How can I obliterate Windows Media Player from Windows XP?

[ShadowZERO]

ob·lit·er·ate [uh-blit-uh-reyt]
?verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
1. to remove or destroy all traces of; do away with; destroy completely.

Although I would like to upgrade to Vista, there are a number of reasons why I have decided to stick with xp pro 32-bit until "7". So, in the meantime, I have decided to start looking for help on this possibly impossible topic. I want to attempt to do this from the standpoint of a computer hobbyist, looking at it as a challenging sport, in an attempt to gain control of Windows in the same way Linux distributions give you control over their OS. The only practical function of this task I can think of is the fact that I would be removing what is probably the most bloated and useless piece of software that comes with Windows.

I am starting this thread on this forum, because I am a regular reader of this site's articles and forums. However, I will also be searching via Google and any other method I can think of to cross reference any information I can glean from any and every possible source.

So far I have found little information on complete removal instructions, or any type of saintly program that would do some of this for me. I not only want to remove all files that are exclusive to WMP, but remove references to WMP in all other files and programs, everything from the *.dll files in my \windows and \program files system directories, but also all traces of references to WMP from system registry entries.

I do realize that WMP is not only a part of the Windows default installation, but possibly even an integral part of the OS kernel. Even so, I would be willing to risk destroying much of the functionality of the OS just to accomplish this task, even if it would cripple XP so bad it would require a complete reinstall. I have already backed up everything in my Windows installation in anticipation of this possibility.

My more realistic goal would be to remove as much of WMP as possible while still maintaining most of the core functionality of the OS. So, even if my ideological goal of completely obliterating WMP cannot be achieved, I would certainly be willing to settle for that instead.

 

[lxskllr]

You should be able to delete the folder in Program Files. This is assuming it isn't in Add/Remove Programs.

 

[ShadowZERO]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
You should be able to delete the folder in Program Files. This is assuming it isn't in Add/Remove Programs.

It is in add/remove programs, but you can not remove it that way. Doing that will simply roll back the version of WMP you have installed to the version that came pre-installed with XP, and uninstall any updates to it you have applied.

Also, deleting the WMP's program files will not even come close to completely removing it from the system. It will still have dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of references to it in the system registry.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: ShadowZERO

Also, deleting the WMP's program files will not even come close to completely removing it from the system. It will still have dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of references to it in the system registry.

Remove them with regedit. it shouldn't take too long.

 

[ShadowZERO]

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: ShadowZERO

Also, deleting the WMP's program files will not even come close to completely removing it from the system. It will still have dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of references to it in the system registry.

Remove them with regedit. it shouldn't take too long.

The system registry is far too massive and complex to attempt to remove all of that manually without a guide. What would I search for? How would I locate the proper keys to remove? How would I know which keys I could delete without affecting other programs I have installed, or other parts of the OS?

 

[lxskllr]

Do a search for wmp that should get rid of most of it. Or leave the entries, it most likely won't do any harm just sitting there.

 

[manko]

Do you have a special thing for WMP? I never use it, but all I do is install an alternative player and change all media file associations to open with my new player. If you want to go an extra step, you can block WMP from connecting to anything (local or internet) with a firewall blocking outgoing connections.

I never see WMP, with a minimum of trouble.

If you still want to go ahead with it, I would suggest a custom install that doesn't install WMP in the first place. The first thing that comes to mind is something like:

XPlite

XPlite is not free, but I think nLite is a free alternative that might be able to do the same thing:

nLite

Have you ever wanted to remove Windows components like Media Player, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, MSN Explorer, Messenger...
How about not even to install them with Windows ?

nLite is a tool for pre-installation Windows configuration and component removal at your choice.

Both of these will allow you to build a slimmed down custom Windows install disc without any components you don't want.

 

[ShadowZERO]

This sound like a much better solution to my problem. What could be better than being able obliterating the crap Windows forces onto your computer? Never having it there in the first place!
Thanks much :thumbsup:

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: ShadowZERO
ob·lit·er·ate [uh-blit-uh-reyt]
?verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
1. to remove or destroy all traces of; do away with; destroy completely.

Although I would like to upgrade to Vista, there are a number of reasons why I have decided to stick with xp pro 32-bit until "7". So, in the meantime, I have decided to start looking for help on this possibly impossible topic. I want to attempt to do this from the standpoint of a computer hobbyist, looking at it as a challenging sport, in an attempt to gain control of Windows in the same way Linux distributions give you control over their OS. The only practical function of this task I can think of is the fact that I would be removing what is probably the most bloated and useless piece of software that comes with Windows.

I am starting this thread on this forum, because I am a regular reader of this site's articles and forums. However, I will also be searching via Google and any other method I can think of to cross reference any information I can glean from any and every possible source.

So far I have found little information on complete removal instructions, or any type of saintly program that would do some of this for me. I not only want to remove all files that are exclusive to WMP, but remove references to WMP in all other files and programs, everything from the *.dll files in my \windows and \program files system directories, but also all traces of references to WMP from system registry entries.

I do realize that WMP is not only a part of the Windows default installation, but possibly even an integral part of the OS kernel. Even so, I would be willing to risk destroying much of the functionality of the OS just to accomplish this task, even if it would cripple XP so bad it would require a complete reinstall. I have already backed up everything in my Windows installation in anticipation of this possibility.

My more realistic goal would be to remove as much of WMP as possible while still maintaining most of the core functionality of the OS. So, even if my ideological goal of completely obliterating WMP cannot be achieved, I would certainly be willing to settle for that instead.

Go here . This guy knows
Just read his guide. Here too.
Just to give you an idea his Windows folder is around 300 megs with no compression.

 

[Chapbass]

nlite = awesome, try it 🙂