[winxp] GUIDE: Making your windows folder smaller!

There are undoubtedly other, more important reasons for not deleting some of these files, as many files have multiple uses. What I have placed here are the first good reasons I bumped into that made me decide why I don't want to delete them.

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

Needed by Outlook Express

acctres.dll....Microsoft Internet Account Manager Resources

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.

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 Managermsidntld.dll>...Microsoft Identity Manager

MSOEACCT.DLL>...Microsoft Internet Account Manager

MSOERT2.DLL>....Microsoft Outlook Express RT Lib

sendmail.dll>...(Send Mail).

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

Needed by NVDVD>

acelpdec.ax>...(ACELP.net Audio Decoder).Needed by NVDVD>

These Files Are Installed By NVDVD Player:>

DolbyHph.dll>..(Dolby Headphone Engine).Needed by NVDVD>

license.955200>..Installed by NVDVD.When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting a Memory Error Popup just as I would click to restart my computer, showing up as an Application Error in the Event Viewer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue.>

msxml3a.dll>...(XML Resources).Needed by NVDVD>

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

Needed by Regedit>

aclui.dll>.....(Security Descriptor Editor).Needed by Regedit>

clb.dll>.......(Column List Box).Needed by Regedit>

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

Needed by Event Viewer>

ACTIVEDS.DLL> .....(ADs Router Layer DLL).Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to open without getting an error, and then to view, Event Viewer.>

ELS.DLL>........(Event Viewer Snapin).

EVENTLOG.DLL> .....(Event Logging Service).

eventvwr.msc>...(Event Viewer Microsoft Management Console).

EVENTVWR.EXE>...(Event Viewer). The executable for the Event Viewer.

MMC.EXE>........(Microsoft Management Console).

netevent.dll>...(Net Event Handler).

riched20.dll>...(Rich Text Edit Control, v3.0).Needed to read Information and Error Messages (Event Properties) in Event Viewer.> (Also needed by Kazaa Lite.)

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

These files belong to Internet Explorer>

actxprxy.dll> .....(ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library).Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is essential for Internet Explorer.>

BROWSELC.DLL> .....Shell Browser UI Library

DHCPCSVC.DLL> .....(DHCP Client Service).Although this file can be deleted in safemode, this is DHCP Client Service, and I need it for Internet connectivity.>

imgutil.dll>....(IE plugin image decoder support DLL).

MLANG.DLL> ........Multi Language Support DLL

MSCTF.DLL>......(MSCTF Server DLL).

mshtml.dll >.......(Microsoft ? HTML Viewer)Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed by Internet Explorer.b>MSIMTF.DLLb>.....(Active IMM Server DLL). msls31.dllb>.......(Microsoft Line Services library file)Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed by Internet Explorerb>MSWSOCK.DLLb> ......Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Providerpngfilt.dllb>....(IE PNG plugin image decoder). urlmon.dllb> .......(OLE32 Extensions for Win32)Critical to Internet Explorer.b>WSHTCPIP.DLLb> .....Windows Sockets Helper DLL

-------------------------------------------------Files Needed Just To Be Able To Boot To Windowsb>

ADVAPI32.DLLb> .....(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. AUTOCHK.EXEb>...(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).AUTHZ.DLL b>........Authorization FrameworkBASESRV.DLLb> ......Windows NT BASE API Server DLbootvid.dllb>...(VGA Boot Driver)BROWSEUI.DLLb> .....Shell Browser UI LibraryCOMCTL32.DLLb> .....Common Controls LibraryCOMDLG32.DLLb> .....Common Dialogs DLCRYPT32.DLLb> ......Crypto API3CRYPTDLL.DLLb> .....Cryptography ManagerCRYPTUI.DLLb> ......Microsoft Trust UI ProvideCSRSRV.DLLb> .......Client Server Runtime ProcessCSRSS.EXEb> ........(Client-Server Runtime Server Subsystem). Used to maintain the Win32 system environment console and other essential functions.ctype.nlsb> ........DNSAPI.DLLb> .......DNS Client API DLdpcdll.dllb>....(Dpcdll Module).GDI32.DLLb> ........GDI Client DLL hal.dllb>.......(Hardware Abstraction Layer). A file that hides hardware complexities from Windows applications.IMAGEHLP.DLLb> .....Windows NT Image HelpeIPHLPAPI.DLLb> .....IP Helper APIkdcom.dllb>.....(Kernel Debugger HW Extension DLL). kbdus.dllb>.....(United States Keyboard Layout).You may need a different KBD*.DLL depending upon your system. (See PART 7 of Guide.)b>kernel32.dllb> .....Windows NT BASE API Client DLLlocale.nlsb> .......LSASRV.DLLb> .......LSA Server DLLSASS.EXEb> ........(LSA Security Service). The Local Security Authority server process. MPR.DLLb> ..........Multiple Provider Router DLLMSACM32.dllb> ......(Microsoft ACM Audio Filter).Without the file present, I'll receive four separate, but the same, Application Error Popups, which I'll need to click on OK to each in order to be able to reboot to Windows Also, I receive the same Application Error Popup when I go to restart my computer. And still others when I try to open text files. Here's the error: "This application has failed to start because WININET.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this. However, the file will still open after clicking on OK."b>MSASN1.DLLb> .......ASN.1 Runtime APIs MSGINA.DLLb> .......(Windows NT Logon GINA DLL)Needed to load Logon User Interfaceb>MSPRIVS.DLLb> ......Microsoft Privilege TranslationMSV1_0.DLLb> .......Microsoft Authentication Package v1.MSVCP60.DLLb> ......Microsoft ? C++ Runtime LibraMSVCRT.DLL/b> .......Windows NT CRT DLNCOBJAPI.DLL/b> ...NDDEAPI.DLL/b> ......Network DDE Share Management APNETAPI32.DLL/b> .....Net Win32 API DNTDLL.DLL/b> ........NT Layer DLNTDSAPI.DLL /b>......(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 networkNTOSKRNL.EXE/b>..(Operating System KernelThe Windows XP operating system Kernel/bODBC32.DLL/b> .......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver ManageODBCINT.DLL/b> ......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC ResourcOLE32.DLL/b> ........Microsoft OLE for WindoOLEAUT32.DLL/b> ....PROFMAP.DLL/b> ......UserePSAPI.DLL/b> ........Process Status HelpeREGAPI.DLL/b> .......Registry Configuration ARPCRT4.DLL/b> .......Remote Procedure Call RuntiRPCSS.DLL/b> ........Distributed COM ServicesRSAENH.DLL/b> .......(Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic ProviderThe RSAENH.DLL is needed to accurately check license for Windows./b>SAMLIB.DLL/b> .......SAM Library DSAMSRV.DLL/b> .......SAM Server DSCESRV.DLL/b> .......Windows Security Configuration Editor EngiSECUR32.DLL/b> ......Security Support Provider Interfacservices.exe /b>.....(Services and Controller app). Used by Windows XP to manage servicesSETUPAPI.DLL/b> .....Windows Setup ASHDOCVW.DLL/b> ......Shell Doc Object and Control LibraSHELL32.DLL/b> ......Windows Shell Common Dlshgina.dll/b>....(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./bSHLWAPI.DLL/b> ......Shell Light-weight Utility Librashsvcs.dll/b>....(Windows Shell Services Dll)SMSS.EXE/b> .........(Session Manager). A session manager used to establish the Windows XP environment during bootupsorttbls.nls/b> ...sortkey.nls /b>.....SVCHOST.EXE/b> ......Generic Host Process for Win32 ServicSXS.DLL/b> ..........Fusion 2.5umpnpmgr.dll/b> .....User-mode Plug-and-Play Servicunicode.nls/b> .....user32.dll/b> .......Windows XP USER API Client Duserenv.dll/b> ......UserenUSERINIT.EXE/b>..(User Initialization). Used to establish the operating environment for a user after logonUXTHEME.DLL/b> ......Microsoft UxTheme LibraryVERSION.DLL/b> ......Version Checking and File Installation LibrarieWIN32K.SYS/b> .......Multi-User Win32 DriveWININET.DLL/b> ......(Internet Extensions for Win32)Without the file present, I'll receive four separate, but the same, Application Error Popups, which I'll need to click on OK to each in order to be able to reboot to Windows Also, I receive the same Application Error Popup when I go to restart my computer. And still others when I try to open text files. Here's the error: "This application has failed to start because WININET.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this. However, the file will still open after clicking on OK."/bWINLOGON.EXE /b>.....Windows NT Logon ApplicatiWINSCARD.DLL /b>.....Microsoft Smart Card AWINSRV.DLL /b>.......Windows Server DWINSTA.DLL/b> .......Winstation LibrarWINTRUST.DLL/b> .....Microsoft Trust Verification APWLDAP32.DLL/b> ......Win32 LDAP API DWOW32.DLL/b> ........32-bit WOW Subsystem LibraWS2_32.DLL/b> .......Windows Socket 2.0 32-Bit DWS2HELP.DLL/b> ......Windows Socket 2.0 Helper for Windows NXPSP2RES.DLL/b> .....Service Pack 2 Messages

