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Individual Files I Remove From The system32 Folder
In PARTS 1-9 of Slimming Down Windows XP: The Complete Guide we have deleted over 1,000 Individual system32 Files. Here in PART 10 we are going to delete another 300 Individual system32 Files.
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Many people have asked for my personal batch files. I have declined to release them to the general public.
I will however help you get started making your own batch files. You can then add any individual files you want to them. Which individual files you choose to remove from your system will be entirely up to you.
I have incorporated a failsafe feature into my batch files.
Files and folders will be moved and saved (Not deleted permanently. Later that will be up to you.) to a backup folder on C:\. The backup folder is simply named "Backup".
Within the Backup folder, you will find the files and folders you removed, in smart placement. Their order of appearance will be identical to how XP's files and folders appear on your C Drive.
When you remove files and folders from the WINDOWS and system32 directories, in the Backup folder you will first see a WINDOWS folder. Within the WINDOWS folder you will see the individual files and subfolders you removed, including the system32 folder. And within the system32 folder you will see its individual files and subfolders you removed. The same applies to the Documents and Settings and the Program Files directories.
I created this smart placement so you would always know exactly where these files and folders came from should you decide to replace any to their original locations.
Note: Be sure to temporarily delete the backup folder filled with files and subfolders before using any registry cleaners. The registry cleaners will more than likely correct the files paths to the backup folder, rather than remove their paths.
Copy and Paste between the lines to Notepad. Save as "any name you choose.bat" Then insert your file choices where I have mine.
IF NOT EXIST "c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32" md c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32 MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\$winnt$.inf c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\ MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\aaaamon.dll c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\ MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\ac3filter.cpl c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\ MOVE c:\WINDOWS\system32\acledit.dll c:\backup\WINDOWS\system32\---------------------------------------
Adobe Type Manager (ATM)
Software from Adobe that was used with earlier versions of Mac and Windows for printing PostScript Type 1 fonts on non-PostScript printers. Since Windows, starting with Windows 2000, and Mac OS X natively support Type 1 fonts, ATM was no longer required.
(OpenType fonts resemble TrueType fonts but they can contain either TrueType or PostScript Type 1 font data. As such, they are a merger of two competing technologies.)
atmfd.dll.......Windows NT OpenType/Type 1 Font Driver
atmlib.dll......Windows NT OpenType/Type 1 API Library
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Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is network technology for both local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) that supports realtime voice and video as well as data. ATM is widely used as a backbone technology in carrier networks and large enterprises, but never became popular as a local network (LAN) topology.
ATMADM.EXE......(ATM Call Manager Utility). Command-line tool. Monitors connections and addresses that are registered by the ATM Call Manager on an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. You can use atmadm to display statistics for incoming and outgoing calls on ATM adapters.
atmpvcno.dll....Atm Epvc Install DLL
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Authentication Support Files
Authentication is a process where one user or device proves his or her identity to another principal, a user, or a device.
You may need some of these files when Networking.
CREDUI.DLL......(Credential Manager User Interface). Along with the netid.dll, the CREDUI.DLL is needed to see Computer Name tab in System Properties. Also needed to access User Accounts, Network Setup Wizard, Hardware Update Wizard and Wireless Network Setup Wizard. Also, in System Properties under Drivers, you need the CREDUI.DLL to access the Windows Update button, where you can configure how you want Windows to connect to the Microsoft Update Website to search for a matching driver when you connect a new device. The CREDUI.DLL at times may be needed by Websites which generate Registered User Login popup boxes, where you put in your Username and Password to login. Uncovered by one of our forum members, Level: The objsel.dll (See below under Listed Alphabetically.) is required in order to open the dialog box that appears when you right click a file or folder and choose "Security" then click "Add". After testing this out, I also discovered that the CREDUI.DLL needs to be present for this function.
KERBEROS.DLL....(Kerberos Security Package). Provides secure industry-standard authentication. One of the Authentication Support Files needed to access the options in the New Connection Wizard.
keymgr.dll......(Stored User Names and Passwords). Windows allows applications to store login information for network locations and Websites. To access the Stored Usernames and Passwords graphical interface to add, remove, or edit the saved passwords on a system, click Start and select Run, type in "rundll32.exe keymgr.dll, KRShowKeyMgr" without the quotes and click OK.
NETLOGON.DLL....Net Logon Services DLL
ntlsapi.dll.....(Microsoft® License Server Interface DLL). One of the Authentication Support Files needed to access the options in the New Connection Wizard.
WDIGEST.DLL.....(Microsoft Digest Access). A simple Challenge and Response protocol. Intended to replace Basic authentication.
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Autochk Files
During the Windows Startup Process, Autochk, a boot-time version of Chkdsk is started. If the computer was shut down improperly, (for example, by a power failure), Autochk scans the hard disk the next time you start Windows. Autochk will attempt to repair any potential damage.
The Autochk process will monitor your system, watching for changes to your system's registry, ini files, hardware and installation of software. It will periodically keep a copy of your systems configuration so that you can restore the system, should changes cause your computer to become unstable.
The AUTOCHK.EXE (Auto Check Disk) launches automatically during the Windows XP bootup process if a volume is marked as dirty (has bad clusters, has error blocks, or is otherwise damaged). The AUTOCHK.EXE is listed in the "350 Files I Do Not Delete" sections. It is needed to boot to Windows.
These Autochk Files are unnecessary, though, when your partition is converted to the NTFS file system from the FAT32 file system:
AUTOCONV.EXE....(Auto File System Conversion Utility). Used by the Windows XP setup routine to convert a FAT volume to NTFS.
AUTOFMT.EXE.....(Auto File System Conversion Utility). The Auto File System conversion utility.
cnvfat.dll......FAT File System Conversion Utility DLL
ufat.dll........FAT Utility DLL
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Creative Live! 24-bit Sound Card Files
I recently purchased a Creative Live! 24-bit Sound Card. Up until then I was using Realtek's AC97 Onboard Sound Card. I uninstalled the Realtek driver, and deleted all the files its driver installation put on my system. Then I disabled the Multimedia Audio Controller with a yellow question mark under "Other devices" in the Device Manager, so Windows would stop recognizing the Realtek Onboard Sound Card each time I booted up.
I did not install the Creative software from the installation disc that came with the Sound Card. I downloaded and installed the necessary drivers for my new Creative Sound Card only. That is important to keep in mind, because you may need some of the files I deleted if you use the Creative software.
I deleted these files and folders installed by the Creative drivers:
From C:\Program Files:
The Creative folder and its contents.
From C:\WINDOWS:
INRES.DLL.......inRes
MIDIDEF.EXE.....(mididef). Utility for setting a default MIDI device.
