to Direct3D that I keep:

d3d8thk.dll....Microsoft Direct3D OS Thunk Layer
d3d9.dll.......Microsoft Direct3D
d3dim700.dll...Microsoft Direct3D

These are the files that belong to DirectShow that I keep:

(File versions: 6.5.2600.2180)

devenum.dll....Device enumeration.

msdmo.dll......DMO Runtime

qdvd.dll.......DirectShow DVD Playback Runtime

quartz.dll.....(DirectShow Runtime). <-- I need this file for WMP 10 to do the things I need it to do.

These are the files that belong to DirectX that I keep:

(File versions: 5.3.2600.2180)

ddraw.dll......Microsoft DirectDraw

dsound.dll.....(DirectSound). <-- I need this file for WMP 10 to do the things I need it to do.

ksuser.dll.....User CSA Library

-------------------------------------------------------

DirectX Files I Do Delete:

I do remove the Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool. (A tool for troubleshooting DirectX components):

DXDIAG.EXE.....(DirectX Diagnostic Tool). A tool for troubleshooting DirectX components.

dxdiagn.dll....Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool

I do not seem to need these DirectShow files for NVDVD, so I delete them.

(File versions: 6.5.2600.2180)

actmovie.exe...DirectShow Setup Tool (Relied on by some screensavers and Microsoft applications for video graphics.)

amstream.dll...DirectShow Runtime.

mciqtz32.dll...DirectShow MCI Driver

mpeg2data.ax...Microsoft MPEG-2 Section and Table Acquisition Module

mpg2splt.ax....DirectShow MPEG-2 Splitter.


msvidctl.dll...ActiveX control for streaming video
mswebdvd.dll...MSWebDVD Module

qcap.dll.......DirectShow Runtime
qdv.dll........DirectShow Runtime
qedit.dll......DirectShow Editing
qedwipes.dll...DirectShow Editing SMPTE Wipes

I do not seem to need these DirectX files for NVDVD, so I delete them.

(File versions: 6.3.1.146)

danim.dll......DirectX Media -- DirectAnimation
datime.dll.....TIME
daxctle.ocx....Microsoft MMCtls

lmrt.dll.......Liquid Motion Runtime Control

mmutilse.dll...Microsoft Multimedia Controls Utilities

(File versions: 5.3.2600.2180)

ddrawex.dll....Direct Draw Ex (Provides functions for DirectDraw)
dsound3d.dll...DirectSound3D LUT
dsound.vxd.....Virtual device driver
dswave.dll.....Microsoft DirectMusic Wave
dxmasf.dll.....Windows Media Source Filter (DirectShow core).
dxtmsft.dll....DirectX Media -- Image DirectX Transforms
dxtrans.dll....DirectX Media -- DirectX Transform Core

dx7vb.dll......Microsoft DirectX for Visual Basic
dx8vb.dll......Microsoft DirectX for Visual Basic

encapi.dll.....Encoder API

pid.dll........Microsoft PID

vbisurf.ax.....VBI Surface Allocator Filter

wstdecod.dll...WST Decoder Filter

I do not seem to need these Direct3D files for NVDVD, so I delete them

(File versions: 5.1.2600.0)

d3dim.dll......Microsoft Direct3D
d3dpmesh.dll...Direct3D Progressive Mesh DLL
d3dramp.dll....Microsoft Direct3D
d3drm.dll......Direct3D Retained Mode DLL
d3dxof.dll.....DirectX Files DLL

msvidc32.dll...Microsoft Video 1 Compressor

(File version 5.3.2600.2180)

d3d8.dll.......Microsoft Direct3D

I do not seem need these DirectInput files for NVDVD, so I delete them:

(File versions 5.1.2600.0)

diactfrm.dll...Microsoft DirectInput Mapper Framework
dimap.dll......Microsoft DirectInput Mapper

(File versions 5.3.2600.2180)

dinput.dll.....Microsoft DirectInput
dinput8.dll....Microsoft DirectInput

I do not seem need these DirectMusic files for NVDVD, so I delete them:

dmband.dll.....Microsoft DirectMusic Band
dmcompos.dll...Microsoft DirectMusic Composer
dmime.dll......Microsoft DirectMusic Interactive Engine
dmloader.dll...Microsoft DirectMusic Loader
dmscript.dll...Microsoft DirectMusic Scripting
dmstyle.dll....Microsoft DirectMusic Style Engline
dmsynth.dll....Microsoft DirectMusic Software Synthesizer
dmusic.dll.....Microsoft DirectMusic Core Services

dsdmo.dll......DirectSound Effects
dsdmoprp.dll...DirectSound Effects Property Pages

I do not seem need these DirectPlay files for NVDVD, so I delete them:

dplay.dll......Microsoft DirectPlay
dplaysvr.exe...Microsoft DirectPlay Helper
dplayx.dll.....Microsoft DirectPlay
dpmodemx.dll...Modem and Serial Connection For DirectPlay
dpnaddr.dll....Microsoft DirectPlay8 Address
dpnet.dll......Microsoft DirectPlay
dpnhpast.dll...Microsoft DirectPlay NAT Helper PAST
dpnhupnp.dll...Microsoft DirectPlay NAT Helper UPnP
dpnlobby.dll...Microsoft DirectPlay8 Lobby
dpnmodem.dll...Microsoft DirectPlay8 Modem Provider
dpnsvr.exe.....Microsoft DirectPlay8 Server
dpnwsock.dll...Microsoft DirectPlay8 Winsock Provider
dpserial.dll...Microsoft DirectPlay Modem Service Provider
dpvacm.dll.....Microsoft DirectPlay Voice ACM Provider
dpvoice.dll....Microsoft DirectPlay Voice
dpvsetup.exe...Microsoft DirectPlay Voice Test
dpvvox.dll.....Microsoft DirectPlay Voice Voxware Provider
dpwsock.dll....Microsoft DirectPlay Local Net Service Provider
dpwsockx.dll...Internet TCP/IP and IPX Connection For DirectPlay

-------------------------------------------------------

DivX 5.2.1 installs some 15 files onto your system. They aren't all necessary for my use of the DivX Codec. I only need two of these installed files for DivX to work:[/b]

"DivX.dll" (VFW codec DivX® Codec for Windows)

and

"divxdec.ax" (DivX® Decoder Filter DirectShow decoder)

I delete these unnecessary files it installs:

divx_xx0c.dll.......Codec DivX® pour Windows (Language resource)
divx_xx07.dll.......DivX® Codec für Windows (Language resource)
divx_xx11.dll.......DivXR Codec for Windows (Language resource)
divxdec_040c.dll....Filtre décodeur DivX® (Language resource)
divxdec_0407.dll....DivX® Decoder-Filter (Language resource)
divxdec_0411.dll....DivX? Decoder ????? (Language resource)
dpu10.dll...........dpu10 Update check library
dpuGUI10.dll........dpuGUI10 Update check library
dpus10.dll..........dpus10 Update check library
dpv10.dll...........dpv10 Update check library

PSIKey.dll..........nTitles Activator. Protexis Inc. This was installed along with DivX. It has something to do with keeping track on company products.

qt-mt331.dll........Qt UI library

unicows.dll.........Unicode support Microsoft Layer for Unicode on Win9x Systems (MSLU)

-------------------------------------------------------

Floppy Disk files

diskcomp.com...Disk Comparison Utility
diskcopy.com...Disk Copy Utility
diskcopy.dll...Windows DiskCopy

-------------------------------------------------------

Hyperterminal Files

Per Microsoft: HyperTerminal is a program that you can use to connect to other computers, Telnet sites, bulletin board systems (BBSs), online services, and host computers, using either your modem or a null modem cable.

I delete these 2 files from C:\Program Files\Windows NT:

htrn_jis.dll
hypertrm.exe

And I delete these 2 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

hticons.dll....HyperTerminal Applet Library
hypertrm.dll...HyperTerminal Applet Library

-------------------------------------------------------

Internet Explorer Administration Kit files

Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) enables an organization to centrally manage the customizing, deployment, and maintenance of Internet Explorer for users on different computer platforms. Using IEAK, a company can set up every user's browser the same way.

admparse.dll...IEAK Global Policy Template Parser

ieakeng.dll....Internet Explorer Administration Kit Engine Library
ieaksie.dll....Internet Explorer Snap-in Extension to Group Policy
ieakui.dll.....Microsoft IEAK Shared UI DLL

-------------------------------------------------

mplayer2 Files

I delete these files from C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player:

mplayer2.exe...Windows Media Player 6.4.9.1125
npdrmv2.dll....DRM Netscape Network Object
npdrmv2.zip....
npds.zip.......

npdsplay.dll...Npdsplay dll (Windows Media Player Plug-in Dynamic Link Library)

npwmsdrm.dll...DRM Store Netscape Plugin

I delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\help:

mplayer2.hlp...

I delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\inf:

mplayer2.inf...

I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

asferror.dll...ASF Error Definitions

msdxm.ocx......Windows Media Player 2 ActiveX Control
msdxmlc.dll....Windows Media Player

strmdll.dll....Windows Media Services Streamer Dll

-------------------------------------------------------

As I am not on a Dialup Connection, I disable my Modem in Device Manager, and delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32.

These files are needed to display properly and fully my PCI Soft92 Modem Properties in Device Manager:

hsfci011.dll...HSF CoInstaller

mdminst.dll....Modem Class Installer
modemui.dll....Windows Modem Properties

uniplat.dll....Unimodem AT Mini Driver Platform Driver for Windows NT

When installing my PCI SoftV92 Modem, if I retain the files listed above, these 2 files will be additionally installed from my Windows Installation CD:

ksproxy.ax.....WDM Streaming ActiveMovie Proxy

mdmxsdk.dll....Diagnostic Interface DLL (Also removed when uninstalled)

I also delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers. When installing my PCI SoftV92 Modem these files are installed to the drivers folder.

HSF_CNXT.sys...HSF_CNXT driver
HSF_DP.sys.....HSF_DP driver
HSFHWBS2.sys...HSF_HWB2 WDM driver
HSFProf.cty....

mdmxsdk.sys....Diagnostic Interface DRIVER

Also, I delete this file from C:\WINDOWS:

WMSysPr9.prx...From what I can gather when I opening this file it Notepad, it appears to belong to Windows Streaming Media for a Dial-up Connection.

-------------------------------------------------------

I find I can delete a little over half of the files NVIDIA Files placed in my system32 folder and everything will still be in good working order after...at least as far as my needs go.

(NVIDIA's very necessary files can't be deleted.)


I keep these NVIDIA Files:

nv4_disp.dll....NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 66.93

nvapps.xml <-- You can delete this file, but it only returns after a reboot anyway.

nvcod.dll.......NVIDIA Driver CoInstaller
nvcpl.dll.......NVIDIA Display Properties Extension
nvshell.dll.....NVIDIA Desktop Explorer, Version 66.93

nvdisp.nvu......<-- When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting a Memory Error Popup just as I would click to restart my computer, and I would get an Application Error in the Event Viewer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue.

nvudisp.exe.....(NVIDIA Uninstaller Utility). I keep nvudisp.exe just in case when updating drivers NVIDIA may need it to uninstall the older drivers before installing the new versions.

I delete these NVIDIA Files:

keystone.exe....NVIDIA nView Control Panel, Version 66.93

nvappbar.exe....NVIDIA nView Toolbar, Version 66.93 (The nView toolbar Requires nView Desktop Manager to be enabled.)

nvcodins.dll....NVIDIA Driver CoInstaller

nvdspsch.exe....NVIDIA Display Scheme Menu (To switch or add display schemes displays.)

nview.dll.......NVIDIA nView Desktop and Window Manager 66.93

nvmctray.dll....NVIDIA Media Center Library

nvnt4cpl.dll....NVIDIA Desktop Explorer, Version 66.93

nvoglnt.dll.....NVIDIA Compatible OpenGL ICD <--As I understand it, this file is necessary for playing OpenGL-based games. I do not play any OpenGL-based games on my computer.

nvtuicpl.cpl....NVIDIA nView Control Panel, Version 66.93

nvwddi.dll......NVIDIA nView Display Driver Interface Lib, Version 66.93

nvwdmcpl.dll....NVIDIA nView Control Panel, Version 66.93
nvwimg.dll......NVIDIA nView Image Library, Version 66.93

nwiz.exe........NVIDIA nView Wizard, Version 66.93

-------------------------------------------------------

OBDC Database drivers

ODBC is a programming interface that enables applications to access data in database management systems that use Structured Query Language (SQL) as a data access standard.

Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC) is an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows a programmer to abstract a program from a database. When writing code to interact with a database, you usually have to add code that talks to a particular database using a proprietary language. If you want your program to talk to an Access, Fox and Oracle databases you have to code your program with three different database languages.

I Delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

cliconf.chm.....Compiled HTML Help file
cliconfg.dll....SQL Client Configuration Utility DLL
cliconfg.exe....SQL Client Configuration Utility EXE
cliconfg.rll....SQL Client Configuration Utility Resource DLL

dbmsrpcn.dll....ConnectTo RPC Net Library
DBnetlib.dll....Winsock Oriented Net DLL for SQL Clients
dbnmpntw.dll....Named Pipes Net DLL for SQL Clients
ds16gt.dll......Microsoft ODBC Driver Setup Generic Thunk

ds32gt.dll......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Setup Generic Thunk

mscpx32r.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Code Page Translator Resources

mscpxl32.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Code Page Translator

msorc32r.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver for Oracle Resources

msorcl32.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver for Oracle

odbc16gt.dll....Microsoft ODBC Driver Generic Thunk
odbc32gt.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Generic Thunk
odbcad32.exe....Microsoft Data Access - "ODBC Administrator

odbcconf.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Configuration Program

odbcconf.exe....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Configuration Program

odbcconf.rsp....RSP File
odbccp32.cpl....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Control Panel
odbccp32.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Installer
odbccr32.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Cursor Library
odbccu32.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Cursor Library
odbcji32.dll....Microsoft ODBC Desktop Driver Pack 3.5
odbcjt32.dll....Microsoft ODBC Desktop Driver Pack 3.5

odbcp32r.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Manager Resources

odbctrac.dll....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Manager Trace
oddbse32.dll....ODBC (3.0) driver for DBase
odexl32.dll.....ODBC (3.0) driver for Excel
odfox32.dll.....ODBC (3.0) driver for FoxPro
odpdx32.dll.....ODBC (3.0) driver for Paradox
odtext32.dll....ODBC (3.0) driver for text files

sqlsodbc.chm....Compiled HTML Help file
sqlsrv32.dll....Microsoft SQL Server ODBC Driver
sqlsrv32.rll....Microsoft SQL Server ODBC Driver
sqlunirl.dll....String Function .DLL for SQL Enterprise Components
sqlwid.dll......Unicode Function .DLL for SQL Enterprise Components

sqlwoa.dll......Unicode/ANSI Function .DLL for SQL Enterprise Components

I also delete the and ODBC folder and its contents here:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\ODBC

Then I delete the shortcut, "Data Sources (ODBC)" here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

And also this file in C:\WINDOWS:

OBDCINST.INI

-------------------------------------------------------

Phone Dialer

I delete this file from C:\Program Files\Windows NT:

dialer.exe

Then I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

avmeter.dll...Metering Controls
avtapi.dll....TAPI 3.0 Dialer and IP Multicast Conference Viewer
avwav.dll.....Wave Manipulation Component

-------------------------------------------------------

I remove all Windows-installed ScreenSavers (*.scr file extentions)

logon.scr......Logon Screen Saver

scrnsave.scr...Default Screen Saver
ss3dfo.scr.....Direct3D Flying Objects Screen Saver
ssbezier.scr...Bezier Curves Screen Saver
ssflwbox.scr...Direct3D Flowerbox Screen Saver
ssmarque.scr...Marquee Screen Saver
ssmypics.scr...My Pictures Slideshow Screensaver
ssmyst.scr.....Mystify Screen Saver
sspipes.scr....Direct3D Pipes Screen Saver
ssstars.scr....Starfield Screen Saver
sstext3d.scr...Direct3D 3D Text Screen Saver

-------------------------------------------------

SNMP Service and SNMP Trap Service are not installed by default.

snmpapi.dll....SNMP Utility Library

snmpsnap.dll...(SNMP snap-in). Belongs to SNMP Service and SNMP Trap Service. These service supports the use of networking equipment that uses SNMP as a mode of remote management.

-------------------------------------------------------

The Structured Query Language (SQL) is a computer language for accessing and manipulating databases.

The version of SQL created by Microsoft is called Jet SQL and it is the database engine behind Microsoft's Access.

Jet SQL is not designed to manage a database. It is used to retrieve information from a database.

Jet SQL, by itself, cannot create a database and cannot manage security. This is where the Microsoft Data Access Object (DAO) enters the scene. DAO contains libraries which are designed to manage databases. You can use Jet SQL without DAO, but you are limiting your options to handle the data. With DAO you can create a database and manage security.

The value of Jet SQL (and DAO) is that it allows the developer to add databases to an active Web site.

I delete these files belonging to Jet:

msexch40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Exchange Isam
msexcl40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Excel Isam
msjet40.dll........Microsoft Jet Engine Library
msjetoledb40.dll...Microsoft OLE DB Provider for Jet
msjint40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Database Engine International DLL
msjter40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Database Engine Error DLL
msjtes40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Expression Service
msltus40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Lotus 1-2-3 Isam
mspbde40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Paradox Isam
mstext40.dll.......Microsoft Jet Text Isam
mswdat10.dll.......Microsoft Jet Sort Tables
mswstr10.dll.......Microsoft Jet Sort Library
msxbde40.dll.......Microsoft Jet xBASE Isam

-------------------------------------------------------

USR/3Com Modem drivers

I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

usrcntra.dll..3ccntry
usrcoina.dll..U.S. Robotics modem coinstaller
usrdpa.dll....U.S. Robotics data pump manager
usrdtea.dll...3cdte
usrfaxa.dll...3cfax
usrlbva.dll...3clbv
USRMLNKA.EXE..(U.S. Robotics Driver Interface). A driver utility.

USRPRBDA.EXE..(U.S. Robotics Enable/Disable Probe). U.S. Robotics device support utility.

usrrtosa.dll..3crtos
usrsdpia.dll..3csdpi

USRSHUTA.EXE..(U.S. Robotics Shutdown Helper). A U.S. Robotics device support utility.

usrsvpia.dll..3csvpi
usrv42a.dll...3cv42
usrv80a.dll...3cv80
usrvoica.dll..3cvoice
usrvpa.dll....U.S. Robotics voice pump

-------------------------------------------------------

To Uninstall WebFldrs XP...

Start -> RUN -> type in:

msiexec /x C:\Windows\System32\webfldrs.msi

Then delete "webfldrs.msi" in C:\WINDOWS\system32

-------------------------------------------------------

I don't use these Windows games:

Freecell
Hearts
Minesweeper
Spider Solitaire

So I delete these files from system32:

freecell.exe
mshearts.exe
spider.exe
winmine.exe

getuname.dll <-- You will need this file if you use Windows Character Map

bopomofo.uce
gb2312.uce
ideograf.uce
kanji_1.uce
kanji_2.uce
korean.uce
shiftjis.uce
subrange.uce

I also delete their help files in C:\WINDOWS\Help:

freecell.chm
freecell.hlp
mshearts.chm
mshearts.hlp
spider.chm
spider.hlp
winmine.chm
winmine.hlp

-------------------------------------------------------

These files seem to be unnecessary for Windows Media Player 10 to function. Judging by their descriptions given by Microsoft, some of them could have belonged to previous versions of WMP.

mp4sdmod.dll...(File version: 9.0.0.3250). Corona Windows Media MPEG-4 S Video Decoder

mp43dmod.dll...(File version: 9.0.0.3250). Windows Media MPEG-4 Video Decoder

mpg4dmod.dll...(File version: 9.0.0.3250). Corona Windows Media MPEG-4 Video Decoder

wmerrenu.dll...Windows Media Services Error Definitions
wmerror.dll....Windows Media Error Definitions (English)

wmpencen.dll...Windows Media Player Encoding Module

wmpsrcwp.dll...WMPSrcWp Module

wmsdmoe.dll....(File version: 9.0.0.3250). Windows Media Screen Encoder

wmsdmoe2.dll...Corona Windows Media Screen Encoder
wmspdmod.dll...Windows Media Audio 9 Voice Decoder

wmstream.dll...(File version: 8.0.0.4487). Windows Media Streamer DLL

wmvadvd.dll....Windows Media Video 9 Decoder
WMVADVE.DLL....Windows Media Video 9 Decoder
wmvdmoe2.dll...Windows Media Video Encoder

-------------------------------------------------------

Windows Media Player DVD-Player integration files

dvdplay.exe....dvdplay placeholder Application

DVDUPGRD.EXE...(DVDUpgrd). Upgrades a non-XP compatible DVD decoder.

-------------------------------------------------------

Windows Portable Media Devices

I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\inf:

wpd10.inf
wpdmtp.inf

I delete these files from C:\WINDOWS\system32:

uwdf.exe.......Windows User-Mode Driver Framework

wpd_ci.dll.....Driver Setup Class Installer for Windows Portable Devices

wpdconns.dll...WPD Connection Objects
wpdmtp.dll.....MTP core protocol component
wpdmtpdr.dll...
wpdmtpus.dll...Usbscan transport layer for MTP driver
wpdsp.dll......WMDM Service Provider for Windows Portable Devices
wpdtrace.dll...WPD Tracing

And I delete this file from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:

wpdusb.sys....WPD USB Driver

I believe this folder also belongs to Windows Portable Media Devices:

C:\WINDOWS\Debug\WPD

And its log file:

wpdtrace.log

To Remove Portable Media Devices Shortcut From Control Panel...

Go to this location in the registry...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ControlPanel\NameSpace\

Delete this key...

{640167b4-59b0-47a6-b335-a6b3c0695aea}

-------------------------------------------------------

As covered in PART 5, this is when I delete backward-compatibility files.

The system folder here: C:\WINDOWS\system...(Not to be confused with the system32 folder here: C:\WINDOWS\system32.)...contains 16-bit versions of protected and real mode drivers and .dll files used by applications.

These files are provided for backward-compatibility with older applications. Additional 16-bit driver files can be stored in this folder.

Some older applications you install might look for files contained in the system folder.

However, all but 3 of these backward-compatibility files have duplicates in the system32 folder. These then are those duplicate files, and I delete them:

AVICAP.DLL.....AVI Capture DLL
AVIFILE.DLL....Microsoft AVI File support library
COMMDLG.DLL....Common Dialogs libraries
KEYBOARD.DRV...WOW Keyboard Driver Module
LZEXPAND.DLL...Windows file expansion library
MCIAVI.DRV.....MCI driver for AVI
MCISEQ.DRV.....MCI driver for MIDI sequencer
MCIWAVE.DRV....MCI driver for waveform audio
MMSYSTEM.DLL...System APIs for Multimedia
MMTASK.TSK.....Multimedia background task support module
MOUSE.DRV......WOW MOUSE Driver Module
MSVIDEO.DLL....Microsoft Video for Windows DLL
OLECLI.DLL.....Object Linking and Embedding Client Library
OLESVR.DLL.....Object Linking and Embedding Server Library
SHELL.DLL......Windows Shell library
SOUND.DRV......WOW SOUND Driver Module
SYSTEM.DRV.....Windows System Driver core component
TIMER.DRV......Timer driver for PC compatibles
VER.DLL........Version Checking and File Installation Libraries
VGA.DRV........WOW Display Driver Module
WFWNET.DRV.....Windows for Workgroups network driver

WINSPOOL.DRV...Windows Spooler Driver (File version 5.1.2600.2180}<-- I keep this file.

One older program I have (PrintFolder) needs this file. (WINSPOOL.DRV also seems to be one of the more important files in the lot, as it is the most difficult to delete. It usually deletes only after a reboot.)

If you want, you can cut and paste all the files from C:\WINDOWS\system to C:\WINDOWS\system32. Then delete the system folder.

The files system32 does not already have will then be placed there, and you shouldn't have any problem installing older applications.

I found three files that did not have duplicates in system32:

setup.inf
stdole.tlb
TAPI.DLL

-------------------------------------------------------

System Volume Information

I discovered something really interesting "months after" I had uninstalled System Restore. I still had within the System Volume Information folders a total of 9MB of files. (I know, I know, 9MB...big deal.) But I just thought this was interesting.

I'm using XP Home Edition, so I had to do it this way:

For each partitioned drive (in Safemode) I right-clicked on each System Volume Information folder, selected Properties, then the Security tab, clicked on Advanced, then clicked on Owner tab, highlighted my name (just below the Administrators name) put a tick in "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects", clicked Apply, then Yes, then Okay, then Okay again.

Then I opened up the System Volume Information folder and started deleting everything.

I had to take these steps for each System Volume Information folder on all four of my partitioned drives.

This was 9 MB just sitting there going to waste all this time. I'll be darn.

Oh, it did leave one file in each folder, "MountPointManagerRemoteDatabase".

Take the same kind of ownership of folders using XP Pro Edition:

Open Folder Options and disable "simple file sharing" (Last option on the view tab). Next right click the drive or the folders you can't access in explorer > properties > security > advanced > owner. Change the owner to your username and check "replace owner on subcontainers and objects".

Have you EVER heard of a TEXT file. OMG talk about a long post.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide PART 10

Individual Files I Remove From The system32 Folder



In PARTS 1-9 of Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide we removed over 700 Individual system32 Files in different steps taken.

In PART 10 we are going to remove another 600 system32 Files...only we're going to do it all at one time.



This then is a list of the Individual Files I remove from the system32 folder with batch files I created.

I don't give out my batch files for Individual system32 Files anymore. I got tired of people thinking what works for me will automatically work for them. It just doesn't work that way.

Here is just one very simple example why. I remove with my system32 batch files the winfax.dll (Microsoft Fax API Support DLL) because I don't have a fax machine. You use my system32 batch file, thinking what works for me will automatically work for you. Your fax machine conks out. You blame me.

