Problems With Computer

How To Clean Up Your Windows Installation

Post #1 In My Step By Step Windows Setup Series

How I Do, What I Do & Why I Do Certain  Installation Steps
After A Fresh Installation Of Windows On One Of My Computers
Or When I Buy Or Build A New One

So let’s get started.

Before I connect the computer to the internet or add any other programs I clean up the the Windows operating system.

To do this I do the following.

Click on start, click on Control Panel, then click on Add or Remove Programs.

After that loads click on the Add/Remove Windows Components Icon.

This will start the Window setup program and will display a screen that looks like this:

First look at all the components that are available and decide if you are going to use them.

The program also shows you how much storage space will be used by the components you have selected.

Here is a list of the options below and my notes about each:

1. Accessories and Utilities

You will find options for Accessories & Games in this area.

I do not play the games so I uncheck that completely.

In the Accessories area I only have the Calculator and Character Map selected.

Select the options you want to use.

2.  Fax Services You need to have a modem installed to use this service.

3.  Indexing Service I do not use this service, it is slow and takes up alot of computer resources.

3.  Internet Explorer This just removes references to Internet Explorer on your computer and you can use another web browser, but I does not remove the program because with out it the Windows operating system will not work at all.

4.  Managing And Monitoring Tools Select options in here if you are running a local network.

5.  MSN Explorer Microsoft’s Web Service

6.  Networking Services At the very least in this area you will need to have selected “Simple TCP/IP Services selected to allow your computer to connect to the internet.
If you are not sure talk to your internet provider and/or your network administrator about the settings in this area.

If you are not sure leave this alone.

7.  Other Network File And Print Services  This is only used if you are on a Unix system and need printer support.

8.  Outlook Express Select this if you don’t have Office that includes Outlook or another email management software that you prefer to use.

9.  Update Root Certificates.  I select this for security of the system.

10.  Window Media Player.  I use this for some of my audio files.

11. Windows Messenger.  Popular Chat Program.

Once you have made your selections, click on next and the setup program will make the changes to you system that you chose.

You may need to reboot your system after this.

Depending on your selections you may have a much smaller Windows operating system on your computer.

I like to get rid of the unnecessary components when I first get or have reinstall Windows.

You can add components at any time.

More on my next post!

I hope you will find this helpful.

All The Best!

Terry Russell
“The Computer Doctor”
A+ Service Technician
Reliant Services 1998-2010

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I welcome your questions and feedback.

When doing anything with your computer please exercise caution when running any programs that may affect your files or operating software.

Terry Russell & Reliant Services provide these steps only as guide and will not responsible for any damage or loss of data that occurs thru your use of these instructions.

You are responsible for your own actions.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself I would suggest you hire a local A+ Certified Computer Technician to help you with this.

Sit with the technician and see how he does it, so you can do it later yourself, but I hope my walk thru above is sufficient for you.

If you would like me to do this for you I can help for a small fee.