Remove Hidden Windows Components

[The Dude]

If you've ever felt the need to get rid of MS Messenger,heres a trick that will let you do that,and so much more. MS thought it would be nice to include some components they "knew" you would need,and wont let you get rid of. Until now :D

1) Click Start.

2) Click Run.

3) Type: notepad.exe C:\windows\inf\sysoc.inf (This will bring up a hidden inf file.)

4) In notepad, click Edit on the toolbar.

5) Click Replace.

6) In the "Find What" text area type HIDE

7) Leave the "Replace With" text area blank.

8) Click Replace All.

9) Exit out of the Replace window.

10) Save the file.

Now check out the new uninstall options in Control Panel - Add Remove Programs - Windows Components.

Wasn't it nice of MS to include all those programs they just "knew" we needed?

This is for XP.

[Krispy84]

an easier way to do this is to rename the target

so instead of
C:\Program Files\Messenger\

rename the folder to

C:\Program Files\MessengerDisabled\

then if you ever want to enable it again, just remove the end of the folder name

[darktower]

heres a better way uninstall it. its alot simpler.Heres a list u can try some of these comands.

By Kyle Reasons
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003

General

* assoc

* Used to view and change file extension associations in Windows

# at

* Enables you to schedule one or more programs to run at a designated date and time

# attrib

* Enables you to view the attributes set for a file and to change one or more attributes

# break

* Causes the system to check for a break key only during standard operations, such as while making input or output (break off) or during all program execution options (break on)

# cacls

* Enables you to set, edit, or view the security permissions associated with a directory or file

# cd or chdir

* Enables you to change to a different folder or to view the name of the current folder

# chcp

* Used to view the currently active code page number or to set a different code page number

# chkdsk

* Used to report the disk file system statistics and to correct file system errors such as lost clusters (for FAT and NTFS)

# chkntfs

* Used to report the disk file system statistics and to correct file system errors such as lost clusters (only NTFS)

# cls

* Clears the information currently displayed on the screen

# cmd

* Used to start a new NT DOS Virtual Machine (NTDVM) session; a new command line session

# color

* Sets up the foreground and background screen colors

# comp or fc

* Enables you to compare the information in two files or in two sets of files to determine the difference in content

# compact

* Compress files and subfolders within a folder or removes the compression attribute

# convert

* Converts a FAT formatted volume to NTFS at the time a server is booted

# copy

* Copies files from one disk location to another

# date

* Enables you to view the date to reset it

# del or erase

* Deletes specified files on a volume

* dir

* List files and subfolders within a folder

# diskcomp

* Checks the contents of one floppy disk against the contents of another

# diskcopy

* Copies information on a floopy disk to another floppy disk

# diskperf

* Installs, starts, or stops the Performance/System Monitor disk counters

# doskey

* Starts the recall of previously used MS-DOS commands and is used to create command macros

# echo

* Shows an associated message or turns screen messages on or off

# exit

* Used to close the Command Prompt windows session

# find

* Used to find a designated set of characters contained in one or more files

# findstr

* Used to find one ore more sets of characters within a set of files

# format

* Formats a floppy disk

# ftype

* Provides detailed information about file extension associations and it is used to change associations so as to link them with a designated program

# graftabl

* Displays characters and code-page switching for a color display monitor

# help

* Provides a list of command-line commands and is used to display help about a particular command

# keyb

* Enables you to set the keyboard language or layout

# label

* Modifies the label on a disk volume

# md or mkdir

* Used to set up a new folder

# mode

* Sets up parameters for a device or communications port

# more

* Used to limit the display to one screen at a time so that information does not rush by faster than it can be read

# move

* Enables you to move files from one disk to another on the same volume

# path

* Used to establish the path or list of folders to search in order to run a program or command

# popd

* Deletes a specified drive letter that was temporarily created by pushd

# print

* Prints a designated file

# prompt

* Modifies the format of the command prompt shown in the Command Prompt window

# pushd

* Changes the path and directory specified and stores the current path and directory for later reference

# rd or rmdir

* Deletes a folder or subfolder

# recover

* Enables you to try recovering files and data from a damaged unreadable disk

# regedit or reged32

* Starts the GUI-based registry editor

# ren or rename

* Renames a file or a group of files

# replace

* Compares files in two disks or folders and synchronizes the files in one to those on another

# set

* Shows a list of currently set environment variables and is used to modify those variables