------------------------------------------------Needed by System Properties and Device Manager/bADVPACK.DLL/b> ......(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 correctlAlthough this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because ADVPACK.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." However, System Properties does open after clicking OK on the error popup even without the file present./bATL.DLL/b> ..........ATL Module for Windows XP (UnicodeCABINET.DLL/b> ......(Microsoft? Cabinet File API). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because Cabinet.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." However, System Properties does open after clicking OK on the error popup even without the file presencertcli.dll ......(Microsoft? Certificate Services Client). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, this file is needed to display Properties of devices in Device ManagCREDUI.DLLL .......Credential Manager User Interfdevmgr.dlll.....(Device Manager MMC Snapin). Needed to access Hardware Device Manadevmgmt.mscc....(Computer Management Console). Needed to access Hardware Device Manadmocx.dlll .....(TreeView OCX). Needed to access Hardware Device ManaESENT.DLLL ........(Server Database Storage Engine). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because ESENT.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." However, System Properties does open after clicking OK on the error popup even without the file preseimm32.dll ........(Windows XP IMM32 API Client DLL). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because IMM32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." ...And, System Properties will not even open without MSPATCHA.DLLL .....(Microsoft? Patch Engine). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because mspatcha.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." However, System Properties will open after clicking OK on the error message even without the file presmsports.dllll...(Ports Class InstalNeeded to display fully Communications Port (Com1) and Printer Port (LPT1) Properties in Device Manager.r.MSXML3.DLLLL .......(MSXML 3.0 SP 5). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to it to enter and use Device ManaMSXML3R.DLLLL ......(XML Resources). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to it to enter and use Device ManaPOWRPROF.DLLLL .....(Power Profile Helper DLL). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, you will receive an error when opening Properties for your Keyboard in Device Manager. However, the Properties for Keyboard will eventually open even without the file presSFC.DLLLL ..........Windows File ProtecSHFOLDER.DLL L .....(Shell Folder Service). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because SHFOLDER.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." However, System Properties will open after clicking OK on the error message even without this file presstdole2.tlb b ......Although this file can be deleted in safemode, this file is needed to display Properties of devices in Device Manastorprop.dllll...(Property Pages for Storage DeviIf 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.r.streamci.dllll...(Streaming Device Class InstalI 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 the setupapi.log, which is created in C:\WINDOWS, and reports how things went when opening Device Properties in Device Manager.r.usbui.dllll......(USB UI Needed to display fully USB Universal Host Controller Properties and USB Root Hub Properties in Device Manager.r.usp10.dllll......(Uniscribe Unicode script procesNeeded to enter My Computer System PropertiesesWINHTTP.DLLLL ......(Windows HTTP Services). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error: "This application has failed to start because WINHTTP.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this." However, System Properties will open after clicking OK on the error message, even without this file presWTSAPI32.DLL L .....Windows Terminal Server SDK APIs

---------------------------------------------Control Panel Applets I do not deleteteappwiz.cplpl....Add/Remove Progrdesk.cplpl......Display Properhdwwiz.cplpl....Add Hardware Control Panel Apinetcpl.cplpl...Internet Control Pmain.cplpl......Mouse Propermmsys.cplpl.....Sound and Apowercfg.cplpl..Power Optsysdm.cplpl.....System Propertimedate.cplpl..Time and Date Properwuaucpl.cplpl...Automatic Updates Control Panel

---------------------------------------------Needed for Yahoo Messenger InstallationonAVICAP32.dllll...(AVI Capture window clThis file is needed for Yahoo Messenger Installationon

When installing Yahoo Messenger, I received 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 successfully in spite of this error message.

---------------------------------------------These files belong to Windows Media Player 1010avifil32.dllll...(Microsoft AVI File support library). Belongs to Windows media Playe<-- Needed for Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LELEblackbox.dllll...(BlackBox Dl3codeca.acmcm...(MPEG Layer-3 Audio Codec for MSThis codec is needed by WMP10 to play .mp3 music files. It is also needed by Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE to convert .mp3 files to .wma files.s.l3codecx.axax....(MPEG Layer-3 Audio DecoCodec I need for WMP10 to play .avi fileses<LOGAGENT.EXEXE...(Windows Media Player LogAgent). The application that logs errors with Windows Media Playmcicda.dllll.....(MCI driver for cdaudio deviNeeded for Windows Media Player 10 burn process. Also to view "Ready to burn" Status text.t.mpg4dmod.dllll...(Corona Windows Media MPEG-4 S Video DecoI need this file to be able to adjust brightness in WMP10 for certain videososMsPMSP.dllll.....(Microsoft Media Device Service ProvidMSSCP.dllll......(Windows Media Secure Content Providmsvfw32.dllll....(Microsoft Video for Windows DMSWMDM.dllll.....(Windows Media Device Manager Corqasf.dllll.......(DirectShow ASF Supporshmedia.dllll....(Media File Property Extractor Shell ExtensNeeded for Windows Media Player 10 burn process. Also to view "Ready to burn" Status text.t.wmadmod.dllll....(Windows Media Audio Decodwmadmoe.dllll....(Windows Media Audio Encoder/TranscodWMASF.DLLLL......(Windows Media ASF DWMDMLOG.dllll....(Windows Media Device Manager LoggWMDMPS.dllll.....(Windows Media Device Manager Proxy Stwmnetmgr.dllll...(Windows Media Network Plugin Manager DWMP.DLLLL........(Windows Media Player Cowmp.ocxcx........(Windows Media Playwmpasf.dllll.....(Windows Media Filter Shwmpcd.dllll......(Windows Media Playwmpcore.dllll....(Windows Media Playwmpdxm.dllll.....(Windows Media 6.4 Player ShWMPLOC.DLLLL.....(Windows Media Playwmpshell.dllll...(Windows Media Player Launchwmpui.dllll......(Windows Media Playwmsdmod.dllll....(Windows Media Screen DecodWMVCORE.DLLLL....(Windows Media Playback/Authoring Dwmvdmod.dllll....(Windows Media Video Decoder).

----------------------------------------------------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.u.

NLS Files = Multiple Language Resource Files. Character Translation; National Language Services driver (font or font maMy system settings are for U.S.English.h.<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.s.<For my U.S.English settings.....I keep these NLS Filesesc_437.nlslsc_932.nlslc_936.nlslc_949.nlslc_950.nlslsc_1250.nlslc_1251.nlslc_1252.nlslc_1253.nlslc_1254.nlslc_1255.nlslc_1256.nlslc_1257.nlslsc_20127.nlslsc_28591.nlslc_28592.nlslC_28595.NLSLc_28605.nlslsctype.nlslsl_intl.nlsllocale.nlslssortkey.nlslsorttbls.nlslsunicode.nlsls

---------------------------------------------cabview.dllll....(Cabinet File Viewer Shell ExtensNeeded to view inside .cab fileses

---------------------------------------------I these files to play Windows Solitairerecards.dllll......(Entertainment Pack Cardplaying Helper I need the cards.dll to play Windows SolitairereSOL.EXEXE.......(Solitaire). A GUI solitaire card game.

