[SP3] Disable Windows File Protection

By Trommel
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Grand Master

Yusuf M. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Hello Slycer,

I don't know of any methods to disable Windows File Protection (WFP) or System File Protection (SFP) in Windows XP SP3 RTM. May I ask why you want to disable it?

By the way, countless searches have left me with nothing. I'm beginning to think that there is no way to disable it in XP SP3.

Grand Master

Yusuf M. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
Yeah, can't find anything myself. I found a solution for RC2 but nothing for RTM.

Exactly. I think it's better to not disable it. That way you won't risk rendering your system unusable. Perhaps someone will find a surefire method of disabling it, but for now it seems that there is no way.

Grand Master

Yusuf M. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=636532

search google for "SP3 disable WFP"

I just found that. As for the google search, most (if not all) results will only apply to SP3 RC2.

Proficient

Saint Shiv

Posted
Posted (edited)
I just found that. As for the google search, most (if not all) results will only apply to SP3 RC2.

The article I found pertained to RC2, but I followed it and found that there was no difference in information. Just follow the steps, either way, good luck. If you really need assistance, I can offer help via AIM.

To previous posters about why you would want to disable Windows File Protection, for most moderate to experienced users - they don't require that Windows backs up critical operating files because they either format too often or they don't modify these files except for with hotfixes. When you apply a hotfix, you could always download a previous version if you run into conflicts. I myself disable it, it's a SHEER waste of space and it is SO annoying when I do modify a system file that it asks if this is "OKAY" and tries to replace it with a previous "WORKING" version.

Edited by Saint Shiv
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...
  • 3 weeks later...
Mentor

Bold_Fortune

Posted
Posted
is there a mirror for boldfortune's site? the link does not appear to be working.

Here you go, xrebel21...

http://www.graphixanstuff.com/Forum/index....showtopic=10853

Bold-fortune.com is no more.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide is now at Jan's Graphix an Stuff!

boldwed3qq0.gif

  • 3 weeks later...
Neowinian

Skeletor

Posted
Posted

the easiest and quickest way to disable it is and always has been to remove or rename a folder...

rmdir /S /Q "%systemdrive%\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}"

there are other ways but this method requires no reboot and can be done remotely

  • 1 year later...
Neowinian

joopbraak

Posted
Posted

the easiest and quickest way to disable it is and always has been to remove or rename a folder...

rmdir /S /Q "%systemdrive%\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}"

there are other ways but this method requires no reboot and can be done remotely

Don't do this. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about.

This folder has nothing to do with Windows file protection but everything with drivers and Windows update.

Don't delete it. It may cause problems.

  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

Dicepharis

Posted
Posted

In response to :

"Hi,

does anyone know how to disable Windows File Protection in Windows XP with SP3 RTM installed.

And please, when suggesting a solution be sure that it works in the final version of SP3 and that it

wont in any way fsck up my system.

Thanks."

Yes there is a simple way to do this in Windows XP SP3. Restart your computer, boot windows in safe mode. Depending on your BIOS you will usually have to press a button during the start up process to access safe mode. Could be "delete", could be a "function button"(i.e F8, F9, F10, F11, etc.). Mine is F8. If you cannot figure out how to start your computer in safe mode. You are probably to stupid to be messing with vital windows components safely. But if you insist on blindly ****ing into the wind. Google: "How To Restart my computer in safe mode" or some stupid thing.

Once you have started in safe mode you can delete, replace, cut, copy, rename, patch or ruin basically any file on the computer without being hassled by windows.

NOTE: USING THIS METHOD CAN CAUSE WINDOWS TO STOP WORKING IF NOT DONE PROPERLY. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T TRY IT! UNLESS YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DATA ON THE COMPUTER AND JUST WANT TO MESS AROUND! If you delete the wrong windows component you could be deleting one of the files that tells your computer how to start up. IF YOU STAY OUT OF ANY "C:\WINDOWS" or "C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS" extensions and you should be fine. I guarantee nothing unless you understand what you are messing with.

General tip: First: If you can't figure out one way to do something on a computer there are usually 10+ other ways around it. If something isn't working try something else. Second: If you can't figure something out it's better to do mass amounts of research before tearing into it. Rather than ruining your windows installation because you dove in to fast.

  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

z0iid

Posted
Posted

depending on your BIOS, the key to enter the BIOS may be different depending on what computer you are using, but the key to enter Safe Mode is always F8. Please do not spread misinformation.

Thank you.

In response to :

"Hi,

does anyone know how to disable Windows File Protection in Windows XP with SP3 RTM installed.

And please, when suggesting a solution be sure that it works in the final version of SP3 and that it

wont in any way fsck up my system.

Thanks."

Yes there is a simple way to do this in Windows XP SP3. Restart your computer, boot windows in safe mode. Depending on your BIOS you will usually have to press a button during the start up process to access safe mode. Could be "delete", could be a "function button"(i.e F8, F9, F10, F11, etc.). Mine is F8. If you cannot figure out how to start your computer in safe mode. You are probably to stupid to be messing with vital windows components safely. But if you insist on blindly ****ing into the wind. Google: "How To Restart my computer in safe mode" or some stupid thing.

Once you have started in safe mode you can delete, replace, cut, copy, rename, patch or ruin basically any file on the computer without being hassled by windows.

NOTE: USING THIS METHOD CAN CAUSE WINDOWS TO STOP WORKING IF NOT DONE PROPERLY. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T TRY IT! UNLESS YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DATA ON THE COMPUTER AND JUST WANT TO MESS AROUND! If you delete the wrong windows component you could be deleting one of the files that tells your computer how to start up. IF YOU STAY OUT OF ANY "C:\WINDOWS" or "C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS" extensions and you should be fine. I guarantee nothing unless you understand what you are messing with.

General tip: First: If you can't figure out one way to do something on a computer there are usually 10+ other ways around it. If something isn't working try something else. Second: If you can't figure something out it's better to do mass amounts of research before tearing into it. Rather than ruining your windows installation because you dove in to fast.

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