How change lots of Windows default paths; how remove Wins default programs?

[Wai_Wai]

1. In case if I need, how to remove/disable *completely* [NOT just clear the folders temporarily] for the following:
- History (in IE | Tools | Options | General Tab)


2. How to relocate the following files *without problems*(ie changing the path from one to another):
- My recent documents
- Favorites (in IE)
- History (in IE | Tools | Options | General Tab)
- Cookies (in IE)

[NB: what I am asking is, eg, for "my recent documents", I don't want Wins make a record of what programs I use, what files I opened etc. Instead I could like to disable the function, or simply find a good way to remove this folder away without causing any problems.]

[NB: I think the method of "cut-and-paste" doesn't work. Once I tried moving favorites to another partition. Unfortunately the IE didn't detect the change and displayed nothing in my favorites pane]


NEW
3. I uses Wins XP.
I have to disable "Wins Files Protection" in order to delete some files.
Some websites have told me how to do:
- http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/790/
- http://www.collakesoftware.com/aboutwfp.htm

But to do so, I need to hook up the kernel debugger. What does it mean by "hook up the kernel debugger"?
Do you know what kernel debugger is?
Where and how to get it?

I need a hex editor too. Just wonder if windows provide one for us to use?!?

> At offset 0000E3BB (0E3BBh) you should find the values "8B" and "C6". (from: http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/790/)

How can I find it? Don't really know how to do…



4. How to *completely* remove the following functions/programs *without problems*:
- Internet Explorer
- Outlook Express
- NetMeeting (NB: I can't delete it. Wins Files Protection will replace it instantly after deletion)
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Movie Maker



5. Is it possible to stop the following programs from installing when I install Wins XP at the first place (If so, how?):
- Internet Explorer
- Outlook Express
- NetMeeting
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Movie Maker
- MSN Explorer
- Windows Messenger

[night_wolf]

==1. Don't make recent files in my documents - multiple ways with different settings:

1. Winkey+R -> gpedit.msc -> user configuration -> administrative templates -> start menu and taskbar -> clear history of recently opened...... (enable the option)
2. Winkey+R -> gpedit.msc -> user configuration -> administrative templates -> start menu and taskbar -> do not keep history of recently opened documetns (enable)
3. Winkey+R -> gpedit.msc -> user configuration -> administrative templates -> desktop -> do not add shares..... (enable)
with winxp there are also other ways...but this is the one i prefer to do

History/Temp files for I.E. - go to internet options, set amount of days to keep history to 0 and click settings, set amount to 1 mB, or an even better solution.....switch to FireFox )




==2. change the path to my documents -> right click my documents -> target: "choose where you want"
change path to favorites -> dont know of a way to do it off the top of my head, tho i am sure there probably is a way
change path to history in I.E. -> internet options -> settings -> move folder -> "specify new location"
change path to cookies in I.E. -> same as favoirtes

*for history/cookies....if you switch to FireFox i can tell you to do it there as i have done it *


==3. I.E. - there to stay
Outlook Express - http://www.tweakxp.com/display.aspx?id=2101 <- havent tested so do at your own risk
NetMeeting - http://www.nthelp.com/NT6/to_remove_netmeeting.htm <- havent tested so don't know if it works, but its a walkthrough for removing
Windows Media Player - uninstall from windows add/remove and windows component and then del the directories when done (not totally sure if it works but i THINK i did it once)
Windows Movie Maker - there to stay
MSN Explorer - remove through windows components in the add/remove interface (yes it does get rid of it)



==4. no you cannot, they are all installed by default and there is now way to stop it

if you need clarification just ask

www.tweakxp.com is a great place for finding various ways of doing everything you asked

http://www.blackviper.com/winXP/servicefg.htm another useful site, it helps you get rid of alot of unwanted services

[FatalException]

My answers are in the quote box below. You ask so many questions that it is hard to answer them any other way! I hope this clarifies things.

1. In case if I need, how to remove/disable *completely* [NOT just clear the folders temporarily] for the following:
- My recent documents
- History (in IE | Tools | Options | General Tab)
[NB: what I am asking is, eg, for "my recent documents", I don't want Wins make a record of what programs I use, what files I opened etc. Instead I could like to disable the function, or simply find a good way to remove this folder away without causing any problems.]

To stop windows from storing which programs you use (in that convenient Windows XP start menu), go into your start menu settings by right clicking the start button and choosing properties. Then change the start menu format back to Windows classic mode. Voila - no more stored program listings.

As for not recording what documents you use... http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/545/ <<---- this should help.



2. How to relocate the following files *without problems*(ie changing the path from one to another):
- My recent documents
- Favorities (in IE)
- History (in IE | Tools | Options | General Tab)
- Cookies

[NB: I think the method of "cut-and-paste" doesn't work. Once I tried moving favorites to another partition. Unfortunately the IE didn't detect the change and displayed nothing in my favorites pane]
See the above post for more info on this.