P17DEF.EXE......Creative Default Settings Restorer
SETTINGS.REG....Registry Entries for Creative
From C:\WINDOWS\system32:
The driver installation also creates an empty "Data" subfolder in system32. I deleted it, and these Individual system32 files:
A3d.dll.........a3dx5
CT1MGM.ROM......ROM File
ct2mgm.sf2......SF2 File
CT4MGM.SF2......SF2 File
CtDvInst.dll....CtDvInst
ctzapxx.ini.....Configuration Settings
DEFAULT.SFM.....SFM File
DEFAULT4.SFM....SFM File
DEFAULT8.SFM....SFM File
EAX.DLL.........EAX Unified
Ludap17.ini.....Configuration Settings
OPENAL32.DLL....OpenAL32
P17.dll.........P17 AudioControlX2 Module
P17CPI.dll......P17CPI Module
P17res.dll......P17 Driver Resources
sfman32.dll.....SoundFont® Manager
sfms32.dll......SoundFont® Manager
From C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers:
CTOSS2K.SYS.....Creative OS Services Driver (WDM)
CTSFM2K.SYS.....SoundFont® Manager (WDM)
P17.SYS.........9WDM Audio Miniport). I DID NOT DELETE this particular driver. It is necessary for sound with Creative Live!
PFMODNT.SYS.....PCI/ISA Device Info. Service
I also uninstalled these in Device Manager under Non-Plug and Play Drivers:
Creative OS Services Driver
Creative SoundFont Management Device Driver
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Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) Counters
Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) is a multi-user database from Microsoft that supports full Data Manipulation Language (DML) and Data Definition Language (DDL). ESE is optimized for fast retrieval of data.
You can use ESE counters in the Performance Console to monitor the ESE database on a domain controller. I have read that you install these counters manually using the esentprf.dll. How this is done I really don't know.
esentprf.dll....Server Database Storage Performance Library
esentprf.hxx....
esentprf.ini....
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HTML Help (.chm) format
hhctrl.ocx......(Microsoft® HTML Help Control). Part of Microsoft's HTML Help (.chm) format. One of three files needed to open *.chm help files. Also need to open *.chm help files are the itss.dll, located in the system32 folder, and the hh.exe, located in the WINDOWS folder. Note: The hhctrl.ocx is also needed to be able to open WinAVIVideoConverter.
hhsetup.dll.....(Microsoft® HTML Help). Part of Microsoft's HTML Help (.chm) format.
itircl.dll......(Microsoft® InfoTech IR Local DLL). Part of Microsoft's HTML Help (.chm) format.
itss.dll........(Microsoft® InfoTech Storage System Library). Part of Microsoft's HTML Help (.chm) format. One of three files needed to open *.chm help files. Also need to open *.chm help files are the hhctrl.ocx, also located in the system32 folder, and the hh.exe, located in the WINDOWS folder.
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Input Method Editors and Multilanguage Keyboard Layout Support Files
CONIME.EXE......(Console IME). The console for the Input Method Editor used to convert non-Arabic letters from a 101-keyboard.
ctfmon.exe......(CTF Loader). The Ctfmon.exe activates the Alternative User Input Text Input Processor (TIP) and the Microsoft Office Language Bar. The Language Bar appears on your desktop automatically when you add handwriting recognition, speech recognition, or an Input Method Editor (IME) as a method of entering text. In addition, if you add a second language or keyboard layout, you can display the Language Bar from the Taskbar.
imeshare.dll....Microsoft Office IME Shared property library
input.dll.......Text Input DLL
intl.cpl........(Control Panel DLL). Regional and Language Options Control Panel applet. NOTE: You will need the input.dll in order to be able to open Regional and Languages Options in Control Panel.
lpk.dll.........Language Pack
MSCTF.DLL.......(MSCTF Server DLL). Needed to install Internet Explorer 8. After which it can be deleted.
MSCTFP.dll......MSCTFP Server DLL
MSIMTF.DLL......Active IMM Server DLL
mslbui.dll......Language Bar Add In
msutb.dll.......MSUTB Server DLL
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Manifest Files
cdplayer.exe.manifest
logonui.exe.manifest
ncpa.cpl.manifest
nwc.cpl.manifest
sapi.cpl.manifest
WindowsLogon.manifest
wuaucpl.cpl.manifest
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Microsoft Visual C++
Microsoft Visual C++ (also known as MSVC) is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) product for the C, C++, and C++/CLI programming languages engineered by Microsoft. It has tools for developing and debugging C++ code, especially written for the Microsoft Windows API, the DirectX API, and the Microsoft .NET Framework.
Integrated development environment (IDE) is a type of computer software that assists computer programmers to develop software. IDEs normally consist of a source code editor, a compiler and/or interpreter, build-automation tools, and usually a debugger.
crtdll.dll......Microsoft C Runtime Library
msvcp50.dll.....Microsoft ® C++ Runtime Library
msvcrt20.dll....Microsoft® C Runtime Library
msvcrt40.dll....VC 4.x CRT DLL (Forwarded to msvcrt.dll)
Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) is a Microsoft library that wraps portions of the Windows API in C++ classes, forming an application framework. Classes are defined for many of the handle-managed Windows objects and also for predefined windows and common controls.
An Application Programming Interface (API) is the interface that a computer system, library or application provides in order to allow requests for service to be made of it by other computer programs, and/or to allow data to be exchanged between them.
mfc40u.dll......(MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version). Dated version of the mfc42u.dll.
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MSXML
Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) is a set of services that allow applications written in JScript, VBScript, and Microsoft development tools to build Windows-native XML-based applications.
MSXML 6.0 MSXML6 is the latest MSXML product from Microsoft, and (along with MSXML3) is shipped with the Microsoft Windows operating system.
MSXML 5.0 MSXML5 is a binary developed specifically for Microsoft Office.
MSXML 4.0 MSXML4 was shipped as a separate, downloadable SDK (Software Development Kit) targeted at Independent Software Vendors and third parties.
MSXML 3.0 MSXML3 is a current MSXML product, represented by msxml3.dll, and is found on Microsoft Windows operating systems.
MSXML 2.6 This is an early version of MSXML, and is represented by msxml2.dll. This product is no longer supported by Microsoft, and the CLSIDs and ProgIDs it exposes have been subsumed by MSXML 3.0.
MSXML 2.5 This is an early version of MSXML, and is represented by msxml.dll. This product is no longer supported by Microsoft, and the CLSIDs and ProgIDs it exposes have been subsumed by MSXML 3.0.
For complete MSXML version information, see the MSXML Version List at Microsoft.
msxml2.dll.....XML OM for Win32
msxml2r.dll....XML Resources for Win32
msxml3a.dll....XML Resources
msxml.dll......XML OM for Win32
msxmlr.dll.....XML Resources for Win32
msxml4.dll.....MSXML 4.0 SP 2
msxml4r.dll....MSXML 4.0 SP1 Resources
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MSXML 2.6 is an early version of MSXML, and is represented by msxml2.dll. This product is no longer supported by Microsoft, and the CLSIDs and ProgIDs it exposes have been subsumed by MSXML 3.0.