Which Individual system32 Files you choose to remove from your XP installation will be entirely up to you. I've given you as much information as I could about these files to help you with your choices.

If you want to a make batch files of your own to aid you in removing Individual Files from the system32 folder, I'll start you out with the command part of the my batch files script, and then you can add any Individual system32 Files you want.


I have incorporated a failsafe feature I into my system32 batch files...

The files will be moved and saved (not deleted permanately...later that will be up to you.) to a backup folder on C:\ The backup folder is simply named, backup.

Within the backup folder you will notice what I call "smart placement" of subfolders. Their order of appearance will look identical to how they look in XP. First you will see a WINDOWS folder. Inside the WINDOWS folder you will see a system32 folder.

I created this smart placement of folders so you would always know exactly where their files came from should you decide to replace any to their original locations. You see, these batch files can also be used for other folder files. Say you make a batch file for the .INF Files that are in the inf folder. In the backup folder you will first see WINDOWS, and then the inf folder...just like in XP.

Be sure to Temporarily delete the Backup Folder filled with files before using any registry cleaners ...the registry cleaners will more than likely correct the files paths to the backup folder, rather than remove the paths.

Copy and paste between the lines to Notepad. Save as "any name you choose.bat" Then insert your file choices where I have mine.

-------------------------------------------------

IF NOT EXIST "c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32" md c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32
MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\6to4svc.dll c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\
MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\aaaamon.dll c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\
MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\acledit.dll c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\
MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\admparse.dll c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\

-------------------------------------------------


C:\WINDOWS\system32:



12520437.cpx...Code page translator.
12520850.cpx...Code page translator.

6to4svc.dll....Service that offers IPv6 connectivity over an IPv4 network

aaaamon.dll....Aaaa Monitor Dll
acledit.dll....Access Control List Editor

ac3filter.cpl..ac3filter Control Panel extension
Belongs to AC3Filter codec I have installed for some movies I watch.

ahui.exe.......Application Compatibility UI

ALSNDMGR.CPL...Realtek AC97 Audio Control Panel
I use the RTLCPL.EXE (Realtek Audio Control Panel) instead.

amcompat.tlb...
ansi.sys.......
apcups.dll.....APC Smart Provider

APPEND.EXE.....(Append). Allows applications to open or access files in folders other than the current working, or active, folder by appending the path parameter. This utility is from MS-DOS 5.0.

asctrls.ocx....Active Setup Controls

AT.EXE.........(AT). Used to schedule tasks to occur at a specific time and date. It requires that the Scheduler service be running.

atkctrs.dll....Windows NT AppleTalk Perfmon Counter dll

ATMADM.EXE.....(ATM). The ATM Call Manager utility.
auditusr.exe...Audit User Program

atmfd.dll......Windows NT OpenType/Type 1 Font Driver
atmlib.dll.....Windows NT OpenType/Type 1 API Library.
atmpvcno.dll...Atm Epvc Install DLL
atrace.dll.....Async Trace DLL

ATTRIB.EXE.....(Attributes). Displays or changes file attributes (read-only, archive, hidden, or system).

AUTOCONV.EXE...(Auto Convert). Used by the Windows XP setup routine to convert a FAT volume to NTFS.

autodisc.dll...Windows AutoDiscovery API

AUTOFMT.EXE...(Auto Format). The Auto File System conversion utility.

AUTOLFN.EXE....LFN strip/restore utility (Auto Long Filenames). Used by the Windows XP setup routine to repair, copy, or enable long filenames on drives that have been converted from another file system (usually FAT) to NTFS. Also capable of converting long filenames to the 8.3 format.

-------------------------------------------------------

batt.dll.......Battery Class Installer

When using a laptop, and Device manager could ask for the batt.dll when accessing the properties of your batteries.

-------------------------------------------------------

bidispl.dll....Bidispl DLL
bios1.rom......
bios4.rom......

bitsprx2.dll...Background Intelligent Transfer Service Proxy
bitsprx3.dll...Background Intelligent Transfer Service 2.0 Proxy
blastcln.exe...Blaster/Nachi Removal Tool

BOOTOK.EXE.....(Boot Acceptance). Used with the Last Known Good Configuration process to save the configuration parameters after a successful logon.

BOOTVRFY.EXE...(Boot Verify). Used with the Last Known Good Configuration process to verify a boot selection.

browsewm.dll...BrowseWM Player

bthci.dll......Bluetooth Class Installer
bthprops.cpl...Bluetooth Control Panel Applet (Wireless Company)
bthserv.dll....Bluetooth Support Service
btpanui.dll....Bluetooth PAN User Interface

-------------------------------------------------------

capesnpn.dll...Microsoft Certificate Template Management Extention
ccfgnt.dll.....Internet Configuration Library

certmgr.dll....Certificates snap-in

certmgr.msc....<-- When you click on certmgr.msc, displayed is the same information as when you look here: Internet Options -> Content tab --> Certificates... and Publishers...buttons. Only it displays the information in a Management Console.

cdosys.dll.....Microsoft CDO for Windows Library
cdfview.dll....Channel Definition File Viewer
cewmdm.dll.....Windows CE WMDM Service Provider

CHARMAP.EXE....(Character Map). A GUI utility that displays the characters in each font installed on the system.

-------------------------------------------------------

These files cannot be removed with the batch file. They need to be deleted manually:

cdplayer.exe.manifest
logonui.exe.manifest
ncpa.cpl.manifest
nwc.cpl.manifest
sapi.cpl.manifest
WindowsLogon.manifest

-------------------------------------------------------

ChCfg.exe......?? (I have no idea what this is.)
chcp.com.......Change CodePage Utility
cmos.ram.......

CHKNTFS.EXE....(NTFS Drive Checker). Used to verify the integrity of Windows XP NTFS partitions.

ckcnv.exe......Cookie Converter
cnvfat.dll.....FAT File System Conversion Utility DLL
comcat.dll.....Microsoft C Runtime Library
comctl32.ocx...Windows Common Controls ActiveX Control DLL

COMP.EXE.......(Compare). An MS-DOS utility used to compare the contents of two files or sets of files.

compatUI.dll...CompatUI Module
compobj.dll....OLE 2.1 16/32 Interoperability Library

-------------------------------------------------------

compstui.dll...Common Property Sheet User Interface DLL

You may be unable to access Printer properties or Printing preferences for your printers without this file.

-------------------------------------------------------

CONFIG.TMP.....
confmsp.dll....Microsoft IP Conferencing Media Service Provider

CONIME.EXE.....(IME Console). The console for the Input Method Editor used to convert non-Arabic letters from a 101-keyboard.

console.dll....Control Panel Console Applet

control.exe....Windows Control Panel (This is not the actual Control Panel.)

CONVERT.EXE....(Convert). Used to convert partitions from FAT to NTFS and from NTFSv4 to NTFSv5.

corpol.dll.....Microsoft COM Runtime Execution Engine
country.sys....
cryptdlg.dll...Microsoft Common Certificate Dialogs
cryptext.dll...Crypto Shell Extensions
cryptnet.dll...Crypto Network Related API

CSCRIPT.EXE....(Command Based Script Host). A command-line version of the Windows Script Host that enables you to run previously created VBScript and JScript from the command line.

ctfmon.exe ....CTF Loader (The Language bar appears on your desktop automatically when you add handwriting recognition, speech recognition, or an Input Method Editor (IME) as a method of entering text. In addition, if you add a second language or keyboard layout, you can display the Language bar from the taskbar.)

ctl3d32.dll....Ctl3D 3D Windows Controls
ctl3dv2.dll....Ctl3D 3D Windows NT(WOW) Control

Dcache.bin.....
dbgeng.dll.....Symbolic Debugger Engine for Windows 2000
DEBUG.EXE......(Debugger). A command-line debugging tool.

DEFRAG.EXE.....(Disk Defragmenter). A command-line utility that consolidates files so that they are saved in contiguous locations on the hard disk.

desktop.ini....

DFRGFAT.EXE....(FAT Defragmentation Tool). Used to defragment FAT partitions.

dgnet.dll......Dgnet Module
dgrpsetu.dll...Digi RealPort® Driver Upgrade
dgsetup.dll....DGSETUP DLL
dhcpmon.dll....DHCP Monitor Dll
dhcpsapi.dll...DHCP Server API Stub DLL

DIANTZ.EXE.....(Cabinet Maker). Allows a file to be compressed and included in a cabinet file.

digest.dll.....Digest SSPI Authentication Package

DISKPART.EXE...(Microsoft Diskpart). A command-line tool for disk management.

DLLHOST.EXE....(COM+ Server Process). The COM+ process manager.

DLLHST3G.EXE...(COM Surrogate). A COM+ process component.
dmconfig.dll...Logical Disk Manager Configuration Library

DOSKEY.EXE.....(DOS Keyboard). An MS-DOS 5.0 keyboard history utility that provides a history of command-line executions and macros.

DOSX.EXE.......(DOS Extender). A virtual DOS machine (VDM) MS-DOS extender for standard mode.

DRWATSON.EXE...(Dr. Watson). A 16-bit GUI application failure-detection and fault-logging utility that watches over the Win16 subsystem.

DRWTSN32.EXE...(Dr. Watson 32). A 32-bit GUI application failure-detection and fault-logging utility that watches over the Win32 subsystem and native Windows XP applications.

dsauth.dll.....DS Authorization for Services

edit.com.......
edit.hlp.......
EDLIN.EXE......(Edit Line). An MS-DOS–based line editor.
emptyregdb.dat..
encdec.dll.....XDSCodec & Encypter/Decrypter Tagger Filters
EqnClass.Dll...Equinox Multiport Serial Coinstaller

esent97.dll....Microsoft® Windows NT™ Server Database Storage Engine

esentprf.dll...Server Database Storage Performance Library
esentprf.hxx...
esentprf.ini...
esentutl.exe...Server Database Storage Utilities

EUDCEDIT.EXE...(Private Character Editor). An application that enables you to create up to 6,400 unique characters, such as special letters and logos, for your font library.

EXE2BIN.EXE....(Executable to Binary). A programmers' tool from MS-DOS used to convert .exe files to .bin files.

EXPAND.EXE.....(Expand). A command-line utility used to decompress individual files or folders on an NTFS volume.

expsrv.dll.....Visual Basic for Applications Runtime - Expression Service

extmgr.dll.....Extensions Manager

EXTRAC32.EXE...(CAB File Extract Utility). Allows cabinet files to be extracted to disk.

exts.dll.......Debugger Extentions

FASTOPEN.EXE...(Fast Open). An MS-DOS utility that improves performance on systems that have large folders by decreasing the time it takes to open frequently accessed files.

fc.exe.........DOS 5 File Compare Utility
feclient.dll...Windows NT File Encryption Client Interfaces
find.exe.......Find String (Grep) Utility
findstr.exe....Find String (QGrep) Utility

FIXMAPI.EXE....(MAPI Repair Tool). Detects and resolves problems with Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) files.

fldrclnr.dll...Desktop Cleanup Wizard
fltlib.dll.....Filter Library
fltMc.exe......Filter Manager Control Program
fontsub.dll....Font Subsetting DLL

FORCEDOS.EXE...(Force DOS). Instructs Windows XP to launch an application as an MS-DOS utility when it contains the code for both OS/2 and MS-DOS.

format.com.....Disk Format Utility

fsmgmt.msc.....Microsoft Common Console Document (Shared Folders)

fsquirt.exe....(Belongs to BlueTooth)
fsusd.dll......File System Camera Devices DLL

FSUTIL.EXE.....(FSUtil). A volume management tool. Manages reparse points and sparse files.

FTP.EXE........(FTP). A TCP/IP command-line File Transfer Protocol (FTP) utility used to transfer files between the local system and a remote FTP server.

ftsrch.dll.....Microsoft® Full-Text Search

g711codc.ax....Intel G711 CODEC
gcdef.dll......Game Controllers Default Sheets

GDI.EXE........(Graphical Device Interface). A core system component that provides the Win16 Graphical Device Interface API library for backward-compatibility with Win16 applications.

glmf32.dll.....OpenGL Metafiling DLL
gpkcsp.dll.....Gemplus Cryptographic Service Provider
gpkrsrc.dll....Gemplus Cryptographic Service Provider Resources
graftabl.com...Graftabl Utility
graphics.com...

h323.tsp.......
h323msp.dll....Microsoft H.323 Media Service Provider
hccoin.dll.....USB Coinstaller

HELP.EXE.......(Help). Displays basic and general help information about many Windows XP commands.

hidphone.tsp...
hlink.dll......Microsoft Hyperlink Library
hnetmon.dll....Home Networking Monitor DLL
hnetwiz.dll....Network Setup Wizard
homepage.inf...
hotplug.dll....Safely Remove Hardware applet
HSFCISP2.dll...CoInstaller for HSF on W2K
httpapi.dll....HTTP Protocol Stack API

iccvid.dll.....(Cinepak® Codec) Contains program code used for displaying media in the 'Cinepak' format. (Very old AVI codec rarely used.)

