350 system32 Files I Do Not Delete...By Feature
There are undoubtedly more important reasons for not deleting some of these files, as many files do have multiple uses. The reasons given here why I do not delete these 350 files are just the first good reasons I bumped into. If I couldn't boot to Windows without a particular file, there didn't seem much need to look for other reasons why I should keep it. The same would apply if a Windows feature I use wouldn't work without a particular file.
You will read below about the files necessary to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers. (I'm just using this as one example.) This does not mean those are the
only files necessary to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers. It certainly goes without saying you will be needing some Internet Explorer files...just to be able to
get to the Yahoo Movie Trailers.
Just as I had Internet Explorer setup before I uncovered which files were necessary for Microsoft Update, the files listed as necessary to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers, I uncovered after I had certain other Windows features setup on my system. For all I know, you may need a Microsoft Update file to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers, but since I had Microsoft Update setup first... Well, you can see what I'm getting at.
It is highly probable too that some files necessary to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers are also needed by other Windows features. You yourself may delete one of the Yahoo Movie Trailer files, thinking you never watch them anyway, and might then discover something else on your system doesn't work.
This principle applies to many many Windows features. Files have multiple uses. It's that simple, and that complicated. This is the very reason I am not a proponent of removing whole Windows components using file-removal programs. Files need to be removed with precision.
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Needed by Outlook Expressacctres.dll.....(Microsoft Internet Account Manager Resources).
Needed to open Outlook Express.ATL.DLL.........(ATL Module for Windows XP (Unicode).
Without this file Outlook Express will not open. You will receive this message when you click on the Outlook Express shortcut: Outlook Express could not be started because MSOE.DLL could not be found. Outlook Express may not be installed correctly. Also needed by Microsoft Update. And needed to open Event and Services Viewers.
inetcomm.dll....(Microsoft Internet Messaging API).
Without this file Outlook Express will not open. You will receive this message when you click on the Outlook Express shortcut: Outlook Express could not be started because MSOE.DLL could not be found. Outlook Express may not be installed correctly. Additionally, the inetcomm.dll is needed in order to save a Webpage as an offline Webpage with an .mht extension. Also needed to save an offline Webpage with an .mht extension are the
inetres.dll and the
MSOERT2.DLL (Outlook Express files), and the
MSHTML.TLB (Internet Explorer file).
inetres.dll.....(Microsoft Internet Messaging API Resources).
Without this file Outlook Express will not open. You will receive this message when you click on the Outlook Express shortcut: Outlook Express could not be started because MSOERES.DLL could not be found. Outlook Express may not be installed correctly. Additionally, the inetres.dll is needed in order to save a Webpage as an offline Webpage with an .mht extension. Also needed to save an offline Webpage with an .mht extension are the
inetcomm.dll and the
MSOERT2.DLL (Outlook Express files), and the
MSHTML.TLB (Internet Explorer file).
mshtmler.dll....(Microsoft ® HTML Editing Component's Resource DLL).
Needed to insert a picture in E-mail.msident.dll.....Microsoft Identity Manager
msidntld.dll....Microsoft Identity Manager
MSOEACCT.DLL....Microsoft Internet Account Manager
MSOERT2.DLL.....(Microsoft Outlook Express RT Lib). Additionally, the MSOERT2.DLL is needed in order to save a Webpage as an offline Webpage with an .mht extension. Also needed to save an offline Webpage with an .mht extension are the
inetcomm.dll and the
inetres.dll (Outlook Express files), and the
MSHTML.TLB (Internet Explorer file).
sendmail.dll....(Send Mail). The sendmail.dll is a library file used for sending mail via Websites. When you select "Send Link by E-mail" in Internet Explorer's File menu, Outlook Express will attach a URL to your E-mail.
When you delete the sendmail.dll file, the "Send To Desktop" will be removed from your right-click context menu. If you UnRegister the sendmail.dll file, the icon for the "Desktop (create shortcut).DeskLink" file in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\SendTo will be erased.---------------------------------------
Needed by Registry Editoraclui.dll.......(Security Descriptor Editor).
Needed to open Registry Editor.clb.dll.........(Column List Box).
Needed to open Registry Editor. ---------------------------------------
Needed by Event ViewerACTIVEDS.DLL....ADs Router Layer DLL
ADSLDPC.DLL.....ADs LDAP Provider C DLL
apphelp.dll......(Application Compatibility Client Library). Should you install SP3, know that the Management Console is now dependent upon the apphelp.dll and will not open without it being present.
ATL.DLL ........ATL Module for Windows XP (Unicode)
ELS.DLL.........
Event Viewer Snapin EVENTLOG.DLL....(Event Logging Service). Without this file present it will take a very long time for your system to boot to Windows.
EVENTVWR.EXE....(Event Viewer Snapin Launcher).
Main Service file for Event Log. eventvwr.msc....(Event Viewer Microsoft Management Console).
Without this file present, instead of the Event Viewer opening, Device Manager will.mfc42u.dll......MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version
MMC.EXE.........Microsoft Management Console
mmcbase.dll.....MMC Base DLL
mmcndmgr.dll....MMC Node Manager DLL
MSXML3.DLL .....MSXML 3.0 SP 5
MSXML3R.DLL.....XML Resources
riched20.dll....(Rich Text Edit Control, v3.0). Contains functions for the Rich Text Edit control versions 2.0 and 3.0.
Needed to read Information and Error Messages (Event Properties). riched32.dll....(Wrapper Dll for Richedit 1.0). Contains functions for the Rich Text Edit control version 1.0.
Needed to read Information and Error Messages (Event Properties). ---------------------------------------
Needed by Services ViewerACTIVEDS.DLL....ADs Router Layer DLL
ADSLDPC.DLL.....ADs LDAP Provider C DLL
apphelp.dll......(Application Compatibility Client Library). Should you install SP3, know that the Management Console is now dependent upon the apphelp.dll and will not open without it being present.
ATL.DLL ........ATL Module for Windows XP (Unicode)
filemgmt.dll....Services and Shared Folders
JSCRIPT.DLL.....Microsoft ® JScript
mfc42u.dll......MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version
MMC.EXE.........Microsoft Management Console
mmcbase.dll.....MMC Base DLL
mmcndmgr.dll....MMC Node Manager DLL
MSXML3.DLL .....MSXML 3.0 SP 5
MSXML3R.DLL.....XML Resources
services.msc....(Services Viewer Microsoft Management Console).
Without this file present, instead of the Services Viewer opening, Device Manager will.---------------------------------------
Needed by PerfectDiskACTIVEDS.DLL....ADs Router Layer DLL
ADSLDPC.DLL.....ADs LDAP Provider C DLL
MSI.DLL.........(Windows Installer).
PerfectDisk 6 needs the MSI.DLL. PerfectDisk 8 does not.PDBoot.exe......PerfectDisk Boot Time Defragmentation
PDBootState.....
Temp file created by PerfectDisk after performing an Offline Defrag. It can be safely deleted, but will return the next time you have PerfectDisk perform an Offline Defrag.SHFOLDER.DLL....(Shell Folder Service).
PerfectDisk 6 needs the SHFOLDER.DLL. PerfectDisk 8 does not.WTSAPI32.DLL....(Windows Terminal Server SDK APIs).
PerfectDisk 6 needs the WTSAPI32.DLL. PerfectDisk 8 does not.---------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Files I Do Not Delete (See PART 9 for Internet Explorer Files I Delete.)
actxprxy.dll....(ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library).
Essential to Internet Explorer.ADVPACK.DLL.....(Advpack Library).
Needed by Microsoft Update. When you delete this file your Microsoft Update Start Menu shortcut (the one created by Microsoft Update) is no longer functional. You can create a new shortcut, but Microsoft Update will still need the ADVPACK.DLL to function.