---------------------------------------------Needed by Windows UpdateteCDM.DLLLL........(Windows Update CDM Stcrtdll.dllll.....(Cryptography ManaNeeded for Cryptographic Servicesescryptsvc.dllll...(Cryptographic ServiNeeded for Cryptographic ServicesesDCIMAN32.DLLLL...(DCI Managedssenh.dllll.....(Microsoft Enhanced DSS and Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provideqmgr.dllll.......(Background Intelligent Transfer Serviiuengine.dllll...(Windows Update Control EnginJSCRIPT.DLLLL....(Microsoft ? JScrilicdll.dlldll.....(Licdll Modupidgen.dlldll.....(Pid3.0 generatrasapi32.dlldll...(Remote Access rasman.dlldll.....(Remote Access Connection ManaRTUTILS.DLLDLL ......(Routing Utilities). Needed to get to Windows Update from Start Menu ShortSCHANNEL.DLLDLL .....TLS / SSL Security ProTAPI32.DLL LL .......(Microsoft? Windows Telephony API ClienAlthough this file can be deleted in safemode, it is needed to get to Windows Update from your Start Menu shortcut.cutwshext.dll.dll.....(Microsoft ? Shell Extension for Windows ScriptWUAPI.DLLI.DLL......(Windows Update Clienwuauclt1.exe1.exe...(Windows Update AutoUpdate CWUAUCLT.EXET.EXE....(Windows Update). An auto-update wuaucpl.cpll.cpl....(Automatic Updates Control WUAUENG1.DLL1.DLL...(Windows Update AutoUpdate Enwuauserv.dllv.dll...(Windows Update AutoUpdate SAlthough this file can be deleted in safemode, it is necessary for Windows UpdatepdaWUCLTUI.DLLI.DLL....(Windows Update Client UI Pwupdmgr.exer.exe....(Windows Update Manager fWUPS.DLLS.DLL.........(Windows Update client proxAlthough this file can be deleted in safemode, it is necessary for Windows Updatepdwups2.dll2.dll........(Windows Update client proxy Needed to operate latest version of Windows Update.datWUWEB.DLLB.DLL......(Windows Update Web Control).

---------------------------------------These Files Are CHKDSKHKCFGMGR32.DLL2.DLL...(Configuration Manager ForwarderCHKDSK.EXEK.EXE.....(Check Disk). A disk inspection tool that can search for and repair disk dskquota.dlla.dll...(Windows Shell Disk Quota Suppordskquoui.dlli.dll...(Windows Shell Disk Quota UIfmifs.dlls.dll......(FM IFS Utilityifsutil.dlll.dll....(IFS UtilityMFC42.DLL2.DLL......(MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Verrshx32.dll2.dll.....(Security Shell Extentwext.dllt.dll......(Previous Versions property ULIB.DLLB.DLL.......(File Utilities Supporuntfs.dlls.dll......(NTFS Utility DLL).

------------------------------------------CMD.EXED.EXE........(Command Prompt). An executable that provides the command prompt (MS-DOS shell interpreter) for Windows NT

------------------------------------------Needed to view Summary tab in Properties of filesficryptext.dllt.dll...(Crypto Shell Extensdocprop.dllp.dll....(OLE DocFile Propertydocprop2.dll2.dll...(Microsoft DocProp Shell Ext).

------------------------------------------I don't delete all DirectX files...just nearly all of them.them.

I keep a few DirectX files because NVDVD Player needs them tI also found I need 2 files that belong to DirectX for WMP 10 to do all the things I need it to: "dsound.dll" and "quartz.dll"quot;

I don't play games on my computer so I really don't need the extra graphics and sound support DirectX These are the files that belong to Direct3D that I keep:ked3d8thk.dllk.dll....Microsoft Direct3D OS Thud3d9.dll9.dll.......Microsoft d3dim700.dll0.dll...Microsoft DiThese are the files that belong to DirectShow that I keep:kedevenum.dllm.dll....Device enumemsdmo.dllo.dll......DMO qdvd.dlld.dll.......DirectShow DVD Playback Rquartz.dllz.dll.....(DirectShow R<-- I need this file for WMP 10 to do the things I need it to do.o dThese are the files that belong to DirectX that I keep:keddraw.dllw.dll......Microsoft Dirdsound.dlld.dll.....(Direc<-- I need this file for WMP 10 to do the things I need it to do.o ksuser.dllr.dll.....User CSA Library

------------------------------------------Needed to watch Yahoo Movie TrailersilCLBCATQ.DLLQ.DLLCOMRES.DLLS.DLL .CSCDLL.DLLL.DLL .......Offline NetworCSCUI.DLLI.DLL ........Client Side Cacdavclnt.dllt.dll....(Web DAV ClieNeeded to watch Yahoo Movie Trailersildispex.dllx.dll.....(Microsoft ? Dhhsetup.dllup.dll....(Microsoft? HTMHNETCFG.DLLCFG.DLL ......Home Networking Configuratioiepeers.dllers.dll....(Internet Explorer Peer Ommcshext.dllext.dll...(MMC Shell ExtensiNETSHELL.DLLELL.DLL .....Network Connectiperfos.dllfos.dll.....(Windows System Performance Objecssdpapi.dllapi.dll....(SSDP Client Aupnp.dllpnp.dll.......(Universal Plug and PlWINRNR.DLLRNR.DLL .......LDAP RnR Provider DLL

----------------------------------------These files are needed for viewing the content inside the Adapter, Monitor, and Troubleshoot tabs which are in Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button bdeskadp.dlladp.dll....Advanced display adapter deskmon.dllmon.dll....Advanced display monitor deskperf.dllerf.dll...Advanced display performance properties

----------------------------------------Third-party Codecs CDivX.dllivX.dll.......(DivX? Codec foInstalled by DivX bdivxdec.axvxdec.ax.....(DivX? Decoder Filter). [/b]Installed DivXAF.axDivXAF.ax......(DivX AntiFreThird-party codec I installed to prevent video freezing on damaged videoged video

--------------------------------------Needed by Add/Remove Moduleveduser.dllduser.dll......(Windows DirectUsexpsp1res.dll 1res.dll .....(Service Pack Although you can delete this file in safemode, it is needed to open Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel.ol Panel.

--------------------------------------ERASER.DLLRASER.DLL .......(Eraser Library). Eraser program needs ERASER.DLL to operate.

--------------------------------------Needed by Services windowesfilemgmt.dllemgmt.dll...Services and Shamfc42u.dllfc42u.dll.....MFCDLL Shared Library - Retmmcbase.dllcbase.dll....mmcndmgr.dllndmgr.dll...MMC Node services.mscvices.msc...(Services Viewer Microsoft Management Console).

--------------------------------------fontext.dllntext.dll....(Windows FNeeded to maintain selected view of Font Folder, and also needed to display the default icon for .TTF FontsTTF Fonts

--------------------------------------FONTVIEW.EXETVIEW.EXE...(Font View). A command-line utility that displays a sample output for a font in a printable GUI window.

--------------------------------------framebuf.dllmebuf.dll...(Framebuffer DispNeeded so graphics while in safemode don't looked screwed upcrewed up

--------------------------------------framedyn.dllmedyn.dll...(WMI SDK Provider 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.appening.

--------------------------------------glu32.dllglu32.dll .....(OpenGL Utility LReportedly, glu32.dll is used by windows to allow for the use of OpenGL which is an industry standard for 3D graphics. If opengl32.dll is unavailable, any software that uses OpenGL to display graphics, will not work.not work.