IE4UINIT.EXE...(IE Install Utility). The IE 5.0 Per-user Install utility.

iedkcs32.dll...Microsoft Internet Explorer Customization DLL
ieencode.dll...Microsoft Character Encoder
iernonce.dll...Extended RunOnce processing with UI
iesetup.dll....IOD Version Map
ieuinit.inf....

IEXPRESS.EXE...(Self Extracting/Installing Creator). Creates self-extracting or self-installing executable files.

ifmon.dll......IF Monitor DLL
igmpagnt.dll...Microsoft IGMP subagent
ils.dll........User Location Services Component Module
imagr5.dll.....ImagXpress Image Processing DLL(Pegasus Software)
imagx5.dll.....ImagXpress Image Processing DLL (Pegasus Software)
ImagX7.dll.....ImagX7 Dynamic Link Library (Pegasus Software)
ImagXpr5.dll...ImagXpress v5.0 (Pegasus Software)
ImagXpr7.dll...ImagXpr7 Module (Pegasus Software)
ImagXR7.dll....ImagXR7 Dynamic Link Library (Pegasus Software)
ImagXRA7.dll...ImagXRA7 Dynamic Link Library (Pegasus Software)
imeshare.dll...Microsoft Office IME Shared property library
inetmib1.dll...Microsoft MIB-II subagent
initpki.dll....Microsoft Trust Installation and Setup

input.dll......(Text Input DLL). Used by Details in the Regional and Language Options dialog box

inseng.dll.....(Install engine). Active Setup Install Engine, allows cab files to be opened and executed. Pretty much controls the installation.

instcat.sql....Installs catalog stored procedures on the Microsoft SQL Server

intl.cpl.......Regional and Language Options

iologmsg.dll...IO Logging DLL
ipconf.tsp.....
iprop.dll......OLE PropertySet Implementation
ir32_32.dll....
ir41_32.ax.....Intel Indeo® Video 4.5

ir41_qc.dll....Intel Indeo® Video Interactive Quick Compressor (File version: 4.30.62.2)

ir41_qcx.dll...Intel Indeo® Video Interactive Quick Compressor (File version: 4.30.62.2)

ir50_32.dll....Intel Indeo® video 5.10 (File version: 5.2562.15.55)

ir50_qc.dll....Intel Indeo® video 5.10 Quick Compressor (File version: 5.0.63.48 )

ir50_qcx.dll...Intel Indeo® video 5.10 Quick Compressor (File version: 5.0.63.48 )

irclass.dll....Infrared Class Coinstaller
isrdbg32.dll...ISR Debug 32-bit Engine
ivfsrc.ax......Intel Indeo® video IVF Source Filter 5.10
itircl.dll.....Microsoft® InfoTech IR Local DLL
itss.dll.......Microsoft® InfoTech Storage System Library

iyuv_32.dll....Intel Indeo® Video YUV Codec (File version: 5.1.2600.2180)

jet500.dll.....JET Engine DLL
jgaw400.dll....JG Audio Interface DLL (AOL File)
jgdw400.dll....JG ART DLL (AOL File)
jgmd400.dll....JG MIDI Player DLL (AOL File)
jgpl400.dll....JG ART Player DLL (AOL File)
jgsd400.dll....JG ART DLL (AOL File)
jgsh400.dll....JG Slide Show Player DLL (AOL File)
jobexec.dll....Active Setup Job Executer
joy.cpl........Game Controllers Control Panel Applet
jsproxy.dll....JScript Proxy Auto-Configuration

kd1394.dll.....Kernel Debugger IEEE 1394 HW Extension DLL
kb16.com.......
key01.sys......
keyboard.sys...
keymgr.dll.....Stored User Names and Passwords
kmddsp.tsp.....

KRNL386.EXE....(Kernel 386). Contains the core Kernel routines for Win16 enhanced mode functionality.

l3codecp.acm...MPEG Audio Layer-3 Codec for MSACM

LABEL.EXE......(Label Drive). A command-line tool used to display, edit, or change a drive's volume label.

lanman.drv.....
laprxy.dll.....Windows Media Logagent Proxy
licmgr10.dll...ActiveX License Manager

LIGHTS.EXE.....(Lights). Provides the settings for modem status lights in Windows 95/98 by monitoring the COM ports.

LNKSTUB.EXE....(Win95-Winnt Migration Utility). The Windows 95 side of a Windows 95–to–Windows NT upgrade program.

loadfix.com....
localui.dll....Local Monitor UI DLL

LOCATOR.EXE....(Locator). Adds support for Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) to the Windows XP environment.

loghours.dll...Schedule Dialog
lpk.dll........Session LogOff Utility

lusrmgr.msc....lusrmgr.msc = Local Users and Groups. This computer is running Windows XP Home Edition. This snapin may not be used with that version of Windows. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.

MAKECAB.EXE....(Cabinet File Maker). Creates .cab files for install packages.

mapi32.dll.....Extended MAPI 1.0 for Windows NT
mcastmib.dll...Microsoft Multicast subagent
mcd32.dll......OpenGL MCD Client DLL
mcdsrv32.dll...MCD Server
mchgrcoi.dll...Medium Changer CoInstaller
mciavi32.dll...Video For Windows MCI driver
mciole16.dll...MCIOLE16 - OLE Handler DLL for MCI Objects
mciole32.dll...MCI OLE DLL
mciwave.dll....MCI driver for waveform audio
mdhcp.dll......Microsoft MDHCP Client COM Interface
mdwmdmsp.dll...WMDM Service Provider driver for MDM Drivers

MEM.EXE........(Memory). A command-line utility that displays the current state of memory.

mf3216.dll.....32-bit to 16-bit Metafile Conversion DLL
mfc40.dll......MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version
mfc40u.dll.....MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version
mfcsubs.dll....
MSCTFIME.IME...
mgmtapi.dll....Microsoft SNMP Manager API (uses WinSNMP)
mib.bin........

MIGPWD.EXE.....(Migration dll). A Windows 95–to–Windows NT migration utility.

miglibnt.dll...NT migration dll support
mlang.dat......
mll_hp.dll.....HP Media Label Library
mll_mtf.dll....MTF (Microsoft Tape Format) Media Label Library
mll_qic.dll....QIC113 Media Label Library
mmdrv.dll......MultiMedia Kernel support Driver
mobsync.dll....Microsoft Synchronization Manager

MOBSYNC.EXE....(Offline Web Synchronizer). Synchronizes offline Web sites.

mode.com.......DOS Device MODE Utility
modex.dll......ModeX Display Driver
more.com.......More Utility
moricons.dll...Windows NT Setup Icon Resources Library

MOUNTVOL.EXE...(Volume Mounter). Creates, lists, and modifies volume mount points.

mpg4ds32.ax....(File version: 8.0.0.4487). Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Decompressor

mplay32.exe....Windows Media Player 5.1 (A very old and basic version of Media Player.)

MRINFO.EXE.....(Multicast Information). A command-line tool to query a multicast router about its interfaces.

msacm.dll......Microsoft Audio Compression Manager
msaatext.dll...Active Accessibility text support

msadds32.ax....(File version: 8.0.0.4487). Windows Media Audio Decoder

msafd.dll......Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Provider
msapsspc.dll...DPA Client for 32 bit platforms
msaudite.dll...Security Audit Events DLL
mscat32.dll....MSCAT32 Forwarder DLL
MSCTFP.dll.....MSCTFP Server DLL
msdadiag.dll...Microsoft Data Access - Built-In Diagnostics
msdart.dll.....Microsoft Data Access - OLE DB Runtime Routines
msdatsrc.tlb...
msdtcprf.ini...
msencode.dll...Microsoft Character Encoder
msieftp.dll....Microsoft Internet Explorer FTP Folder Shell Extension
msimsg.dll.....Windows® Installer International Messages
mslbui.dll.....
msnsspc.dll....MSN Internet Access
msobjs.dll.....System object audit names
MsPMSNSv.dll...Microsoft Media Device Service Provider
msr2c.dll......Microsoft Forms DLL
msr2cenu.dll...Microsoft Forms DLL
msratelc.dll...Internet Ratings and Local User Management DLL
msrating.dll...Internet Ratings and Local User Management DLL
msrclr40.dll...Microsoft Jet Briefcase Reconciler Library
msrd2x40.dll...Microsoft ® Red ISAM
msrd3x40.dll...Microsoft ® Red ISAM
msrecr40.dll...Microsoft Jet Briefcase Reconciler Resource Library
msrepl40.dll...Microsoft Replication Library
msrle32.dll....Microsoft RLE Compressor

msscds32.ax....(File version: 8.0.0.4487). Microsoft Screen Video Decompressor

msscript.ocx...Microsoft ® Script Control

mssign32.dll...Microsoft Trust Signing APIs
mssip32.dll....MSSIP32 Forwarder DLL
MSSTDFMT.DLL...Microsoft Standard Data Formating Object DLL

mstime.dll.....Microsoft ® Timed Interactive Multimedia Extensions to HTML

msswch.dll.....(On-screen keyboard). Used in combination with msswchx.exe.

msswchx.exe....msswchx (Belongs to On-screen keyboard.)

msutb.dll......MSUTB Server DLL

-------------------------------------------------------

msvbvm50.dll...Visual Basic Virtual Machine (File version: 5.2.82.44)

I believe this is an older version of Microsoft's Virual Machine. msvbvm60.dll (Also described as Visual Basic Virtual Machine) is File version: 6.0.96.90

-------------------------------------------------------

msvcirt.dll....Windows NT IOStreams DLL
msvcp50.dll....Microsoft ® C++ Runtime Library
msvcrt20.dll...Microsoft® C Runtime Library
msvcrt40.dll...VC 4.x CRT DLL (Forwarded to msvcrt.dll)
msvideo.dll....Microsoft Video for Windows DLL
msxml.dll......XML OM for Win32
msxml2.dll.....XML OM for Win32
msxml2r.dll....XML Resources for Win32
msxml3a.dll....XML Resources
msxmlr.dll.....XML Resources for Win32
msyuv.dll......Microsoft UYVY Video Decompressor
mtxoci.dll.....Microsoft database support DLL for Oracle
mydocs.dll.....My Documents Folder UI

ncxpnt.dll.....Netork (This has to be a misspelling of "Network") Setup Wizard Support DLL

ndptsp.tsp.....

NET.EXE........(Network). Used to manage, configure, and view network-related controls, such as net use, net print, net user, and so on.

net.hlp........

NET1.EXE.......(Network). Another network command utility that performs the same functions as NET.EXE.

netapi.dll.....Microsoft Network Dynamic Link Library for Microsoft
neth.dll.......Net Help Messages DLL
netplwiz.dll...Map Network Drives/Network Places Wizard
netsetup.cpl...Network Setup Wizard Control Panel Applet

NETSETUP.EXE...(Network Setup Wizard). A utility to help configure other PCs on your network using a floppy disk.

netui0.dll.....NT LM UI Common Code - GUI Classes (File version: 5.1.2600.2180)

netui1.dll.....NT LM UI Common Code - GUI Classes (File version: 5.1.2600.2180)

netui2.dll.....NT LM UI Common Code - GUI Classes (File version: 5.1.2600.0) <-- Is this an older file version of netui1.dll?

netrap.dll.....Net Remote Admin Protocol DLL

-------------------------------------------------------

ALL "noise", "wbcache" and "wbdbase" files (files in different languages) can be deleted.

(Registry keys location for files listed below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex\Language)

noise.chs
noise.cht
noise.dat
noise.deu <<...Note: ...DEU = acronym for Deutsch (german)
noise.eng
noise.enu <<English
noise.esn <<Spanish
noise.fra <<French
noise.ita <<Italian
noise.nld <<Dutch
noise.sve <<Swedish
noise.tha

wbcache.deu <<...Note: ...DEU = acronym for Deutsch (german)
wbcache.enu <<English
wbcache.esn <<Spanish
wbcache.fra <<French
wbcache.ita <<Italian
wbcache.nld <<Dutch
wbcache.sve <<Swedish

wbdbase.deu <<...Note: ...DEU = acronym for Deutsch (german)
wbdbase.enu <<English
wbdbase.esn <<Spanish
wbdbase.fra <<French
wbdbase.ita <<Italian
wbdbase.nld <<Dutch
wbdbase.sve <<Swedish

-------------------------------------------------------

npptools.dll...NPP Tools Helper DLL
nscompat.tlb...

NSLOOKUP.EXE...(Name Server Lookup). Used to display diagnostic and statistical information from DNS servers.

ntlsapi.dll....Microsoft® License Server Interface DLL

ntdos404.sys...
ntdos411.sys...
ntdos412.sys...
ntdos804.sys...
ntimage.gif....
ntio404.sys....
ntio411.sys....
ntio412.sys....
ntio804.sys....
ntlanman.dll...Microsoft® Lan Manager
ntlanui.dll....
ntlanui2.dll...Network object shell UI

NTSD.EXE.......(Symbolic Debugger). A troubleshooting utility that gives a detailed view of the system state at the moment of failure.

ntsdexts.dll...Symbolic Debugger for Windows 2000
nwprovau.dll...Client Service for NetWare Provider and Authentication

NTVDM.EXE......(NT Virtual DOS Machine). An executable that provides the VDM used to host MS-DOS applications and Windows-on-Windows (WOW—support for Win16).

ntvdmd.dll.....NTVDMD.DLL

oakley.dll.....Oakley Key Manager
objsel.dll.....Object Picker Dialog
occache.dll....Object Control Viewer

OSUNINST.EXE....(Uninstall Utility). A utility to uninstall Windows XP and return to an earlier Windows OS. Can be run from a command prompt in Safe mode.

