Windows XP Deitrus Removal

Factual Questions
1

I recently reformatted my HD and reinstalled Windows XP. After fine tuning my own set up for years, I’m rediscovering how spectacularly irritating the default install is.

One thing that I’m having trouble doing is removing all the junk that XP installs on my computer (without, might I add, informing me in any way, shape, or form). Specifically, I’d like to know how one might completely remove the following, which came with my copy. They don’t show up in the Add/Remove programs, and I’m too wary to delete them outright – I don’t want traces left in my registry.

  1. MSMSGIN – I hear this program is such a headache, and I have no desire or use for it.

  2. MSN Gaming Zone – Normally, I’d delete this outright, but I’m nervous about all the DLL files it sticks on here.

  3. Movie Maker – Again, no use or desire for this on my computer, and I want to keep things as pure as possible.

  4. Outlook – I neither need nor want this. Every attempt to uninstall it the conventional way ends in failure, or Windows pretending to get rid of it.

  5. Windows Media player – See above.

  6. NetMeeting – Again, a program I have no use or desire for.

I’d really like to remove all of this as soon as possible, before I start putting my own applications on my computer. Information on even a single one of these would be deeply appreciated.

2

control panel > add/remove programs > add/remove windows components > uncheck components you don’t want, click next, restart, etc.

if that doesn’t work, or you want to remove programs not found there, try:

control panel > administrative tools > services (local)

double click on eg windows messenger to get options > stop the program from running, then disable it, restart, etc.

3

Going a little further than bob loblaw, even after removing them from Windows Components, the files are still on the hard drive. You’ll have to go to Program Files and delete the files and folders there.

4

[nitpick]detritus[/nitpick]

5

First, I apologize for the misspelling. It was late. I was tired. It happens.

Second off, I tried doing that earlier, and the problem is that the entire uninstall of Outlook/Media Player is as far as I can tell, entirely for show. Absolutely nothing is actually done about them as far as I can tell. Moreover, when I try to delete them, Windows refuses because apparently MSN Gaming Zone is a vital part of my operating system, and must be run at all times.

6

I had good luck with XPlite.
http://www.litepc.com/

7

I defy removal! Mua-ha-ha-ha!