21 replies to this topic

[ispy]

Hi to all ,

This post is really for information purposes only & to demonstrate through collective co-operation & knowledge that Internet explorer is extremely difficult to segregate form Windows XP. Apparently it is achievable with Windows 2000 up to SP5 but thereafter AFAIK is extremely difficult. I would not advise anyone to use the information below as it would only prove to be a futile exercise & more than likely cause your system damage possibly! See Also post #20 for futher information & thanks & respect are extended to Jaclaz, MedEvil, Rawral & to anyone else I have missed for their Valued contributions!!!


There are 56 system32 files XP installs for Explorer. These are the same files "XPLite" will delete should you purchase the program. You can save yourself some money by removing them yourself.

Should you change your mind and decide you want Explorer back:

To Reinstall IE6:

1) Insert the Win XP CD

2) Open Start / Run and type:
rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 c:\windows\inf\ie.inf

Press ENTER

This little gizmo here: http://www.programme...9/download.aspx
will put in your right-click context menu an option to unregister dlls when you right-click over a dll file. Simply highlight all of the files listed below, right-click on one of the dlls and select unregister dll.

Now here's the list of system32 files:

actxprxy.dll
asctrls.ocx
atl.dll.lnk
browsewm.dll
cdfview.dll
ckcnv.exe
cryptdlg.dll
cryptext.dll
cryptnet.dll
csseqchk.dll
dispex.dll
dxtrans.dll
hlink.dll
homepage.inf
ie4uinit.exe
ieakeng.dll
ieaksie.dll
ieakui.dll
iedkcs32.dll
iepeers.dll
iesetup.dll
imgutil.dll
initpki.dll
inseng.dll
isign32.dll
jobexec.dll
jscript.dll
jsproxy.dll
licmgr10.dll
mobsync.dll
mobsync.exe
msencode.dll
msidle.dll
msieftp.dll
msnsspc.dll
msr2c.dll
msr2cenu.dll
msrating.dll
mssign32.dll
mstime.dll
msxml.dll
msxml3.dll
occache.dll
plugin.ocx
pngfilt.dll
proctexe.ocx
regwiz.exe
regwizc.dll
scrobj.dll
sendmail.dll
simpdata.tlb
sysinv.dll
t2embed.dll
tdc.ocx
webcheck.dll
xenroll.dll
& of course iexplore.exe (Silly Me!)
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ the end @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Regards & Best Wishes,

ispy

[MedEvil]

You forgot iexplore.exe!

[ispy]

Hi MedEvil ,

Good Job you are around!

Will amend post #1 to suit

Regards & Best Wishes,

ispy

[was_jaclaz]

Hmmm, and what about the hundreds of trash entries in the Registry?

And how will the .chm help subsystem work?

Read this:
http://www.vorck.com.../remove-ie.html

Check the section titled:

Tell me I'm wrong! But first, check to see if any of the following apply to you!

My guess is that you are falling under the first "Popular noob choice"

jaclaz

[rawr]

also on the subject of IE

the IEXPLORE.EXE.local trick could prove usefull ... if u wanted them with out install

http://labs.insert-t...article795.aspx

..

[was_jaclaz]

also on the subject of IE

the IEXPLORE.EXE.local trick could prove usefull ... if u wanted them with out install

http://labs.insert-t...article795.aspx

..

Just for the record, the .local (and .manifest) is a "general" trick, not limited to IE:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=3839

jaclaz

[ispy]

Hi jaclaz ,

My guess is that you are falling under the first "Popular noob choice"

Incorrect my good friend, twas the second choice, the first choice, even I could see would not work, nur nur LOL!
However, I have to concede you are probably right , but the guy that wrote the details is Bold-Fortune now although he could well be wrong as even experts can get it wrong sometimes, he also indicates that XPlite use the same set of files to delete to remove IE or should I say curtail.

The question is, is it a complete removal or is a safe removal whereby other services are not nuked in the process. I suppose when dealing with anything that Microsoft makes their evolutionary philosophy is to intergrate more & more until every file is dependant on each other.

Internet Explorer is, unfortunately, built into Windows in all versions after 98 and can't be fully removed. No matter what you do, IE will still be available in a limited capacity for the purpose of running Windows Update, which requires Internet Explorer to run. It will not be generally available to users, however, and since you set your default browser to whatever you installed earlier, IE will never open on its own when you click a link offline. This is the best you can do; Windows security is all about reducing risk, rather than eliminating it. If you start Windows Update, an IE window will open and you can use it for browsing sites other than Windows Update despite the fact that it's been "removed" and "disabled." This is one of the main problems with Windows -- there are always loopholes like this one that compromise your system's security.