BROWSELC.DLL....(Shell Browser UI Library).
Important for IE Toolbar. The Toolbar will look messed up without it, and you cannot right-click access "Customize" without it.BROWSEUI.DLL...(Shell Browser UI Library).
Needed to boot to Windows.COMCTL32.DLL...(Common Controls Library).
Needed to boot to Windows. Provides the functionality to create and manage screen windows and most basic controls, such as buttons and scrollbars, receive mouse and keyboard input, and other functionality associated with the GUI part of Windows. Gives applications access to some advanced controls provided by the operating system. These include things like status bars, progress bars, toolbars and tabs.
DCIMAN32.DLL...(DCI Manager).
Needed by Websites with streaming media. DHCPCSVC.DLL....(DHCP Client Service).
Needed for Internet connectivity. Main Service file for DHCP Client.
dssenh.dll......(Microsoft Enhanced DSS and Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provider).
Also needed by Microsoft Update.dxtmsft.dll.....(DirectX Media -- Image DirectX Transforms).
When you delete this file the "Next" button of the Windows Media Player displayed when watching video on MSNBC has a small white blank box covering it so you can't use it.dxtrans.dll.....(DirectX Media -- DirectX Transform Core).
When you delete this file the "Next" button of the Windows Media Player displayed when watching video on MSNBC has a small white blank box covering it so you can't use it.ESENT.DLL.......(Server Database Storage Engine).
Needed by Microsoft Update. Also needed to open Properties of Disk Drives. ieframe.dll.....(Internet Explorer).
Essential to Internet Explorer 7. (Installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
ieframe.dll.mui.(Internet Explorer).
Needed by Internet Explorer 7 Toolbar. (Installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
iepeers.dll.....(Internet Explorer Peer Objects).
Needed to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers.iertutil.dll....(Run time utility for Internet Explorer).
Needed to start explorer.exe with Internet Explorer 7 installed on your system. The explorer.exe (located in the C:\WINDOWS folder), manages the Windows Graphical Shell including the Start Menu, Taskbar, Desktop, and File Manager. Without it running, the graphical interface for Windows will disappear. (The iertutil.dll is installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
ieui.dll........(Internet Explorer UI Engine).
Essential to Internet Explorer 7. (Installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
imgutil.dll.....(IE plugin image decoder support DLL).
Needed so you don't see those little red x's in place of some images. inetcpl.cpl.....Internet Options
inetcplc.dll....(Internet Control Panel).
Needed to access Internet Options.MLANG.DLL.......(Multi Language Support DLL).
Essential to Internet Explorer.mshtml.dll......Microsoft ® HTML Viewer
MSHTML.TLB......(Microsoft ® MSHTML Typelib).
Needed in order to save a Webpage as an offline Webpage with an .mht extension. Also needed to save an offline Webpage with an .mht extension are the
inetcomm.dll, the
inetres.dll and the
MSOERT2.DLL (Outlook Express files).
MSHTMLED.DLL....(Microsoft ® HTML Editing Component).
This file gives you the ability to edit HTML. An example of that would be when you edit one of your posts on some forums. You wouldn't be able to do that without this file.mshtmler.dll....(Microsoft ® HTML Editing Component's Resource DLL).
Needed to insert a picture in E-mail using Outlook Express.msident.dll.....(Microsoft Identity Manager).
Needed by Outlook Express.msidntld.dll....Microsoft Identity Manager
msls31.dll......(Microsoft Line Services library file).
Essential to Internet Explorer. MSWSOCK.DLL.....(Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Provider).
Essential to Internet Explorer.normaliz.dll....(Unicode Normalization DLL).
Needed to start explorer.exe with Internet Explorer 7 installed on your system. The explorer.exe (located in the C:\WINDOWS folder), manages the Windows Graphical Shell including the Start Menu, Taskbar, Desktop, and File Manager. Without it running, the graphical interface for Windows will disappear. (The normaliz.dll is installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
occache.dll.....(Object Control Viewer).
Needed to view icon for ActiveX objects in Downloaded Program Files. Otherwise, the ActiveX objects show up as .ini files.pngfilt.dll.....(IE PNG plugin image decoder).
Needed so you don't see those little red x's in place of some images. RTUTILS.DLL.....(Routing Utilities).
Needed by Websites with streaming media.SCHANNEL.DLL....(TLS / SSL Security Provider).
Also needed by Microsoft Update.sendmail.dll....(Send Mail). The sendmail.dll is a library file used for sending mail via Websites. When you select "Send Link by E-mail" in Internet Explorer's File menu, Outlook Express will attach a URL to your E-mail.
When you delete the sendmail.dll file, the "Send To Desktop" will be removed from your right-click context menu. If you UnRegister the sendmail.dll file, the icon for the "Desktop (create shortcut).DeskLink" file in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\SendTo will be erased.SHDOCLC.DLL.....(Shell Doc Object and Control Library).
Needed to be able to access right-click options while right-clicking on a Webpage. SHDOCVW.DLL.....(Shell Doc Object and Control Library).
Needed to boot to Windows.SHFOLDER.DLL....(Shell Folder Service).
Needed by Microsoft Update. Also needed by PerfectDisk 6. (PerfectDisk 8 does not need the SHFOLDER.DLL.)SHLWAPI.DLL.....(Shell Light-weight Utility Library).
Needed to boot to Windows. Allows applications to access the functionality provided by the operating system shell, as well as change and enhance it.
url.dll.........(Internet Shortcut Shell Extension DLL).
Displays default "e" icon for Internet Shortcuts and the one displayed in your Explorer Toolbar Address Bar. urlmon.dll......(OLE32 Extensions for Win32).
Essential to Internet Explorer.---------------------------------
webcheck.dll....(Web Site Monitor).
Needed by Microsoft Update. You will need the webcheck.dll to install the new Microsoft Update software.
The C:\WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages folder stores downloaded Webpages for offline availability. By default, within the folder is the Web Document, "My Current Home Page". When you click on it, you will be taken to your Home Page. The URL you will then see in your Explorer address bar should read "about:Home". When you right-click on "My Current Home Page" and select Properties, you will see the options for Offline Synchronization.
When you remove the webcheck.dll, the options in Properties will no longer be available, and you will not be able to get to "about:Home". The "My Current Home Page" will become a desktop.ini. The Offline Web Pages folder itself will, after a time, lose its default icon, becoming a plain, manila folder, as any other. Or, it could lose its folder appearance entirely, and become a bland, file icon, like that of an .NLS file.
Additional Note: With the arrival of Internet Explorer 7, in addition to the webcheck.dll, you will need in place the "webcheck.dll.mui" in the C:\WINDOWS\system32\en-US folder in order to open "My Current Home Page Properties," and to be able to get to "about:Home".
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WININET.DLL.....(Internet Extensions for Win32).
Needed to boot to Windows.WSHTCPIP.DLL....(Windows Sockets Helper DLL).
Essential to Internet Explorer.WSOCK32.DLL.....(Windows Socket 32-Bit DLL).
Needed for Internet Connectivity. Winsock (short for Windows Sockets) is a specification that defines how Windows network software should access network services, especially TCP/IP.
WTSAPI32.DLL....(Windows Terminal Server SDK APIs).
Needed by Microsoft Update. Also needed by PerfectDisk.xmllite.dll.....(Microsoft XmlLite Library).
Needed by Internet Explorer 7 Toolbar. (Installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
Additional Files Needed By Internet Explorer 7CSCDLL.DLL......(Offline Network Agent).
After installing Internet Explorer 7, If this file is not present your system can lockup while working at your Desktop. CSCUI.DLL.......(Client Side Caching UI).
