[winxp] GUIDE: Making your windows folder smaller!


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I don't know what "Software Distribution" is. I suspect it's from a program you have installed. I wouldn't worry too much about removing most log files, most are remade. I'd be careful about deleting uninstall logs, though, in case you want to uninstall a program.

I use a program called HDValet to clear all my log files. I configure it this way:

C:\ *.log

But I protect these log files:

uninstal.log

Unistall.log

install.log

NTUSER.DAT.LOG

UsrClass.dat.LOG

PASSWORD.LOG

default.log

SAM.LOG

SECURITY.LOG

software.LOG

system.LOG

PASSWD.LOG

AVVirus.log

AVApp.log

AVError.log

The reason I protect these particular log files is because without the Unistall.log

and install.log files I can't uninstall certain programs if I want to.

The system-protected LOG files, and NAV log files can't be deleted this way anyway, but I enter them so HDValet won't spend 5 minutes trying to figure out it can't delete them.

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I updated my system32 batch file. I wanted to tryout a junk file cleaner named, Find Junk Files. It looked pretty cool, and I'm always on the lookout for stuff like it. Anyway, I had a terrible time...three hours worth of terrible time...figuring out which files I needed in system32 just to install the darn thing.

I don't know anything about how people make programs, and how they use some of Microsoft's files in their programing, so I'm only guessing by the descriptions of the some of the 9 system32 files the program needs to install itself, it has something to do with 16-bit applications.

Even if it turns out I dislike Find Junk Files and uninstall it later, I took these 9 files out of the batch file just in case I run into another one of these programs that requires them...because it just took too long figuring this out, and I don't want to go through it again.

...Like the command.com file is needed only momentarily to begin the installation...and then it is no longer needed...so, here i am trying for an hour to figure out why I can complete the installation without command.com, but I can't get the installation to start without it. ....grrr.

Here's the list of 9 files:

command.com

himem.sys

migpwd.exe

mmsystem.dll

ntdos.sys

ntio.sys

shell.dll

tsappcmp.dll

wowexec.exe

I made a few other changes to the system32 batch file. This one is by far my best so far. I keep working on it to get it right...as exactly right as I can...because I know some of you are following along with me on this project, and I want to do this right, not just for myself, but for you, too. Look at it like you would a program update that gets a few bugs out of the last version release.

This batch file will backup to C:/ in a folder named "backup" all the individual system32 files it removes. In case you need some files I don't, you'll have them saved there for you.

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more queries :p

umm are these folders of any importance?

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Components (office addon isnt it? optional too right?)

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Folders (i assume this that fancy pics in folders? which i dont use)

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions (is this old frontpage junk?)

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@frease

Yup...but if you change some updated system files, they will require sp1 files to restore them.

Good solution is to have sp1 slipstreamed so you have all the files on the cd and don't need to install separately.

My windows+documents&settings...450mb

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Here's mine:

Windows Directory (all files and sub-folders)?

1449 ...Files

78 ...Folders

322 MB ...Size on disk

I don't use File Compression, and all my programs are installed on my C Drive along with XP.

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

I've been playing with fonts today. I have a Backup Image saved on another partition of a Fresh Installation of XP, with only Windows Updates installed. Drive Image 2000 has a nifty little utility that comes with it called Image Explorer. With it, I can view, and even copy and save individual files and whole folders from the fresh installation.

I noticed that I didn't have these fonts installed on the fresh installation so I removed them along with those I normally remove:

Book Antiqua (All)

Bookman Old Style (All)

Century Gothic (All)

Garamond (All)

MS Outlook.TTF

These may have been installed with some program along the way...my installation is over a year old. I know I once had Microsoft Office 2000 installed. Maybe some are from it.

All the websites I visit are still looking as usual. All my programs still display the same way. So I guess I'm okay with removing these from my system. Remember though, everyone's system is set up differently. This works for me, and maybe for you, but I can't guarantee it.

Here's a relisting of ALL the Fonts I remove from my system:

C:\WINDOWS\Fonts

Sometimes .fon extention fonts (The red A fonts) hide, so you need to run a search for *.fon in Search Assistant. You can safely delete all of the .fon fonts except these 15:

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

EXTRA FONTS (TTF Extentions) I delete:

arial black - (aka ariblk)

comic sans MS - (aka comic)

comic sans MS bold - (aka comicbd)

Etrangelo Edessa - (aka este)

Franklin Gothic Medium - (aka Framd)

Franklin Gothic Medium Italic - (aka Framdit)

guatami

georgia (all)

impact

latha

mangal

mvboli

Palatino Linotype (all)

raavi

shruti

sylfaen

symbol

Trebuchet MS (all)

tunga

webdings

WINGDINGS

Additional Fonts I began removing:

Book Antiqua (All)

Bookman Old Style (All)

Century Gothic (All)

Garamond (All)

MS Outlook.TTF

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Still working on Fonts. I found these, who's modified date goes back to 1997 and 1998. I'm assuming these were created with Office 2000, but they could have been created by some other program I used to run, but have since uninstalled. I know they are not installed with XP:

