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All Things Microsoft => Microsoft Software => Topic started by: JanusChrist on 28 January 2005, 13:55

Title: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: JanusChrist on 28 January 2005, 13:55
Anyone have suggestions for programs, registry items, and other garbage that you can trim off of Windows XP? I tried to get rid of Outlook Express but couldn't (I did delete it from my registry though). Any suggestions? What about Agent, Dr Watson, Net Meeting, help files, msconfig programs?
Title: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Refalm on 28 January 2005, 16:54
It's shareware, but it's recommended by Nathan Lineback (http://www.toastytech.com/) who owns one of the best anti-Microsoft site ever.

The program you need: LitePC (http://www.litepc.com/).

Of course, you can never remove every spyware from Windows XP. If you want your computer up to the full potential, try Linux.
Title: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Calum on 29 January 2005, 03:34
quote:
Originally posted by Refalm / BOB:
Of course, you can never remove every spyware from Windows XP.
i could
 
quote:
If you want your computer up to the full potential, try Linux.

and that's the method i would use to do it.

Linux systems do not have a 'registry' to mess up your configuration, nor does it include browsers, media players and other huge rubbish as 'core' components of the system. the only reason you'd want windows instead of a user oriented linux distribution would be if you had some proprietary product that there's no non-windows equivalent of, but those things you mentioned don't really fall into that category i would say.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: adiment on 7 February 2005, 11:43
Quote from: JanusChrist
Anyone have suggestions for programs, registry items, and other garbage that you can trim off of Windows XP? I tried to get rid of Outlook Express but couldn't (I did delete it from my registry though). Any suggestions? What about Agent, Dr Watson, Net Meeting, help files, msconfig programs?

http://www.tweakxp.com alot here to get rid of  bullshit that windows has...
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: NegStar on 11 February 2005, 06:59
An excellent reference for optimizing your PC.  Pay particular attention to section on disabling services at system start-up.
http://www.blackviper.com/index.html
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: z0iid on 1 March 2005, 20:10
http://unattended.msfn.org/ (http://unattended.msfn.org/)
 
Good resource.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Brandon Paddock on 10 March 2005, 07:29
Quote from: Calum

Linux systems do not have a 'registry' to mess up your configuration

No, instead they have hundreds of scattered, cryptically named text files - many of which require changing by hand.  The registry, on the other hand, is for Windows to keep track of your settings in one centralized and secure location.  It was not meant to be edited manually.
 
Quote
, nor does it include browsers, media players and other huge rubbish as 'core' components of the system.

Actually... both KDE and Gnome include file browsers.  Most distros these days include a default browser that is used for both local files and web browsing.
 
And none of those features are "core" components of Windows.  They're integrated into the shell... but that's an entirely different matter.  Windows does a fairly good job keeping the non-essentials in user space.  Far better than Linux (the origin of kernel bloatware), though arguably not as clean cut as BSD (at least in the NT 5.x era).
 
Quote
the only reason you'd want windows instead of a user oriented linux distribution would be if you had some proprietary product that there's no non-windows equivalent of, but those things you mentioned don't really fall into that category i would say.

Or perhaps you'd want it because it's more secure and reliable than any Linux distribution?  Or because it is faster, supports more hardware, and works with all your software?
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: skyman8081 on 10 March 2005, 08:22
Quote from: Brandon Paddock
No, instead they have hundreds of scattered, cryptically named text files - many of which require changing by hand.  The registry, on the other hand, is for Windows to keep track of your settings in one centralized and secure location.  It was not meant to be edited manually.
 

 
Actually... both KDE and Gnome include file browsers.  Most distros these days include a default browser that is used for both local files and web browsing.
 
And none of those features are "core" components of Windows.  They're integrated into the shell... but that's an entirely different matter.  Windows does a fairly good job keeping the non-essentials in user space.  Far better than Linux (the origin of kernel bloatware), though arguably not as clean cut as BSD (at least in the NT 5.x era).
 

 
Or perhaps you'd want it because it's more secure and reliable than any Linux distribution?  Or because it is faster, supports more hardware, and works with all your software?


I completely agree.

Most people here think that windows has not progressed in any way shape or form since 3.0 For Workgroups.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Calum on 10 March 2005, 16:05
i hope you both feel happy with your idiotic assumtions.

i haven't really got time right now to reply, nor do i think it's worth it on the whole.

you both appear to be replying to things i didn't actually say, a typical tactic of microsoft advocates.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Brandon Paddock on 11 March 2005, 09:55
Quote from: Calum
i hope you both feel happy with your idiotic assumtions.

I made no assumptions in my post [/quote]
 
Quote
i haven't really got time right now to reply, nor do i think it's worth it on the whole.