In respect of the registry pollution by IE I found this interesting article which looks at the registry for removal of IE.




I suppose the safest approach is to (Taking a leaf out of Bold Fortunes book) to write a batch file that will move the files to another backup location. Then try to use an alternative for a while trying out suspect areas then when you are happy that all is well either delete them or store them safe on alternative backup media! this would hopefully address:

And how will the .chm help subsystem work?

By systematic re-institution of the files to re-acquire lost functions.

Hope this helps! was going to write a similair tut on disposing MSN but not sure now

Regards & Best Wishes,

ispy

[rawr]

was going to write a similair tut on disposing MSN but not sure now
Regards & Best Wishes,
ispy

lolo msn bahh .... last time i looked it was using 40mb doing nothing
and ther is adverts !! ..not any more
a better replacment ,better (uses les resources+no adds)
... @http://www. miranda-im.org/
tho ther are others

.. maranda im is also @portableapps.com/apps/internet/miranda_portable

[Brito]

Can't firefox completely replace all IE related dependencies?

If one tries to run WinBuilder inside wine on a ubuntu box it will install the Firefox support for activeX and wb uses firefox for the download center where previously IE would be used.

I know little to nothing about removing IE, only found a few links of information but perhaps this is a task for a "professional" finder..


Here's something I stumbled upon:
http://www.iol.ie/~l...illa/plugin.htm

[MedEvil]

Win95a was the last Windows version without browser integration into the OS.

To complete get rid of IE you will have to remove and replace IE, explorer file manager, explorer desktop and live with the fact that lots of software will not properly run on your system, if at all.

[ispy]

Hi all ,

Total eradication of IE is not possible it appears but you can certainly cut its nuts off, brings water to your eyes Ouch! LOL! & although it is not a perfect solution, & what is dealing with M$oft stuff, the majority can be done with backup measures in place which is always a prudent way to proceed!

What would be nice however, is to determine which files you can safely remove form IE so as to retain maximum functionality for other programs & functions that share IE's resources. In respect of the registry keys, although it is a long winded process you could make 2No nlited profiles of XP where on the 2nd profile you remove all that you can from IE, make the disk! Install a full copy of XP + IE run it logging the changes in the registry, what goes where so to speak. Then format the the first profile & install the 2Nd profiled XP install with IE removed with Nlite. load XP then record/note the changes in the registry, in that way you would have an idea where IE interacts with the registry before & after. But that to me seems like a lot of effort for so little return?

Regards & Respect,

ispy

[was_jaclaz]

@ispy,
re-read all the pages on Fred Vorck's site, then go to HFSLIP.

Total eradication is possible.

Rather obviously, you cannot have BOTH the thing removed and everything working exactly as before.

A "partial" removal is something that I do not see as particularly useful, the inherent security flaws of IE (if any) will probably remain mostly there, so I find it better, if the disk occupation is not a problem to either keep it as is and refrain from using it, using Opera or Firefox or removing it completely and live with the (actually few) shortcomings that this creates.

jaclaz

[ispy]

Hi Jaclaz ,

Had a look at the Fred Vorck's site and although it seems possible you have to jump through hoops to achieve it & it seems only applicable to Windows 2000, e.g.

Removing IE (and a LOAD of other junk) completely
Get the required IE 5.01 hotfix files here (go to Updates for MSIE when keeping MSIE 5.01 SP4). Put the MSIE 5.01 hotfix files into your HF folder. (Yes, we are using IE 5.01 hotfixes in order to get updated files like SHDOCVW.DLL.)
Download my Internet Explorer Removal Files. (Note that some virus scanners might say that the SFC.DLL provided is infected with the "Banker" Trojan. It isn't, this is a false positive.) Save the file to D:\ and unzip its contents to D:\HFSLIP\FDVFILES
Although you could, there is NO REASON to slipstream IE6 if you are using my IE removal files. The updated IE6 system files have Zone settings that will make your system less responsive. Let me repeat that: you will be tempted to slipstream IE6 and use IE6 hotfix files when removing IE, because you'll think that the newer files have more functionality in the OS. They DON'T. Do NOT use IE6 hotfixes if you are removing IE. Use IE 5.01 hotfixes. IE6 hotfixes will slow your machine down. YES. REALLY.

