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Seriously, check out nLite, and also at the nLite forum, especially this FAQ. This is a free Win2k and XP customisable installer. You can use this to get a seriously stripped down install that should run on your old dogs. Worth checking out other parts of this site if you've got to admin Windows.

If they stripped out all the cruft kept for compatibility with ancient software; and changed the policy of entangling non-essential components deep in the system, that could make a solid OS. Something like OSX. Jobs has never been afraid of pulling the rug out as far as backward compatibility goes, which causes short term pain and a lot of bitching, but a much better system in the end.

Some people have manged to do a lot of this independently; eg LitePC, and several projects at MSFN like nLite.

See nLite, a method of customising Windows installers, that among other things lets you add your own drivers to the CD image. (You will need to prepare this on a PC running 2k or XP though.) There's a forum if you have any problems.

I actually ran win2k3 server for my desktop os a couple different times and it seemed maybe 10% faster than 2k overall and 25% faster than xp. The crazy thing was every single app and game (ut 2004, doom3, even a bunch of older games) I tried ran perfectly and didn't complain about the os version or anything. Here is a cool page on how to convert 2k3 into a usable desktop system (needs to have video acceleration turned on, the audio service, directx acceleration turned up, etc etc) http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/

Windows 2000 is amazing-- blazing fast and solid as a rock. I tried XP for a couple months and quickly switched back to 2000. Unfortunately, as Microsoft slowly discontinues updates, patches, and support for Windows 2000, you will eventually have to migrate to XP, 2k3, or Longhorn.

I installed Windows Server 2003 a year or two ago and haven't looked back. It has all of the stability and speed of 2000, except with the improved compatibility and features of XP. Subjectively, I can tell you that it doesn't "deteriorate" like XP does. (Your mileage may vary.) And did I mention it was blazing fast on my dated hardware?

It uses a newer kernel than XP, for the record. One of the major differences I've noticed is that windows redraw more smoothly with less flickering, especially in Explorer. It includes XP's WiFi connectivity features, too.

There's an excellent site dedicated to using Server 2003 as a workstation, including instructions on how to disable unnecessary services and processes.

try here.

http://unattended.msfn.org/intermediate/drivers/ra id.htm

OK then I've just found this which sounds like it should solve the problem of requiring a floppy drive. Hope someone else finds it useful too.

You really ought to check out this guide to unattended Windows installations. It might save your sanity. :D

the utility used is called cdimage, there's also a gui version, aptly named cdimagegui.

http://www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t1 3463.html

http://nuhi.msfn.org/

Extract the firefox.exe (I used winrar). Open the config.ini file in a text editor. Change line 9 to Run Mode=Silent. Comment line 224 to disable quality feedback agent. The rest I do with a simple vbs script which does the following:

Delete the existing searchplugins directory under c:\program files\mozilla, and copy my own searchplugins folder to that directory, and copy my firefox profile (which includes extensions) into my user profile directory. Extensions can also be installed silently in other ways if you'd rather. See this URL for a hint on how to do this:

I also create a shortcut which points to sort of a logon script which parses the output of ipconfig to determine my location (this is my windows work PC by the way). It will toggle my internet explorer proxy settings on (via registry). It does the same thing with firefox, but do do this my script overwrites the prefs.js with one for either my work or home location. I am still looking to find another way to determine the IP address for a specific network adapter without having to parse ipconfig output, but I have a job, which reminds me, I'm at work...

Before installing SP2, I backuped my stuff (favorites, emails, etc), then I used nLite to make a bootable install CD of XPSP2 with things removed like support for TabletPC that I do not need, and upgraded drivers for my video card and printer, directly into it. Then I booted on the CD and did a fresh install copy of XPSP2, it is very solid, no problem with it.

To make your life more easy you should try slipstreaming. See http://unattended.msfn.org/ for a great tutorial on how to do it!

http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/

According to these links, Microsoft has finally figured out how Linux boots with tftp:
BartPE using PXE
Booting Windows from a Debian box
It's nice to see Microsoft pick this up. Booting Windows with standard tools, what a concept!
I'm sooooo spoiled with anaconda kickstarts... can Microsoft make deploying servers as easy as RedHat/Fedora?

Take a look at this utility. Nlite http://nuhi.msfn.org/nlite.html It will create a custom iso with all the customixations you could want.

Got any docs on how to do that?

http://www.tubgirl.com

Available at http://nuhi.msfn.org/

The difference if that nLite helps you to create an installation CD that can't install what you don't want. It even helps you tweak it.

XPLite works on XP AFTER installation and costs $.
nLite works on XP BEFORE installation and costs nothing.

nLite: the Windows Installation Customizer

This script will allow you to configure Windows XP just the way you want it to be and even allow you to not install applications that are installed by default. Check http://unattended.msfn.org/ for a good guide to get you started.