ARBLI___.TTF

ARIALN.TTF

ARIALNB.TTF

ARIALNBI.TTF

ARIALNI.TTF

Here is a list of all the remaining Fonts I have in C:\WINDOWS\Fonts. To see them all, because some are hidden, you need to do a search with your Search Assistant for *.fon, *.ttf

arial.ttf

arialbd.ttf

arialbi.ttf

ariali.ttf

cga40woa.fon

cga80woa.fon

cour.ttf

courbd.ttf

courbi.ttf

coure.fon

couri.ttf

dosapp.fon

ega40woa.fon

ega80woa.fon

l_10646.ttf

lucon.ttf

marlett.ttf

micross.ttf

modern.fon

roman.fon

serife.fon

smalle.fon

sserife.fon

symbole.fon

tahoma.ttf

tahomabd.ttf

times.ttf

timesbd.ttf

timesbi.ttf

timesi.ttf

verdana.ttf

verdanab.ttf

verdanai.ttf

verdanaz.ttf

vgafix.fon

vgaoem.fon

vgasys.fon

37 file(s)

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@frease

Yup...but if you change some updated system files, they will require sp1 files to restore them.

Good solution is to have sp1 slipstreamed so you have all the files on the cd and don't need to install separately.

My windows+documents&settings...450mb

Thanks! But how do I do that? I mean combine SP1 and winxp pro on cd as what you had suggested.

Wow, that's a really small windows folder size! Amazing :woot:

After carrying out those instructions on those threads, my windows folder is still at 1.01 GB with 57.1mb are themes. May I know how did you reduce the folder size. Thanks! :)

Hope I do not bother you too much...

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Thanks for the info on the fonts Bold. Are you currently usin jus one bat file to remove everything? I thought you had crazyone helpin you with 2 different ones. One for sys32 and the other for something else? Im jus askin cause I wanted to be all uptodate.Thanks! :)

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Because everyone knows we need more space for porn. Pointless in my opinion, won't help anything at all. Will end up causing more harm than good. And if you have THAT small of a harddrive where you need that space, you shouldn't be using a computer anyway.

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Still working on Fonts. I found these, who's modified date goes back to 1997 and 1998.

OMG. I can't go 3 months without formatting and reinstalling my programs. Takes me about 2 hours for a complete restore. That is, formatting, reinstalling windows, reinstalling all the programs I use on a regular basis.

I install random junk and uninstall it every day.. A lot of games, applications, etc.. So a nice format goes a long way, and it only takes 2 hours.

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Jan, I have some batch files I made for the removal of complete folders. I have them broken down into four basic sections:

Documents and Settings Folders

Program Folders

Windows Folders

WINDOWS system32 Folders.

I have a couple of batch files made for some individual files in folders for the drivers folder and the inf folder, but I got really tired of making them, so I stopped there.

I don't want to post any of these batch files because...well, I'll give you a couple of examples. With the PCHealth removal, first msconfig needs to be moved to the system32 folder...and with the wbem folder, first the Framedyn.dll needs to be moved to system32...and I don't know how to incorporate those types of maneuvers into the batch files.

Also, I have a bug in the Programs Folders batch file. I've tried a lot of different ways, but for some reason I can't get the C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer folders to "move" into the backup folder on C:\ along with all the other Program Files folders. It moves all the other folders, but deletes the Internet Explorer folders completely.

You can see these batch files are not ready to post. And I'll probably never complete them because of my lack of experience with working with batch files. When I ask some experts questions about making batch files, they seem to want me to study all there is to know about making batch files. Well, that doesn't interest me. I only need an example made which I can build upon. But you know how forum questions go...ask a simple question...get handed an encyclopedia to study.

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Jesus!!!

This thread is a long one to read through all the posts..

Ok ..After reading this thread from top to bottom, you people have convinced me that Micro$hit Window$ is no longer welcome in my house-hold.I am now gonna buy a Mac or switch to Linux.

All these files and folders that are apparently un-needed has shown me just how Beta-ish Window$ really is.

And people pay good money for this crap?..

Thanks for all your insight people

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Skank, I think the real point of this thread is that some of us feel that Microsoft could have made some of it's components optional. We would have liked having more control and choice as to what is installed with its operating system.

XPLite tried doing this, but failed miserably, at least in my opinion. We really didn't need a fifty dollar program to help us delete Desktop Wallpapers and Mouse Pointers. I can delete Windows Tour and Help and Support perfectly well on my own without forking over that much cash.

Besides, we're all having fun at this...right, peoples?

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frease About that SP1 slipstreaming...go here

I can give you just a fraction of my script because it's quite personal, meaning it can disable some of your software or hardware.

This part is quite safe.

First disable SFC (Windows File Protection), if you don't know how ask, or better find it on the net, it's quite common subject.