MSXML 2.5 is an early version of MSXML, and is represented by msxml.dll. This product is no longer supported by Microsoft, and the CLSIDs and ProgIDs it exposes have been subsumed by MSXML 3.0.
It's okay to delete these four system32 files. They're useless.
msxml.dll - release version of the MSXML parser: 1.0 thru 2.5 SP3
msxmlr.dll - resource-only dll for 2.5 SP2 thru 2.5 SP3
msxml2.dll - release version of the MSXML parser: 2.6 thru 2.6 SP2
msxml2r.dll - resource-only dll for 2.6 SP1 thru 2.6 SP2
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MSXML 4.0 was shipped as a separate, downloadable SDK (Software Development Kit) targeted at Independent Software Vendors and third parties.
Installing Nero installs MSXML version 4.0. (But perhaps you have installed other software which installed MSXML 4.0.)
These files are installed in C:\WINDOWS\system32:
msxml4.dll (Version 4.20.9818.0)
msxml4r.dll (Version 4.10.9404.0)
After installing Nero, this security update will be waiting for you on the Microsoft Update site:
Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0 Service Pack 2 (KB936181)
Installing this security update installs with it theses files and folders and their contents:
C:\Program Files
MSXML 4.0 folder (An empty folder.)
C:\WINDOWS\system32
msxml4.dll (Version 4.20.9848.0). Replacing the version installed by Nero.
msxml4r.dll (Version 4.10.9404.0). The same version as installed by Nero.
C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9818.0_x-ww_8ff50c5d
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9848.0_x-ww_1b897e9a
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2R_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.1.0.0_x-ww_29c3ad6a
C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\Manifests
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9818.0_x-ww_8ff50c5d.cat
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9818.0_x-ww_8ff50c5d.Manifest
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9848.0_x-ww_1b897e9a.cat
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9848.0_x-ww_1b897e9a.manifest
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2R_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.1.0.0_x-ww_29c3ad6a.cat
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2R_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.1.0.0_x-ww_29c3ad6a.Manifest
C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\Policies
x86_policy.4.20.Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_x-ww_88e8eab8
You have the option of uninstalling MSXML 4.0 SP2 in Add/Remove Programs.
When you uninstall MSXML 4.0 SP2 in Add/Remove Programs, the uninstall process will remove bunches of registry keys, and some of its installed files and folders and their contents. But it does not remove these files and one folder and its contents:
C:\WINDOWS\system32
msxml4.dll
msxml4r.dll
C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9818.0_x-ww_8ff50c5d"
C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\Manifests
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9818.0_x-ww_8ff50c5d.cat"
x86_Microsoft.MSXML2_6bd6b9abf345378f_4.20.9818.0_x-ww_8ff50c5d.Manifest"
Before manually deleting msxml4.dll, UnRegister the file. Bunches more registry keys will be removed from your registry. (msxml4r.dll is a resource-only dll and does not need to be UnRegistered.)
After doing this, my UsrClass.dat in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows dropped from 24KB to 8.0KB.
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Network Monitor (Not available on Windows XP Home Edition.)
NPP = Network Packet Provider. A Network Monitor agent enables a remote computer to capture data from the network, and the captures are transferred over the network to the managing computer. The Network Monitor agent collects network traffic in frames. An NPP (Network Packet Provider) uses the Network Monitor system driver (Nmnt.sys) to get the frames collected, and provides several COM interfaces that pass the frames to an expert, monitor, and network packet provider NPP application where they can be displayed and analyzed.
netevent.dll....(Net Event Handler). Used to extract the network components error messages. In Event Viewer under System, when you are checking the Information Properties of an Event, the netevent.dll displays certain (not all) Event ID Descriptions.
npptools.dll....NPP Tools Helper DLL NPP = Network Packet Provider.
psnppagn.dll....DCOM Proxy for NPPAgent Object
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Service Files Not Listed In PART 2
Unnecessary files I remove from Services I do not disable on my system (See PART 2: Disabled Services). These particular files seem unnecessary for these Services to operate properly. Also listed here are some files belonging to Services that are not installed on my system.
Background Intelligent Tranfer
bitsprx2.dll....Background Intelligent Transfer Service Proxy
bitsprx3.dll....Background Intelligent Transfer Service 2.0 Proxy
qmgrprxy.dll....Background Intelligent Transfer Service Proxy
xpob2res.dll....(Service Pack 2 OOB Messages). CategoryMessageFile and EventMessageFile for Background Intelligent Transfer Service. A CategoryMessageFile stores the location of the file containing categories for the events generated by the source program. An EventMessageFile stores the location of the file that contains event identifiers for the events generated by the source program, and text describing each event.
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Cryptographics Services
gpkcsp.dll.....Gemplus Cryptographic Service Provider
gpkrsrc.dll....Gemplus Cryptographic Service Provider Resources
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DCOM Server Process Launcher
Per Microsoft: "The Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is a protocol that enables software components to communicate directly over a network in a reliable, secure, and efficient manner."
Most home users don't need DCOM; in that, most home users are operating stand-alone computers, and are not running any software that requires DCOM.
Windows Firewall Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) cannot start if the DCOM Process Launcher Service is disabled. PerfectDisk needs it too, so I personally cannot disable DCOM on my system.
In addition to disabling DCOM in Services, I've seen this registry change suggested. It seems to make sense, since DCOM, in actuality, is OLE (Object Linking and Embedding).
Navigate in the Registry to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\OLE
In the right pane, look for the string "EnableDCOM" and set the Value to N. (The default setting is Y).
iprop.dll.......OLE PropertySet Implementation
OLECLI32.DLL....Object Linking and Embedding Client Library
OLECNV32.DLL....Microsoft OLE for Windows
oleprn.dll......Oleprn DLL
OLESVR32.DLL....Object Linking and Embedding Server Library
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DHCP Client
dhcpmon.dll.....DHCP Monitor Dll
dhcpsapi.dll....DHCP Server API Stub DLL
mdhcp.dll.......Microsoft MDHCP Client COM Interface
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Event Log
iologmsg.dll....(IO Logging DLL). Drivers register the source of error messages in the registry. To use a predefined error code, the driver must register the system file, iologmsg.dll, as the source of the associated error messages.
msaudite.dll....(Security Audit Events DLL). In Event Viewer under Security, when you are checking the Information Properties of an Success Audit, the msaudite.dll displays the Success Audit Description.
msobjs.dll......System object audit names
xpsp3res.dll....(Service Pack 3 Messages). Used by Network Diagnostics Tool for Windows XP. Sends Event Messages to Event Viewer. You can use the Network Diagnostics for Windows XP tool to test network connectivity and to determine whether your network-related programs and services are working correctly. You can download the tool from Microsoft Download Center.