-------------------------------------------------------

oembios.bin....
oembios.dat....
oembios.sig....

Deleting oembios.sig could make the "X Days To Activate Windows" balloon pop-up in the sytem tray. This could happen should you have an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows (Licenses of OEM versions of Windows sold to computer manufactures for installation on new computers). If it does, put the file back.

-------------------------------------------------------

ole2.dll.......OLE 2.1 16/32 Interoperability Library
ole2disp.dll...OLE 2.1 16/32 Interoperability Library
ole2nls.dll....OLE 2.1 16/32 Interoperability Library
oleprn.dll.....Oleprn DLL

p2p.dll........Peer-to-Peer Grouping
p2pgasvc.dll...Peer-to-Peer Group Authentication Service
p2pgraph.dll...Peer-to-Peer Graphing
p2pnetsh.dll...Peer-to-Peer NetSh Helper
p2psvc.dll.....Peer-to-Peer Services

PACKAGER.EXE...(Object Packager). Used to create icon links to embedded data for use in documents.

panmap.dll.....PANOSE™ Font Mapper
paqsp.dll......PaqSP Module
pautoenr.dll...Auto Enrollment DLL
pcl.sep........

PENTNT.EXE.....(NT Pentium Test). A command-line tool that tests the system for the Pentium floating-point error. (I also delete its shortcut, "Performance", in Control Panel\Administrative Tools.

picn20.dll.....Pegasus Dispatcher for Win32
pifmgr.dll.....Windows NT PIF Manager Icon Resources Library
pjlmon.dll.....PJL Language monitor
plustab.dll....Effects Control Panel extension
pmspl.dll......Microsoft LAN Manager 2.1 Network Dynamic
polstore.dll...Policy Storage dll
powercfg.exe...Power Settings Command-LineTool
pnrpnsp.dll....PNRP Name Space Provider
proctexe.ocx...Intel Procedural Textures
prodspec.ini...

PROGMAN.EXE....(Program Manager). An alternative shell that can be used in place of Windows XP Explorer. It is the main interface used in Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups, and Windows NT 3.51.

pschdcnt.h.....
pschdprf.dll...Microsoft® Windows™ PSched Performance Monitor
pschdprf.ini...
pscript.sep....

psnppagn.dll...DCOM Proxy for NPPAgent Object
pubprn.vbs.....

proquota.exe...ProQuota lets you set a maximum size on a user's profile, whereas with a disk quota you set a maximum size on a user's files.

PROXYCFG.EXE...(Proxy Configuration Tool). A command-line tool to view and change your current proxy settings.

qmgrprxy.dll...Background Intelligent Transfer Service Proxy
qosname.dll....Microsoft Windows GetQosByName Service Provider
query.dll......Content Index Utility DLL

rdpdd.dll......RDP Display Driver

RECOVER.EXE....(Recover). A command-line utility to recover readable data from a defective drive.

REDIR.EXE......(Redirector). A Win16 network redirector.
remotesp.tsp...

REG.EXE........(Registry Console Tool). A command-line tool for querying and editing the Registry.

REGEDT32.EXE...(Registry Editor). A 32-bit Registry-editing tool that can set security permissions on Registry keys and values. In Windows XP the extra functionality of regedt32.exe has been merged into regedit.exe. Regedt32.exe now is nothing more than a link. If you start regedt32.exe, the system runs regedit.exe

regsvc.dll.....Remote Registry Service

REGWIZ.EXE.....(Registration Wizard). Automates the process of registering your XP operating system.

regwizc.dll....RegWizCtrl Module
rend.dll.......Microsoft Rendezvous Control
REPLACE.EXE....(Replace). A command-line tool used to replace files.
rnr20.dll......Windows Socket2 NameSpace DLL
routetab.dll...Microsoft Routing Table DLL
rpcns4.dll.....Remote Procedure Call Name Service Client
rsmps.dll......RSM Proxy Stub

rsaci.rat......<-- Belongs to msrating.dll. You can look here for the ratings options: Internet Properties -> Content tab -> under Content Advisor click Enable button.

RTCSHARE.EXE...(RTC Application Sharing). A real-time clock component.

rtipxmib.dll...Microsoft Router IPX MIB subagent

RUNAS.EXE......(Run As Utility). A utility that allows a process to be implemented with a new user ID and password combination. Typically used to run a process or application as an Administrator or other user with higher levels of privileges than the currently logged on user.

safrdm.dll.....Microsoft Help Center Desktop Manager
safrslv.dll....Microsoft Help Center Session Resolver

SAVEDUMP.EXE...(Save Dump). Saves the contents of memory to a dump file in the occurrence of a STOP error.

sbe.dll........DirectShow Stream Buffer Filter
sbeio.dll......Stream Buffer IO DLL

SC.EXE.........(Service Development for Windows NT). A service management tool.

scrobj.dll.....Windows ® Script Component Runtime
scrrun.dll.....Microsoft ® Script Runtime

SDBINST.EXE....(Installer). AppFix and AppHelp installer.
sendcmsg.dll....Send Console Message

sdhcinst.dll...Secure Digital Host Controller Class Installer
sdpblb.dll.....Microsoft Sdpblb
secupd.sig.....
security.dll...Security Support Provider Interface
senscfg.dll....SENS Setup/Setup Tool
serialui.dll...Serial Port Property Pages
setup.bmp......
SETUP.EXE......(Setup). The Windows Setup tool.
setupdll.dll...Windows 2000 Setup Dynlink
setupnt.dll....Setupnt Dynamic Link Library

SETVER.EXE.....(Set Version). Used to define the version of MS-DOS reported to an application.

sfmapi.dll.....Windows NT Macintosh File Service Client

SHARE.EXE......(Share). An MS-DOS utility used to enable two applications to use the same file.

shellstyle.dll..Windows Shell Style Resource Dll
SHMGRATE.EXE...A Windows XP user data migration tool.

SHRPUBW.EXE....(Shared Folder Creator). Used to create shared folders on a Windows XP system.

shscrap.dll....Shell scrap object handler

SHUTDOWN.EXE...(Remote Shutdown Tool). Allows shutdowns and restarts on local or remote PCs.

sigtab.dll.....File Integrity Settings

SIGVERIF.EXE...(File Signature Verifier). Verifies that the selected file is signed and authorized to run under Windows XP.

simpdata.tlb....
sisbkup.dll....Single-Instance Store Backup Support Functions
skdll.dll......Serial Keys

SKEYS.EXE......(Serial Keys). A system service that adds support for the SerialKeys feature.

slayerxp.dll...Compatibility Tab Shell Extension DLL
smbinst.exe....System Management BIOS Driver Installer
softpub.dll....Softpub Forwarder DLL

SORT.EXE.......(Sort). A command-line utility that sorts input and writes the results to a file or the screen.

spmsg.dll......Service Pack Messages
spnike.dll.....MDM Device Interface for Nike device
spnpinst.exe...Peer-to-Peer Custom Setup
SPRESTRT.EXE...Restores registry to restart GUI-mode part of setup
sprio600.dll...MDM Device Interface for Rio 600 device
sprio800.dll...MDM Device Interface for Rio 800 device
spxcoins.dll...Specialix MPS NT Upgrade CoInstaller
srvsvc.dll.....Server Service DLL
sti_ci.dll.....Still Image Class Installer
sti.dll........Still Image Devices client DLL
stimon.exe.....Still Image Devices Monitor
storage.dll....OLE 2.1 16/32 Interoperability Library
strmfilt.dll...Stream Filter Library

SUBST.EXE......(Substitute). An MS-DOS command used to associate a path with a drive letter.

svcpack.dll....Windows 2000 Service Pack Setup

SYNCAPP.EXE....(Synchronize Application). A tool used by the Briefcase to synchronize contained files.

synceng.dll....Windows Briefcase Engine
syncui.dll.....Windows Briefcase

SYSEDIT.EXE.....(System Edit). A system file-editing utility that opens the system.ini, win.ini, config.sys, and autoexec.bat files in one editor window.

sysinv.dll.....Windows System Inventory

SYSKEY.EXE.....(Windows XP Account Database Manager). Used to secure the Windows XP account database.

sysmon.ocx.....System Monitor Control
sysprint.sep...
sysprtj.sep....

SYSTRAY.EXE....(System Tray). The system tray provider. It controls the taskbar and icon tray. Everything seems to work okay without it, though.

t2embed.dll....t2embed

taskman.exe....Task Manager (Not the actual Task Scheduler. The actual Task Scheduler is: "taskmgr.exe")

tdc.ocx........TDC ActiveX Control

TELNET.EXE.....(Telnet). A Telnet client used to access remote Telnet server systems.

tftp.exe.......Trivial File Transfer Protocol App
toolhelp.dll...Windows Debug/Tool helper library
traffic.dll....Microsoft Traffic Control 1.0 DLL
tree.com.......Tree Walk Utility
tsbyuv.dll.....Toshiba Video Codec

TwnLib4.dll....TwainPRO Utility Library, Pegasus Imaging Corp.
TwnLib20.dll...TwainPRO Utility Library, Pegasus Imaging Corp.
typelib.dll....OLE 2.1 16/32 Interoperability Library

ufat.dll.......FAT Utility DLL
umandlg.dll....UManDlg DLL
unimdm.tsp.....
unimdmat.dll...Unimodem Service Provider AT Mini Driver
ureg.dll.......Registry Utility DLL
usbmon.dll.....Standard Dynamic Printing Port Monitor DLL

USER.EXE.......(Windows User-interface core component). A utility for Win16 compatibility. Not a valid Win32 application.

v7vga.rom.......

vbajet32.dll...Visual Basic for Applications Development Environment - Expression Service Loader

vcdex.dll......32-bit MSCDEX Virtual Device Driver
vdmredir.dll...Virtual Dos Machine Network Interface Library
verifier.dll...Standard application verifier provider dll

VERIFIER.EXE...(Driver Verifier Manager). Attempts to determine whether a driver will cause a system conflict by testing its operation.

vfpodbc.dll....vfpodbc
vga256.dll.....256 Color VGA\SVGA Display Driver
vga64k.dll.....32K/64K color VGA\SVGA Display Driver
View Channels.scf..(View Channels utilities).

vjoy.dll.......32-bit Joystick Virtual Device Driver (I don't have a joystick for games)

w32topl.dll....Windows NT Topology Maintenance Tool
wavemsp.dll....Microsoft Wave MSP
wdl.trm........
webvw.dll......Shell WebView Content & Control Library

WEXTRACT.EXE...(Win32 Cabinet Self Extractor). A component used in extracting cabinet files to disk during setup.

wiasf.ax.......WIA Stream Snapshot Filter
wifeman.dll....Windows WIFE interface core component
win.com........WIN.COM for compatibility
win87em.dll....
winbrand.dll...Windows Branding Resources
WINCHAT.EXE....Windows for Workgroups Chat (NT)

winfax.dll.....Microsoft Fax API Support DLL (I don't have a fax machine.)

winhelp.hlp....
WINHLP32.EXE...(Windows Help). The 32-bit Windows Help tool.

WINMSD.EXE.....(Windows XP Diagnostics or System Information). The Windows XP diagnostics application.

winnls.dll.....Windows IME interface core component
winntbbu.dll...Windows Setup Billboard DLL
winoldap.mod...
winshfhc.dll...File Risk Estimation
winsock.dll....Windows Socket 16-Bit DLL
winstrm.dll....Streams DLL
wkssvc.dll.....Workstation Service DLL
wmidx.dll......Windows Media Indexer DLL
wmiprop.dll....WDM Provider Dynamic Property Page CoInstaller

wmv8ds32.ax....(File version: 8.0.0.4000). Windows Media Video Decoder V8

wmvds32.ax.....Windows Media Video Decoder

WOWDEB.EXE.....(WOW Debugger). The WOW debugger. Windows Win16 Debugging Helper

wowexec.exe....Windows Win16 Application Launcher
wowfax.dll.....Windows 3.1 Compatible Fax Driver DLL
wowfaxui.dll...Windows 3.1 Compatible Fax Driver UI DLL

WPABALN.EXE....(Windows Product Activation). Windows Product Activation Balloon reminder.