That may or may not be necessarily true. I haven't used every piece of software that uses OpenGL.

Deleting glu32.dll can however sometimes lead to an Application Popup Error similar tApplication popup: vlc.exe - Unable To Locate Component: This application has failed to start because GLU32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem. problem.

In my case, VLC media player will eventually open video files for me, but not without this error showing up first.

--------------------------------------------GRPCONV.EXEPCONV.EXE....(Group Convert). Converts Microsoft Windows 3.x and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups Program Manager groups into Start mI cannot install Microsoft's File checking utility that checks for proper DVD codecs without GRPCONV.EXE.CONV.EXE.

--------------------------------------Needed by Acronis True Imageruhhctrl.ocxhctrl.ocx.....(Microsoft? HTML HelpBelong to Acronis True ImageTrsetupnt.dlletupnt.dll....(Setupnt Dynamic LinSNAPAPI.DLLNAPAPI.DLL....(Acronis Snapshot Dynamic Link Library).

-------------------------------------Needed by Realtek Sound CardSohid.dllhid.dll........(Hid URealtek's Audio Configuration Utility (soundman.exe in C:\WINDOWS) needs this file to openleksproxy.axksproxy.ax.....(WDM Streaming ActiveRealtek AC'97 asks for this file when installing audio driversionewdev.dllnewdev.dll.....(Add Hardware DevRealtek's Driver Installer (alcupd.exe in C:\WINDOWS) needs this file to install drivers. I'm sure other things need it, too.d RTLCPAPI.dllLCPAPI.dll...(RtlCBelongs to my Realtek Audio Sound CardSouThese 3 WAV files were also created by Realtek.y Realtek. If I remove them, they are only re-created just as soon as I open the Realtek Audio Control Panel (RTLCPL.EXE). ...With the one exception of ALSNDMGR.WAV. ALSNDMGR.WAV has not recreated itseALSNDMGR.WAVSNDMGR.WAV.... <--ALSNDMGR.WAV has not recreated itself (so far). I have it deletedBuzzingBee.wavingBeLoopyMusic.wavyMusic.wav..

-------------------------------------html.iecb>html.iec.......(Microsoft HTMLNeeded to be able to copy text from a web page and paste it to Wordpadto Wordpad

-------------------------------------I263_32.DRV263_32.DRV....(Intel I.263 Video DriverThird-party codec needed to play one particular video I have saved.ave saved.

-------------------------------------Codecs needed to convert .mp3 files to .wma files with Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LEnviac25_32.axac25_32.ax....Indeo? aIMC32.ACMb>IMC32.ACM......Intel Music Col3codeca.acm3codeca.acm...(MPEG Layer-3 Audio Cod<- This codec is also needed by WMP10 to play .mp3 music files.usmsaud32.acmmsaud32.acm....(File version: 8.0.0.4487). Windowmsg723.acm>msg723.acm.....Microsoft G.723.1 COsl_anet.acmsl_anet.acm....Audio codWINMM.DLLb>WINMM.DLL ......wmspdmoe.dllmspdmoe.dll...Windows Media Audio 9 Voice Encoder

------------------------------------Codecs needed by Yahoo Voice Chat Vimaadp32.acmmaadp32.acm....IMA ADPCM COmsadp32.acmmsadp32.acm.....Microsoft ADPCM Cmsg711.acm>msg711.acm......Microsoft CCITT G.711 (A-Law and u-Law) Cmsgsm32.acmmsgsm32.acm.....Microsoft GSM 6.10 Audio COtssoft32.acmssoft32.acm....DSP Group TrueSpeech Audio Codec for MSACM V3.50

------------------------------------IMAPI.EXEb>IMAPI.EXE......(CD-Burning COM Service). Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming InteIf this service is stopped the computer cannot record CDs with WMP 10.ith WMP 10.

------------------------------------inetcplc.dllnetcplc.dll..(Internet CNeeded to access Internet Optionsnet Options

------------------------------------itss.dllitss.dll......(Microsoft? InfoTech Storage SCannot open a *.chm help file without this file.t this file. You will receive an error similar to this when you do: "Can not open the file: mk:@MSITStore".

-----------------------------------LOGONUI.EXE>LOGONUI.EXE...(Windows Logon UThe user interface that appears when Windows XP first startsfirst starts

-----------------------------------Needed by Microsoft's Pinball GamePimciseq.dllb>mciseq.dll....(MCI driver for MIMSACM32.DRV>MSACM32.DRV......(Microsoft Sound Mapper). Although this file can be deleted in safemode, you need it to hear the sounds made in Windows WDMAUD.DRVb>WDMAUD.DRV.......(WDM Audio Although this file can be deleted in safemode, you need it to hear the sounds made in Windows Pinball Game.inball Game.

-----------------------------------MPNOTIFY.EXEMPNOTIFY.EXE..(Multiple PrUsed by the WinLogon service to notify non-Microsoft network servers about security events.rity events.

-----------------------------------These files are needed by SpywareBlasterywMSCOMCTL.OCXMSCOMCTL.OCX..(Windows Common Controls ActiveXMSINET.OCXb>MSINET.OCX....(Microsoft Internet Transfer MSSTDFMT.DLLMSSTDFMT.DLL..(Microsoft Standard Data FormatinI noticed that if I delete this file, when I download and install the latest version of SpywareBlaster, the installation restores it to system32.to system32.

-----------------------------------msconfig.exemsconfig.exe...(System Configuration Utility). Designed to help you troubleshoot problems with your computer, MSCONFIG can also be used to ensure that your computer boots faster anI moved msconfig.exe to the system32 folder from C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\binaries before I deleted the pchealth folder and its contents.ts contents.

-----------------------------------msftedit.dllmsftedit.dll..(Rich Text Edit Needed by Wordpadd by Wordpad

-----------------------------------MSHTMLED.DLLMSHTMLED.DLL..(Microsoft ? HTML EdiThis 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.ut this file.

----------------------------------MSIEXEC.EXEb>MSIEXEC.EXE...(WinUsed to create install packages for applications and programs and programs

----------------------------------msihnd.dllmWindows? installerws? installer

--------------------------------MSIMG32.DLL

MSIMG32.DLL ......(GWithout this file you will need to click on OK to a Log On Message to enter Windows upon rebooting.upon rebooting.

--------------------------------Needed by Kazaa Lited msisip.dll

msisip.dll....(MSI Signaturoledlg.dll

oledlg.dll .......(Microsoft Windows OLE 2.0 User IAlthough this file can be deleted in Safemode, it is needed to connect to Kazza Litet tolepro32.dlloleAlthough this file can be deleted in Safemode, it is needed to connect to Kazza Litet riched20.dllriched20.dll..(Rich Text Ed(Needed by Kazaa Lite, and also needed by Event Viewer.) Event Viewer.)

--------------------------------MSPAINT.EXE

MSPAINT.EXE...A basic graphics creation and viewing toolnd viewing tool

--------------------------------mydocs.dll

mydocs.dll...(My DocuNeeded to display properly the My Documents Icon.Documents Icon. You can delete this file safely if you want. It just kind of annoys me to not see the icon displayed properly.

--------------------------------Needed by Task Scheduler Tmstask.dll

mstask.dll....(Task ScheduleMSTINIT.EXE

MSTINIT.EXE...(Task Scheduler Setup). Allows scheduling schedsvc.dllschedsvc.dll.....(Task Although this file can be deleted in safemode, this is Task Scheduler Service. (Incidentally, Task Scheduler Service is also needed for Prefetch to operate.)ch to operate.)

--------------------------------These files are needed for Yahoo Chat fnetmsg.dll

netmsg.dll.....(Netsd32.dll

tsd32.dll......(DSP Group TrueSpeech Audio Encodervbscript.dllvbscript.dll...(Microsoft ? VBScript).