3. How to *completely* remove the following functions/programs *without problems*:
- Internet Explorer
- Outlook Express
- NetMeeting
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Movie Maker
- MSN Explorer (NB: I don't trust Windows "Add/Remove" Program anymore. Eg: IE occupies 0.0MB. If I unclick it, it just simply removes the shortcut. Just wonder the unclick of MSN Explorer will uninstall it completely)

[/COLOR]There is no way to remove internet explorer completely that I know of. I mean, even if you get rid of "iexplore.exe" - you still have "explorer.exe" which has the exact same integrated web browsing technology as IE and can still function as a web browser. Since explorer.exe is required to run the windows desktop, you're stuck.
Outlook Express can simply be removed by unchecking it as you mentioned above (within the add/remove windows components section of the control panel). Once that is done, hunt it down in the program files folder and either rename the directory or delete it. There, now that is gone.
Perform the same action for the other apps you mention, then hunt them down and delete them too. Since windows is not supposed to think they're installed AFTER you remove them from the registry via the add/remove programs control panel, it should not try to access them and should not encounter problems.[/COLOR]


4. Is it possible to stop the following programs from installing when I install Wins XP at the first place (If so, how?):
- Internet Explorer
- Outlook Express
- NetMeeting
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Movie Maker
- MSN Explorer
- Windows Messenger
It can only be done with the OEM configuration pack from Microsoft (given to companies like HP, Sony, Gateway, etc.) to allow them to install ONLY the software they want on the systems they build. This isn't available for home users, so you are stuck. My suggestion - install windows, setup your system just the way you like it (remove these programs as mentioned above), and then make a ghost image of the drive and burn it to a few CD's or DVD's. Then when you want to reinstall Windows on that system, pop in the ghost backups and you will have the exact same system as when you configured everything the way you wanted!

I found most of these answers on Google in a matter of about 10 minutes of searching, FYI. Another useful place to look - groups.google.com. There are a lot of people out there with exactly the same questions - often they have been answered by people more qualified than myself. Might as well get the info right from the horse's mouth, as they say!

[Wai_Wai]

==1. Don't make recent files in my documents - multiple ways with different settings:

1. Winkey+R -> gpedit.msc -> user configuration -> administrative templates -> start menu and taskbar -> clear history of recently opened...... (enable the option)
2. Winkey+R -> gpedit.msc -> user configuration -> administrative templates -> start menu and taskbar -> do not keep history of recently opened documetns (enable)
3. Winkey+R -> gpedit.msc -> user configuration -> administrative templates -> desktop -> do not add shares..... (enable)
with winxp there are also other ways...but this is the one i prefer to do

History/Temp files for I.E. - go to internet options, set amount of days to keep history to 0 and click settings, set amount to 1 mB, or an even better solution.....switch to FireFox )

I think it only works for Wins XP Pro since there's no "gdedit.msc" in Wins XP Home. Anyway, I got a Wins XP Pro CD. I can use it

==2. change the path to my documents -> right click my documents -> target: "choose where you want"

No. I am not asking that.
I am asking for "the recent documents (in Wins 9X, it simply call "recent").

change path to favorites -> dont know of a way to do it off the top of my head, tho i am sure there probably is a way
change path to history in I.E. -> internet options -> settings -> move folder -> "specify new location"
change path to cookies in I.E. -> same as favoirtes

*for history/cookies....if you switch to FireFox i can tell you to do it there as i have done it *

It sounds firefox is great.
It appears it doesn't need to install before I use it, right?
I like it very much because I hate a bad program to mess my system.
[PS: The uninstaller does not really uninstall everything. It usually leaves rubbish behind]

Also does it enable me to do the following:
Move the following folders:
- history and cookies [you said yes!]
- favorities
- temporarily internet files

And allow me to disable them if needed.

Also the following:
- "tabbed" and "new windows" browsing
- use less memory and system resource
- can automatically AND correctly choose the display language codes (eg Big5, ISO, unicode) used in the webpage [NB: IE fails to do so sometimes]

==3. I.E. - there to stay
Outlook Express - http://www.tweakxp.com/display.aspx?id=2101 <- havent tested so do at your own risk
NetMeeting - http://www.nthelp.com/NT6/to_remove_netmeeting.htm <- havent tested so don't know if it works, but its a walkthrough for removing
Windows Media Player - uninstall from windows add/remove and windows component and then del the directories when done (not totally sure if it works but i THINK i did it once)
Windows Movie Maker - there to stay
MSN Explorer - remove through windows components in the add/remove interface (yes it does get rid of it)

For OE, maybe not works too due to the Windows File Protection feature for unnecessary files!! [anyway, I haven't tried yet]

For Netmeeting, the method is nearly useless. After the uninstallation, the Windows File Protection feature will replace all the deleted files instantly, (although registry entries are really cleared). So annoying

For Windows Media Player (WMP), I don't think so. I don't know what "windows components add/remove" is trying to delete when I unclick "WMP". It only occupies 0.0MB. So strange. It seems it deletes the shortcut ONLY!
And simply delete its directory might cause a lot of problems. First not all files are stored in one directory. Second it might modify registry, and we can't correct it in this way.