There are, unfortunately, two Windows components that are removed as a byproduct of installing with IE. This can't be helped.

Windows Help (there are CHM readers out there - CHM reader, CHM reader for Firefox.)
Windows Update (use Windizupdate instead).

The automated software route. To be perfectly honest, although Nuhi's method is very similar to mine in that it edits INF files, it's what you probably want if you just want to get the job done quickly. If you're really technically oriented, read my process in order to learn, but I'll admit his software is vastly superior to anything else I've ever seen offered on this subject, though nLite will not automatically give you the security protections that my files do, nor will it empty out the Registry of junk.

Ummm! maybe should delete this post entirely novice users/visitors may become very confused by all of this discussion. Best case, easy way of removing IE appears to be with Nlite but security & registry pollution remain, irrespective. The other way involves manual building of the disk as the author states!

My appologies to anyone coming to this link only to be frustrated or disapointed that IE is very difficult to remove & is not really for the novice user to contemplate removal. Quote 1 above outlines the removal for windows 2000 using HFSLIP & manual rebuilding of the install disk is required!

Just say the word & I will remove this posting, my intention was not to cause difficulties or confusion but thought that the removal of IE was relatively straight forward, how wrong I have been!

Hey Ho!

ispy

[was_jaclaz]

Just say the word & I will remove this posting, my intention was not to cause difficulties or confusion but thought that the removal of IE was relatively straight forward, how wrong I have been!

Hey Ho!

ispy

NO reason to remove anything.

I am sure that this thread is very useful as it clears a lot of things, the basic idea is to have (and make available) as much information and opinions as possible, then a reader can use his/her "little grey cells" to decide what steps he/she may (or may not) want to take.

The Author of 98lite and XPlite, Shane Brooks had an objective: to prove that all the M$ crap about the integration of IE in Windows 98 was just that, crap and it was possible to remove it, besides his Commercial products, he offers for free this:
http://www.litepc.com/ieradicator.html
(that "stops" at 2K SP1)

Fred Vorck had an objective in mind (prove that IE was NOT an integrated part of Windows 2000) and after much work and with the help of a number of friends he succeeded with it, going beyond what Shane did (and he stopped at 2K SP4 or SP5).

Someone else may want to try proving that the same thing applies to XP or even to Vista......

...and some of this info and references may be useful.....

jaclaz

[ispy]

Hi Jaclaz ,

Thanks for your understanding reply, I wonder if we could in fact salvage something from all of this gumpf namely this:

Someone else may want to try proving that the same thing applies to XP or even to Vista......

The basic architecture of win 2K & XP are similair even fred intimates this, I have downloaded the files from Fred's site namely SP5Files.zip which has all the required files to remove IE & in relation to the IE 5.01 Security Hotfix this really only applies to Win2K (Maybe this is what the author means in respect of fixing security problems).
See here for further explanation http://windowsitpro....-solutions.html & I have honed in on this statement:

Microsoft article Q273868 indicates that you can install this hotfix only on a system running IE 5.01 Service Pack 1 (SP1). If you attempt to install it on older versions of IE or on the most current version, IE 5.5, the hotfix terminates and displays the error message, "This update does not need to be installed on this system." . . .

Which indicates to me that XP will have a later edition of IE & thus the security loop hole will be fixed therefore applying the Q273868.exe vunerability patch does not apply!

Also looking within fred's help file, he states there are two methods of applying his files (I am referring to the bold text:

Instructions at http://www.vorck.com...dows/2ksp5.html

Long story short, you drag and drop all of these files into i386 and replace what's there.
Or, use HFSLIP to create a fully patched Windows 2000 with all hotfixes slipstreamed.

So if Win2K architecture is very similair to XP & Win2K3 why not in theory take these files overwrite the files within an XP CD & they should remove XP IE.
However 1 doubt remains in my mind I am not taking into account the addition of Service packs e.g. SP3 will in fact the contents of SP3 undo the work undertaken by fred's patched files???

Twould be nice if if would work as it might help in the creation of the work here:
http://www.boot-land...opic=5068&st=10 dumping a further 20Mb of IE would be nice!

Anyway its good to contemplate!