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Fax Service
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it off of the WinXP CD.
winfax.dll.....Microsoft Fax API Support DLL
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NTLM (Windows NT LAN Manager) and NT LM Security Support Provider
NTLM is used mostly by Windows versions prior to Windows 2000. NT LM Security Support Provider is a service that helps with backward compatibility and authentication with older Microsoft operating systems to log onto the network using the NTLM authentication protocol. It also contains a session security mechanism that provides for message confidentiality (encryption) and integrity (signing).
netui0.dll......NT LM UI Common Code - GUI Classes
netui1.dll......NT LM UI Common Code - GUI Classes
netui2.dll......NT LM UI Common Code - GUI Classes
ntlanman.dll....Microsoft® Lan Manager
ntlanui2.dll....Network object shell UI
ntlanui.dll.....Lanman Control dll
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Remote Registry Service
Remote Registry Service allows remote registry manipulation. This service lets users connect to a remote registry and read and/or write keys to it - providing they have the required permissions.
regsvc.dll......(Remote Registry Service). Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. This feature is not available on Windows XP Home.
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Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
LOCATOR.EXE.....(Rpc Locator). Adds support for Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) to the Windows XP environment
rpcns4.dll......Remote Procedure Call Name Service Client
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Server
Used for file and print sharing from your computer or if you use Message Queuing. Workstation is needed to connect to another computer that has the files you are looking for.
srvsvc.dll......Server Service DLL
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SNMP Service and SNMP Trap Service
SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol. Supports the use of networking equipment that uses SNMP as a mode of remote management. SNMP Service and SNMP Trap Service are not installed by default.
igmpagnt.dll....Microsoft IGMP subagent
inetmib1.dll....Microsoft MIB-II subagent
mcastmib.dll....Microsoft Multicast subagent
mgmtapi.dll.....Microsoft SNMP Manager API (uses WinSNMP)
mib.bin.........
snmpapi.dll.....SNMP Utility Library
snmpsnap.dll....(SNMP snap-in). Belongs to SNMP Service and SNMP Trap Service. These services support the use of networking equipment that uses SNMP as a mode of remote management.
wsnmp32.dll.....Contains application programming interface (API) functions that allow SNMP manager applications to listen for SNMP manager requests and also send requests to and receive responses from SNMP agents.
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Windows Installer
msimsg.dll......(Windows® Installer International Messages). The Msimsg.dll stores the error messages for Windows Installer.
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Workstation Service
Used to connect local computer to remote computers. I don't have this Service installed on my installation.
wkssvc.dll......Workstation Service DLL
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Windows Time
tzchange.exe....(Microsoft Timezone change tool). 2007 cumulative time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems to make sure that Microsoft Windows has the latest time zone data.
TZLog.log.......TZLog.log
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Various Command-line Tools
You either use these command-line tools in the command interpreter (Cmd.exe) or you don't. I personally don't.
AT.EXE..........(Schedule service command line interface). Command-line tool. Used to schedule tasks to occur at a specific time and date. It requires that the Task Scheduler service be running.
auditusr.exe....(Audit User Program). Command-line tool.
CACLS.EXE.......(Change ACLs). A command-line utility used to change or edit permissions for files and folders.
CHKNTFS.EXE.....(NTFS Volume Maintenance Utility). Command-line tool. Displays or specifies whether automatic system checking is scheduled to be run on a FAT, FAT32, or NTFS volume when the computer is started.
CONVERT.EXE.....(File System Conversion Utility). Command-line tool. Converts FAT and FAT32 volumes to NTFS.
esentutl.exe....(Server Database Storage Utilities). Command-line tool.
findstr.exe....(Find String (QGrep) Utility). Command-line tool. Searches for patterns of text in files using regular expressions.
fltMc.exe.......(Filter Manager Control Program). Per Microsoft Developer Network: The Fltmc.exe control program is a command-line utility for common minifilter driver management operations. Developers can use Fltmc.exe to load and unload minifilter drivers, attach minifilter drivers to volumes or detach them from volumes, and enumerate minifilter drivers, instances, and volumes. (Uncovered by both kyle85 and elitewombat two of our forum members.)
FSUTIL.EXE.....(FSUtil). A command-line utility that you can use to perform many FAT and NTFS file system related tasks, such as managing reparse points, managing sparse files, dismounting a volume, or extending a volume. Because fsutil is quite powerful, it should only be used by advanced users who have a thorough knowledge of Windows XP.
MOUNTVOL.EXE....(Mount Volume Utility). Command-line tool. Creates, deletes, or lists a volume mount point. Mountvol is a way to link volumes without requiring a drive letter.
MRINFO.EXE......(Multicast Information). A command-line tool to query a multicast router about its interfaces.
NET1.EXE........(Net Command). A network command-line utility. Seems to work in concord with NET.EXE.
NET.EXE.........(Net Command). A network command-line utility used to manage, configure, and view network-related controls, such as net use, net print, net user, and so on. Seems to work in concord with NET1.EXE.
NETSH.EXE.......(Network Command Shell). The Netsh.exe is a tool an administrator can use to configure and monitor Windows-based computers at a command prompt.
PENTNT.EXE......(Pentium Floating Point Divide Error Utility). A command-line tool that detects floating point division error (if present) in the Pentium chip, disables floating point hardware, and turns on floating point emulation.
powercfg.exe...(Power Settings Command-Line Tool). You can use this tool to access the settings from the Power Options tool in Control Panel and to set these settings from a command line (if you are an administrator). The Powercfg.exe has additional functionality to extend some settings that are not available in Control Panel.
PROXYCFG.EXE....(Proxy Config Tool for Windows HTTP Services). A command-line tool to view and change your current proxy settings.
REG.EXE.........(Registry Console Tool). A command-line tool for querying and editing the Registry.
sfc.exe.........(Windows 2000 System File Checker). Scans and verifies the versions of all protected system files after you restart your computer. Users can use the command "sfc /scannow" (without quotes) to repopulate the dllcache off the XP installation disc.
TELNET.EXE.....(Microsoft Telnet Client). Command-line tool. The telnet commands allow you to communicate with a remote computer that is using the Telnet protocol.
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Various Windows Applications
You can double-click on these and they will open, and then you can see if you'll ever use any of them.
control.exe.....(Windows Control Panel). Want an additional shortcut to Windows Control Panel as well as the one in your Start Menu? Sent a copy of control.exe to your Desktop.
EUDCEDIT.EXE...(Private Character Editor). An application that enables you to create up to 6,400 unique characters, such as special letters and logos, for your font library.
IEXPRESS.EXE....(Wizard). Creates self-extracting or self-installing executable files.
LNKSTUB.EXE.....(Win95-to-WinNT Migration Dll, Win95 Side). Incompatibility program. This program was designed for Windows Millennium and previous versions.
mplay32.exe.....(Windows Media Player 5.1). A very old and basic version of Media Player.