WRITE.EXE......A text and rich-text document-editing tool. Not neccesary for Wordpad use.

wscntfy.exe....Windows Security Center Notification App

wscui.cpl......Delete To Remove Security Center from the Control Panel

WSCRIPT.EXE....(Script Host). The Windows-based script host.
wshatm.dll.....Windows Sockets Helper DLL
wshbth.dll.....Windows Sockets Helper DLL
wshcon.dll.....Microsoft ® Windows Script Controller
wshisn.dll.....NWLINK2 Socket Helper DLL
wshnetbs.dll...Netbios Windows Sockets Helper DLL
wshom.ocx......Windows Script Host Runtime Library
WshRm.dll......Windows Sockets Helper DLL for PGM
wsnmp32.dll....Microsoft WinSNMP v2.0 Manager API

xactsrv.dll....Downlevel API Server DLL
xcopy.exe......Extended Copy Utility
xenroll.dll....XEnroll
xpob2res.dll...Service Pack 2 OOB Messages

Thanks a lot..
It's too long tho..

............500 system32 Files I Do Not Delete...And Why............


There are undoubtedly other uses for some of these files other than what I have placed here as my reasons for not deleting them. These are the first good reasons I bumped into that helped me decide why I didn't want to delete these files.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed by NVDVD

acelpdec.ax.....ACELP.net Audio Decoder

DolbyHph.dll.....Dolby Headphone Engine

-------------------------------------------------

Needed for Regedit

aclui.dll.....Security Descriptor Editor

clb.dll.....Column List Box

-------------------------------------------------

Needed just to restart computer

AUTOCHK.EXE..(Auto Check Disk). Launches automatically during Windows XP bootup if a volume is marked as dirty (has bad clusters, has error blocks, or is otherwise damaged).

bootvid.dll.....VGA Boot Driver

csseqchk.dll....CSSeqChk

dpcdll.dll......Dpcdll Module

hal.dll........(Hardware Abstraction Layer). A file that hides hardware complexities from Windows applications.

kdcom.dll.......Kernel Debugger HW Extension DLL

shgina.dll.....Windows Shell User Logon <-- This file is needed just to restart your computer from your Desktop. Further, once you delete or move it from the system32 folder, even if you put it back, you still won't be able to restart from your Desktop.

USERINIT.EXE..(User Initialization). Used to establish the operating environment for a user after logon.

-------------------------------------------------

This file is needed for Yahoo Messenger Installation

AVICAP32.dll.....AVI Capture window class

When installing Yahoo Messenger, I recieved this error pop-up message:

"This application has failed to start because AVICAP32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

However, Yahoo Messenger did install succeesfully in spite of this error message.

-------------------------------------------------

These files belong to Windows Media Player 10

avifil32.dll.....Microsoft AVI File support library <-- Needed for Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE

blackbox.dll..BlackBox DLL

LOGAGENT.EXE..(Windows Media Player LogAgent). The application that logs errors with Windows Media Player.

MsPMSP.dll....Microsoft Media Device Service Provider
MSSCP.dll.....Windows Media Secure Content Provider
msvfw32.dll...Microsoft Video for Windows DLL
MSWMDM.dll....Windows Media Device Manager Core

qasf.dll......DirectShow ASF Support

wmadmod.dll...Windows Media Audio Decoder
wmadmoe.dll...Windows Media Audio Encoder/Transcoder
WMASF.DLL......Windows Media ASF DLL
WMDMLOG.dll...Windows Media Device Manager Logger
WMDMPS.dll....Windows Media Device Manager Proxy Stub
wmnetmgr.dll..Windows Media Network Plugin Manager DLL
WMP.DLL........Windows Media Player Core
wmp.ocx ......Windows Media Player
wmpasf.dll....Windows Media Filter Shim
wmpcd.dll.....Windows Media Player
wmpcore.dll...Windows Media Player
wmpdxm.dll....Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim
WMPLOC.DLL.....Windows Media Player
wmpshell.dll..Windows Media Player Launcher
wmpui.dll.....Windows Media Player
wmsdmod.dll...Windows Media Screen Decoder
WMVCORE.DLL....Windows Media Playback/Authoring DLL
wmvdmod.dll...Windows Media Video Decoder

-------------------------------------------------------

NLS Files = Multiple Language Resource Files. Character Translation; National Language Services driver (font or font map).

For my U.S.English settings I keep these NLS Files

c_437.nls
c_932.nls
c_1250.nls
c_1251.nls
c_1252.nls
c_20127.nls
c_28591.nls
c_28605.nls
ctype.nls
l_intl.nls
locale.nls
sortkey.nls
sorttbls.nls
unicode.nls

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to view inside .cab files

cabview.dll....Cabinet File Viewer Shell Extension

-------------------------------------------------

I need the cards.dll to play Windows Solitaire

cards.dll......Entertainment Pack Cardplaying Helper DLL

-------------------------------------------------

Needed by Windows Update

CDM.DLL........Windows Update CDM Stub

DCIMAN32.DLL...DCI Manager

dssenh.dll.....Microsoft Enhanced DSS and Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provider

iuengine.dll...Windows Update Control Engine

JSCRIPT.DLL....Microsoft ® JScript

licdll.dll.....Licdll Module

pidgen.dll.....Pid3.0 generation

wshext.dll.....Microsoft ® Shell Extension for Windows Script Host
WUAPI.DLL......Windows Update Client API
wuauclt1.exe...Windows Update AutoUpdate Client
WUAUCLT.EXE....(Windows Update). An auto-update client.
wuaucpl.cpl....Automatic Updates Control Panel
WUAUENG1.DLL...Windows Update AutoUpdate Engine
WUCLTUI.DLL....Windows Update Client UI Plugin
wupdmgr.exe....Windows Update Manager for NT
WUWEB.DLL......Windows Update Web Control

----------------------------------------------

These files are CHKDSK

CFGMGR32.DLL...Configuration Manager Forwarder DLL

CHKDSK.EXE..(Check Disk). A disk inspection tool that can search for and repair disk errors.

dskquota.dll...Windows Shell Disk Quota Support DLL
dskquoui.dll...Windows Shell Disk Quota UI DLL

fmifs.dll......FM IFS Utility DLL

ifsutil.dll....IFS Utility DLL

MFC42.DLL......MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version

rshx32.dll....Security Shell Extension

twext.dll......Previous Versions property page

ULIB.DLL.......File Utilities Support DLL

untfs.dll......NTFS Utility DLL

-------------------------------------------------

CMD.EXE....(Command Prompt). An executable that provides the command prompt (MS-DOS shell interpreter) for Windows NT.

-------------------------------------------------

Computer Management Consoles

compmgmt.msc.....Computer Management Console

devmgmt.msc......Device Manager
dfrg.msc.........Disk Defragmenter
diskmgmt.msc.....Disk Management Console

eventvwr.msc.....Event Viewer

services.msc.....Services Viewer

-------------------------------------------

These files are needed for Cryptographic Services

crtdll.dll.....Cryptography Manager
cryptsvc.dll...Cryptographic Services

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to view Summary tab in Properties of files

cryptext.dll...Crypto Shell Extensions

docprop.dll....OLE DocFile Property Page
docprop2.dll...Microsoft DocProp Shell Ext

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to watch Yahoo movie trailers

davclnt.dll....Web DAV Client DLL

dbghelp.dll....(Windows Image Helper). <-- Not really necessary to watch Yahoo movie trailers with, but you could get an error every so often telling you that the application could not find the dbghelp.dll, which can delay the showing of the movie trailer...although the movie trailer will still play without dbghelp.dll.

dispex.dll.....Microsoft ® DispEx

hhsetup.dll....Microsoft® HTML Help

iepeers.dll....Internet Explorer Peer Objects

mmcshext.dll...MMC Shell Extension DLL

perfos.dll.....Windows System Performance Objects DLL

ssdpapi.dll....SSDP Client API DLL

upnp.dll.......Universal Plug and Play API

-------------------------------------------------

These files are needed for viewing inside of the Adapter, Monitor and Troubleshoot tabs in Display Properties -> Settings -> Advanced button

deskadp.dll....Advanced display adapter properties
deskmon.dll....Advanced display monitor properties
deskperf.dll...Advanced display performance properties

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to enter Hardware Device Manager

devmgr.dll.....Device Manager MMC Snapin

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to utilize Windows default Disk Defragmenter

Even though I have PerfectDisk Defragmenter installed, I find it convenient to keep Windows default defragmenter also installed.

Once in a great while, files can get botched up, making their defragmentation impossible. Loosening them with Windows default defragmenter, and then defragging again with PerfectDisk, seems to fix this for me.

DFRGNTFS.EXE..(NTFS Defragmentation Tool). Used to defragment NTFS partitions.

dfrgres.dll....Disk Defragmenter Resource Module
dfrgsnap.dll...Disk Defragmenter Snap-in Module
dfrgui.dll.....Disk Defragmenter UI Module

vssapi.dll....Microsoft® Volume Shadow Copy Requestor/Writer Services API DLL

-------------------------------------------------

DivX.dll.......DivX® Codec for Windows
divxdec.ax.....DivX® Decoder Filter

-------------------------------------------------

Third-party codec I installed to prevent video freezing on damaged video

DivXAF.ax......DivX AntiFreeze Filter

-------------------------------------------------

Needed with Computer Management Open

DMADMIN.EXE...(Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service). Runs during hard disk configuration only.

DMREMOTE.EXE..(Logical Disk Manager). A Logical Disk Manager component.

ifsutil.dll.....IFS Utility DLL

localsec.dll.....Local Users and Groups MMC Snapin

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to access Disk Management inside Computer Management

dmintf.dll.....Disk Management DCOM Interface Stub
dmocx.dll......TreeView OCX

-------------------------------------------------

I need these files for Disk Management

dmdlgs.dll.....Disk Management Snap-in Dialogs
dmdskmgr.dll...Disk Management Snap-in Support Library
dmdskres.dll...Disk Management Snap-in Resources
dmserver.dll...Logical Disk Manager service dll
dmutil.dll.....Logical Disk Manager Utility Library
dmview.ocx.....Disk Management Snap-in

-------------------------------------------------

Needed by Add/Remove module

duser.dll......Windows DirectUser Engine

-------------------------------------------------

ELS.DLL........Event Viewer Snapin

EVENTVWR.EXE...(Event Viewer). The executable for the Event Viewer.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed with Services window open

filemgmt.dll.....Services and Shared Folders

mfc42u.dll.....MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to maintain selected view of Font Folder, and also needed to display the default icon for .TTF Fonts

fontext.dll....Windows Font Folder

-------------------------------------------------

FONTVIEW.EXE..(Font View). A command-line utility that displays a sample output for a font in a printable GUI window.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed so graphics while in safemode don't looked screwed up

framebuf.dll...Framebuffer Display Driver

-------------------------------------------------

framedyn.dll...WMI SDK Provider Framework

I moved the framedyn.dll to the system32 folder from the wbem folder before I deleted the wbem folder and its contents.

Sometimes when you run System Restore you'll get the error 'System restore was unable to start due to a missing framedyn.dll. Please reinstall the application to fix this problem'.

Without "framedyn.dll" you might also get an error when right-clicking on My Computer. Keeping this file in the system32 folder prevents this from happening.

-------------------------------------------------

glu32.dll......(OpenGL Utility Library DLL). Contains 3D graphics functions relating to File that contains utility functions used by OpenGL.

I recieved a momentary popup message error that the GLU32.DLL could not be found when sending an .mpg file to VLC Media Player via "Open With." The player still played the file however.

-------------------------------------------------

GRPCONV.EXE.....(Group Convert). Converts Microsoft Windows 3.x and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups Program Manager groups into Start menu items.

I cannot install Microsoft's File checking utility that checks for proper DVD codecs without GRPCONV.EXE.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed by Acronis True Image

hhctrl.ocx.....Microsoft® HTML Help Control

-------------------------------------------------

hid.dll.....(Hid User Library).

Realtek's Audio Configuration Utility (soundman.exe in C:\WINDOWS) needs this file to open

-------------------------------------------------

html.iec.......(Microsoft HTML Converter) Needed to be able to copy text from a web page and paste it to Wordpad

-------------------------------------------------
I need this third-party codec to play one particular video I have saved.

I263_32.DRV....Intel I.263 Video Driver 2.55.012


Other codec I need for Windows Media Player 10 to play .avi files

l3codecx.ax.....MPEG Layer-3 Audio Decoder

-------------------------------------------------

These files belong to Internet Explorer

imgutil.dll....IE plugin image decoder support DLL

MSCTF.DLL......MSCTF Server DLL
MSIMTF.DLL.....Active IMM Server DLL
pngfilt.dll....IE PNG plugin image decoder

-------------------------------------------------

IMAPI.EXE.....(CD-Burning COM Service). Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this service is stopped, the computer cannot record CDs.

-------------------------------------------------

Codecs needed to convert .mp3 files to .wma files with Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE

IMC32.ACM......Intel Music Coder for MSACM

l3codeca.acm...(MPEG Layer-3 Audio Codec for MSACM). <- This codec is also need by WMP10 to play .mp3 music file

sl_anet.acm....Audio codec for MS ACM

iac25_32.ax....Indeo® audio software

msg723.acm.....Microsoft G.723.1 CODEC for MSACM

msaud32.acm....(File version: 8.0.0.4487). Windows Media Audio

wmspdmoe.dll...Windows Media Audio 9 Voice Encoder

-------------------------------------------------

inetcomm.dll..Microsoft Internet Messaging API

When you click on the Outlook Express shortcut, Windows won't be able to find the "msoe.dll" which is located in C:\Program Files\Outlook Express.

inetres.dll....Microsoft Internet Messaging API Resources

When you click on the Outlook Express shortcut, Windows won't be able to find the "msoeres.dll" which is located in C:\Program Files\Outlook Express.