Regards & Best Wishes,

ispy

[rawr]

So if Win2K architecture is very similair to XP & Win2K3 why not in theory take these files overwrite the files within an XP CD & they should remove XP IE.
However 1 doubt remains in my mind I am not taking into account the addition of Service packs e.g. SP3 will in fact the contents of SP3 undo the work undertaken by fred's patched files???

a shore thing about sp3 (and realy also XP & Win2K3 )
is that it will not be expecting to find 'fred's patched files' so to speak,
and will probaby add extra 'things' wot need patching as well

fyi -my only intrest in ie is runing as many posible self-contained variations 'portably'
http:// browsers.evolt.org/?ie/32bit/standalone

[was_jaclaz]

Why people always want/try to do EVERYTHING at the same time?

Why are people so obsessed with updates?

You have a problem?

Try and fix it.

You don't have a problem?

Do not try and fix, the remedy for a non existant problem (on your particular setup or for the particular use you are making of the PC) may be worse than the problem (that does not exist).

if ain't broken don't fix it

Things are better done in steps.

It may take longer, mind you , but you will know where the obstacle is, and even if you do not know at the moment how to remove it or work around it, someone else might find the way.


We have documented methods up to Win2K SP5.

Start a step by step approach.

Use Fred's files on XP "Gold" (they most probably won't work )

Find the way to adapt the method until it works.

Use these new files and method on XP SP1:
1) if they work, try them on XP SP2
2) if they don't, find the way to adapt the method until it works

Use these new files and method on XP SP2:
1) if they work, try them on XP SP3
2) if they don't, find the way to adapt the method until it works

jaclaz

[MedEvil]

jaclaz i fail to see the advantage of your approach of trying fist XP then XPSP1 then XPSP2 then XPSP3.
You're implying a level of progression like IE4, IE4.01, IE4.02 which is not there.
If anything, it can be compared to a progression like IE4, IE5, IE6. In which case, fitting to IE5 is useless because the differences between the different versions are too big to be helpful.

But i agree on the general idea, that smaller steps are usually better.

[was_jaclaz]

jaclaz i fail to see the advantage of your approach of trying fist XP then XPSP1 then XPSP2 then XPSP3.
You're implying a level of progression like IE4, IE4.01, IE4.02 which is not there.
If anything, it can be compared to a progression like IE4, IE5, IE6. In which case, fitting to IE5 is useless because the differences between the different versions are too big to be helpful.

But i agree on the general idea, that smaller steps are usually better.

I am not implying anything.

I am only suggesting an approach that over time has proved to work better than the "throw every possible variable in the equation and find the solution if you can".

Would it be useful in the specific case?

Cannot say.

jaclaz

[ispy]

Hi Jaclaz MedEvil ,

I don't know about you guys but I think this topic is just about spent for me no further mileage in it, it would be a enourmous task to identify those files reg keys etc to separate IE from XP, & for what gain? Although in theory it could be done, I think it is easier to use IE with all its faults or use firefox opera etc alongside.

I've learnt one thing everything is not as easy as it first seems! My appologies for putting you all through this!
To summarise - Those who come to this post looking for a definitive answer in respect of separating IE from XP will be disappointed! Maybe some time in the future someone will find a way of separating IE from XP Cleanly!

However whilst tinkering around with Nlite, specifically the removal of component items, one such item is:
Internet Explorer Core (1.74Mb's, [it is highlighted in red])
================================================
Caution!
This is an integral part of windows for displaying html content.
It is needed for (amoungst others):
- WINDOWS ACTIVATION!
- System Restore
- Reading .chm (Help) files [As Jaclaz stated]
- Service Descriptions
- IE shells (e.g. Maxathon)
- Control panel user accounts
- Winrar self extracting archives (Long start up time after removal)
=================================================

I will go back to Post #1 & put a note cross referencing the 1st & last post so as to advise prospective visitors about the complexities of IE & maybe an advisory note!

One final question would these same difficulties exist in trying to separate or remove MSN?

Regards & Best Wishes,

ispy

[was_jaclaz]

- Reading .chm (Help) files [As Jaclaz stated]

Just for the record, xCHM:
http://xchm.sourceforge.net/
http://sourceforge.n...ckage_id=171760

has proved to work allright.

jaclaz

[MedEvil]

ispy, i'm trying to slim down a BARTPE XPE by removing IE.
For a preliminary test i simply used your list from the first post.
Result:
- a size reduction of a whopping 6MB
- i still write this post from within that BPE XPE!
- but at least you managed to kill Javascript

Seems your list could use a few more files added to it.