After installing Internet Explorer 7, If this file is not present your system can lockup while working at your Desktop.MPRAPI.DLL......(Windows NT MP Router Administration DLL). After installing Internet Explorer 7, this file is one of five system32 files needed to open Internet Options:
MPRAPI.DLL, msrating.dll, rasapi32.dll, rasdlg.dll and
rasman.dll. Additionally needed to open Network Connections in Control Panel.
MSCTFIME.IME....(Microsoft Text Frame Work Service IME). Installed with Internet Explorer 7.
If this file is not present your system could lockup while working at your Desktop.msrating.dll....(Internet Ratings and Local User Management DLL). After installing Internet Explorer 7, this file is one of five system32 files needed to open Internet Options:
MPRAPI.DLL, msrating.dll, rasapi32.dll, rasdlg.dll and
rasman.dll.rasapi32.dll....(Remote Access API). After installing Internet Explorer 7, this file is one of five system32 files needed to open Internet Options:
MPRAPI.DLL, msrating.dll, rasapi32.dll, rasdlg.dll and
rasman.dll. Additionally, in Internet Properties under the Connections tab, under "Dial-up and Virtual Private Network Settings" the rasapi32.dll and the rasman.dll are needed to access the New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard is accessed through the "Add" button.
rasdlg.dll......(Remote Access Common Dialog API). After installing Internet Explorer 7, this file is one of five system32 files needed to open Internet Options:
MPRAPI.DLL, msrating.dll, rasapi32.dll, rasdlg.dll and
rasman.dll. Additionally needed to open Network Connections in Control Panel.
rasman.dll......(Remote Access Connection Manager). After installing Internet Explorer 7, this file is one of five system32 files needed to open Internet Options:
MPRAPI.DLL, msrating.dll, rasapi32.dll, rasdlg.dll and
rasman.dll. Additionally, in Internet Properties under the Connections tab, under "Dial-up and Virtual Private Network Settings" the rasman.dll and the rasapi32.dll are needed to access the New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard is accessed through the "Add" button.
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Files Needed To Boot To WindowsADVAPI32.DLL...(Advanced Windows 32 Base API). Provides access to the fundamental resources available to a Windows system. Included are things like file systems, devices, processes and threads, access to the Windows registry, and error handling.
AUTHZ.DLL .......Authorization Framework
AUTOCHK.EXE.....(Auto Check Disk). Launches automatically during Windows XP bootup if a volume is marked as dirty (has bad clusters, has error blocks, or is otherwise damaged).
BASESRV.DLL.....Windows NT BASE API Server DLL
bootvid.dll.....VGA Boot Driver
BROWSEUI.DLL....Shell Browser UI Library
c_437.nls.......
c_1252.nls......
COMCTL32.DLL....(Common Controls Library). Provides the functionality to create and manage screen windows and most basic controls, such as buttons and scrollbars, receive mouse and keyboard input, and other functionality associated with the GUI part of Windows. Gives applications access to some advanced controls provided by the operating system. These include things like status bars, progress bars, toolbars and tabs.
COMDLG32.DLL....(Common Dialogs DLL). Provides applications the standard dialog boxes for opening and saving files, choosing color and font, etc.
CRYPT32.DLL.....Crypto API32
CRYPTDLL.DLL....Cryptography Manager
CRYPTUI.DLL.....Microsoft Trust UI Provider
CSRSRV.DLL......Client Server Runtime Process
CSRSS.EXE.......(Client-Server Runtime Server Subsystem). Used to maintain the Win32 system environment console and other essential functions.
ctype.nls.......
DNSAPI.DLL......DNS Client API DLL
dpcdll.dll......(Dpcdll Module). Product Code activation.
duser.dll.......(Windows DirectUser Engine). If you delete this file Windows will display the classic logoff and logon prompts. However, you can boot up to Windows without it.
Also needed by Add/Remove Module.EVENTLOG.DLL....(Event Logging Service). Without this file present it will take a very long time for your system to boot to Windows.
Needed by Event Viewer.GDI32.DLL.......(GDI Client DLL). Provides the functionality for outputting graphical content to monitors, printers and other output devices.
hal.dll.........Hardware Abstraction Layer
iertutil.dll....(Run time utility for Internet Explorer).
Needed to start explorer.exe with Internet Explorer 7 installed on your system. The explorer.exe (located in the C:\WINDOWS folder), manages the Windows Graphical Shell including the Start Menu, Taskbar, Desktop, and File Manager. Without it running, the graphical interface for Windows will disappear. (The iertutil.dll is installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
IMAGEHLP.DLL....Windows NT Image Helper
IPHLPAPI.DLL....IP Helper API
kbdus.dll.......(United States Keyboard Layout).
You may need a different KBD*.DLL depending on your system. (See PART 7.)kdcom.dll.......Kernel Debugger HW Extension DLL
kernel32.dll....(Windows NT BASE API Client DLL). Provides access to the fundamental resources available to a Windows system. Included are things like file systems, devices, processes and threads, access to the Windows registry, and error handling.
l_intl.nls......
locale.nls......
LOGONUI.EXE.....(Windows Logon User Interface). The user interface that appears when Windows XP first starts.
If you delete this file, Windows will display the classic logoff and logon prompts. However, you can boot up to Windows without it.
LSASRV.DLL......LSA Server DLL
LSASS.EXE.......(LSA Security Service). The Local Security Authority server process.
MPR.DLL.........Multiple Provider Router DLL
MSASN1.DLL......ASN.1 Runtime APIs
MSGINA.DLL......(Windows NT Logon GINA DLL).
Loads Logon User Interface.MSIMG32.DLL.....(GDIEXT Client DLL).
Without this file present, upon booting to Windows, you will need to click OK on a Logon Message in order to enter Windows.MSPRIVS.DLL.....Microsoft Privilege Translations
MSV1_0.DLL......Microsoft Authentication Package v1.0
MSVCP60.DLL.....Microsoft ® C++ Runtime Library
MSVCRT.DLL......Windows NT CRT DLL
normaliz.dll....(Unicode Normalization DLL).
Needed to start explorer.exe with Internet Explorer 7 installed on your system. The explorer.exe (located in the C:\WINDOWS folder), manages the Windows Graphical Shell including the Start Menu, Taskbar, Desktop, and File Manager. Without it running, the graphical interface for Windows will disappear. (The normaliz.dll is installed by Internet Explorer 7.)
NCOBJAPI.DLL....
NDDEAPI.DLL.....Network DDE Share Management APIs
NETAPI32.DLL....Net Win32 API DLL
NTDLL.DLL.......NT Layer DLL
NTDSAPI.DLL.....NT5DS Library
NTMARTA.DLL.....(Windows NT MARTA provider).
I can boot to Windows without this file, but my Windows Style reverts to Default Blue.NTOSKRNL.EXE....(NT Kernel & System).
Windows XP operating system Kernel.nv4_disp.dll....(NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver).
Essential for Display Adapter. And needed to boot to Windows. ODBC32.DLL......Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Driver Manager
ODBCINT.DLL.....Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Resources
---------------------------------
oleacc.dll......Active Accessibility Core Component
oleaccrc.dll....Active Accessibility Resource DLL
The above two files are both needed to avoid seeing these four Classic Logon prompts:1. (Upon booting to Windows) "Log On to Windows" ...Then you will either need to click on OK, or if you use a password, type it in, and then click on OK.
2. (And then) "Loading your personal settings"
3. (Upon restarting from your Desktop) "Please wait... Windows in saving your settings"
4. (And then) "Windows is shutting down"
---------------------------------
OLE32.DLL.......Microsoft OLE for Windows
OLEAUT32.DLL....
PROFMAP.DLL.....Userenv
PSAPI.DLL.......Process Status Helper
REGAPI.DLL......Registry Configuration API
RPCRT4.DLL .....Remote Procedure Call Runtime
RPCSS.DLL ......(Distributed COM Services).
