Some people have been turning to a utility called vLite, which out components of the operating system deemed unessential.
"Microsoft does not recommend using any tool to strip out applications from Windows Vista prior to installing it on your system, as it may affect your ability to download future Windows updates and service packs, and may cause your system to become unstable", the company said in an e-mail to CNET News.com.
News source: CNET news.com
"Microsoft does not recommend using any tool to strip out applications from Windows Vista prior to installing it on your system, as it may affect your ability to download future Windows updates and service packs, and may cause your system to become unstable", the company said in an e-mail to CNET News.com.
News source: CNET news.com
I used to do Windows XP unattended installations but abandoned it as it caused me frustications more then it solved. The sole purpose of using such programs to strip components from Windows is to save hard drive space, but as hard drives gets larger, this is getting pointless.
If you do not want whatever came with Windows, that means you do not want Windows and should look at alternatives like Linux which have some small distros.
Or more likely, you delete SuchAndSuch.exe because you think, "I never run that. It's never in task manager. Why would I need that?"
Then you start complaining about Vista's reliability, app-compat, or performance, because you removed a vital COM server.
You can install it later if something that unlikely could ever possibly happen. Which it won't. Ever.
MS continues to treat us all like idiots. The problem isn't removing components, it is that MS has designed Windows in such a way that it is a house of cards. The design of Windows is critically flawed. This was no accident, it was done so that the DoJ couldn't force MS to remove components and services that were deemed in violation of the antitrust settlement. Not just the DoJ, but the EU courts as well.
Windows 7 seems to be the first real attempt by MS to fix what it has been doing wrong all these years. I think MS is giving up on the idea that it can control the internet through Windows.
You can install it later if something that unlikely could ever possibly happen. Which it won't. Ever.
MS continues to treat us all like idiots. The problem isn't removing components, it is that MS has designed Windows in such a way that it is a house of cards. The design of Windows is critically flawed. This was no accident, it was done so that the DoJ couldn't force MS to remove components and services that were deemed in violation of the antitrust settlement. Not just the DoJ, but the EU courts as well.
Windows 7 seems to be the first real attempt by MS to fix what it has been doing wrong all these years. I think MS is giving up on the idea that it can control the internet through Windows.
You do realise that even in Linux, Mac OS X and UNIX in general, there are components you cannot remove because they are vital? Yes, there is far too much interdependence in Windows, but even if they modularise the whole thing from top to bottom, you'll still have components that must stay.
You can install it later if something that unlikely could ever possibly happen. Which it won't. Ever.
MS continues to treat us all like idiots. The problem isn't removing components, it is that MS has designed Windows in such a way that it is a house of cards. The design of Windows is critically flawed. This was no accident, it was done so that the DoJ couldn't force MS to remove components and services that were deemed in violation of the antitrust settlement. Not just the DoJ, but the EU courts as well.
Windows 7 seems to be the first real attempt by MS to fix what it has been doing wrong all these years. I think MS is giving up on the idea that it can control the internet through Windows.
It's pretty obvious you have no idea how Windows (or even major programs in general) are designed. It's a completely modular system, with various bits and pieces plugged in together that for the most part work separately, with the Kernel communicating between them if they need to interact. Yes, some parts rely on others, but it's hardly a "house of cards" scenario.
Microsoft is simply covering their backs here. You can use vLite to remove a lot of crap you don't need, but if you're not careful you could easily cripple your installation. Not to mention the fact that Microsoft has to test every single update against a wide variety of configurations, they're not going to test them against installations that have had components removed and should an update break an installation because of this, it's entirely your fault, not theirs.
who ever woudl have thought MS woudl support a tool like this is out of their mind..
If you were smart you would not use a program like vLite. Vista contains thousands of components whose dependancies are not widely known so, for example you won't be able to install SP1.
You'd be surprised. There's an awful lot of people out there who know just enough to be a danger to themselves.
If you were smart you would not use a program like vLite. Vista contains thousands of components whose dependancies are not widely known so, for example you won't be able to install SP1.
If you were smart, you wouldn't be using Vista in the first place ;0
--
and about people using vLite ... most of them are like (hmmm ... new free app ... let's DL it ... oh ... now my windows is smaller and working !! ... damn MS they make windows so big and useless !! ... I'm so l33t .. I'll go tell my friends) XD ...
If you were smart you would not use a program like vLite. Vista contains thousands of components whose dependancies are not widely known so, for example you won't be able to install SP1.
If you were smart, you wouldn't be using Vista in the first place ;0
Really smart people make their own choices, based on real knowlege and not on idiots posting on stupid forums like slashdot and theregister.
If you were smart you would not use a program like vLite. Vista contains thousands of components whose dependancies are not widely known so, for example you won't be able to install SP1.
If you were smart, you wouldn't be using Vista in the first place ;0
PWNED!!!!!!
If you were smart you would not use a program like vLite. Vista contains thousands of components whose dependancies are not widely known so, for example you won't be able to install SP1.