-------------------------------NeroCheck.exeNeroCheck.exBelongs to Nero program to Nero program

-------------------------------netid.dll--

netid.dll.....(System Control Panel AppletNeeded to see Computer Name tab in System Propertiesystem Properties

-------------------------------NOTEPAD.EXE

NOTEPAD.EXE ......(Notepad). Notepad text-editing utility.

-------------------------------NTMARTA.DLL

NTMARTA.DLL ......(Windows NCan reboot to Windows without this file, but my Windows Style reverts to Default Blue. I usually have it set to Silver, so I need to change it back to Silver after rebooting without this file.thout this file.

-------------------------------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. aI keep these NVIDIA Files:senv4_disp.dll

nv4_disp.dll...(NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display drivAlthough this file can be deleted in safemode, it is essential for Display adapter.Disnvapps.xml

You can delete this file, but it only returns after a reboot anyway.a nvcod.dllb>

nvcod.dll......NVIDIA nvcpl.dller

nvcpl.dll......NVIDIA Display Pnvshell.dlln

nvshell.dll....NVIDIA Desktop Explonvdisp.nvu3

nvudisp.exe....(NVIDIA UnI keep nvudisp.exe just in case when updating drivers NVIDIA may need it to uninstall the older drivers before installing the new versions.he new versions.

-------------------------------occache.dll

occache.dll....(ObjeNeeded to view icon for ActiveX object in Downloaded Program Files.d Program Files. Otherwise they will show up as .ini files.

-------------------------------OLETHK32.DLL

OLETHK32.DLL .....(MicrosofNeeded By Nerob>Needed By Nero

-------------------------------opengl32.dll

opengl32.dll...(Reportedly, opengl32.dll is used by windows to allow for the use of OpenGL which is an industry standard for 3D graphics. If opengl32.dll is unavailable, any software that uses OpenGL to display graphics, will not work., will not work.

That may or may not be necessarily true. I haven't used every piece of software that uses OpenGL.

Deleting opengl32.dll can however sometimes lead to an Application Popup Error siApplication popup: vlc.exe - Unable To Locate Component: This application has failed to start because OPENGL32.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.ix this problem.

In my case, VLC media player will eventually open video files for me, but not without this error showing up first.

-------------------------------These files belong to PerfectDisk DefragmenterisPDBoot.exe>

PDBoot.exe.....(PerfectDisk Boot Time PDBootState

PDBootState....Temp file created by PerfectDisk after a Boot Time Defrag. It can be deleted safely. It will return when you do another These Microsoft files are needed by PerfectDisk DefragmenterisADSLDPC.DLL

ADSLDPC.DLL ......ADs LMSI.DLL DLL

MSI.DLL ..........Windows Installer

-------------------------------REGSVR32.EXE

REGSVR32.EXE...(Registry Server). A program for viewing and editing the Registry.

-------------------------------RUNDLL32.EXE

RUNDLL32.EXE...(Run DLL). Used to run DLL files from a command line.

-------------------------------RUNONCE.EXE

RUNONCE.EXE....(Run Once). Used to perform tasks as defined in the RunOnce Registry key.

-------------------------------These files belong to System Event Notificationentsens.dllb>

sens.dll.......System Event Notificatiosensapi.dll

sensapi.dll....(SENS Connectivity API DLL).

-------------------------------SFC_OS.DLL-

SFC_OS.DLL .......(WindowCan reboot to Windows without this file, but not without your first having to click on OK on an error popup entering Windows which tells you that SFC_OS.DLL cannot be found.cannot be found.

-------------------------------Needed to display (from Keyboard Control Panel Applet) Keyboard > Hardware > Properties without an error. (Undoubtedly, must also have multiple uses similar to this.)imsfcfiles.dll

sfcfiles.dll...(Windows 2000 Syssyssetup.dll

syssetup.dll...(Windows NT System Setup).

-------------------------------SHDOCLC.DLL

SHDOCLC.DLL ......(Shell Doc Object andThis file is needed to be able to access right-click options while right-clicking on a Webpage.ng on a Webpage.

-------------------------------SHUTDOWN.EXE

SHUTDOWN.EXE...(Remote Shutdown Tool). Allows shutdowns and restarts on lI need this file to create a reboot computer shortcut in my Quick Launch.my Quick Launch.

-------------------------------SNDREC32.EXE

SNDREC32.EXE..(Sound Recorder). A sound recorder application.

-------------------------------SNDVOL32.EXE

SNDVOL32.EXE..(Volume Control). A GUI volume application.

-------------------------------Needed by Windows Task ManagerowTASKMGR.EXE

TASKMGR.EXE....(Task Manager). The Task Mavdmdbg.dll.

vdmdbg.dllNeeded to access Windows Task Managerows Task Manager

-------------------------------themeui.dll

themeui.dll ......(Needed by Display Propertiessplay Properties

-------------------------------WINVER.EXE-

WINVER.EXE.....(Version Reporter Applet). Displays the current Windows version.

-------------------------------These files belong to XviD Codecngxvid.ax

<This file belongs to XviD Codecgxvidcore.dll

<This file belongs to XviD Codecgxvidvfw.dll>

<This file belongs to XviD Codecgs to XviD Codec

-------------------------------Goofy Files I Call Them...s 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:\WINDOYou 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. 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 arI Do Not Delete These Goofy Files...e Gega.cpi/bFNTCACHE.DAT

<secupd.dat>

<<-- I Believe this file is listed in Layout.ini as "SETUPACT.LOG". PAwpa.dbl /b$WINNT$.INF WMMDRIVER.INF

Stdole2.tlb

Stdole2.tlb...Although this file can be deleted in safemode, this file is needed to display Properties of devices 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:

? Stdole.tlb....<--This file is actually in C:\WINDOWS\system NDOWS\system

? Stdole2.tlb.If you would like to discuss anything about Slimming Down Windows XP--have any questions, comments or suggestions--I have a special section of the forum specifically for it...specJust click this link to that page:s link to that page: Discussions About Slimming Down Windows XP

August 20, 2005

so.. is this sp2 safe?...

just curious.

1,084 · August 20, 2005

so.. is this sp2 safe?...
just curious.

586404365[/snapback]

Staying inside playing piano while other kids are outside playing football is safe.

(kidding a little there.)

Nothing about deleting files is ever safe. You need to be willing to face the possibility of having to re-install. Or, at the very least, revert back to a different drive image now and again...assuming you were bright enough to backup your system beforehand.

If you are asking is the guide SP2 compliant. Then, yes. It works with SP2.

September 2, 2005

Thanks for the tips, these are very helpful! :yes:

1,654 · September 3, 2005

Recycle Bin now contains: 745 MB in 3,000 files. Thanks. :p

1,084 · September 22, 2005

What I use Windows Media Player 10 and some of its files for (codecs are a different subject not covered here):

I watch Yahoo Movie Trailers.

I watch movie DVDs on NVDVD Player.

I watch downloaded movies on WMP10.

I play music files.

I convert .mp3 files to .wma files with Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE.

I burn music CDs.

I rip music CDs.