Main Service file for Remote Procedure Call (RPC). RSAENH.DLL......(Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider).
The RSAENH.DLL is needed to accurately check license for Windows. SAMLIB.DLL......SAM Library DLL
SAMSRV.DLL......SAM Server DLL
SCESRV.DLL......Windows Security Configuration Editor Engine
SECUR32.DLL.....Security Support Provider Interface
services.exe....(Services and Controller app).
Main Service file for Plug and Play. SETUPAPI.DLL....Windows Setup API
SFC_OS.DLL......(Windows File Protection).
You can boot to Windows without this file, but not without first having to click OK on an error that appears telling you the SFC_OS.DLL cannot be found.SHDOCVW.DLL.....Shell Doc Object and Control Library
SHELL32.DLL.....Windows Shell Common Dll
shgina.dll......(Windows Shell User Logon).
Needed to restart your computer from your Desktop. Further, once you delete or move this file from the system32 folder--even if you put it back--you still won't be able to restart from your Desktop.SHLWAPI.DLL.....(Shell Light-weight Utility Library). Allows applications to access the functionality provided by the operating system shell, as well as change and enhance it.
SMSS.EXE........(Windows NT Session Manager). Used to establish the Windows XP environment during bootup.
sortkey.nls.....
sorttbls.nls....
SVCHOST.EXE.....Generic Host Process for Win32 Services
SXS.DLL.........Fusion 2.5
umpnpmgr.dll....User-mode Plug-and-Play Service
unicode.nls.....
user32.dll......Windows XP USER API Client DLL
userenv.dll.....Userenv
USERINIT.EXE....(User Initialization). Used to establish the operating environment for a user after logon.
UXTHEME.DLL.....(Microsoft UxTheme Library).
Main Service file for Themes. VERSION.DLL.....Version Checking and File Installation Libraries
WATCHDOG.SYS....Watchdog Driver
WIN32K.SYS......Multi-User Win32 Driver
WININET.DLL.....Internet Extensions for Win32
WINLOGON.EXE....(Windows NT Logon Application). Windows logon manager. Handles the login and logout procedures.
WINSPOOL.DRV....(Windows Spooler Driver).
Important: If in PART 5 you chose to delete the system folder and its files (C:\WINDOWS\system), at least keep the copy of the WINSPOOL.DRV that is in the system32 folder, or you may not be able to reboot to Windows. Just be sure to keep one of them.
WINSRV.DLL......Windows Server DLL
WINSTA.DLL......Winstation Library
WINTRUST.DLL....Microsoft Trust Verification APIs
WLDAP32.DLL.....Win32 LDAP API DLL
wpa.dbl.........Windows Product Activation (WPA).
WS2_32.DLL......Windows Socket 2.0 32-Bit DLL
WS2HELP.DLL.....Windows Socket 2.0 Helper for Windows NT
XPSP2RES.DLL....Service Pack 2 Messages
---------------------------------------
apphelp.dll......(Application Compatibility Client Library). Should you install SP3, know that the Management Console is now dependent upon the apphelp.dll and will not open without it being present.
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Control Panel Applets I Keepappwiz.cpl.....(Shell Application Manager).
Add or Remove Programs Control Panel applet. desk.cpl.......(Desktop Control Panel).
Display Properties Control Panel applet. inetcpl.cpl....(Internet Control Panel).
Internet Options Control Panel applet. main.cpl.......(Control Panel DLL).
Mouse Properties and Keyboard Properties Control Panel applets. If you delete the main.cpl to remove the Mouse Properties and Keyboard Properties Control Panel applets, the default icons for Administrative Tools and the Fonts Folder shortcuts in the Control Panel will eventually disappear. (You will however still be able to use the shortcuts for Administrative Tools and the Fonts Folder.) After you reboot your system their icons will reappear, but only temporarily.
powercfg.cpl....(Power Management Configuration Control Panel Applet).
Along with the POWRPROF.DLL, needed to enter Power Options where you can adjust how you want your computer to power down. sysdm.cpl.......(System Applet for the Control Panel).
System Properties Control Panel applet.timedate.cpl....(Time Date Control Panel Applet).
Date and Time Properties Control Panel applet. wuaucpl.cpl.....(Automatic Updates Control Panel). Automatic Updates Control Panel applet.
Needed by Microsoft Update. ---------------------------------------
ASYCFILT.DLL...
Allows applications to communicate between each other using Object Linking and Embedding (OLE).ATTRIB.EXE......(Attribute Utility). Displays or changes file attributes (read-only, archive, hidden, or system).
I keep this file because I need it for a few of my batch files which remove files with Hidden file attributes.AUDIOSRV.DLL....(Windows Audio Service).
Needed to hear sound on your computer. Main Service file for Windows Audio.
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Needed by Microsoft UpdateADVPACK.DLL.....(Advpack Library).
When you delete this file your Microsoft Update Start Menu shortcut (the one created by Microsoft Update) is no longer functional. You can create a new shortcut, but Microsoft Update will still need the ADVPACK.DLL to function.
ATL.DLL.........(ATL Module for Windows XP (Unicode).
Also needed to open Event and Services Viewers. And needed by Outlook Express. Without this file Outlook Express will not open. You will receive this message when you click on the Outlook Express shortcut:
Outlook Express could not be started because MSOE.DLL could not be found. Outlook Express may not be installed correctly.CABINET.DLL.....(Microsoft® Cabinet File API).
Also needed to access Properties of Devices in Device Manager. CDM.DLL.........Windows Update CDM Stub
corpol.dll......Microsoft COM Runtime Execution Engine
cryptsvc.dll....(Cryptographic Services).
Needed by Cryptographic Services. Also needed to access Properties of Disk Drives.
dssenh.dll......(Microsoft Enhanced DSS and Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provider).
Also needed by Internet Explorer. ESENT.DLL.......(Server Database Storage Engine).
Also needed to access Properties of Disk Drives. iuengine.dll....Windows Update Control Engine
JSCRIPT.DLL.....(Microsoft ® JScript).
Also needed by Services Viewer. LegitCheckControl.dll.(Windows Genuine Advantage Validation). If you delete the LegitCheckControl.dll along with the other Windows Genuine Advantage files, (See
PART 9 under
Windows Genuine Advantage.), Microsoft Update will make it "mandatory" that you re-install WGA before it will allow you to continue to get Microsoft Updates--instead of giving you "the option" of installing WGA, as it does if you only delete the wgalogon.dll and the wgatray.exe files.
licdll.dll......Licdll Module
msidle.dll......User Idle Monitor
MSPATCHA.DLL....Microsoft® Patch Engine
muweb.dll.......(Microsoft Update Web Control).
Installed by Microsoft Update Software.pidgen.dll......(Pid3.0 generation). During Windows setup the pidgen.dll produces a PID (Product Identification) from the serial number entered.
qmgr.dll........(Background Intelligent Transfer Service).
Main Service file for Background Intelligent Transfer.SCHANNEL.DLL....(TLS / SSL Security Provider).
Also needed by Internet Explorer.SFC.DLL.........Windows File Protection
SHFOLDER.DLL....(Shell Folder Service).
Also needed by PerfectDisk 6. (PerfectDisk 8 does not need the SHFOLDER.DLL.)---------------------------------
webcheck.dll....(Web Site Monitor).
Needed by Microsoft Update. You will need the webcheck.dll to install the new Microsoft Update software.
The C:\WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages folder stores downloaded Webpages for offline availability. By default, within the folder is the Web Document, "My Current Home Page". When you click on it, you will be taken to your Home Page. The URL you will then see in your Explorer address bar should read "about:Home". When you right-click on "My Current Home Page" and select Properties, you will see the options for Offline Synchronization.