MRT.exe.........(Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool). Installed by Microsoft Update. Runs once when you reboot your system.
PACKAGER.EXE....(Windows Packager application file). Used to create icon links to embedded data for use in documents.
REGEDT32.EXE....(Registry Editor Utility). A 32-bit Registry-editing tool that can set security permissions on Registry keys and values. In Windows XP the extra functionality of the Regedt32.exe has been merged into the Regedit.exe. The Regedt32.exe now is nothing more than a link. If you start the Regedt32.exe, the system runs the Regedit.exe (Registry Editor).
RTCSHARE.EXE....(RTC Application Sharing). A real-time clock component.
SHRPUBW.EXE.....(Share Creation Wizard). Used to create shared folders on a Windows XP system
SIGVERIF.EXE....(File Signature Verification). Verifies that the selected file is signed and authorized to run under Windows XP.
SNDREC32.EXE....(Sound Recorder). A sound recorder application.
SYSKEY.EXE.....(SAM Lock Tool). Windows XP Account Database Manager. Used to secure the Windows XP account database.
VERIFIER.EXE....(Driver Verifier Manager). Attempts to determine whether a driver will cause a system conflict by testing its operation.
WINCHAT.EXE.....Windows for Workgroups Chat(NT)
winhelp.hlp....How to Use Help. The Winhelp.hlp needs the WINHLP32.EXE to open. More about the WINHLP32.EXE below under files listed alphabetically.
WINMSD.EXE.....(Windows XP Diagnostics or System Information). Clicking on the Winmsd.exe, you can alternatively start the System Information Utility, the Msinfo32.exe, which is located in the Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo folder. You can run the Msinfo32.exe without the Winmsd.exe, but you cannot run the Winmsd.exe without the Msinfo32.exe. The Msinfo32.exe is actually an updated version of the Winmsd.exe.
WINVER.EXE.....(Version Reporter Applet). Displays the current Windows version.
WRITE.EXE......(Windows Write). A text and rich-text document-editing tool. When upgrading from a previous version of Windows to Win95, (Man, is this file dated.) WRITE.EXE is replaced with an executable that simply launches WordPad.
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VGA Drivers
Video Graphics Array (VGA) was a standard display adapter established by IBM. Basically, all video cards use VGA routines to generate basic display to interact with a PCs system BIOS. Any advancement on these routines to generate display and color above 640x480 with 16 colors is considered Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA), an extension to the VGA standard.
Most video cards currently available are called SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array). This basically means that the video card provides a superset of standard VGA calls and capabilities.
Because there is no widely accepted standard for VGA/SVGA, video card vendors today provide their own specific drivers for each supported operating system for each of their cards, making these generic Microsoft VGA/SVGA drivers unnecessary:
v7vga.rom.......
vga64k.dll.....32K/64K Color VGA\SVGA Display Driver
vga256.dll.....256 Color VGA\SVGA Display Driver
vga.dll........VGA 16 Color Display Driver
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WinNT Files
Windows NT (WinNT) is a family of Microsoft operating systems. The first version was released in 1993. The architecture complemented versions of Windows that were based on MS-DOS until 2001. (Windows XP is part of the Windows NT family of Microsoft operating systems, built upon Windows NT.)
I imagine eventually all WinNT Files will become obsolete in future Microsoft operating systems, either by being replaced with updated versions, or by Microsoft doing away with them altogether.
In the meantime, these particular WinNT Files are unnecessary to Windows XP:
atkctrs.dll.....(Windows NT AppleTalk Perfmon Counter dll). AppleTalk is a suite of protocols developed by Apple Computer for computer networking. Is now deprecated by Apple in favor of TCP/IP networking.
esent97.dll.....Microsoft® Windows NT™ Server Database Storage Engine
feclient.dll...(Windows NT File Encryption Client Interfaces). Encrypting File System (EFS) provides file encryption for NTFS files stored on disk. When a user modifies EFS options for a file or folder, or when an application attempts to access an encrypted file on an NTFS volume, the Win32 application programming interface (API) passes the resulting EFS-related calls to the Feclient DLL. Feclient then calls the EFS remote procedure call (RPC) interfaces in the Local Security Authority (LSA). The role of Feclient is to determine which client computer or server has the requested file and to then contact the LSA on that computer or server. LSA is a local Windows subsystem responsible for providing authentication services. Authentication is the process of proving identity.
jet500.dll......(JET Engine DLL). The Microsoft Jet (Joint Engine Technology) Database Engine is a database engine on which several Microsoft products were built. It has since been superseded by Microsoft Desktop Engine or Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) and no longer exists as a component of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC).
miglibnt.dll....NT migration dll support
MIGPWD.EXE......(Win95-to-WinNT Migration Dll, Win95 Side). A Windows 95–to–Windows NT migration utility.
moricons.dll....(Windows NT Setup Icon Resources Library). Contains some icons. When you change an icon to a shortcut through its Properties, you can browse to the moricons.dll and choose one of its icons if you like.
msvcirt.dll.....Windows NT IOStreams DLL
pifmgr.dll......(Windows NT PIF Manager Icon Resources Library). Contains some nifty icons. When you change an icon to a shortcut through its Properties, you can browse to the pifmgr.dll and choose one of its icons if you like.
sfmapi.dll......Windows NT Macintosh File Service Client
w32topl.dll.....Windows NT Topology Maintenance Tool
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Winsock
Winsock (short for Windows Sockets) is a specification that defines how Windows network software should access network services, especially TCP/IP.
msafd.dll......Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Provider
rnr20.dll......Windows Socket2 NameSpace DLL
WINRNR.DLL.....LDAP RnR Provider DLL
wshatm.dll.....Windows Sockets Helper DLL
wshbth.dll.....Windows Sockets Helper DLL
wshisn.dll.....NWLINK2 Socket Helper DLL
wshnetbs.dll...Netbios Windows Sockets Helper DLL
WshRm.dll......Windows Sockets Helper DLL for PGM
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Listed Alphabetically
$winnt$.inf.....(Setup Information). When Windows XP is installed, the $winnt%.inf is created. If you open the $winnt%.inf using Notepad, and look under the data section, you can determine how the operating system was installed. If all the parameters that end in upgrade are "no", the OS was a clean installation on a partition that had no existing operating system.
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aaaamon.dll.....(Aaaa Monitor Dll). "aaaa" stands for authentication, authorization, accounting, and auditing
Netsh (Network Services Shell) is a command-line scripting utility that allows you to manage the configuration of various network services on local and remote computers.
Netsh provides a separate command prompt that you can use in either interactive or noninteractive mode. (Type "Netsh" without the quotes into the Run Box and you will see this.)