# setlocal

* Used to start command process extensions via a batch file, such as for detecting error-level information

# sort

* Sorts lines input into a file, written to the screen, or sent to a printer from a file

# start

* Starts a new Command Prompt window in which to run a program or a command

# subst

* Used to link a path or volume with a designated drive letter

# systeminfo

* Provides a wealth of information about hardware and software (not available in 2000)

# time

* Used to view the time of day and to reset it

# title

* Modifies the title bar of the Command Prompt window

# tree

* Used to show a graphic of the folder and subfolder tree structure

# type

* Shows a file’s contents on the screen or sends teh contents of a file

# ver

* Shows the current version of the operating system

# verify

* Instructs the operating system to verify the each file is accurately written to disk at time it is created, copied, moved, or updated

# vol

* Used to view the volume label, if there is one, and the volume serial number

# xcopy

* Designed as a fast copy program for files, folders, and subfolders

Network Commands

* ipconfig

* Displays information about the TCP/IP setup

# net accounts

* Used to change account policy settings and to synchronize BDCs

# net computer

* Adds or removes a computer in a domain

# net config

* Shows the started services that can be configured from this command, such as the Server and Workstation services

# net continue

* Resumes a service that has been paused

# net file

* Shows the currently open shared files and file locks and is used to close designated files or to remove file locks

# net group

* Shows the existing global groups and is used to modify those groups

# net help

* Displays help information for the net command

# net helpmsg

* Used to determine the meaning of a numeric network error message

# netlocalgroup

* Shows the exisiting local groups and is used to modify those groups

# net name

* Used to display, add, or remove computer names that can participate in the Messenger service

# net pause

* Pauses a service

# net print

* Used to view and manage queued print jobs by computer, share name, and job number

# net send

* Sends a message to designated users or to all users currently connected to the server

# net session

* Shows the users currently connected to the server and is used to disconnet designated user sessions or all user sessions

# net share

* Used to create, delete, or show information about a shared resource

# net start

* Shows the started services or is used to start a designated service

# net statistics

* Shows the accumulated statistics about the Server or Workstation service

# net stop

* Stops a network service on a server

# net time

* Used to synchronoize the server’s clock with that of another computer in the same or in a different domain, or to view the time as set on another computer in the same or in a different domain

# net use

* Shows information about shared resources or is used to configure, connect, and disconnect shared resources

# net user

* Used to view, add, or modify a user account set up on the server or in a domain

# net view

* Presents a list of domains, the computers and servers in a domain, and all resources shared by a computer in a domain

# nbstat

* Shows the server and domain names registered to the network (used only on server versions)

# netstat

* Used to display information about the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) session at the server

# ping

* Used to poll TCP/IP node to verify you can communicate with it

# tracert

* Used to view the number of hops and other routing information on the path to the specifeid server or host

Later this week: Linux and Mac OS X commands

Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003
General

* assoc

* Used to view and change file extension associations in Windows

# at

* Enables you to schedule one or more programs to run at a designated date and time

# attrib

* Enables you to view the attributes set for a file and to change one or more attributes

# break

* Causes the system to check for a break key only during standard operations, such as while making input or output (break off) or during all program execution options (break on)

# cacls

* Enables you to set, edit, or view the security permissions associated with a directory or file

# cd or chdir

* Enables you to change to a different folder or to view the name of the current folder

# chcp

* Used to view the currently active code page number or to set a different code page number

# chkdsk

* Used to report the disk file system statistics and to correct file system errors such as lost clusters (for FAT and NTFS)

# chkntfs

* Used to report the disk file system statistics and to correct file system errors such as lost clusters (only NTFS)

# cls

* Clears the information currently displayed on the screen

# cmd

* Used to start a new NT DOS Virtual Machine (NTDVM) session; a new command line session

# color

* Sets up the foreground and background screen colors

# comp or fc

* Enables you to compare the information in two files or in two sets of files to determine the difference in content

# compact

* Compress files and subfolders within a folder or removes the compression attribute

# convert

* Converts a FAT formatted volume to NTFS at the time a server is booted

# copy

* Copies files from one disk location to another

# date

* Enables you to view the date to reset it

# del or erase

* Deletes specified files on a volume

* dir

* List files and subfolders within a folder

# diskcomp

* Checks the contents of one floppy disk against the contents of another

# diskcopy

* Copies information on a floopy disk to another floppy disk

# diskperf

* Installs, starts, or stops the Performance/System Monitor disk counters

# doskey

* Starts the recall of previously used MS-DOS commands and is used to create command macros