When you remove the webcheck.dll, the options in Properties will no longer be available, and you will not be able to get to "about:Home". The "My Current Home Page" will become a desktop.ini. The Offline Web Pages folder itself will, after a time, lose its default icon, becoming a plain, manila folder, as any other. Or, it could lose its folder appearance entirely, and become a bland, file icon, like that of an .NLS file.
Additional Note: With the arrival of Internet Explorer 7, in addition to the webcheck.dll, you will need in place the "webcheck.dll.mui" in the C:\WINDOWS\system32\en-US folder in order to open "My Current Home Page Properties," and to be able to get to "about:Home".
---------------------------------
WINHTTP.DLL.....(Windows HTTP Services). Uncovered by Level, one of our forum members:
The winhttp.dll is also needed to open Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel.---------------------------------
WINSCARD.DLL....Microsoft Smart Card API
WLNOTIFY.DLL....Common DLL to receive Winlogon notifications
You need both the WINSCARD.DLL and the WLNOTIFY.DLL for these two functions: (Uncovered by one of our forum members, XiRoX.)
1.) When you right-click on a shortcut and select Properties from the context menu, "Find Target" is one of the buttons you will see in the opening dialog box. When clicked, the folder where the target file is located will open.
2.) When searching with your Search Assistant, should you right-click on a file displayed in the results panel, and then select "Open Containing Folder" from the context menu, the folder where the file is located will open.
So, you set your file-removal program to take out Microsoft Update. ...Oops! I've said it countless times throughout this guide, many files have more than one purpose on a system. That is what makes deleting files with precision so difficult...and so important. And that is why removing whole components with file-removal programs is something I choose not to do.
---------------------------------
WTSAPI32.DLL....(Windows Terminal Server SDK APIs).
Needed both to view the Automatic Updates tab in System Properties, and by Microsoft Update. Also needed to enter System Properties by right-clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties without receiving this error:
This application has failed to start because WTSAPI32.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this. However, System Properties will open after clicking OK on the error message even without this file present.
WUAPI.DLL.......Windows Update Client API
wuapi.dll.mui...Windows Update Client API
WUAUCLT.EXE.....(Windows Update). An auto-update client.
wuauclt1.exe....Windows Update AutoUpdate Client
wuaucpl.cpl.....(Automatic Updates Control Panel). Automatic Updates Control Panel applet.
wuaucpl.cpl.mui...Automatic Updates Control Panel
wuaueng.dll.....Windows Update AutoUpdate Engine
wuaueng.dll.mui...Windows Update Agent
WUAUENG1.DLL....Windows Update AutoUpdate Engine
wuauserv.dll....(Windows Update AutoUpdate Service).
Main Service file for Automatic Updates.WUCLTUI.DLL.....Windows Update Client UI Plugin
wucltui.dll.mui...Windows Update Client UI Plugin
wupdmgr.exe.....Windows Update Manager for NT
WUPS.DLL........Windows Update client proxy stub
wups2.dll.......Windows Update client proxy stub 2
WUWEB.DLL.......Windows Update Web Control
---------------------------------------
Windows Media PlayerSee
PART 9 under
Windows Media Player Files for Windows Media Player files I delete. You will also find some additional Windows Media Player files I delete in
PART 4 under
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player.avifil32.dll....(Microsoft AVI File support library). If you download from the Megaupload site (and most likely if you upload to it too) you are going to need the
avifil32.dll, along with the
MFC42.DLL (DirectX file).
DBGHELP.dll.....(Windows Image Helper).
Absolutely needed by Windows Media Player 11. Without it, when you click on something to play, a message tells you to re-install Windows Media Player. Also needed to install WMP11.
mcicda.dll......(MCI driver for cdaudio devices).
Needed by Windows Media Player burning and ripping processes. MFPLAT.dll......(Media Foundation Platform).
To even open Windows Media Player 11.msvfw32.dll.....(Microsoft Video for Windows DLL).
Needed to open Windows Media Player.WINMM.DLL.......MCI API DLL
WMASF.DLL.......Windows Media ASF DLL
WDMAUD.DRV......(WDM Audio driver mapper).
Needed by Windows Media Player. Also needed to hear sound in Windows Pinball Game.WMP.DLL.........(Windows Media Player Core).
Needed to open Windows Media Player. wmpdxm.dll......(Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim).
Needed by too many Websites with streaming media to not keep this file installed on my system. The
wmpdxm.dll and the
msdxm.ocx (a DirectX file) work together. The wmpdxm.dll is also needed to play media files with Media Player 6.4 (mplayer2.exe).
wmpeffects.dll..(Windows Media Player Effects).
Needed for visual effects while playing music with Windows Media Player 11.WMPLOC.DLL......(Windows Media Player).
Needed to open Windows Media Player.wmpps.dll.......(Windows Media Player Proxy Stub Dll).
Needed to rip music CDs using Windows Media Player 11 with file-name information intact, such as the name of the artist, album, song title. Without the wmpps.dll file present, the file-name information it will read and write as "01 Unknown Artist Track 1". Also needed to burn .WMA files to a CD using WMP11.
wmpshell.dll....(Windows Media Player Launcher).
Without the wmpshell.dll present WMP cannot remember that it's supposed to open your media files. The Open With dialog box will open instead, asking you to choose a program you want to use to open the file. Even if you put a tick in "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file," WMP will not remember, and you'll have to do it all over again the next time you click to open a media file.
---------------------------------
Audio Codecs I do not delete:l3codeca.acm....(MPEG Layer-3 Audio Codec for MSACM).
Needed by Windows Media Player to play .mp3 music files, and also needed to be able to rip music CDs to the .mp3 format.l3codecp.acm....(MPEG Audio Layer-3 Codec for MSACM).
Needed by Windows Media Player to be able to rip music CDs to the .mp3 format.wmadmod.dll.....(Windows Media Audio Decoder).
Needed by Windows Media Player to play .WMA music files.wmadmoe.dll.....(Windows Media Audio Encoder/Transcoder).
Needed by Windows Media Player ripping process.---------------------------------
Video Codecs I do not delete:mpg4dmod.dll....(Corona Windows Media MPEG-4 S Video Decoder).
Needed to be able to adjust the brightness in Windows Media Player for certain videos. WMVDECOD.dll....(Windows Media Video Decoder).
Needed to watch MSNBC videos online, and to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers with Windows Media Player 11 installed on your system.---------------------------------------
BATMETER.DLL....(Battery Meter Helper DLL).
Needed to open Power Options in Control Panel.---------------------------------------
NLS FilesNLS Files are Code Page National Language Support, or National Language Services driver (font or font map). A WORD OF CAUTION about NLS Files: Delete any one of these you shouldn't, and your system will not reboot. Delete others you shouldn't, and some Webpages will not display.I live in the United States and have a U.S. computer. If you live outside of the United States, and are using a foreign from U.S. computer, you will need to check within the Layout.ini within your Prefetch folder to see exactly which NLS Files your system uses. The NLS Files you need to at least reboot your computer will be listed there.
Figuring out which other NLS Files are needed to display certain Webpages is a little more complicated. You kind of have to play with them a little.
Here's a trick. Group all your NLS Files together in the system32 folder, and highlight them all. Open any Webpage. Now try to delete all the NLS Files you have highlighted. The one being used by your open Webpage, is the one that won't delete.
For my U.S. computer, I keep these NLS Files:c_437.nls.......
<-- Needed to boot to Windows.c_932.nlsc_936.nlsc_949.nlsc_950.nlsc_1250.nlsc_1251.nlsc_1252.nls......
<-- Needed to boot to Windows.c_1253.nlsc_1254.nlsc_1255.nlsc_1256.nlsc_1257.nlsc_20127.nlsc_28591.nlsctype.nls.......
<-- Needed to boot to Windows.l_intl.nlslocale.nls......
<-- Needed to boot to Windows.sortkey.nls.....
<-- Needed to boot to Windows.sorttbls.nls....