You can use commands in the Netsh AAAA context to show and set the configuration of the Authentication, Authorization, Accounting, and Auditing database. That database is used by the Internet Authentication Service (IAS) and the Routing And Remote Access Service.
The primary use of commands in the Netsh AAAA context is to export the configuration of one IAS server as a Netsh script and then to import that configuration using the netsh exec command on another IAS server.
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acledit.dll.....(Access Control List Editor). In networking, the term Access Control List (ACL) refers to a list of ports and services that are available on a host, each with a list of hosts and/or networks permitted to use the service. Both individual servers as well as routers can have access lists. Access lists are used to control both inbound and outbound traffic, and in this context they are similar to firewalls.
autodisc.dll....Windows AutoDiscovery API
AUTOLFN.EXE.....(LFN strip/restore utility). Used by the Windows XP setup routine to repair, copy, or enable long filenames on drives that have been converted from another file system (usually FAT) to NTFS. Also capable of converting long filenames to the 8.3 format.
AVICAP32.dll...(AVI Capture window class). The avicap32.dll is used by your computer when capturing video from cameras (e.g. Webcams) to store the resulting video as AVI format. If you are recording video or using a Webcam for video conferencing, you will probably need it. Without this file present, when installing Yahoo Messenger you will receive this error: This application has failed to start because AVICAP32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem. However, Yahoo Messenger will still install successfully in spite of this error.
batt.dll........(Battery Class Installer). When using a laptop, Device Manager could ask for the batt.dll when accessing the Properties of your batteries.
blastcln.exe....Blaster/Nachi Removal Tool
BOOTOK.EXE......(Boot Acceptance Application for Registry). Used with the Last Known Good Configuration process to save the configuration parameters after a successful logon.
BOOTVRFY.EXE....(Boot Verify Application for Registry). Used with the Last Known Good Configuration process to verify a boot selection.
cdosys.dll......(Microsoft CDO for Windows Library). Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) transports E-mail across the network. The SMTP service is used as an E-mail submission and relay agent. It can accept and queue E-mail for remote destinations and retry at specified intervals. The Collaboration Data Objects (CDO) for Windows 2000 COM component can use the SMTP Service to submit and queue outbound E-mail.
console.dll.....(Control Panel Console Applet). Contributed by kyle85 one of our forum members: The console.dll contains the dialogs you see when you view the properties of the Command Prompt. To view these settings, right-click on the bar at the top of the Command Prompt and select Properties. Settings applied to the current window can be changed through these dialogs (colors, fonts, layout, etc). Filemon (by Sysinternals) reads this file when opening the preferences dialog.
ctl3d32.dll.....(Ctl3D 3D Windows Controls). Used by windows when drawing on screen 3D controls. Microsoft 32 bit applications and games written to take advantage of displaying "3D-like" raised/depressed buttons, window borders, dialog boxes, windows and so on, need this file.
dbgeng.dll......(Symbolic Debugger Engine for Windows 2000). Debugging is a methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program or a piece of electronic hardware thus making it behave as expected. The dbgeng.dll is needed by Dr. Watson (DRWTSN32.EXE).
Dcache.bin......
deskadp.dll.....(Advanced display adapter properties). In Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button, the deskadp.dll displays the information under the Adapter tab.
deskmon.dll.....(Advanced display monitor properties). In Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button, the deskmon.dll displays the information under the Monitor tab. Although, you can delete the deskmon.dll, and still view your monitor settings in Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button -> Your Graphic Card tab -> Screen Resolutions & Refresh Rate.
deskperf.dll.....(Advanced display monitor properties). In Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button, the deskperf.dll displays the information under the Troubleshooting tab.
desktop.ini.....
DIANTZ.EXE......(Microsoft® Cabinet Maker). Allows a file to be compressed and included in a cabinet file.
docprop.dll.....OLE DocFile Property Page
docprop2.dll....(Microsoft DocProp Shell Ext). Needed to view Summary tab in Properties of files.
EqnClass.Dll....Equinox Multiport Serial Coinstaller
eula.txt.......
EXTRAC32.EXE....(Microsoft® CAB File Extract Utility). Allows cabinet files to be extracted to disk.
exts.dll........Debugger Extensions
FIXMAPI.EXE.....(FIXMAPI 1.0 MAPI Repair Tool). Detects and resolves problems with Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) files.
fldrclnr.dll....Desktop Cleanup Wizard
fltlib.dll......(Filter Library). See fltMc.exe above under Various Command-line Tools
FONTVIEW.EXE....(Font View). A command-line utility that displays a sample output for a font in a printable GUI window.
ftsrch.dll......(Microsoft® Full-Text Search). Microsoft Full-Text Search refers to a technique for searching a computer-stored document or database with respect to Exchange server and SQL server. In a full text search, the search engine examines all of the words in every stored document as it tries to match search words supplied by the user.
hdwwiz.cpl......Add Hardware Control Panel Applet
hotplug.dll.....(Safely Remove Hardware applet, or HotPlug Manager). Displays a System Tray icon with which you can unplug (or eject) USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices.
httpapi.dll.....HTTP Protocol Stack API
isrdbg32.dll....ISR Debug 32-bit Engine
kd1394.dll......(Kernel Debugger IEEE 1394 HW Extension DLL). Used with IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Devices. The IEEE 1394 standard defines a high speed serial interface that can be used to connect peripheral devices, for example, printers, scanners, and cameras, to your computer. To use all the capabilities of the IEEE 1394 standard, your computer must have an IEEE 1394 adapter installed. If your computer has a FireWire adapter, the adapter is IEEE 1394 compatible.
LINKINFO.DLL....Windows Volume Tracking
localui.dll.....Local Monitor UI DLL
MAKECAB.EXE.....(Microsoft® Cabinet Maker). Creates .cab files for install packages.
mapi32.dll......(Extended MAPI 1.0 for Windows NT). The mapi32.dll contains various programming functions for using MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface). MAPI is used by E-mail applications to share E-mail functionality. When you do not have a the mapi32.dll present, and you open Outlook Express, this message will come up: Outlook Express is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client? If you select Yes, Windows will create a mapi32.dll in your system32 folder.
mapistub.dll....(Extended MAPI 1.0 for Windows NT). Outlook Express needs this file when you choose Outlook Express to be your default mail provider.
mcdsrv32.dll....MCD Server
mchgrcoi.dll....Medium Changer CoInstaller
mf3216.dll......(32-bit to 16-bit Metafile Conversion DLL). A metafile file stores an image as graphical objects (lines, circles, polygons) rather than as pixels. Metafiles preserve an image more accurately than pixels when the image is resized.
mmsys.cpl.......(Control Panel Drivers Applet).Sound and Audio Devices Control Panel applet. You will need to keep the mmsys.cpl installed long enough to uninstall the devices in Device Manager under Sound, video and game controllers. (See PART 8 under Deleting drivers sure can leave behind a mess to clean up.
modex.dll.......ModeX Display Driver
MPNOTIFY.EXE....(Multiple Provider Notify). Used by the WinLogon service to notify non-Microsoft network servers about security events.