Also needed by Outlook Express

acctres.dll....Microsoft Internet Account Manager Resources

mapistub.dll...(Extended MAPI 1.0 for Windows NT). Outlook Express needs this file when you choose for Outlook Express to be your default mail provider.

mshtmler.dll...(Microsoft ® HTML Editing Component's Resource DLL). <--Needed to insert picture in E-mail:

msident.dll....Microsoft Identity Manager
msidntld.dll...Microsoft Identity Manager

MSOEACCT.DLL...Microsoft Internet Account Manager

MSOERT2.DLL....Microsoft Outlook Express RT Lib

sendmail.dll...(Send Mail).

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to access Internet Options

inetcplc.dll..Internet Control Panel

-------------------------------------------------

Cannot open a *.chm help file without this file. You will recieve an error similar to this when you do: "Can not open the file: mk:@MSITStore".

itss.dll...Microsoft® InfoTech Storage System Library

-------------------------------------------------

kbdus.dll.....United States Keyboard Layout

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to access User Accounts in Control Panel without receiving an error

localsec.dll..Local Users and Groups MMC Snapin

-------------------------------------------------

LOGONUI.EXE...(Windows Logon User Interface). The user interface that appears when Windows XP first starts.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed for Windows Media Player 10 burn process. Also to view "Ready to burn" Status text.

mcicda.dll....MCI driver for cdaudio devices

shmedia.dll...Media File Property Extractor Shell Extension

-------------------------------------------------

This file is used by Microsoft's Pinball game

mciseq.dll.....MCI driver for MIDI sequencer

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to access Management Console

mmcbase.dll...MMC Base DLL
mmcndmgr.dll..MMC Node Manager DLL

mycomput.dll..Computer Management

-------------------------------------------------

Needed with Event Viewer open

MMC.EXE....(Microsoft Management Console).

-------------------------------------------------

MPNOTIFY.EXE..(Multiple Provider Notify). Used by the WinLogon service to notify non-Microsoft network servers about security events.

-------------------------------------------------

MSCDEXNT.EXE..(Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions). Provides CD-ROM extensions for the Windows XP environment, enabling data CDs to be accessed just like hard drives.

-------------------------------------------------

These files are needed by SpywareBlaster

MSCOMCTL.OCX.....Windows Common Controls ActiveX Control DLL
MSINET.OCX......Microsoft Internet Transfer Control DLL

-------------------------------------------------

Needed for Wordpad

msftedit.dll..Rich Text Edit Control, v4.1

-------------------------------------------------

Needed for User Accounts

MSHTA.EXE...(HTML Application Host). The application used to run an HTML Application (HTA) file.

plugin.ocx.....ActiveX Plugin OCX

-------------------------------------------------

This file gives you the ability to edit HTML. A simple example is when you edit one of your posts on a forum...you wouldn't be able to do that without this file.

MSHTMLED.DLL...Microsoft ® HTML Editing Component

-------------------------------------------------

MSIEXEC.EXE...(Windows Installer). Used to create install packages for applications and programs

-------------------------------------------------

msihnd.dll....Windows® installer

-------------------------------------------------

Needed with Kazzaalite connected

msisip.dll.....MSI Signature SIP Provider

riched20.dll.....Rich Text Edit Control, v3.0

shsvcs.dll.....Windows Shell User Logon

vga.dll.....VGA 16 Colour Display Driver

wshtcpip.dll.....Windows Sockets Helper DLL

-------------------------------------------------

MSPAINT.EXE...(Microsoft Paint). A basic graphics creation and viewing tool.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to display fully Communications Port (Com1) and Printer Port (LPT1) Properties in Device Manager.

msports.dll....Ports Class Installer

-------------------------------------------------

mstask.dll.....Task Scheduler interface DLL

-------------------------------------------------

MSTINIT.EXE...Task Scheduler Setup). Allows scheduling automated tasks.

-------------------------------------------------

These files are needed for Yahoo Chat

netmsg.dll.....Net Messages DLL

tsd32.dll......DSP Group TrueSpeech™ Audio Encoder & Decoder

vbscript.dll...Microsoft ® VBScript

Codecs needed by Yahoo Chat

imaadp32.acm....IMA ADPCM CODEC for MSACM

msadp32.acm.....Microsoft ADPCM CODEC for MSACM

msg711.acm......Microsoft CCITT G.711 (A-Law and u-Law) CODEC for MSACM

msgsm32.acm.....Microsoft GSM 6.10 Audio CODEC for MSACM

tssoft32.acm....DSP Group TrueSpeech™ Audio Codec for MSACM V3.50

-------------------------------------------------

NeroCheck.exe..(NeroCheck). Belongs to Nero program.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed by Event Viewer

netevent.dll.....Net Event Handler

-------------------------------------------------

newdev.dll....Add Hardware Device Library

Realtek's Driver Installer (alcupd.exe in C:\WINDOWS) needs this file to install drivers. I'm sure other things need it, too.

These 3 .WAV files were also created by Realtek. If I remove them, they are only re-created.

ALSNDMGR.WAV.....
BuzzingBee.wav...
LoopyMusic.wav...

-------------------------------------------------

NLSFUNC.EXE...(National Language Support Function). Used to load country-specific language support.

-------------------------------------------------

NTKRNLPA.EXE..(NT Kernel and System). A Windows Kernel component.

-------------------------------------------------

ntmsapi.dll...Removable Storage Public Interfaces
ntmsmgr.dll...Removable Storage Service
smlogcfg.dll..Performance Logs and Alerts Snap-in

If I delete ntmsapi.dll, ntmsmgr.dll or smlogcfg.dll I will receive three different errors when accessing the Computer Management Console. Each file delivers it's own separate message.

-------------------------------------------------

NTOSKRNL.EXE..(Operating System Kernel). The Windows XP operating system Kernel.

-------------------------------------------------

I find I can delete a little over half of the files NVIDIA Files placed in my system32 folder and everything will still be in good working order after...at least as far as my needs go.

(NVIDIA's very necessary files can't be deleted.)


I keep these NVIDIA Files:

nv4_disp.dll....NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 66.93

nvapps.xml <-- You can delete this file, but it only returns after a reboot anyway.

nvcod.dll.......NVIDIA Driver CoInstaller
nvcpl.dll.......NVIDIA Display Properties Extension
nvshell.dll.....NVIDIA Desktop Explorer, Version 66.93

nvdisp.nvu......<-- When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting a Memory Error Popup just as I would click to restart my computer, and I would get an Application Error in the Event Viewer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue.

nvudisp.exe.....(NVIDIA Uninstaller Utility). I keep nvudisp.exe just in case when updating drivers NVIDIA may need it to uninstall the older drivers before installing the new versions.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to view icon for ActiveX object in Downloaded Program Files. Otherwise they will show up as .ini files.

occache.dll...Object Control Viewer

-------------------------------------------------

ocmanage.dll..Optional Component Manager Library

opengl32.dll..OpenGL Client DLL

I recieved a momentary popup message error that the OPENGL32.DLL could not be found when sending an .mpg file to VLC Media Player via "Open With." The player still played the file however.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to enter Disk Mangagement within Computer Management

osuninst.dll....Uninstall Interface

-------------------------------------------------

These files belong to PerfectDisk Defragmenter

PDBoot.exe....PerfectDisk Boot Time Defragmentation
PDBootState...

-------------------------------------------------

qmgr.dll......Background Intelligent Transfer Service

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to register DLLs

REGSVR32.EXE...(Registry Server). A program for viewing and editing the Registry.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to read Information and Error Messages (Event Properties) in Event Viewer

riched20.dll...Rich Text Edit Control, v3.0

-------------------------------------------------

RTLCPAPI.dll..(RtlCPAPI Module). Belongs to my Realtek Audio Sound Card

-------------------------------------------------

RUNDLL32.EXE...(Run DLL). Used to run DLL files from a command line.

-------------------------------------------------

RUNONCE.EXE....(Run Once). Used to perform tasks as defined in the RunOnce Registry key.

-------------------------------------------------

These files belong to System Event Notification

sens.dll......System Event Notification Service (SENS)
sensapi.dll...SENS Connectivity API DL

-------------------------------------------------

sfc_os.dll.orig...(Windows File Protection). I need this, the original copy of sfc, should I re-enable Windows File Protection.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to display open Keyboard > Hardware > Properties without an error. (Undoubtedly, must also have multiple uses similar to this.)

sfcfiles.dll.....Windows 2000 System File Checker

syssetup.dll.....Windows NT System Setup

-------------------------------------------------

Belongs to Acronis True Image program

SNAPAPI.DLL....Acronis Snapshot Dynamic Link Library

-------------------------------------------------

SNDREC32.EXE..(Sound Recorder). A sound recorder application.

-------------------------------------------------

SNDVOL32.EXE..(Volume Control). A GUI volume application.

-------------------------------------------------

SOL.EXE.......(Solitaire). A GUI solitaire card game.

-------------------------------------------------

storprop.dll..Property Pages for Storage Devices

If I delete the storprop.dll I cannot view the Advanced tab in Primary IDE Channel or Secondary IDE Channel under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers in the Device Manager.

-------------------------------------------------

I keep this file because it is needed for Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator Properties under System devices in Device manager. Otherwise a report error will occur in setupapi.log, which is made in C:\WINDOWS and reports how things went when opening Device Properties in Device Manager.

streamci.dll...Streaming Device Class Installer

-------------------------------------------------

TASKMGR.EXE...(Task Manager). The Task Manager application.

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to enter My Computer System Properties

usp10.dll.....Uniscribe Unicode script processor


Needed to see Computer Name tab in System Properties

netid.dll.....System Control Panel Applet; Network ID Page

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to display fully USB Universal Host Controller Properties and USB Root Hub Properties in Device Manager.

usbui.dll...USB UI Dll

-------------------------------------------------

Needed to access Windows Task Manager

vdmdbg.dll....VDMDBG.DLL

-------------------------------------------------

WINVER.EXE....(Version Reporter Applet). Displays the current Windows version.

-------------------------------------------------

winspool.drv...Windows Spooler Driver

One older program I have (PrintFolder) needs this file. (WINSPOOL.DRV also seems to be one of the more important files in the lot, as it is the most difficult to delete. It usually deletes only after a reboot.)

-------------------------------------------------

These files belong to XviD Codec

xvid.ax
xvidcore.dll
xvidvfw.dll

-------------------------------------------------

I don't delete all DirectX files...just nearly all of them.

I don't play games on my computer so I really don't need the extra graphics and sound support DirectX gives.

But I keep a few DirectX files because NVDVD Player needs them to work.

I also found I only need 2 files belonging to DirectX for WMP 10 to do all the things I need it to do: "dsound.dll" and "quartz.dll"

These are the files that belong to Direct3D that I keep:

d3d8thk.dll...Microsoft Direct3D OS Thunk Layer
d3d9.dll......Microsoft Direct3D
d3dim700.dll..Microsoft Direct3D

These are the files that belong to DirectShow that I keep:

(File versions: 6.5.2600.2180)

devenum.dll....Device enumeration.

msdmo.dll......DMO Runtime

qdvd.dll.......DirectShow DVD Playback Runtime

quartz.dll.....(DirectShow Runtime). <-- I need this file for WMP 10 to do the things I need it to do.

These are the files that belong to DirectX that I keep:

(File versions: 5.3.2600.2180)

ddraw.dll......Microsoft DirectDraw

dsound.dll.....(DirectSound). <-- I need this file for WMP 10 to do the things I need it to do.

ksuser.dll.....User CSA Library

-------------------------------------------------

Goofy Files I Call Them...

In the system32 folder, if you set the Folder View to Arrange Icons By Type you will see a bunch of what I call Goofy Files at the bottom.

They seem relatively harmless compared to DLL and EXE files. Don't be fooled. These Goofy Files can be really vexing when trying to figure out which of them can be deleted safely.

Like all file types, some you can delete without any problems cropping up; others, you'll get some errors, and still others...well, let's just say you'll be re-installing XP.

One method I use for deleting files...the Layout.ini file within C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch.

You can actually delete any individual system32 file that is not listed in the Layout.ini file and your system will at least get you back to your Desktop after a reboot.

This is not to say you won't be trying to figure out which files will now be giving you certain problems. It just says that you can delete any system32 file that is not listed in the Layout.ini and your system will at least get you back to your Desktop after a reboot.

So I began there. I removed only those files not listed in the Layout.ini file. Later, with a little trial and error, I learned about other Goofy Files that were safe to delete...even though they were listed in the layout,ini file.

The Layout.ini trick is just a good place to start when deleting mass amounts of files. Like I say, you can delete any file not listed in the Layout.ini file and your system will at least get you back to your Desktop after a reboot. But some files listed within the Layout.ini file are safe to remove.