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

I Delete These Windows Media Player 10 Files from system32:

blackbox.dll...BlackBox DLL

LOGAGENT.EXE...(Windows Media Player LogAgent). The application that logs errors with Windows Media Player.

mp43dmod.dll...Windows Media MPEG-4 Video Decoder

mp4sdmod.dll ..Corona Windows Media MPEG-4 S Video Decoder

qasf.dll.......DirectShow ASF Support

wmerrenu.dll...Windows Media Services Error Definitions

wmerror.dll....Windows Media Error Definitions (English)

wmp.ocx........Windows Media Player

wmpcd.dll......Windows Media Player

wmpcore.dll....Windows Media Player

wmpdxm.dll.....Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim

wmpencen.dll...Windows Media Player Encoding Module

wmpsrcwp.dll...WMPSrcWp Module

wmpui.dll......Windows Media Player

wmsdmod.dll....Windows Media Screen Decoder

wmsdmoe2.dll...Corona Windows Media Screen Encoder

wmsdmoe.dll....Windows Media Screen Encoder

.

wmspdmod.dll...Windows Media Audio 9 Voice Decoder

wmstream.dll...Windows Media Streamer DLL

wmvadvd.dll....Windows Media Video 9 Decoder

WMVADVE.DLL....Windows Media Video 9 Decoder

wmvdmoe2.dll...Windows Media Video Encoder

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

I Also remove Windows mplayer2

I delete this empty folder from C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player:

Icons

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 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

wmpasf.dll.....Windows Media Filter Shim

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

I Keep These Windows Media Player 10 in system32:

avifil32.dll...(Microsoft AVI File support library). Belongs to Windows media Player 10. <-- Needed for Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE

l3codeca.acm...(MPEG Layer-3 Audio Codec for MSACM). This codec is needed by WMP10 to play .mp3 music files. It is also needed by Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE to convert .mp3 files to .wma files.

l3codecx.ax....(MPEG Layer-3 Audio Decoder). Codec I need for WMP10 to play .avi files

mcicda.dll.....(MCI driver for cdaudio devices). Needed for Windows Media Player 10 burn process. Also to view "Ready to burn" Status text.

mpg4dmod.dll...(Corona Windows Media MPEG-4 S Video Decoder). I need this file to be able to adjust brightness in WMP10 for certain videos

msvfw32.dll....(Microsoft Video for Windows DLL).

MSWMDM.dll....(Windows Media Device Manager Core). Needed by WMP10 burning process.

shmedia.dll....(Media File Property Extractor Shell Extension). Needed for Windows Media Player 10 burn process. Also to view "Ready to burn" Status text.

wmadmod.dll....Windows Media Audio Decoder

wmadmoe.dll....Windows Media Audio Encoder/Transcoder

WMASF.DLL......Windows Media ASF DLL

WMDMPS.dll.....Windows Media Device Manager Proxy Stub). Needed by WMP10 burning process.

wmnetmgr.dll...Windows Media Network Plugin Manager DLL

WMP.DLL........Windows Media Player Core

wmpcd.dll......Windows Media Player

WMPLOC.DLL.....Windows Media Player).

wmpshell.dll...Windows Media Player Launcher

WMVCORE.DLL....Windows Media Playback/Authoring DLL

wmvdmod.dll....Windows Media Video Decoder

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

1,084 · September 27, 2005

I had E-mailed my daughter earlier this morning to ask her if she would print out my guide for safekeeping, since I don't have a printer myself.

She just now E-mailed me back.

Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide comes out to 195 pages of print. Wow! 195 Pages! I had no idea. Although, it did I kind of feel like I was writing and editing a novel! LOL

September 28, 2005

great guide..thnx!!

1,084 · September 28, 2005

Your very welcome, iomega.

I think figuring out what to delete and then cataloging it was the easy part. It's the revision and editing that's really tough for me. The past two weeks I've been working so hard on it. I hope people notice the difference.

It would help matters immensely if I could spell. I'd even settle for good typing skills. This two finger thing I got going is for nothin'.

1,084 · September 28, 2005

I posted this a couple of years ago way back someplace in this thread.

The thread has become so large, it is difficult to find things sometimes.

I get PM'd a lot about this one.

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

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 deleted every .cat file in the Manifests subfolder, and in all the individual subfolders within the Policies subfolder.

Remaining now within C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\Manifests were 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 were 6 subfolders. I kept these 5 subfolders, 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\

Here's a tough part of this to figure out. Let's put on our thinking caps for this one.

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 problem...

One other of these 10 subfolders "IS NOT LISTED IN THE LAYOUT.INI FILE." And that 1 subfolder needs to be pinpointed, and kept also. ...Otherwise, your screen is going to go all goofy on you once you reboot.

That one other subfolder needed that is not listed in the Layout.ini file, has something in common with one of the files in the "MANIFESTS" subfolder, and something in common with 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

C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS\POLICIES\X86_POLICY.1.0.MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.GDIPLUS_6595B64144CCF1DF_X-WW_4E8510AC

The commonality with the file in the MANIFESTS subfolder is GDIPLUS & X-WW_522F9F82

The commonality the subfolder in POLICIES is GDIPLUS & 6595B64144CCF1DF

Got it figured out yet? I gave you some pretty big hints.

This is the "x86_Microsoft" subfolder to keep:

x86_Microsoft.Windows.GdiPlus

_6595b64144ccf1df_1.0.2600.2180_x-ww_522f9f82

Get it? GdiPlus and 6595b64144ccf1df and x-ww_522f9f82 combined.

So I keep these 2 "x86_Microsoft" subfolders, and delete the other 8 subfolders:

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.)

October 19, 2005

Thanks :D

1,084 · October 20, 2005

Internet Explorer Without The Bloat

I personally like having Internet Explorer for my browser; however, as with everything else on my system, I want eliminated any unnecessary files.

http://www.bold-fortune.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=661

October 22, 2005

Other folder you can delete safe is the c:\windows\$hf_mig$

I'm trying this and i didn't found problems so far

1,084 · October 22, 2005

DirectX Without The Bloat

I don't play games on my computer, so I really don't need the extra graphics and sound support DirectX offers.

I don't delete all DirectX files...just nearly all of them.

http://www.bold-fortune.com/forums/index.p...&st=0#entry3588

2,703 · October 22, 2005

"The MS Agent is a gay little wizard thing that looks like the Office Assistant"

lol, nice guide though.

1,084 · October 25, 2005

Who Wants My Batch Files? They Can Be Yours!

http://www.bold-fortune.com/forums/index.p...&st=0#entry2425

1,084 · October 30, 2005

I wish I could backup and make changes to my guide here at Neowin. The forum just doesn't allow for editing old posts.

If someone started reading this thread from the beginning of my posts, it could lead to some confusion, and some misinformation.

Neowin was very good to me for a lot of years, allowing me to test and experiment publicly here with my guide.

There was never anything like it on the Internet before. There was never anything like it even allowed on tweaking forums...except by the staff here at Neowin, and penguin's old Bit-Quest site...where my file deleting adventures first began.

Actually my file deleting adventures first began in the threads of the old TweakXP forum. But back then, their administrator would chase me around the forum trying to stop me from telling people what was okay to delete from Windows XP.

For those reasons, I try to update this thread in these more recent posts with any newer information my present guide has to offer.

So, starting from the beginning, (at the end), here's how PART 1 of Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide looks.

Thanks go out to Fred Langa for acknowledging 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

Why I Don't Use Programs Like XPLite and nLite

Sure, programs can be made that will remove some applications and their specifics. Many programmers use the "inf file method". That is, 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.

Oftentimes, however, deleting full components also deletes some files that are neccessary to an individual's use of a computer.

Computer users all have different computing needs. They put their computers to many different uses.

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

Say 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 that you also won't be needing the codecs installed for WMP. So you set the program to delete all WMP codecs too.

But you're also you're 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 you've deleted the specific codecs that allow this function along with all the other WMP codecs.

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

See what I mean? It's a tough thing to write into a program. There are just too many variables. Just too many individual computer users using their computers for many different things.

Say 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 2 of the DirectX files.

In this instance, you would need someone to incorporate into the program a special setting that could single out and keep the 2 DirectX files you need for WMP, while deleting all the other 81 DirectX files 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, and you could care less if Windows Media Player needs 2 DirectX files, because you never use WMP 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 8 specific DirectX files installed.

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

And now you've defeated your purpose. Because you now have 78 DirectX files sitting on your system that you don't need. (Remember your purpose? To remove all unnecessary files from your system.)

You set your program to remove Computer Management and Disk Management

(The only reason I personally would need to access Computer Management would be to utilize Disk Management. The only reason I would need to use Disk Management would be to format a drive. I can do that with XP's installation Disk.