# echo

* Shows an associated message or turns screen messages on or off

# exit

* Used to close the Command Prompt windows session

# find

* Used to find a designated set of characters contained in one or more files

# findstr

* Used to find one ore more sets of characters within a set of files

# format

* Formats a floppy disk

# ftype

* Provides detailed information about file extension associations and it is used to change associations so as to link them with a designated program

# graftabl

* Displays characters and code-page switching for a color display monitor

# help

* Provides a list of command-line commands and is used to display help about a particular command

# keyb

* Enables you to set the keyboard language or layout

# label

* Modifies the label on a disk volume

# md or mkdir

* Used to set up a new folder

# mode

* Sets up parameters for a device or communications port

# more

* Used to limit the display to one screen at a time so that information does not rush by faster than it can be read

# move

* Enables you to move files from one disk to another on the same volume

# path

* Used to establish the path or list of folders to search in order to run a program or command

# popd

* Deletes a specified drive letter that was temporarily created by pushd

# print

* Prints a designated file

# prompt

* Modifies the format of the command prompt shown in the Command Prompt window

# pushd

* Changes the path and directory specified and stores the current path and directory for later reference

# rd or rmdir

* Deletes a folder or subfolder

# recover

* Enables you to try recovering files and data from a damaged unreadable disk

# regedit or reged32

* Starts the GUI-based registry editor

# ren or rename

* Renames a file or a group of files

# replace

* Compares files in two disks or folders and synchronizes the files in one to those on another

# set

* Shows a list of currently set environment variables and is used to modify those variables

# setlocal

* Used to start command process extensions via a batch file, such as for detecting error-level information

# sort

* Sorts lines input into a file, written to the screen, or sent to a printer from a file

# start

* Starts a new Command Prompt window in which to run a program or a command

# subst

* Used to link a path or volume with a designated drive letter

# systeminfo

* Provides a wealth of information about hardware and software (not available in 2000)

# time

* Used to view the time of day and to reset it

# title

* Modifies the title bar of the Command Prompt window

# tree

* Used to show a graphic of the folder and subfolder tree structure

# type

* Shows a file’s contents on the screen or sends teh contents of a file

# ver

* Shows the current version of the operating system

# verify

* Instructs the operating system to verify the each file is accurately written to disk at time it is created, copied, moved, or updated

# vol

* Used to view the volume label, if there is one, and the volume serial number

# xcopy

* Designed as a fast copy program for files, folders, and subfolders

Network Commands

* ipconfig

* Displays information about the TCP/IP setup

# net accounts

* Used to change account policy settings and to synchronize BDCs

# net computer

* Adds or removes a computer in a domain

# net config

* Shows the started services that can be configured from this command, such as the Server and Workstation services

# net continue

* Resumes a service that has been paused

# net file

* Shows the currently open shared files and file locks and is used to close designated files or to remove file locks

# net group

* Shows the existing global groups and is used to modify those groups

# net help

* Displays help information for the net command

# net helpmsg

* Used to determine the meaning of a numeric network error message

# netlocalgroup

* Shows the exisiting local groups and is used to modify those groups

# net name

* Used to display, add, or remove computer names that can participate in the Messenger service

# net pause

* Pauses a service

# net print

* Used to view and manage queued print jobs by computer, share name, and job number

# net send

* Sends a message to designated users or to all users currently connected to the server

# net session

* Shows the users currently connected to the server and is used to disconnet designated user sessions or all user sessions

# net share

* Used to create, delete, or show information about a shared resource

# net start

* Shows the started services or is used to start a designated service

# net statistics

* Shows the accumulated statistics about the Server or Workstation service

# net stop

* Stops a network service on a server

# net time

* Used to synchronoize the server’s clock with that of another computer in the same or in a different domain, or to view the time as set on another computer in the same or in a different domain

# net use

* Shows information about shared resources or is used to configure, connect, and disconnect shared resources

# net user

* Used to view, add, or modify a user account set up on the server or in a domain

# net view

* Presents a list of domains, the computers and servers in a domain, and all resources shared by a computer in a domain

# nbstat

* Shows the server and domain names registered to the network (used only on server versions)

# netstat

* Used to display information about the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) session at the server

# ping

* Used to poll TCP/IP node to verify you can communicate with it

# tracert

* Used to view the number of hops and other routing information on the path to the specifeid server or host