You did reply.  You made it clear that you disagree, and even insulted me (us).  But I guess you just meant that you don't have an actual answer.
 
Quote

you both appear to be replying to things i didn't actually say, a typical tactic of microsoft advocates.

I included excerpts of the parts of your post I was responding to.  You said very clearly that the registry "mess[es] up your computer."  Which, of course, is a load of bull.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Orethrius on 11 March 2005, 15:47
Quote from: Brandon Paddock

Or perhaps you'd want it because it's more secure and reliable than any Linux distribution?  Or because it is faster, supports more hardware, and works with all your software?


Do me a favor.  If you're going to make an intelligent reply like you did, at least come up with examples to reinforce your bottom line.  Arbitrary examples don't work as proof of an arbitrary conclusion.  Besides, Calum gets a little messed up sometimes, I'm thinking he meant "sans registry, which happens to be easily corruptible by the actions of third-party applications."  That would have a certain ring of truth to it, and all but discredit any notion that the centralised registry is secure - at least in its current form.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 11 March 2005, 19:47
Quote from: Brandon Paddock
No, instead they have hundreds of scattered, cryptically named text files - many of which require changing by hand.


That's one of the things I don't like about Linux.

Quote from: Brandon Paddock
 The registry, on the other hand, is for Windows to keep track of your settings in one centralized and secure location.  It was not meant to be edited manually.

 
But there's litte separation between important system settings and less important user settings.

 
Quote from: Brandon Paddock
Actually... both KDE and Gnome include file browsers.  Most distros these days include a default browser that is used for both local files and web browsing.
 
And none of those features are "core" components of Windows.  They're integrated into the shell... but that's an entirely different matter.


Yes they are when use need this shell to do system updates.


Quote from: Brandon Paddock
 Windows does a fairly good job keeping the non-essentials in user space.  Far better than Linux (the origin of kernel bloatware), though arguably not as clean cut as BSD (at least in the NT 5.x era).


What do you mean?


Quote from: Brandon Paddock
Or perhaps you'd want it because it's more secure and reliable than any Linux distribution?


Linux varies form distribution to distribution, and how you set it up.

Quote from: Brandon Paddock
 Or because it is faster, supports more hardware, and works with all your software?


That's one of the reasons I use Windows.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Calum on 11 March 2005, 22:17
Quote from: Brandon Paddock
Which, of course, is a load of bull.


riiiight.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: WMD on 12 March 2005, 00:13
Quote
Windows does a fairly good job keeping the non-essentials in user space.

Like the window system, right?

Oh, wait.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: Kintaro on 21 March 2005, 19:16
Brandon Pillock, you have no idea what your on about.

No, instead they have hundreds of scattered, cryptically named text files - many of which require changing by hand. The registry, on the other hand, is for Windows to keep track of your settings in one centralized and secure location. It was not meant to be edited manually.

I think you mean "Dont need to be edited manually". And neither is the case with Linux as well with software like http://www.webmin.com

Because as soon as your fucking around in regedit, or vim, your editing manually: changing it by hand.

Actually... both KDE and Gnome include file browsers. Most distros these days include a default browser that is used for both local files and web browsing.

Actually thats not "these days" thats "in those days" because Nautillus in most distributions of Gnome now are purely for file browsing with no web browsing at all. File browsing can however include FTP, SMB, etc.

Or perhaps you'd want it because it's more secure and reliable than any Linux distribution? Or because it is faster, supports more hardware, and works with all your software?

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahahahahahaha

I have had a brand new laptop for 3 months, Windows would crash, randomly reboot, and fuck up all the time.

I am yet to have any Linux problems.

And yea, all my software is supported.
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: greatscot on 21 March 2005, 19:47
Shit you can trim out of Windows? Uhm.. Windows.

LONG  LIVE  LINUX !!!
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: muzzy on 21 March 2005, 19:58
Quote from: z0iid
http://unattended.msfn.org/ (http://unattended.msfn.org/)
 
Good resource.


This indeed looks wonderful. Too bad the whole site depends on javascript for ugly menus and the design is otherwise atrocious as well. Ohwell, at least it has content :)
Title: Re: Shit that you can trim out of Windows XP
Post by: muzzy on 21 March 2005, 20:08
Quote from: Aloone_Jonez
But there's litte separation between important system settings and less important user settings.


So, how much separation do you need? System settings vs user settings tend to be in different parts of the registry namespace, different parts of the namespace tend to be separated in different hive files, and you can have per-key ACLs to prevent users from screwing things around. At least on my w2k3, the defaults permissions aren't completely braindead. either. Normal users aren't allowed to touch many of the things they shouldn't, and if you're always in as an administrator it's your own damn fault if you screw the system.