MSCOMCTL.OCX....(Windows Common Controls ActiveX Control DLL). Needed by SpywareBlaster.
msports.dll.....(Ports Class Installer). Needed to display Port Settings in Communications Port (Com1) and Printer Port (LPT1) Properties in Device Manager.
MSSTDFMT.DLL....(Microsoft Standard Data Formating Object DLL). Sometimes required by third-party programs. A copy of it is sometimes installed by those programs. One such program that I am aware of that installs the MSSTDFMT.DLL is SpywareBlaster.
msvbvm50.dll....Visual Basic Virtual Machine (File version: 5.2.82.44)
net.hlp.........Contains the help text used by net command.
neth.dll........(Net Help Messages DLL). Provides NET.EXE with the messages (alerts, errors and information) you get when you use run NET.EXE through the Command Prompt or Start -> Run Box. (Uncovered by kyle85 one of our forum members.)
netmsg.dll......(Net Messages DLL). Needed by Yahoo Chat.
netrap.dll......(Net Remote Admin Protocol DLL). Used when communicating with other systems using Net Remote Admin Protocol.
ntimage.gif.....
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NTKRNLPA.EXE....(NT Kernel and System). As briefly as I can put it, NTKRNLPA.EXE is a special version of the core kernel image (Ntoskrnl.exe) with support for PAE. Physical Address Extension (PAE) enables applications to address more than the 4 GB of physical memory that is available through standard 32-bit addressing. It is supported by Intel processors.
Typically, a process can access up to 2 GB of memory address space, with some of the memory being physical memory and some being virtual memory. The memory manager uses PAE to provide more physical memory to an application, which reduces the need to swap memory to the page file and increases performance.
Address Windowing Extensions (AWE) is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) to the memory manager functions that enables programs to address more memory than the 4 GB that is available through standard 32-bit addressing. This process enables memory-intensive programs, such as large database systems, to reserve large amounts of physical memory for data without having to be paged in and out of a paging file for usage. Without PAE, AWE cannot reserve memory in excess of 4 GB.
To enable PAE, you must use the /PAE switch in the Boot.ini file. Here is an example of a Boot.ini file where the PAE switch has been added:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Enterprise" /fastdetect /PAE
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ntsdexts.dll....(Symbolic Debugger Extensions). Debugging is a methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program. New Technology Symbolic Debugger (NTSD) is a command-line, symbolic debugger that enables you to debug user-mode applications. NTSD is included by Microsoft as a courtesy to software developers.
NTSHRUI.DLL.....(Shell extensions for sharing). When you right-click on one of your drive icons and select Properties, this is the Sharing tab you see.
nwprovau.dll....(Client Service for NetWare Provider and Authentication Package DLL). Novell NetWare is a network operating system (NOS) software.
objsel.dll......(Object Picker Dialog). Uncovered by one of our forum members, Level: The objsel.dll is required in order to open the dialog box that appears when you right click a file or folder and choose "Security" then click "Add". After testing this out, I also discovered that the CREDUI.DLL needs to be present for this function.
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Without these files, a problem preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for computer could occur upon bootup. This can occur if you are missing the oembios.dat and/or the oembios.bin and/or the secupd.dat.
oembios.bin.....
oembios.dat.....
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oembios.sig.....Deleting the oembios.sig could make the "X Days To Activate Windows" balloon pop-up in the system tray. This could happen should you have an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows (Licenses of OEM versions of Windows sold to computer manufacturers for installation on new computers).
OSUNINST.EXE....(Windows Uninstall Utility). A utility to uninstall Windows XP and return to an earlier Windows OS. Can be run from a command prompt in Safemode.
panmap.dll......(PANOSE™ Font Mapper). The PANOSE Typeface Matching System. The PANOSE System is method for classifying typefaces solely on their visual characteristics. It can be used to identify an unknown font from a sample image or to match a known font to its closest visual neighbor from a pool of candidates.
paqsp.dll.......(PaqSP Module). Reported by kyle85 one of our forum members: For Compaq/HP iPAQ PA-1 or PA-2 Personal Audio Player. Contains registry strings to add "HKLM\Software\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\..." Dialogs contain a device information placeholder for the portable media device and to format the built-in memory and/or expansion cards. The Compaq iPAQ PA-2 Audio Player has a product release date of January 22, 2002.
pautoenr.dll....Auto Enrollment DLL
plustab.dll.....Effects Control Panel extension
prodspec.ini....Product Specifications about your Windows installation CD.
proquota.exe....(ProQuota). The Proquota.exe program is a tool that you can set to monitor the size of a user's profile. If an individual user's profile exceeds the predetermined file limit, the user cannot log off from the computer until the user reduces the size of their files. Profile quota size is managed by using the Group Policy snap-in.
ROUTEMON.EXE....(Router Console Monitor). A utility that is no longer supported. When you run the ROUTEMON command in the Command Prompt, you are told to use the NETSH command instead.
SAVEDUMP.EXE....(Windows NT Save Dump Utility). Saves the contents of memory to a dump file in the occurrence of a STOP error.
sdhcinst.dll....Secure Digital Host Controller Class Installer
secupd.dat.....Without this file, a problem preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for computer could occur upon bootup. This can occur if you are missing secupd.dat and/or oembios.dat and/or oembios.bin.
secupd.sig......
security.dll....Security Support Provider Interface
serialui.dll....Serial Port Property Pages
setup.bmp.......
SETUP.EXE.......(Windows NT Setup Executable). The Windows Setup tool. The SETUP.EXE runs automatically when you insert the installation disc in your CD drive. A copy of it is dropped onto the hardrive during the installation process. Removing it means nothing, because it's still on your installation Disc.
setupdll.dll....Windows 2000 Setup Dynlink
sfc_os.dll.orig..(Windows File Protection). This is the original copy of sfc, should I re-enable Windows File Protection.