I Do Not Delete These Goofy Files...

license.955200...<- This file belongs to NVDVD. When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting a Memory Error Popup just as I would click to restart my computer, and I would get an Application Error in the Event Viewer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue.

ega.cpi

FNTCACHE.DAT

secupd.dat....<-- I Believe this file is listed in Layout.ini as "SETUPACT.LOG".

wpa.dbl

COMM.DRV
MSACM32.DRV
WDMAUD.DRV

html.iec.......(Microsoft HTML Converter). <-- Needed to be able to copy text from a web page and paste it to Wordpad

WUAUCPL.CPL.MANIFEST

COMMAND.COM

AUTOEXEC.NT

CONFIG.NT

graphics.pro....<-- When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting a Memory Error Popup just as I would click to restart my computer, and I would get an Application Error in the Event Viewer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue.

$WINNT$.INF
MMDRIVER.INF

HIMEM.SYS
NTDOS.SYS
NTIO.SYS
WATCHDOG.SYS
WIN32K.SYS

MSHTML.TLB

STDOLE2.TLB
stdole32.tlb

When you try to install a program that uses InstallShield, you may receive the following error message:

The install Shield engine "ikernel.exe" could not be launched -Error loading type library /dll

This issue may occur if one or more of the following files are missing from the Windows\System32 folder:
• Stdole32.tlb
• Stdole2.tlb
• Stdole.tlb <--This file is actually in C:\WINDOWS\system

-------------------------------------------------

Control Panel Applets I do not delete

appwiz.cpl....Add/Remove Programs

desk.cpl......Display Properties

hdwwiz.cpl....Add Hardware Control Panel Applet

main.cpl......Mouse Properties

mmsys.cpl.....Sound and Audio

ncpa.cpl......Network Connections

nusrmgr.cpl...User Accounts

powercfg.cpl..Power Options

sysdm.cpl.....System Properties

timedate.cpl..Time and Date Properties


...............system32 Files Windows Won't Let Me Delete...............


Which seems like good enough reason for me not to mess with them.


ACTIVEDS.DLL.....ADs Router Layer DLL
ACTXPRXY.DLL.....ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library
ADSLDPC.DLL......ADs LDAP Provider C DLL

ADVAPI32.DLL.....(Advanced Windows 32 Base API)...The avicap32.dll is used by your computer when capturing video from cameras (e.g. webcams) to store the resulting video as AVI format. If you are recording video or using a webcam for video conferencing, you should not stop this process.

ADVPACK.DLL......(Advpack Library)...The library file advpack.dll is required for windows to operate. It is used by windows to verify .inf files. If advpack.dll is unavailable, windows will not function correctly.

APPHELP.DLL......Application Compatibility Client Library
ASYCFILT.DLL.....
ATL.DLL..........ATL Module for Windows XP (Unicode)
AUDIODEV.DLL.....Portable Media Devices Shell Extension
AUDIOSRV.DLL.....Windows Audio Service

AUTHZ.DLL........Authorization Framework

BASESRV.DLL......Windows NT BASE API Server DLL
BATMETER.DLL.....Battery Meter Helper DLL
BROWSELC.DLL.....Shell Browser UI Library
BROWSEUI.DLL.....Shell Browser UI Library

c_28591.nls......
CABINET.DLL......Microsoft® Cabinet File API

certcli.dll......Microsoft® Certificate Services Client

CLBCATQ.DLL......Something to do with COM+ setup = Component Object Model (COM). .

CLUSAPI.DLL......Cluster API Library
COMCTL32.DLL.....Common Controls Library
COMDLG32.DLL.....Common Dialogs DLL
COMRES.DLL.......
CREDUI.DLL.......Credential Manager User Interface
CRYPT32.DLL......Crypto API32
CRYPTDLL.DLL.....Cryptography Manager
CRYPTUI.DLL......Microsoft Trust UI Provider
CSCDLL.DLL.......Offline Network Agent
CSCUI.DLL........Client Side Caching UI
CSRSRV.DLL.......Client Server Runtime Process

CSRSS.EXE........(Client-Server Runtime Server Subsystem). Used to maintain the Win32 system environment console and other essential functions.

ctype.nls........

DHCPCSVC.DLL.....DHCP Client Service
DNSAPI.DLL.......DNS Client API DLL
DRPROV.DLL.......Microsoft Terminal Server Network Provider

ERASER.DLL.......Eraser Library
ESENT.DLL........Server Database Storage Engine
EVENTLOG.DLL.....Event Logging Service

GDI32.DLL........GDI Client DLL

HNETCFG.DLL......Home Networking Configuration Manager

icmp.dll.........ICMP DLL
IMAGEHLP.DLL.....Windows NT Image Helper
imm32.dll........Windows XP IMM32 API Client DLL
IPHLPAPI.DLL.....IP Helper API

KERBEROS.DLL.....Kerberos Security Package
kernel32.dll.....Windows NT BASE API Client DLL

LINKINFO.DLL.....Windows Volume Tracking
locale.nls.......
LSASRV.DLL.......LSA Server DLL

LSASS.EXE........(LSA Security Service). The Local Security Authority server process.

LZ32.DLL.........LZ Expand/Compress API DLL

MIDIMAP.DLL......Microsoft MIDI Mapper
MLANG.DLL........Multi Language Support DLL
MPR.DLL..........Multiple Provider Router DLL
MPRAPI.DLL.......Windows NT MP Router Administration DLL
MSACM32.dll......Microsoft ACM Audio Filter
MSACM32.DRV......Microsoft Sound Mapper
MSASN1.DLL.......ASN.1 Runtime APIs
mscms.dll........Microsoft Color Matching System DLL
MSGINA.DLL.......Windows NT Logon GINA DLL
mshtml.dll.......Microsoft ® HTML Viewer
MSI.DLL..........Windows Installer
MSIDLE.DLL.......User Idle Monitor
MSIMG32.DLL......GDIEXT Client DLL
msls31.dll.......Microsoft Line Services library file
MSPATCHA.DLL.....Microsoft® Patch Engine
MSPRIVS.DLL......Microsoft Privilege Translations

MSV1_0.DLL.......Microsoft Authentication Package v1.0
MSVBVM60.DLL.....Visual Basic Virtual Machine
MSVCP60.DLL......Microsoft ® C++ Runtime Library
MSVCRT.DLL.......Windows NT CRT DLL
MSWSOCK.DLL......Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Provider
MSXML3.DLL.......MSXML 3.0 SP 5
MSXML3R.DLL......XML Resources

NCOBJAPI.DLL.....
NDDEAPI.DLL......Network DDE Share Management APIs
NETAPI32.DLL.....Net Win32 API DLL
NETCFGX.DLL......Network Configuration Objects
NETLOGON.DLL.....Net Logon Services DLL
NETMAN.DLL.......Network Connections Manager
NETSHELL.DLL.....Network Connections Shell
NOTEPAD.EXE......(Notepad). The Notepad text-editing utility.
NTDLL.DLL........NT Layer DLL

NTDSAPI.DLL......(NT5DS Library) The library file ntdsapi.dll, is used by windows when working with Directory Services. Directory Services is a mechanism employed by windows for easily locating devices and resources on a network.

NTMARTA.DLL......Windows NT MARTA provider
NTSHRUI.DLL......Shell extensions for sharing

NV4_DISP.DLL.....NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 66.93

nvcpl.dll........NVIDIA Display Properties Extention
nvshell.dll......NVIDIA Desktop Explorer, Version 66.93

ODBC32.DLL.......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Manager
ODBCBCP.DLL......Microsoft BCP for ODBC
ODBCINT.DLL......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Resources
OLE32.DLL........Microsoft OLE for Windows
oleacc.dll.......Active Accessibility Core Component
oleaccrc.dll.....Active Accessibility Resource DLL

OLEAUT32.DLL.....The library file ole2.dll, is required by windows and is used when performing OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) operations. OLE allows objects created in one application to be embedded in documents/objects created by a different applications e.g. embedding an Excel spreadsheet inside a Word document. OLE is used fairly extensively in windows applications, so if possible you should not remove this file.

OLECLI32.DLL.....Object Linking and Embedding Client Library
OLECNV32.DLL.....Microsoft OLE for Windows
oledlg.dll.......Microsoft Windows™ OLE 2.0 User Interface Support
olepro32.dll.....
OLESVR32.DLL.....Object Linking and Embedding Server Library
OLETHK32.DLL.....Microsoft OLE for Windows

PDH.DLL..........Windows Performance Data Helper DLL
POWRPROF.DLL.....Power Profile Helper DLL
PROFMAP.DLL......Userenv
PSAPI.DLL........Process Status Helper

RASADHLP.DLL.....Remote Access AutoDial Helper
RASAPI32.DLL.....Remote Access API
RASDLG.DLL.......Remote Access Common Dialog API
rasman.dll.......Remote Access Connection Manager
REGAPI.DLL.......Registry Configuration APIs
RPCRT4.DLL.......Remote Procedure Call Runtime
RPCSS.DLL........Distributed COM Services
RSAENH.DLL.......Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider
RTUTILS.DLL......Routing Utilities

SAMLIB.DLL.......SAM Library DLL
SAMSRV.DLL.......SAM Server DLL
SCECLI.DLL.......Windows Security Configuration Editor Client Engine
SCESRV.DLL.......Windows Security Configuration Editor Engine
SCHANNEL.DLL.....TLS / SSL Security Provider
SCHEDSVC.DLL.....Task Scheduler Engine
SECUR32.DLL......Security Support Provider Interface

services.exe.....(Services and Controller app). Used by Windows XP to manage services.

SERWVDRV.DLL.....Unimodem Serial Wave driver
SETUPAPI.DLL.....Windows Setup API
SFC.DLL..........Windows File Protection
SFC_OS.DLL.......Windows File Protection
SHDOCLC.DLL......Shell Doc Object and Control Library
SHDOCVW.DLL......Shell Doc Object and Control Library
SHELL32.DLL......Windows Shell Common Dll
SHFOLDER.DLL.....Shell Folder Service

SHIMENG.DLL......Shim Engine DLL
shimgvw.dll......Windows Picture and Fax Viewer

SHLWAPI.DLL......Shell Light-weight Utility Library
SHSVCS.DLL.......Windows Shell Services Dll

SMSS.EXE.........(Session Manager). A session manager used to establish the Windows XP environment during bootup.

sortkey.nls......
sorttbls.nls.....
stdole2.tlb......
STOBJECT.DLL.....Systray shell service object
SVCHOST.EXE......Generic Host Process for Win32 Services
SXS.DLL..........Fusion 2.5

TAPI32.DLL.......Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony API Client DLL
themeui.dll......Windows Theme API

umdmxfrm.dll.....Unimodem Tranform Module
umpnpmgr.dll.....User-mode Plug-and-Play Service
unicode.nls......
url.dll..........Internet Shortcut Shell Extension DLL
urlmon.dll.......OLE32 Extensions for Win32
user32.dll.......Windows XP USER API Client DLL
userenv.dll......Userenv
UXTHEME.DLL......Microsoft UxTheme Library

VERSION.DLL......Version Checking and File Installation Libraries
vga.dll..........VGA 16 Colour Display Driver

W32TIME.DLL......Windows Time Service
WDIGEST.DLL......Microsoft Digest Access
WDMAUD.DRV.......WDM Audio driver mapper
WEBCHECK.DLL.....Web Site Monitor
WIN32K.SYS.......Multi-User Win32 Driver
WINHTTP.DLL......Windows HTTP Services
WININET.DLL......Internet Extensions for Win32
WINLOGON.EXE.....Windows NT Logon Application
WINMM.DLL........MCI API DLL
WINRNR.DLL.......LDAP RnR Provider DLL
WINSCARD.DLL.....Microsoft Smart Card API

WINSRV.DLL.......Windows Server DLL
WINSTA.DLL.......Winstation Library
WINTRUST.DLL.....Microsoft Trust Verification APIs
WLDAP32.DLL......Win32 LDAP API DLL
WLNOTIFY.DLL.....Common DLL to receive Winlogon notifications
WMI.DLL..........WMI DC and DP functionality
WOW32.DLL........32-bit WOW Subsystem Library
WS2_32.DLL.......Windows Socket 2.0 32-Bit DLL
WS2HELP.DLL......Windows Socket 2.0 Helper for Windows NT
WSHTCPIP.DLL.....Windows Sockets Helper DLL
WSOCK32.DLL......Windows Socket 32-Bit DLL
WTSAPI32.DLL.....Windows Terminal Server SDK APIs
WUAUENG.DLL......Windows Update AutoUpdate Engine
WUAUSERV.DLL.....Windows Update AutoUpdate Service
WUPS.DLL.........Windows Update client proxy stub
WZCSAPI.DLL......Wireless Zero Configuration service API
WZCSVC.DLL.......Wireless Zero Configuration Service

xpsp1res.dll.....Service Pack 1 Messages
XPSP2RES.DLL.....Service Pack 2 Messages

zipfldr.dll......Compressed (zipped) Folders