If you were smart, you wouldn't be using Vista in the first place ;0
PWNED!!!!!!
retard
They're just going to sit idle on the hard drive anyway. It's no loss to you other than the hard drive space, which is a virtually unlimitted resource these days.
They're just going to sit idle on the hard drive anyway. It's no loss to you other than the hard drive space, which is a virtually unlimitted resource these days.
You slightly missed the parent poster's point. He was saying that if a feature isn't going to be used, there should be an option to not install it at all. Having a ton of crap sitting around that you don't use it called bloat. Within the context of this article, there's gigabytes of bloat. And I always hate hearing the "HD space is virtually unlimited these days" - for one thing, it's not, and for another I'd rather be using the good majority of my HD space for storing my data and programs, not my operating system.
They're just going to sit idle on the hard drive anyway. It's no loss to you other than the hard drive space, which is a virtually unlimitted resource these days.
You slightly missed the parent poster's point. He was saying that if a feature isn't going to be used, there should be an option to not install it at all. Having a ton of crap sitting around that you don't use it called bloat. Within the context of this article, there's gigabytes of bloat. And I always hate hearing the "HD space is virtually unlimited these days" - for one thing, it's not, and for another I'd rather be using the good majority of my HD space for storing my data and programs, not my operating system.
True, what people also ignore is the fact that, sure, on the desktop you can get 750gb to 1tb drives, but in the mobile world, the maximum size out there IIRC is 320gb. Imagine if you have a 64gb SSD, you don't have alot of space to throw around. I have to admit though, all my stuff is saved on an external hard disk so the OS size doesn't matter to me.
I'd go with the troll option.
I'd go with the troll option.
yay for trolls! NOT!
I've used vLite before and it worked great until I wanted to try SP1. I'm not using the Media Center, the Sidebar, the support for Asian languages and so on - so why shouldn't I remove these features?
I will use vLite again when I'm able to create an image with SP1 included.
"Microsoft does not recommend using any tool to strip out applications from Windows Vista prior to installing it on your system, as it may affect your ability to download future Windows updates and service packs, and may cause your system to become unstable", the company said in an e-mail to CNET News.com. "Microsoft has developed Vista to become unstable on its own without the help of third party products."
Shhhh.... let the stupid person have his giggle while he can. Won't be long before the ZOMG VISTA SUCKS!!111!! crowd have to swallow their idiotic comments and actually upgrade to Vista. Maybe then they might actually learn the truth.
PS: I am a noob.
Are you saying you can install korean Vista from US Vista DVD? How?
Why isn't space an issue anymore? Are you paying for everyone else's hard drives? The day that happens, I'll agree with you. Until then, I'm glad you have so much space free. Not all of us do. Don't assume that your own situation fits the rest of us.
Why isn't space an issue anymore? Are you paying for everyone else's hard drives? The day that happens, I'll agree with you. Until then, I'm glad you have so much space free. Not all of us do. Don't assume that your own situation fits the rest of us.
If you can pay for Vista why can't you spend 1$ for 5 GB of space?
Maybe because Vista isn't exactly cheap? Why do people like to assume that if you buy something expensive you suddenly don't mind dropping the rest of your money?
Maybe because Vista isn't exactly cheap? Why do people like to assume that if you buy something expensive you suddenly don't mind dropping the rest of your money?
If 1$ is "the rest of your money" then... feel free to ask anyone for donation.
With SP1 I'm going to format and reinstall both.
It makes updates and service pack installs a crapshoot, which Microsoft invariably gets some blame for.
If you use these to remove part of something an update would patch, it may not install, leaving something else with an open vulnerability. It's just stupid. These things only eat up hard drive space if you don't use them, it's not like your machine is going to get any faster....And who knows if you'll be able to install SP1 if you've even touched vLite.
because vlite give me the power remove all bloat crap is included in vista.. matter fact from 2gig of vista crap brought it down to 900mb image r.. Installing vista with my create lite version only take 30 mins to install.. less crap running in the background and extra space and memory free... There a lot stuff microsoft included in vista is not needed seriously like 700mb of printers driver if I remember correctly.. I remove windows search,index, languages, etc... kept aero, wmp, basic stuff. and work fine with windows update.
between, people claim if strip **** mess up Vista if you know which services and crucial part of Vista not remove you won't get problem... so if you don't know what you doing don't use the damn program period.
Last edited by mel00 on 02 Feb 2008 - 17:16
because vlite give me the power remove all bloat crap is included in vista.. matter fact from 2gig of vista crap brought it down to 900mb image r.. Installing vista with my create lite version only take 30 mins to install.. less crap running in the background and extra space and memory free... There a lot stuff microsoft included in vista is not needed seriously like 700mb of printers driver if I remember correctly.. I remove windows search,index, languages, etc... kept aero, wmp, basic stuff. and work fine with windows update.
between, people claim if strip **** mess up Vista if you know which services and crucial part of Vista not remove you won't get problem... so if you don't know what you doing don't use the damn program period.