SHIMENG.DLL.....(Shim Engine DLL). Per Microsoft Developer Network: This is a helper function for Explorer and Internet Explorer that allows those applications to detect bad extension objects and either block them from running or fix them. If the database indicates that a shim should be used to fix the extension and bShimIfNecessary is TRUE, this function loads Shimeng.dll and applies the fix. (Uncovered by elitewombat one of our forum members.)
shscrap.dll.....(Shell scrap object handler). Reported by kyle85 one of our forum members: I think this is related to the a feature I used only a couple of times. If I remember correctly, if you ever copied a string of text (maybe even an image), and pasted it on the desktop, it would create a "scrap" document there. If you opened it, it launched a mini-viewer of sorts -- sort of like Notepad if it were text. It doesn't work in XP -- I already tried. I'm almost sure this worked in Windows 98 though.
sigtab.dll......(File Integrity Settings). In System Properties > Hardware tab > under Drivers > click on the Driver Signing button to see your Driver Signing Options. Driver Signing lets you make sure that installed drivers are compatible with Windows.
sisbkup.dll.....(Single-Instance Store Backup Support Functions). Per Microsoft: When you install Remote Installation Service (RIS) on a computer, you also set up Single Instance Storage (SIS) on a volume of the hard disk drive. SIS reduces the amount of space in a volume that data uses by removing duplicate files and placing them in a common store directory (\Sis Common Store), which is a hidden directory in the root directory of the volume. When you run Risetup.exe to complete the installation of RIS, you choose an NTFS file system volume on which to store your images. You install the SIS filter on this volume.
smbinst.exe.....System Management BIOS Driver Installer
spmsg.dll.......(Service Pack Messages). Part of Microsoft package installer. The package installer is used to install software updates for Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. The spmsg.dll records the events of a Windows software update to Event Viewer. Another of these files is created once you've installed a new update from the Microsoft Update Website. I usually just delete it again.
SPRESTRT.EXE....Restores registry to restart GUI-mode part of setup
spupdsvc.exe....(Update RunOnce Service). Part of Microsoft package installer. The package installer is used to install software updates for Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. The spupdsvc.exe is a service that runs after a reboot if a Windows software update requires processes to be executed after a reboot.
spupdsvc.inf....(ProcessesToRunAfterReboot). The spupdsvc.inf may show up in the system32 folder after downloading an update from the Microsoft Update Website. When the site has you restart your computer after installing an update, the spupdsvc.inf runs to complete the setup. It can be safely deleted once the reboot process is complete.
spxcoins.dll....Specialix MPS NT Upgrade CoInstaller
streamci.dll....(Streaming Device Class Installer). Associated with Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator Properties under System devices in Device Manager. Used to install media streaming hardware devices.
strmfilt.dll....Stream Filter Library
svcpack.dll.....Windows 2000 Service Pack Setup
SYSTRAY.EXE.....(Systray .exe stub). The System Tray provider. Supposedly controls the Taskbar and System Tray. (Apparently not on my system. Everything on my system seems to work okay without this file.)
TASKMAN.EXE (Task Manager). Used for backward-compatibility with older non-Windows XP software, instead of actually providing access to the Task Manager. The TASKMGR.EXE is the actual Task Manager.
traffic.dll.....(Microsoft Traffic Control 1.0 DLL). Utilized by the Microsoft Flight Simulator software. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a flight simulator program for Microsoft Windows that tries to replicate, or simulate, the experience of flying an aircraft as closely and realistically as possible.
ureg.dll........Registry Utility DLL
verclsid.exe....(Verify Class ID). This Windows Security Update shows up after deleting the verclsid.exe: Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531). If you install this Update, the verclsid.exe is once again installed.
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verifier.dll....Standard application verifier provider dll
Application Verifier (AppVerifier) is a tool for testing user-mode applications for compatibility with MS Windows XP. Designed for troubleshooting issues like common programming mistakes related to memory allocation, lock usage, and handle usage.
Per Microsoft Developer Network: In order to detect heap corruptions (overflows or underflows), AppVerifier will modify the way memory is allocated by padding the requested memory with either full non-writable pages or with special tags before and after the allocated memory. AppVerifier does this in Window XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista by loading verifier.dll into the process being verified and redirecting some of the Win32 Heap APIs called by the application to corresponding verifier.dll APIs. (Uncovered by elitewombat one of our forum members.)
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vjoy.dll........(32-bit Joystick Virtual Device Driver). A joystick is a general control device consisting of a handheld stick that pivots about one end and transmits its angle in two or three dimensions to a computer.
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wdl.trm........Reported by kyle85 one of our forum members: From Smart Computing: "Every Terminal session requires the use of a settings file, identified with the .TRM file extension, to indicate information about your PC, the computer to which you connect, and your preferences about the Terminal display."
Upon viewing wdl.trm in Notepad, the file contains a phone number. I Googled the number and it comes back as the number for Windows Download Service. This particular file is the Windows Download Service BBS access settings for Windows 3.x Terminal.
A bulletin board system or BBS is a computer system running software that allows users to dial into the system over a phone line and, using a terminal program, perform functions such as downloading software and data, uploading data, playing games, reading news, and exchanging messages with other users.
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webvw.dll......(Shell WebView Content & Control Library). Windows XP uses WebView technology. If you select a file or folder, you see a list of options allowing you to rename, move, copy, E-mail, remove it, or publish to the Web. You enable or disable the Web View preview pane by going to Tools -> Folder Options -> Select either "Use Windows classic folders" or "Show common tasks in folders. Although it seems it would be, the webvw.dll is not needed for this function. I believe the webview.dll is used in Windows 2000.
WEXTRACT.EXE...(Win32 Cabinet Self-Extractor). A component used in extracting cabinet files to disk during setup.
winbrand.dll...Windows Branding Resources
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WINHLP32.EXE...(Windows Winhlp32 Stub). When you click on the question mark in the upper corner of a dialog box (such as in System Properties or Display Properties) your cursor changes to a question mark. Then when you click on something in the dialog box that you have a question about, a .hlp file tooltip comes into view. This particular WINHLP32.EXE is not for viewing these .hlp file tooltips. What displays the .hlp file tooltips is the WINHLP32.EXE in C:\WINDOWS.
The WINHLP32.EXE in the system32 folder allows you to directly open a .hlp file when double-clicking on it. It also opens "The winhelp.hlp...How to Use Help." (The winhelp.hlp is listed above under Various Windows Applications.)
You can change which WINHLP32.EXE to directly open .hlp files, and also change the program that opens the winhelp.hlp, by choosing the WINHLP32.EXE in C:\WINDOWS, using Windows "Open With" tool. The WINHLP32.EXE in the system32 folder then becomes an unnecessary file.
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winntbbu.dll...(Windows Setup Billboard DLL). The "Setup will complete in approximately: 34 minutes" progress screen you see during Windows installation.
winshfhc.dll...(File Risk Estimation). Per Microsoft Developer Network: EstimateFileRiskLevel Function estimates the risk of executing unknown code when a handler is called on a given file. This risk is based on an understanding of the handler and the code content of the file. (Uncovered by elitewombat one of our forum members.)
winstrm.dll....Streams DLL
wpa.bak........When you activate Windows XP, Microsoft stores the data in the Windows Product Activation database files wpa.dbl and wpa.bak. (A file with a .bak extension is, by definition, a backup file.)
WPABALN.EXE....(Windows Windows Product Activation (WPA) Balloon Reminder). If you've already activated your copy of Windows, why keep this file?
xactsrv.dll....(Downlevel API Server DLL). Used with networked computers that share files, printers, and serial ports. (Uncovered by kyle85 one of our forum members.)
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