Make XP Smaller

Here’s something I learned….you can make XP smaller by removing programs you don’t use…in order to do this you have to modify some system files, otherwise the uninstall option does not show up in thecontrol panel for a lot of programs (windows XP programs). Here’s how to do it: Go to the Windows folder/inf/sysoc.inf…..remove the word "hide" from all the entries in that folder. (In order to see that folder you have to enable "view all files" in tools/view/folder options.) After you do this, you will then be able to remove a whole lot of stuff using control panel….including the annoying messenger icon that always pops up. I’m not sure how small you can shrink this OS….maybe 900mb. Problem here is you have to do a large default install before you can shrink it….there may be a work-around here, but I
haven’t found it yet.

WORKAROUND - Create a custom install disk using nLite - you can remove a ton of addins from the basic install.