<-- Needed to boot to Windows. unicode.nls.....
<-- Needed to boot to Windows.---------------------------------------
cabview.dll.....(Cabinet File Viewer Shell Extension).
Needed to view inside .cab files.---------------------------------------
Needed by Device ManagerCABINET.DLL.....(Microsoft® Cabinet File API).
Needed to access Properties of Devices in Device Manager. Also needed by Microsoft Update.
certcli.dll.....(Microsoft® Certificate Services Client).
Needed to display Properties of devices in Device Manager.cryptsvc.dll....(Cryptographic Services).
Needed to access Properties of Disk Drives. Also needed by Cryptographic Services, which is needed by Microsoft Update.
devmgmt.msc.....(Computer Management Console).
Needed to access Device Manager.devmgr.dll......(Device Manager MMC Snapin).
Needed to access Device Manager.dmocx.dll.......(TreeView OCX).
Needed to access Device Manager.ESENT.DLL.......(Server Database Storage Engine).
Needed to access Properties of Disk Drives. Also needed by Microsoft Update.
mfc42u.dll......(MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version).
Needed to access Device Manager.MMC.EXE.........(Microsoft Management Console).
Needed to access Device Manager.mmcbase.dll.....(MMC Base DLL).
Needed to access Device Manager.mmcndmgr.dll....(MMC Node Manager DLL).
Needed to access Device Manager.MSXML3.DLL .....(MSXML 3.0 SP 5).
Needed to access Device Manager.MSXML3R.DLL.....(XML Resources).
Needed to access Device Manager.stdole2.tlb.....(Microsoft OLE 3.50 for Windows NT™ and Windows 95™ Operating Systems).
Needed to display Properties of Devices in Device Manager.storprop.dll....(Property Pages for Storage Devices).
Needed to view Advanced Settings tab in Primary IDE Channel and Secondary IDE Channel under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers in Device Manager.usbui.dll.......(USB UI Dll).
Needed to display Advanced tab in USB Universal Host Controller Properties, and Power tab in USB Root Hub Properties in Device Manager.WMI.DLL.........(WMI DC and DP functionality).
Needed to access Device Manager. Also needed to open Network Connections from Control Panel. And needed to enter Computer Management without first receiving an error.
---------------------------------------
These files comprise CHKDSKCFGMGR32.DLL....Configuration Manager Forwarder DLL
CHKDSK.EXE......(Check Disk). A disk inspection tool that can search for and repair disk errors.
fmifs.dll.......FM IFS Utility DLL
ifsutil.dll.....IFS Utility DLL
ULIB.DLL........File Utilities Support DLL
untfs.dll.......NTFS Utility DLL
---------------------------------------
CLUSAPI.DLL.....(Cluster API Library).
Needed to access Disk Management in Computer Management. Also needed by Microsoft Update to install February 20, 2006 update for Windows Media Player 10. 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.
CMD.EXE........(Command Prompt).
Needed (at the very least) to be able to execute a batch file. An executable that provides the command prompt (MS-DOS shell interpreter) for Windows NT.
---------------------------------------
Needed by Streaming MediaDCIMAN32.DLL....(DCI Manager).
Needed by Websites with streaming media.msdmo.dll.......(DMO Runtime).
Without the msdmo.dll present, Windows Media Player will not play...anything. Also, the msdmo.dll is very much needed by Websites with streaming media.msdxm.ocx.......(Windows Media Player 2 ActiveX Control).
Needed by too many Websites with streaming media to not keep this file installed on my system. The
msdxm.ocx (DirectX file) and the
wmpdxm.dll (Windows Media Player file) work together. The msdxm.ocx is also needed to start Media Player 6.4 (mplayer2.exe).
RTUTILS.DLL.....(Routing Utilities).
Needed by Websites with streaming media.TAPI32.DLL......(Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony API Client DLL).
TAPI32.DLL is needed by streaming media on many sites.vbscript.dll....(Microsoft ® VBScript).
Needed by some Websites with streaming media. Also needed by Yahoo Chat.
wmpdxm.dll......(Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim).
Needed by too many Websites with streaming media to not keep this file installed on my system. The
wmpdxm.dll and the
msdxm.ocx (a DirectX file) work together. The wmpdxm.dll is also needed to play media files with Media Player 6.4 (mplayer2.exe).
WMVDECOD.dll....(Windows Media Video Decoder).
Needed to watch MSNBC videos online, and to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers with Windows Media Player 11 installed on your system.---------------------------------------
Needed to watch Yahoo Movie Trailersdispex.dll.......If this file is deleted, when you click on a link to watch a Yahoo Movie Trailer, two windows will open, each playing the same Trailer you selected. And many times, too, you will receive this error:
iedw.exe - Unable To Locate Component. This application failed to start because DBGHELP.dll was not found. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.iepeers.dll.....Internet Explorer Peer Objects
msdmo.dll.......(DMO Runtime).
The msdmo.dll is very much needed by Websites with streaming media. Also, without the msdmo.dll present, Windows Media Player will not play...anything.TAPI32.DLL......(Microsoft® Windows™ Telephony API Client DLL).
TAPI32.DLL is needed by streaming media on many sites.wmnetmgr.dll....Windows Media Network Plugin Manager DLL
WMVCORE.DLL.....Windows Media Playback/Authoring DLL
WMVDECOD.dll....(Windows Media Video Decoder).
Needed to watch Yahoo Movie Trailers with Windows Media Player 11 installed on your system. Also needed to watch MSNBC videos online with WMP11 installed on your system.
---------------------------------------
DirectXMicrosoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio.
I don't play games on my computer, so I really have no need for the extra graphics and sound support DirectX has to offer. I do however keep a few DirectX files, as they are needed for other purposes. (See PART 9 for DirectX Files I Delete.)
d3d8thk.dll.....(Microsoft Direct3D OS Thunk Layer).
Needed by ConvertXtoDVD.d3d9.dll........(Microsoft Direct3D).
If you update to NVIDIA display drivers version 93.71, the d3d9.dll is used by NVIDIA so that you can manually adjust Brightness, Contrast, Gamma and Image sharpening in Display Properties -> Settings -> Advanced -> NVIDIA Unknown (or your designated graphics card, depending upon whether or not you've chosen to delete the nvapi.dll) -> select Color Correction -> under "Apply color changes to:" click on the drop arrow to the right of the box and select "Overlay".ddraw.dll.......(Microsoft DirectDraw).
Needed For DVD Playback with Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.ddrawex.dll....(Direct Draw Ex).
Keeping this file on your system, you will notice when browsing Webpages are snappier. A complete page can download much more rapidly. Without it, some pages may go through some odd behavior. You may notice extreme flashing throughout the page as it fully downloads. devenum.dll.....(Device enumeration).
Needed by Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.dinput.dll......(Microsoft DirectInput).
Needed by ffdshow.dsound.dll......(DirectSound).
Needed by Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.dxtmsft.dll.....(DirectX Media -- Image DirectX Transforms).
When you delete this file the "Next" button of the Windows Media Player displayed when watching video on MSNBC has a small white blank box covering it so you can't use it.dxtrans.dll.....(DirectX Media -- DirectX Transform Core).
When you delete this file the "Next" button of the Windows Media Player displayed when watching video on MSNBC has a small white blank box covering it so you can't use it.ksproxy.ax......
Installed by Sound Card driver installations from either the XP installation CD, or a cab file in C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386. The installation will ask for the "ksuser.dll." Once located, the "ksproxy.ax" will be installed along with the "ksuser.dll to C:\WINDOWS\system32.
ksuser.dll.....(User CSA Library).
Needed by Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player. Installed by Sound Card driver installations from either the XP installation CD, or a cab file in C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386. The installation will ask for the "ksuser.dll." Once located, the "ksuser.dll" will be installed along with the "ksproxy.ax" to C:\WINDOWS\system32.
