Windows XP - Tips

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Windows XP annoyances?

If you're using Windows XP and you've got some questions, you're not alone. On the whole I commend Microsoft for the new version of Windows 2000 (yes, Virginia, that's really what it is) but there are a few things that really leave a sour taste in my mouth. I want to use the computer, not be badgered into using all sorts of services. Microsoft hasn't figured this out - that what consumers really want is a computer that they can use. The usability is there, no doubt about it. But there are a few things that could just as well have been left out too.

 

What follows are some things that you can do to make Windows XP behave, and get rid of some annoyances.  And of course, keep it from phoning home.  You can jump to any page in this section in the sidebar, or just follow the links at the bottom.

How to Remove the Windows .NET Messenger and Other Optional Components of Windows XP

Note: This also works on Windows 2000, maybe even other Windows versions - I've tested these two.

 

Aside from the fact that there are four major online chat mediums in addition to IRC (the granddaddy of all internet chat), Windows Messenger in XP is cancerous. It isn't harmful to your health, but it pops up frequently and is hard to get rid of. This wouldn't be so bad if most of the world used it or if all the chat clients interoperated, but that's not going to happen soon, and in the meantime you have this extra program sucking up resources and annoying you.

There are two ways to get rid of Messenger safely. One requires a tad more work, the other, one command and it's gone, period, zappo, never to pop up again. Guess which is my favorite.

Method 1: Make Windows Messenger appear in the Add/Remove Programs list (where it should be anyway)

There are several Windows components that you can reveal with this tactic. As a general rule I force them all to appear in the Add/Remove list because *I* want control over what's installed on my PC.

 

<SOAPBOX> The thin excuse for this is that it's intended for a scripted install - true, certainly, but BS in a consumer focused OS. Microsoft has an army of programmers, and they could have easily done the same thing that you're about to learn. </SOAPBOX>

 

• Click on the empty part of the taskbar (just to the left of the clock is good) and press *F3*. This will invoke the Search window. Tell it to look for SYSOC.INF (which usually hides in C:\WINDOWS\INF).
• Once SYSOC.INF (SYStem Optional Components) has been located, double-click on it and it should open in Notepad.
• Press CTRL+H to bring up the find and replace dialog. For Find what: you enter ,hide, and for Replace with: you enter ,, (two commas, no spaces)
• Save the file. (Notepad likes to add .TXT to the end of files, so be careful - just click on the "X" in the upper right hand corner and say "yes" to the prompt to save your changes.)
• Now, the next time you go into Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs, you'll see all kinds of little bits and bytes that can be uninstalled - among them, Messenger.  OK, see ya, buh-bye.

Method 2: Blow it away, forever, for good, until you download it again :D

• Click on Start.
• Click on Run.
• Copy and paste this line into the box:

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

 

You'll get a prompt at the beginning of the process warning you to exit the program and make sure it isn't running.  (Screen shot 1)

 

You'll get another one afterwards showing that it's indeed gone.  (Screen shot 2)

NEXT: Disable Error Reporting >>>

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