Others methods I am reading.

==4. no you cannot, they are all installed by default and there is now way to stop it

if you need clarification just ask

www.tweakxp.com is a great place for finding various ways of doing everything you asked

http://www.blackviper.com/winXP/servicefg.htm another useful site, it helps you get rid of alot of unwanted services

Thanks.
I know the "blackviper" website too. Just found very recently.
Thanks for oyur help.

[Wai_Wai]

Hi, FatalException.
Nice to see your post again.

Outlook Express can simply be removed by unchecking it as you mentioned above (within the add/remove windows components section of the control panel). Once that is done, hunt it down in the program files folder and either rename the directory or delete it. There, now that is gone.
Perform the same action for the other apps you mention, then hunt them down and delete them too. Since windows is not supposed to think they're installed AFTER you remove them from the registry via the add/remove programs control panel, it should not try to access them and should not encounter problems.[/

Even if I unhide all components in Wins Add/Remove:
OE, Wins media player(WMA), IE are only available for you to remove their shortcuts in start menu and desktop (I know by reading the descriptions) - somewhat a trick to deceive you they are removed.

The selections seem not to remove the registry keys.
Simply delete the folders should cause problems too.



I found most of these answers on Google in a matter of about 10 minutes of searching, FYI. Another useful place to look - groups.google.com. There are a lot of people out there with exactly the same questions - often they have been answered by people more qualified than myself. Might as well get the info right from the horse's mouth, as they say!

Thanks for your advice.
Google is a very good search, and I usually turn to it when I need to find information. One piece of info found by Google is the removal of Wins Messenger.

For groups.google.com, you can find the newsgroups. However I don't know how to add the newsgroups to my OE (or other OE-liked programs. <-- I'm thinking of stop using it! Any recommendation?). There is not enough information available for me in the Google search [it only tells me the newsgroup, but not news-server], so as to add the newsgroup to OE.

How to do?

[night_wolf]

I think it only works for Wins XP Pro since there's no "gdedit.msc" in Wins XP Home. Anyway, I got a Wins XP Pro CD. I can use it


the command line is "gpedit.msc" not "gdedit.msc", xp home does this, give it another try

No. I am not asking that.
I am asking for "the recent documents (in Wins 9X, it simply call "recent").


If you do the above there will be no recent files to store so moving this shouldn't matter, but if you really do want to move it i'll see what i can find

It sounds firefox is great.
It appears it doesn't need to install before I use it, right?
I like it very much because I hate a bad program to mess my system.
[PS: The uninstaller does not really uninstall everything. It usually leaves rubbish behind]


yes, FireFox is great

Also does it enable me to do the following:
Move the following folders:
- history and cookies [you said yes!]
- favorities
- temporarily internet files

And allow me to disable them if needed.


temporary internet files yes they can be moved, favorites i haven't done because i dont mind where they are stored but i'm sure if i looked hard enough i could dig something up, i imagine it would probably be similar to the method used for temporary internet files, history/cookies: i shouldnt of said yes i did, i read through too quickly, but i know you can keep it from making a history period, cookies im sure if you look hard enough you can find something online telling how you can move the dir, also once again it will probably be similar to the way temporary internet files was done

Also the following:
- "tabbed" and "new windows" browsing
- use less memory and system resource
- can automatically AND correctly choose the display language codes (eg Big5, ISO, unicode) used in the webpage [NB: IE fails to do so sometimes]


tabbed: yes
use less memory and system resources: yes, it is just a browser without any of the built in extra stuff that I.E. is loaded with, thus also increasing the security and decreasing vulnerability of the browser
can automatically and correctly choose the display language codes: all the sites i have visited thus far have worked fine, but that's just me, Firefox has know incompatibilty problems with some sites just like I.E. has its own incompatibilty problems with other sites, no browser is 100% successful everytime, I.E. is not going anywhere, especially if you plan on running windows update as microsoft requires it, the most you can do to I.E. is delete all shortcuts and leave it in its directory till needed