The only utilities I need that are in Computer Management would be Services, Event Viewer and Windows Disk Defragmenter, and I can access them from my Start Menu.)

Your program takes out these files:

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.

CLUSAPI.DLL.....Cluster API Library

compmgmt.msc ...Computer Management Console

diskmgmt.msc....Disk Management Console

DISKPART.EXE....(Microsoft Diskpart). A command-line tool for disk management.

DMADMIN.EXE.....(Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service). Runs during hard disk configuration only.

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). A Logical Disk Manager component.

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). Needed to access User Accounts in Control Panel without receiving an error.

lusrmgr.msc.....(Microsoft Common Console Document). 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.

mycomput.dll....Computer Management

ntmsapi.dll.....(Removable Storage Public Interfaces).

ntmsmgr.dll.....(Removable Storage Service).

osuninst.dll....(Uninstall Interface). Needed to enter Disk Management within Computer Management

smlogcfg.dll....(Performance Logs and Alerts Snap-in).

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

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

Here's an example using XPLite I can show you to help you better understand this.

If you were to use XPLite to delete Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing , along with the Netmeeting folder and its entire contents in C:\Program Files, the program would also be deleting these 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

msg723.acm......Microsoft G.723.1 CODEC for MSACM

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

Here's the rub...

msg723.acm is one of the files needed by Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE so it can convert .mp3 files to .wma files.

But if you leave this Service intact, you'll be leaving behind a bunch of files belonging to it that you really don't need...thereby defeating your purpose of removing all unnecessary files from Windows XP.

See what I mean? There are just too many variables involved. It's impossible to have a program remove whole components without oftentimes also removing some files that have other dependencies.

I'm sorry, I know how staunch the supporters of nLite are, but even nLite does this when it removes whole components.

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

"Aha!" You Say. "Why not use nLite's, feature to remove whatever files you tell it to? nLite has an 'additional files to remove' box."

Hmm... Let me see. With some 1800 individual system32 files alone, a person would have some hell-to-pay decisions to make. When a person has that many decisions to make for himself, how could you even call that a program? A person may as well pick out the files he or she wants to remove after an installation, and make batch files to remove them.

For that person who can make those decisions, I have such batch files for you.

For a long time I refused to give out my batch files. I got tired of people thinking what works for me will automatically work for them. It just doesn't work that way. However, if you really want my batch files, MY BATCH FILES ARE AVAILABLE HERE!

For those of you who prefer to make your own batch files, I'll start you out below by giving you the command parts of a couple of my batch files scripts. You can then add any individual files you want. Which individual files and folders you choose to remove from your XP installation will be entirely up to you.

I have incorporated into my batch files a failsafe feature.

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.

If 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 its individual files and subfolders you removed, including the system32 folder. Within the system32 folder you will see its individual files and subfolders you removed. And within each subfolder, their own individual files and subfolders you removed.

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.

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\

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.

IF NOT EXIST "c:\backup\WINDOWS\inf" md c:\backup\WINDOWS\inf
MOVE c:\WINDOWS\inf\*.* c:\backup\WINDOWS\inf\
IF NOT EXIST "c:\WINDOWS\inf" md c:\WINDOWS\inf
MOVE c:\backup\WINDOWS\inf\865.INF c:\WINDOWS\inf\
MOVE c:\backup\WINDOWS\inf\acpi.inf c:\WINDOWS\inf\
MOVE c:\backup\WINDOWS\inf\branches.inf c:\WINDOWS\inf\

What you will find in this Guide are the "possibilities" of what files and folders can be removed safely 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 would not, and I could not, expect anyone other than myself to remove everything listed here. It would be practically impossible for anyone to duplicate what I have done without running into problems.

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

Therefore, consider Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide a "Guide of Possibilities," if you will.

Which files and folders to remove from your own Windows XP Installations. You will have to make those 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.

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

The first thing I do is download the latest "Preview Version of XPLite". I still don't recommended buying XPLite because, even though it has been updated for SP2, the program is still a bit buggy. It removes a few files it shouldn't, doesn't remove some files it should, and creates some errors in the Event Viewer...which is something I dislike very much.

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.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 

;Add register / unregister to the context menu for .dll files
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dll]
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"
@="dllfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\dllfile]
@="Application Extension"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\dllfile\Shell\Register\command]
@="regsvr32.exe \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\dllfile\Shell\UnRegister\command]
@="regsvr32.exe /u \"%1\""

;Add register / unregister to the context menu for .ocx files
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ocx]
@="ocxfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ocxfile]
@="OCX"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ocxfile\Shell\Register\command]
@="regsvr32.exe \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ocxfile\Shell\UnRegister\command]
@="regsvr32.exe /u \"%1\""

Now lets 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

*.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 after a reboot. Probably because the Services needed for Windows Update are in use upon a startup.

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

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

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

C:\WINDOWS\Debug\PASSWD.LOG

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\ReportingEvents.log

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

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

C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat.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 after a reboot. Probably because the Services needed for Windows Update are in use upon a startup.

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

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

I DO NOT DELETE any INSTALL.LOG or UNINSTALL.LOG files. Without them I can't 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

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WebSetup\wuident.cab\wuident.txt

I DO NOT DELETE these program *.txt files:

C:\Program Files\RAXCO\PerfectDisk\Readme.txt (Perfect Disk will not operate without its "readme.txt" or "register.txt" files.)

C:\Program Files\RAXCO\PerfectDisk\Register.txt (Perfect Disk will not operate without its "readme.txt" or "register.txt" files.)

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.

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

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

If you would like to discuss anything about Slimming Down Windows XP--have any questions, comments or suggestions--I have a special section of the forum specifically for it. Discussions About Slimming Down Windows XP

My batch files will remove everything from your XP installation that they remove from mine.

MY BATCH FILES ARE AVAILABLE HERE!

Edited October 30, 2005 by Bold_Fortune

1,084 · November 15, 2005

I've been playing with the New Microsoft Update Site this morning. You're going to find this interesting about what files I figured out it uses if you choose to install its software.

If you've removed these files, and want to use the new Microsoft Update site, you're going to have to replace them to your system32 folder.

What Is Microsoft Update?

It's the new website from Microsoft that helps you update Microsoft Windows and many other Microsoft programs that you've installed, such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SQL Server, all in one convenient place.

If I use Microsoft Update, do I still need to visit the Windows Update website?

No. Microsoft Update provides the same updates you find on the Windows Update website and more. Microsoft Update is designed to make it easier for you to update Windows and your Microsoft products in one place.

Here's what I discovered. If you are going to install the New Microsoft Update Software, you will need these files:

corpol.dll.....Microsoft COM Runtime Execution Engine

ddrawex.dll....Direct Draw Ex

dxtmsft.dll...DirectX Media -- Image DirectX Transforms

dxtrans.dll...DirectX Media -- DirectX Transform Core

ega.cpi.......

msidle.dll.....User Idle Monitor

muweb.dll...(Microsoft Update Web Control). Installed by New Microsoft Update Software

vssapi.dll.....Microsoft? Volume Shadow Copy Requestor/Writer Services API DLL

webcheck.dll>...Web Site Monitor

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs>

The AuthCabs folder and its contents are created when you install the new software for the new Microsoft Update Site.

Edited November 15, 2005 by Bold_Fortune

1,084 · November 27, 2005

Fun For Only Advance File Deleters. (I don't want anybody yelling at me because they don't know what they are doing. ...Well, someone always yells at me. LOL.)

Here you go. 101 Individual system32 Files / 42.1MBs. (But you gotta admit it gets to a point of being ridiculous.)

Want to have a very small system32 folder, but still want to be able to reboot to Windows...and not much of anything else? Why not loose almost every bit of functionality, and simply have Windows installed at its most basic?

By the way, I tested this myself. You will at least be able to reboot to Windows.