MFC42.DLL.......(MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version). If you download from the Megaupload site (and most likely if you upload to it too) you are going to need the
MFC42.DLL, along with the
avifil32.dll (Windows Media Player file).
msdmo.dll.......(DMO Runtime).
Without the msdmo.dll present, Windows Media Player will not play...anything. Also, the msdmo.dll is very much needed by Websites with streaming media. msdxm.ocx.......(Windows Media Player 2 ActiveX Control).
Needed by too many Websites with streaming media to not keep this file installed on my system. The
msdxm.ocx and the
wmpdxm.dll (Windows Media Player file) work together. The msdxm.ocx is also needed to start Media Player 6.4 (mplayer2.exe).
qasf.dll........(DirectShow ASF Support).
Needed to play WMA music files and WMV video files with Media Player Classic, a third-party media player. G
ASF stands for Advanced Systems Format (formerly Advanced Streaming Format), Microsoft's proprietary digital audio/digital video container format, especially meant for streaming media. The most common file types contained within an ASF file are Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Windows Media Video (WMV).
qdvd.dll........(DirectShow DVD Playback Runtime).
Needed For DVD Playback with Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.quartz.dll......(DirectShow Runtime).
Needed by Windows Media Player and also NVDVD Player.---------------------------------------
Needed by NVDVD Playerddraw.dll.......(Microsoft DirectDraw).
Needed For DVD Playback with Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.devenum.dll.....(Device enumeration).
Needed by Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.dsound.dll......(DirectSound).
Needed by Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.ksuser.dll......(User CSA Library).
Needed by Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.oledlg.dll......(Microsoft Windows™ OLE 2.0 User Interface Support).
Needed to open NVDVD Player. Also needed by Wordpad.olepro32.dll....
Needed to open NVDVD Player.qdvd.dll........(DirectShow DVD Playback Runtime).
Needed For DVD Playback with Windows Media Player and NVDVD Player.quartz.dll......(DirectShow Runtime).
Needed by Windows Media Player and also NVDVD Player.These files are installed and needed by NVDVD Player:DolbyHph.dll....Dolby Headphone Engine
license.955200..When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting Memory/Application errors just as I would click to restart my computer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue.
---------------------------------------
Needed by Add/Remove Moduleduser.dll.......(Windows DirectUser Engine). Also, if you delete this file, Windows will display the classic logoff and logon prompts. However, you can boot to Windows without it.
xpsp1res.dll ...(Service Pack 1 Messages).
Needed to open Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel ---------------------------------------
To Do With FontsFNTCACHE.DAT....(Font Cache).
If deleted, Windows will rebuild a new FNTCACHE.DAT file the next time you reboot your system. After I delete all of the fonts outlined in PART 5, I delete the FNTCACHE.DAT and reboot my system. Windows then builds a fresh FNTCACHE.DAT.
fontext.dll.....(Windows Font Folder).
Needed to maintain selected view of Font Folder, and also needed to display the default icon for .TTF FontsLZ32.DLL........(LZ Expand/Compress API DLL).
Needed to properly display the default icon for .ttf extension fonts. And without it, should you double-click on a .ttf font file to view it in Font View, you will receive an Application Error telling you that this application failed to start because LZ32.dll was not found. However, the Font View will open after you click OK on the error.
Reportedly, some installation setups fail to start, and the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag.exe) also exhibits an error upon loading.---------------------------------------
framebuf.dll....(Framebuffer Display Driver).
Needed so graphics in Safemode don't look all screwed up.GRPCONV.EXE.....(Group Convert).
Needed for some programs to install. Converts Microsoft Windows 3.x and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups Program Manager groups into Start Menu items.
hccoin.dll......(USB Coinstaller).
Needed by Intel Chipset INF Update Utility.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 in the system32 folder, and the
hh.exe in the WINDOWS folder.
However, this is not the reason why I keep the hhctrl.ocx. I keep the hhctrl.ocx because it is also needed to be able to open WinAVIVideoConverter, a third-party program I have installed.
hid.dll.........(Hid User Library).
Needed by Sound and Video Card driver installations. I'm sure other hardware device driver installations need it too. I know that it is also needed to open Realtek's Auto Configuration utility (soundman.exe), so I imagine it would also be needed by other manufacturers's Sound Card Auto Configuration utilities of like kind.
HID stands for Human Interface Device, a type of computer device that interacts directly with and takes input from humans.
---------------------------------------
Needed by Wordpadhtml.iec........(Microsoft HTML Converter).
Needed to be able to copy text from a Webpage and paste it to Wordpad.mfc42u.dll......MFCDLL Shared Library - Retail Version
msftedit.dll....(Rich Text Edit Control, v4.1). Contains functions for the Rich Text Edit control version 4.1.
oledlg.dll .....(Microsoft Windows™ OLE 2.0 User Interface Support).
Also needed to open NVDVD Player.---------------------------------------
icmp.dll........(ICMP DLL).
Needed in order to install the PCPitStop Utility for computer checkup and diagnostics on the PC Pitstop Website. Also needed by TCPOptimizer. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used when networking. It ensures the integrity of information being sent across a network.
Let's suppose you installed your Windows XP installation using a pre-install file-removal program. Or, suppose even that you setup your system post-install, using a post-install file-removal program. You discover that you cannot install the PCPitStop Utility for computer checkup and diagnostics on the PC Pitstop Website. You uncover the source of your problem, or in file-removal program terms, "which component you need" in order to be able install the PCPitStop Utility. You would probably be told to redo your installation, and this time, leave Routing and Remote Access Service installed. This means that you would be leaving the icmp.dll installed...along with an additional 24 system32 files, and 8 drivers in your drivers folder, which you actually don't need to install the PCPitStop Utility. So you've defeated your purpose to remove all unnecessary files from your Windows XP installation.
File removal programs give you a choice: keep an entire Windows component and all its associated files, or remove the component completely, and lose functionality elsewhere.
---------------------------------
imm32.dll......(Windows XP IMM32 API Client DLL).
You cannot enter System Properties without the imm32.dll or the usp10.dll present.inetcplc.dll....(Internet Control Panel).
Needed to access Internet Options.---------------------------------------
Needed by Microsoft's Pinball GameMSACM32.dll.....(Microsoft ACM Audio Filter). Needed to hear sound in Windows Pinball Game.
Also needed to open Audio tab in Sound and Audio Device properties. You cannot view or change multimedia properties without this file. The msacm32.dll contains program code that is used by windows when working with compressed audio files.
MSACM32.DRV.....(Microsoft Sound Mapper).
Needed to hear sound in Windows Pinball Game.WDMAUD.DRV......(WDM Audio driver mapper).
Needed to hear sound in Windows Pinball Game. Also needed by Windows Media Player.---------------------------------------
msconfig.exe....(System Configuration Utility). Designed to help you troubleshoot problems with your computer. MSCONFIG can also be used to ensure that your computer boots faster and crashes less.
In PART 5 I moved msconfig.exe to the system32 folder from C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\binaries before I deleted the pchealth folder and its contents.MSHTML.TLB......(Microsoft ® MSHTML Typelib).
Needed in order to save a Webpage as an offline Webpage with a .mht extension. Also needed to save an offline Webpage with a .mht extension are the
inetcomm.dll and
inetres.dll Outlook Express files.
MSHTMLED.DLL....(Microsoft ® HTML Editing Component).
Gives you the ability to edit HTML. An example of this would be when you edit one of your posts on some forums. You wouldn't be able to do that without this file.---------------------------------------
Windows InstallerWindows Installer uses the information within .MSI files that are provided with some applications, and installs, repairs, or removes software using this information. You can view these .MSI (Windows Installer File) files within the C:\WINDOWS\Installer folder.