Umm... I don't know what they're doing to "remove windows search" but that sounds disaterous. That's not an optional component, and deleting COM servers that are vital to the shell (and other systems) is a terrible, terrible idea.
Disabling system services like that is one thing. Generally a bad idea in this case as it'll just hurt performance. But deleting important system files? That's just idiotic.
Now if you did an upgrade installation, have fun waiting for 2 hours. :/
No, they know it is a fact that Vista runs better with certain services turned off. With vLite, you can eliminate them entirely.
The majority of vLite/nLite users I know of use the program to remove components they don't use. If Microsoft were to offer users a CHOICE, there wouldn't be the need to use 'nLite', 'vLite', '98lite' or '2000/XPlite' to begin with... WHY can't Windows components like MSN, Movie Maker, Media Center, Speech (and the list goes on) be offered as optional or add-on components? Is it so difficult for the Windows development team to implement this? Jesus. This has been my single, biggest complaint since the days of Windows 98.
And yes, I have an nLite'd XP system (using it now as I type this) and it works PERFECTLY -- just the way I want it. As for vLite, I've applied it to several Vista "test" systems -- looks promising, just like its predecessor (nLite).
Bottom line... It would be great if we were offered a choice as to pick and choose what Windows components to install or not. I don't think it's too much to ask of Microsoft now is it?
P.S. Kudos to 'nuhi', keep up the good work my friend!
Last edited by Firecat on 02 Feb 2008 - 18:16
That depends. Would you rather us spend time on that instead of on new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes?
The choice is called VISTA BASIC and XP HOME EDITION.
Because obviously everyone only either wants a Smart Car or a Hummer, right?
Of course not! Besides, I don't think it'll be that time-consuming... We need component installation options and a more comprehensive Add/Remove -- it's long overdue. The options that are currently available is very "limited". Having more choices will improve overall user experience, imho.
@Deviate_X:
XP HOME is useless to me without Group Policy, Remote Desktop let alone RIS which is available in XP PRO. As for Vista, HOME BASIC just doesn't cut it. When I do finally make the switch, Vista BUSINESS it will be
Because obviously everyone only either wants a Smart Car or a Hummer, right?
That is completely wrong analogy. IF your going to turn off and remove tons of services why not buy vista basic in the first place which has most of the stuff not installed or inactive.
IT would be like buying a hummer and taking everything out so that a smart car runs better.
Plus, we CAN choose what components to install or not.
Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features -> Turn Windows Features on or off.
Plus there are different versions of the system. e.g. If you dont want a Media Center, buy Vista Basic.
Actually your analogy of the ashtray is perfect. Someone comes along, removes the ashtray from a car because they "dont smoke". Then the next time they have a piece of garbage to throw away in the car, they realize they used to dump it in the ashtray, but they can't now because they removed it.
There are idiots removing IE and WMP from Vista thinking that some third party alternative will do the job, then they find that at some point something they want to run needs IE or WMP and they really wasted their time removing it.
Too many stupid people are using vlite like its some sort of competition to see who can strip down their windows to the smallest size possible, then when things become unstable they blame Vista because VISTA SUCKS!!1!!1! and not because of their own stupidity. I don't blame MS for warning these people who are too stupid for their own good.
Then chuck your garbage out the window.
But I agree with your post. I myself stopped hacking apart Windows XP sometime ago after too many odd errors showed up and a handful of applications refusing to start. That goes for using programs such as XPlite and turning on/off individual services. (We can agree that Microsoft stupidly left several services on in the XP SP0 era that led to stuff like the wave of Messenger spam, but I think they've learned their lesson by now with XP SP2/3 and Vista.)
But the way i prefer involves making an unattended installation of windows, programs, drivers, tweaks, disabling services and other stuff, all manually using MS recommended guidelines.
This way, you can install everything without ever disabling anything that can be necessary for an update or a program.
How about on a dozen PCs?
How about on a dozen PCs?
Group Policy?
mensa76
I agree with Microsoft to be honest.
Go ahead if you want to. But don't even think about crying to Apple (or in Vista's case, Microsoft) when your product doesn't work as expected, isn't covered by a warranty anymore, or is incapable of receiving updates. You can only blame yourself once you mess around like that.
Microsoft doesn't recommend, doesn't mean it's definately not gonna work!
I've done this on multiple machines and for several years and have run into NO compatibility or updating problems. Of course, it's pretty obvious that if you remove something like printer support then those won't work but since XP doesn't allow you to remove **** like Outlook Express, I can do that with nLite and just use my preferred e-mail program.
I tried vLite 1.0 when I moved to Vista 64-bit but at the time it didn't really offer anything IMO. There were no tweaks or component removal options that I considered worthwhile. This is partially because unlike nLite, vLite is still in its infancy and also because Vista does come with a lot smarter default options than XP. Sure, there are unnecessary services still running but turning them off is easy with the default installation too.
Obviously Microsoft won't recommend it. Did you really expect they'd say "sure, it's a great program, Joe Average who can't even use Excel properly will streamline his Vista really easily with it"? No, it's a tool for those who know what they are doing.
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