There would actually be an even 100 files left in the system32 folder, but FNTCACHE.DAT will always re-create itself.

IMPORTANT! This is for a U.S. made desktop computer! If you are on a foreign from U.S. made computer, don't even think about this unless you know what you are doing with NLS and KBD*.* files. And laptops may need one or two other files.

Delete every system32 file but these...

From 380 system32 Files I Do Not Delete...By Feature

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

Files needed just to be able to boot to Windows

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.

AUTHZ.DLL .......Authorization Framework

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).

BASESRV.DLL.....Windows NT BASE API Server DLL

bootvid.dll.....VGA Boot Driver

BROWSEUI.DLL....Shell Browser UI Library

c_437.nls.......

c_1252.nls......

COMCTL32.DLL....Common Controls Library

COMDLG32.DLL....Common Dialogs DLL

CRYPT32.DLL.....Crypto API32

CRYPTDLL.DLL....Cryptography Manager

CRYPTUI.DLL.....Microsoft Trust UI Provider

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.......

DNSAPI.DLL......DNS Client API DLL

dpcdll.dll......Dpcdll Module

duser.dll.......(Windows DirectUser Engine). Needed by Add/Remove Module. Also, if you delete this file, Windows will display the classic logoff and logon prompts; however, you can reboot to Windows without it.

EVENTLOG.DLL....(Event Logging Service). If you delete this file, it will take a very long time for your system to reboot to Windows, but Windows will eventually open.

GDI32.DLL.......GDI Client DLL

hal.dll.........(Hardware Abstraction Layer). A file that hides hardware complexities from Windows applications.

IMAGEHLP.DLL....Windows NT Image Helper

IPHLPAPI.DLL....IP Helper API

kbdus.dll.......(United States Keyboard Layout). You may need a different KBD*.DLL depending upon your system. (See PART 7 of Guide.)

kdcom.dll.......Kernel Debugger HW Extension DLL

kernel32.dll....Windows NT BASE API Client DLL

l_intl.nls......

locale.nls......

LOGONUI.EXE.....(Windows Logon User Interface). The user interface that appears when Windows XP first starts. If you delete this file, Windows will display the classic logoff and logon prompts; however, you can reboot to Windows without it.

LSASRV.DLL......LSA Server DLL

LSASS.EXE.......(LSA Security Service). The Local Security Authority server process.

MPR.DLL.........Multiple Provider Router DLL

MSACM32.dll.....Microsoft ACM Audio Filter

MSASN1.DLL......ASN.1 Runtime APIs

MSGINA.DLL......(Windows NT Logon GINA DLL). Needed to load Logon User Interface

MSIMG32.DLL.....(GDIEXT Client DLL). Without this file you will need to click on OK to a Log On Message to enter Windows upon rebooting

MSPRIVS.DLL.....Microsoft Privilege Translations

MSV1_0.DLL......Microsoft Authentication Package v1.0

MSVCP60.DLL.....Microsoft ? C++ Runtime LibraryMSVCRT.DLL>......Windows NT CRT DLL

NCOBJAPI.DLL>....NDDEAPI.DLL>.....Network DDE Share Management APIsNETAPI32.DLL>....Net Win32 API DLLNTDLL.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).I can reboot to Windows without this file, but my Windows Style reverts to Default Blue. I usually have it set to Silver, so without the NTMARTA.DLL file present, after rebooting, I need to change my Windows Style back to Silver.>

NTOSKRNL.EXE>....(NT Kernel & System).Windows XP operating system Kernel>

nv4_disp.dll>....(NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver).Essential for Display Adapter. Needed just to be able to reboot to Windows.>

ODBC32.DLL>......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Manager ODBCINT.DLL>.....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Resources

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

oleacc.dll>......Active Accessibility Core Componentoleaccrc.dll>....Active Accessibility Resource DLL

The above two files are both needed to avoid seeing these four Classic Logon prompts:>

1.) (Upon rebooting to Windows) "Log On to Windows" ...Then you'll need to either click on OK, or if you use a password, type it in, and then click OK.

2.) (And then) "Loading your personal settings"

3.) (When restarting from your Desktop) "Please wait... Windows in saving your settings"

4.) (When restarting from your Desktop) "Windows is shutting down"

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

OLE32.DLL>.......Microsoft OLE for WindowsOLEAUT32.DLL>....

PROFMAP.DLL>.....UserenvPSAPI.DLL>.......Process Status Helper

REGAPI.DLL>......Registry Configuration APIRPCRT4.DLL> .....Remote Procedure Call RuntimeRPCSS.DLL> ......Distributed COM Services

RSAENH.DLL>......(Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider).The RSAENH.DLL is needed to accurately check license for Windows.>

SAMLIB.DLL>......SAM Library DLLSAMSRV.DLL>......SAM Server DLLSCESRV.DLL>......Windows Security Configuration Editor EngineSECUR32.DLL>.....Security Support Provider Interface

services.exe>....(Services and Controller app). Used by Windows XP to manage services.

SETUPAPI.DLL>....Windows Setup API

SFC_OS.DLL>......(Windows File Protection).You can reboot to Windows without this file, but not without first having to click OK on an error popup that appears when entering Windows that tells you that SFC_OS.DLL cannot be found.>

SHDOCVW.DLL>.....Shell Doc Object and Control LibrarySHELL32.DLL>.....Windows Shell Common 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.>

SHLWAPI.DLL>.....Shell Light-weight Utility Libraryshsvcs.dll>......Windows Shell Services Dll

SMSS.EXE>........(Windows NT Session Manager). Session manager used to establish the Windows XP environment during bootup.

sortkey.nls>.....sorttbls.nls>....SVCHOST.EXE>.....Generic Host Process for Win32 ServicesSXS.DLL>.........Fusion 2.5

umpnpmgr.dll>....User-mode Plug-and-Play Serviceunicode.nls>.....user32.dll>......Windows XP USER API Client DLLuserenv.dll>.....Userenv

USERINIT.EXE>....(User Initialization). Used to establish the operating environment for a user after logon.

UXTHEME.DLL>.....Microsoft UxTheme Library

VERSION.DLL>.....Version Checking and File Installation Libraries

WATCHDOG.SYS>....Watchdog Driver WIN32K.SYS>......Multi-User Win32 DriverWININET.DLL>.....Internet Extensions for Win32WINLOGON.EXE>....Windows NT Logon ApplicationWINSCARD.DLL>....Microsoft Smart Card API

WINSPOOL.DRV>....(Windows Spooler Driver).Important:> If in PART 5 you choose to delete the system folder and its files (C:\WINDOWS\system),at least keep its "WINSPOOL.DRV" file. Or, at least keep the "WINSPOOL.DRV" file that is in the system32 folder (C:\WINDOWS\system32).> Just be sure to keep one of them,or you may not be able to reboot to Windows.>

WINSRV.DLL>......Windows Server DLLWINSTA.DLL>......Winstation Library WINTRUST.DLL>....Microsoft Trust Verification APIsWLDAP32.DLL>.....Win32 LDAP API DLLWOW32.DLL>.......32-bit WOW Subsystem Librarywpa.dbl>.........Windows Product Activation (WPA).WS2_32.DLL>......Windows Socket 2.0 32-Bit DLLWS2HELP.DLL>.....Windows Socket 2.0 Helper for Windows NT

XPSP2RES.DLL>....Service Pack 2 Messages

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

If you would like to discuss anything about Slimming Down Windows XP--have any questions, comments or suggestions--I have a special section of the forum specifically for it. Discussions About Slimming Down Windows XP>

My batch files will remove everything from your XP installation that they remove from mine.>

Sign In

[winxp] GUIDE: Making your windows folder smaller!

Recommended Posts

ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm

Link to comment

Share on other sites

ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

TheAZN303

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Pixelight

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Alex Suraci

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

iomega

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Mike E

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Lanot

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

sachleen

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Bold_Fortune

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Recently Browsing 0 members