MSI.DLL.........(Windows Installer).
Also needed by PerfectDisk 6. (PerfectDisk 8 does not need the MSI.DLL.) MSIEXEC.EXE.....(Windows Installer).
Main Service File for Windows Installer. msihnd.dll......Windows® installer
msisip.dll......(MSI Signature SIP Provider). SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol.
---------------------------------------
MSPAINT.EXE.....(Microsoft Paint).
A basic graphics creation and viewing tool.MSVBVM60.DLL....(Visual Basic Virtual Machine).
Contains program code used to run programs that are written in the Visual Basic programming language. As one example, CCleaner, a very popular program needs this file.mydocs.dll.....(My Documents Folder UI).
Needed to properly display the My Documents Icon.newdev.dll......(Add Hardware Device Library).
Needed by Sound and Video Card driver installations. I'm sure other hardware device driver installations need it too.
OLETHK32.DLL....(Microsoft OLE for Windows).
Needed by Nero. NOTEPAD.EXE.....(Notepad).
Notepad text-editing utility.---------------------------------------
NVIDIA Display Drivers (See PART 9 for NVIDIA files I delete.)
I keep these NVIDIA files in C:\WINDOWS\system32:nv4_disp.dll....(NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver).
Essential for Display Adapter, and needed to boot to Windows. nvapps.xml......
You can delete this file, but it will only return after a reboot.nvcod.dll.......NVIDIA Driver CoInstaller
nvcpl.dll.......NVIDIA Display Properties Extension
nvdisp.nvu......When I deleted this seemingly harmless file, I started getting Memory/Application errors just as I would click to restart my computer. Even when I put the file back in the system32 folder, the errors would continue. Also, if you open the file with Notepad, you will be able to see that it gives proper guidance to the uninstall process. It directs what to remove and what to UnRegister in the registry.
nvshell.dll.....NVIDIA Desktop Explorer
nvudisp.exe.....(NVIDIA Uninstaller Utility).
Needed by NVIDIA to uninstall older drivers before installing new drivers during the updating process.---------------------------------------
occache.dll.....(Object Control Viewer).
Needed to view icon for ActiveX objects in Downloaded Program Files. Otherwise the ActiveX objects show up as .ini files.POWRPROF.DLL....(Power Profile Helper DLL).
Along with the powercfg.cpl, needed to enter Power Options where you can adjust how you want your computer to power down. Without this file present, you will receive an error when opening Properties for your Keyboard. However, the Properties for Keyboard will eventually open.
REGSVR32.EXE....(Microsoft© Register Server).
You can use the Regsvr32 tool (Regsvr32.exe) to Register and UnRegister object linking and embedding (OLE) controls such as dynamic-link library (DLL) or ActiveX Controls (OCX) files that are self-registerable. rshx32.dll......(Security Shell Extension).
The Rshx32.dll controls the Security tab in Properties of files and folders. (To be able to see the Security tab in XP Home Edition you must be in Safemode.)
RUNDLL32.EXE....(Run DLL).
Used to run DLL files from a command line.RUNONCE.EXE.....(Run Once).
Used to perform tasks as defined in the RunOnce Registry key.---------------------------------------
SC.EXE..........(A tool to aid in developing services for Windows NT). Communicates with the Service Controller and installed services. The SC.exe retrieves and sets control information about Services.
When I run Acronis True Image 10 or PerfectDisk 8 their Services start-up. And even though I have these Services set to Manual, they do not stop automatically when I close the programs. I use a batch file to stop these Services from continuing to run in the background. The SC.EXE is needed in order for that batch file to work. Originally, I was using the NET STOP command in my batch file to perform this task, which required the presence of three system32 files: NET1.EXE, NET.EXE and netrap.dll. A special thanks one of our forum members, mhc, for showing me how I could perform this same task using the SC STOP command, while needing the presence of only a single file, SC.EXE.
---------------------------------------
Installed by Acronis True Image 10acrotls.dll.....(Acronis TLS for Win32). TLS = Transport Layer Security.
msvcp71.dll.....Microsoft® C++ Runtime Library
msvcr71.dll.....Microsoft® C Runtime Library
relog_ap.dll....Acronis Relogon Authentication Package
snapapi.dll.....(Acronis Snapshot Dynamic Link Library). Application programming interface.
---------------------------------------
Needed to display Properties button in Control Panel > Keyboard > Hardware without receiving an errorsfcfiles.dll....Windows 2000 System File Checker
syssetup.dll....Windows NT System Setup
---------------------------------------
shellstyle.dll..(Windows Shell Style Resource Dll).
If you choose to use the Windows Classic theme, and delete the Themes folder and its contents, you will still need the shellstyle.dll that is in the system32 folder in order to gain access to the Add or Remove Programs panel. (For a complete explanation of the shellstyle.dll see PART 5 under C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes.)
shimgvw.dll ....(Windows Picture and Fax Viewer).
Needed to display saved image files.---------------------------------------
shsvcs.dll......(Windows Shell Services Dll).
Main Service file for Shell Hardware Detection.Shell Hardware Detection allows you the option of selecting what action you wish taken with a type of file on a CD or DVD, (Music files, Pictures, Video files, a Music CD, or a DVD movie), when you place the disc into one of your optical drives. When you disable Shell Hardware Detection, or delete the shsvcs.dll, when checking the Properties of an optical drive, you won't have the AutoPlay tab available. (Where you would normally make these selections.) Everything else will work fine with your optical drives. You just won't have the AutoPlay selections available to you.
If you disable Shell Hardware Detection, or delete the shsvcs.dll, in "My Computer," you may not see your optical drives displayed as "DVD Drive" and/or "DVD-RW Drive." They will still be displayed, only now they might be displayed simply as "CD Drive." Also, if you disable Shell Hardware Detection, or delete the shsvcs.dll, in Display Properties under the Appearance tab, you will no longer be able to choose the Windows XP Theme over the Windows Classic Theme.---------------------------------------
SHUTDOWN.EXE....(Remote Shutdown Tool). Allows shutdowns and restarts on local or remote PCs.
I need this file to create a reboot computer shortcut in my Quick Launch.SNDVOL32.EXE....(Volume Control).
A GUI (Graphical User Interface) volume application.stdole2.tlb....(Microsoft OLE 3.50 for Windows NT™ and Windows 95™ Operating Systems).
After deleting the stdole2.tlb and rebooting your system, you may be unable to launch the Search Assistant. Placing the file back in the system32 folder immediately corrects this issue, without having to reboot. When you delete one or both the
stdole2.tlb or the
stdole32.tlb from the system32 folder, when installing a program that uses InstallShield, you may receive the following error message:
The install Shield engine "ikernel.exe" could not be launched -Error loading type library /dll. This issue may also occur if the
stdole.tlb is missing from the C:\WINDOWS\system folder. (See PART 5.)
stdole32.tlb....(Microsoft OLE 2.1 for Windows NT™ Operating System). When you delete one or both the
stdole32.tlb or the
stdole2.tlb from the system32 folder, when installing a program that uses InstallShield, you may receive the following error message:
The install Shield engine "ikernel.exe" could not be launched -Error loading type library /dll. This issue may also occur if the
stdole.tlb is missing from the C:\WINDOWS\system folder. (See PART 5.)
---------------------------------------
Needed by Windows Task ManagerTASKMGR.EXE.....(Task Manager).
The Task Manager application.vdmdbg.dll......(VDMDBG.DLL).
Needed to access Task Manager.---------------------------------------
themeui.dll.....(Windows Theme API).
Needed by Display Properties.usp10.dll.......(Uniscribe Unicode script processor).
You cannot enter System Properties without the usp10.dll or the imm32.dll present.zipfldr.dll ......(Compressed (zipped) Folders).
Needed to package files in Compressed (zipped) form.
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