Then paste following text into notepad and save it as something like "Clean.cmd"

Rem Start

@echo off

rem ----< Preparation >-----------------------------------------------------------------

TITLE [ My Cleaney 3.0 ] by "nuhi"

cd /d %SystemDrive%\

attrib -h -r -s /s /d %SystemRoot%\*.*

attrib -r -h -s %SystemDrive%\*.sys

move %SystemRoot%\system\*.* %SystemRoot%\system32\

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\dllcache

md %SystemRoot%\system32\dllcache

rem ----< MAIN >----------------------------------------------------------------------

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\Connection Wizard"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\Downloaded Installations"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\Offline Web Pages"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\pss"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\security\Database"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1025"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1028"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1031"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1037"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1041"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1042"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\_ISTMP1.DIR"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\_ISTMP0.DIR"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\1054"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\2052"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\system32\3076"

rd /q /s "%SystemRoot%\Temporary Internet Files"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Application Data\AdobeUM"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Application Data\Ahead"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Application Data\Creative"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Application Data\CyberLink"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Application Data\Real"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp"

md "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files"

rd /q /s "%UserProfile%\SendTo"

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\$NtUninstall*

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\addins

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\AppPatch

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Config

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\CSC

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Cursors

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\debug

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Help

md %SystemRoot%\Help

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\IME

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\lastgood

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Media

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\msagent

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\msapps

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\mui

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\nview

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\pchealth

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\PeerNet

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\PIF

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Prefetch

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\RegisteredPackages

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Registration

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\repair

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\ServicePackFiles

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\ShellNew

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\srchasst

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\3com_dmi

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\appmgmt

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\System32\Com

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\config

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\data

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\dhcp

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\export

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\System32\IME

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\inetsrv

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\MsDtc

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\System32\mui

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\npp

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\oobe

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\ReinstallBackups

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\restore

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\ShellExt

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\spool

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\URTTemp

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\system32\usmt

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\System32\wins

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\System32\xircom

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Tasks

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Temp

md %SystemRoot%\Temp

rd /q /s %SystemRoot%\Uninstall

rd /q /s %SystemDrive%\RECYCLER

echo All Done ... exiting

ping 127.0.0.1 -n 7 -w 1000 > %systemroot%\Temp\null

del %systemroot%\Temp\null

exit

rem END

It will not reduce so drastically but it's a start, then you can build upon it.

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Btw, 20MHZ = 20MPH, Duh for that mistake :p

lmao glad you caught that b4 i had a chance to make a comment ;) anyways u can run a recover from the xp cd as well. i would ove to just be able to copy from cd over to the hard drive an image. does ghost do self extractingb (or unloading cds)

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Thanks again, nuhi. I modified your file a little for my wants Like I kept the Prefetch folder and Tasks folder. And I kept my Send To folder.

Thanks very much for letting me know that these folders could also be removed completely. I was never too sure if they could or not, because I don't know that much about them. Since you're into this as much as I am, I'll take your word for it. Thanks.

C:\WINDOWS\Cursors (Well, this one I knew)

C:\WINDOWS\Debug << I take it "PASSWD.LOG" replaces itself anew in here?

C:\WINDOWS\Media (I knew this one, too! ...lol.)

C:\WINDOWS\PIF

C:\WINDOWS\pss

C:\WINDOWS\security\Database

C:\WINDOWS\ShellNew

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dhcp

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ShellExt

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool

One suggestion. Before removing PCHealth I suggest you move "msconfig" to the system32 folder first.

Oh, if you do come up with a way to save the folders it removes to a folder in C:\ let me know.

This is sort of what I'm looking for. This batch file below will create a folder on C:\ called simply "backup". Within the backup folder is a subfolder named "WINDOWS". Inside the WINDOWS folder will be the subfolders of WINDOWS that were moved here. I like it this way because it always tells me were a particular folder (or file) came from.

Like with a folder from "system32", there would be a backup folder > WINDOWS folder > system32 folder...and inside the system32 folder would be the subfolders moved from system32.

Here:

@echo off

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\addins\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\addins" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\addins" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\AppPatch\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\AppPatch" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\AppPatch" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Config\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Config" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Config" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Connection Wizard\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Connection Wizard" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Connection Wizard" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Debug\UserMode\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Debug\UserMode" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Debug\UserMode" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\ehome\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\ehome" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\ehome" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Help\Tours\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Help\Tours" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Help\Tours" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\ime\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\ime" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\ime" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\msagent\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\msagent" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\msagent" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\msapps\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\msapps" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\msapps" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\mui\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\mui" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\mui" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\nview\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\nview" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\nview" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\Profiles\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\Profiles" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\Profiles" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\RegisteredPackages\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\RegisteredPackages" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\RegisteredPackages" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\repair\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\repair" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\repair" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\srchasst\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\srchasst" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\srchasst" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\system\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\system" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\system" /s /q

echo Backing up folder and files...

cd\

md backup

xcopy "C:\WINDOWS\twain_32\*.*" "c:\backup\WINDOWS\twain_32" /s /e /c /q /h /i

echo finished backup.

echo beginning removal of original...

rd "C:\WINDOWS\twain_32" /s /q

echo removal complete

Edited by Bold_Fortune
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