For OE, maybe not works too due to the Windows File Protection feature for unnecessary files!! [anyway, I haven't tried yet]


there is a way to disable the windows file protection feature, i think its a service and can be disabled through services.msc in the run command. i am not sure however, but the blackviper site is good for finidng infomration on every service on your computer. try a search on tweakxp.com for "diable windows file protection"

For Netmeeting, the method is nearly useless. After the uninstallation, the Windows File Protection feature will replace all the deleted files instantly, (although registry entries are really cleared). So annoying


if the above works and windows file protection is successfully disabled then you won't have to worry about that anymore

For Windows Media Player (WMP), I don't think so. I don't know what "windows components add/remove" is trying to delete when I unclick "WMP". It only occupies 0.0MB. So strange. It seems it deletes the shortcut ONLY!
And simply delete its directory might cause a lot of problems. First not all files are stored in one directory. Second it might modify registry, and we can't correct it in this way.

Others methods I am reading.


just a thought, as i said i didn't know for sure

Thanks.
I know the "blackviper" website too. Just found very recently.
Thanks for oyur help.

not a problem, more questions/responses just post em

[Wai_Wai]

not a problem, more questions/responses just post em

I think I have to disable "Wins Files Protection".
Some websites have told me how to do:
- http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/790/
- http://www.collakesoftware.com/aboutwfp.htm

But to do so, I need to hook up the kernel debugger. Do you know what it is?
Where and how to get it? What does it mean by "hook up the kernel debugger"?

And I need a hex editor too. Do you know where to get it?
And how can I locate the line and correct it?

[Gilthanaz]

I do believe that TweakUI has options on the paranoia tab for stopping the recent documents and programs from being saved.

I've used this hex editor, its free too.

http://www.download.com/HexEditor/30...ml?tag=lst-0-7

[Wai_Wai]

Does anyone know if Firebox needs to go thorugh installation process (ie adding files to program files, alter Wins folders etc.)?

[night_wolf]

yes it does, but you can choose what directory you put it into, it's just like any other program. of course it has to be installed, how else would you go about using it?

[Wai_Wai]

yes it does, but you can choose what directory you put it into, it's just like any other program. of course it has to be installed, how else would you go about using it?

It would be cool if I can decide where to put bookmark, cookies, Internet temp files, and history.


** Reasons for changing paths **
I would like to change paths for better performance and stability. To do so, files will be less often being messed up. Less crash, and less defragmentation.
See http://aumha.org/a/parts.php which it suggests me to do the simliar things.

** Partition strategies **
I would like to partition my drives as follows:
A. floppy
B. N/A
C. Boot files. All temp files (including Temporary Internet Files, Temp and Tmp, Recent, History, Cookies)
D. System files (Wins). PF
E. Other PF
F. Backup 1 - My Documents, Desktop, Favorites (IE bookmark), OE: address bk and email/post storage. [& all settings]
G. Backup 2 - other storage and backups


What do you think?
Good or bad? Any suggestion?

[rrcn]

5. Is it possible to stop the following programs from installing when I install Wins XP at the first place (If so, how?):
- Internet Explorer
- Outlook Express
- NetMeeting
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Movie Maker
- MSN Explorer
- Windows Messenger

I dont know if its possible from keeping those from installing with windows, but I do know how to show windows messenger in Add/Remove Programs. Then you can uninstall it:

Warning: If you screw up, you cannot hold me liable for your actions. You have been WARNED! LOL

My computer --> C:\WINDOWS\inf (make sure you have hidden files showing) --> look for file "sysoc." Open it, its the one that looks like a notepad file but with a gear in the corner. In the file, wherever you see the word "hide" or "HIDE" delete that word. BUT be sure you do not erase the two commas before and after "hide." Once your all done, save the file then go to Add/Remove Programs and you will see the program that you removed "hide" from there, ready to be uninstalled.

[Wai_Wai]

I dont know if its possible from keeping those from installing with windows, but I do know how to show windows messenger in Add/Remove Programs. Then you can uninstall it:

Warning: If you screw up, you cannot hold me liable for your actions. You have been WARNED! LOL

My computer --> C:\WINDOWS\inf (make sure you have hidden files showing) --> look for file "sysoc." Open it, its the one that looks like a notepad file but with a gear in the corner. In the file, wherever you see the word "hide" or "HIDE" delete that word. BUT be sure you do not erase the two commas before and after "hide." Once your all done, save the file then go to Add/Remove Programs and you will see the program that you removed "hide" from there, ready to be uninstalled.

Only useful to Wins messenger (hopefully, because I doubt whether the uninstaller really uninstall everything) and Pinball. Others are still not. [Some options are fake. They freed 0.0MB which only delete the shortucts!!]

I found a good product called nLite which can do what I want (customize the setup of Windows XP. What's more, it's free!!)
http://nuhi.msfn.org/guide/nLite0.97beta/index.html