Indeed, nLite is a wonderful program. I've personally used it to remove all kinds of stuff from Windows including IE. Yes, some things will break, but you can generally get away with at least removing the chunk of IE in Program Files\Internet Explorer. If you're like me and generally just use Windows for gaming you'd probably be fine removing all of IE. Here is the official site, but for the moment msfn.org seems to be having trouble. Check back later I guess. :)

BTW, nLite 1.0 should be coming out relatively soon, but feel free to play around with the betas beforehand (and maybe help some with bug reporting ;)).

Oh yeah, and it is indeed a free (as in beer) product. My one complaint with it is that it was written with .NET, and that's a fairly minor thing to complain about.

One of the reasons \Program Files was so-named is because MSFT wanted to show off long file names in Win95.

Not a big fan of the defaults either. But you can change 'em with a slipstream disc.

Or you could play with TweakUI or fiddle with the registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\C ur rentVersion]
"ProgramFilesDir"="D:\\Apps"

This probably won't change much in Longhorn.

IE always seems to be the weak point, or the HTML subsystem... Even if it isn't, I've got instructions on removing several subsystems from Windows that will make it more secure.

Check out my page on Windows patches, I think it's a convincing argument to rip all of this stuff out of Windows. Just download the files, drag-drop-replace, burn, and install.

XP subsystem removal software here.

If you use Nlite to remove IE and the IE Core from Win 2000/XP/2003 then not even the explorer.exe+address bar trick will work. IE is truly removed in this case. As a side note, IE and the core are listed separately because removing the core (mshtml.dll or whatever it's called) breaks some things like activation, automatic updates, etc.

So remove Internet Explorer

Technical process

Automated software

Instructions for trolls:
1. reply that this cannot actually be done.
2. reply that removing IE makes Windows:
--a. unstable.
--b. less secure.
--c. disables windows update.

nLite

Having text subject to a moderation period for hours or maybe a day or two in a discussion area (with some sort of indicator or flag) would be a LOT better than instantaneous posting, IMO.

I contributed to the entry on Internet Explorer (specifically, removing it). A while back, some editors at Wikipedia (I'm not attributing--I'm sure this time lack of attribution will make them happy) were continually deleting the section on removing Internet Explorer from Windows. The kept changing criteria... First, they wanted the passage on removing IE to say exactly who recommends it. Then, it had to meet Neutral Point of View and attribution criteria. Then, another Wikipedia editor asked what computer security experts recommend IE removal. It finally ended; they deferred and named the three experts in the field.

Per the article: Nonbias is a difficult ideal to live up to. Indeed, the most common complaint against Wikipedia is that it is unreliable; since anyone can publish or edit any article instantly, theres nothing except the diligence of other contributors to keep favoritism, misinformation, vandalism, or sheer stupidity out of the encyclopedias pages. I'd argue that so-called nonbias is not the problem.

The problem was that these dedicated editors were not deferring to the actual experts (in this case, me--the guy who has a site on removing Internet Explorer from Windows 2000, and ignoring the creators of XPLite and nLite). If the editors don't like something, all they have to do is claim that it violates the holy grail Neutral Point of View and you'll have to beat them over their heads to get your text into the Wikipedia. Moderation is a lousy way to get at the exact truth, but eventually, it comes to light (seems to here at Slashdot, anyway). No, obviously the truth isn't what everyone thinks, but it would sure help with those editorial battles. An article might have a comment that Hydrogen caused the Hindenberg disaster, and it gets modded +5. Eventually, you can bet the comments pointing out that it was the zeppelin's skin (paint) will also get modded +4 or +5. The key is with the Wiki, with moderation, potential authors wouldn't have to have month-long running debates and editorial beat-downs.

Automated

Technically detailed

Remove IE from Win2k

Remove IE from nLite

Oh, be sure to reply how:
1. Windows Update won't work! Even though I take great pains to point out the solution, I've never heard THAT one before!
2. It's really impossible to remove IE! Even though I document how to do it, I've never heard THAT one before!
3. It will make your machine unstable! I've been running IE free for 4 years and I've never heard THAT one before!

Love Windows 2000 and don't want to bother with XP? You can always run Windows Server 2003 as a workstation with this guide.

Look around here

or, even better:

Use nlite.

Yes, you're still burning a new CD from a fresh install and installing Windows twice, but you don't have to run a patch file after install (and with nlite you can also set options like allowing non-MS visual styles, classic logon screen, and unattended installation - very nice!).

Freeware nLite removes IE from 2000, 2003, XP before installation

Technical Details on Reming IE from Windows 2000 before installation

I never have to worry about spyware/ads/popups since getting Ad Muncher, so it makes no difference whether I use barebones IE, Firefox with Adblock, or the SP@ IE with its pop up and activex blocking doodads. None of these things even get a chance to work, since AdMuncher blows everything out of the way before it can even reach these apps! (divs, spans,tables, iframes, scripts-u name it-can be blocked)
Upshot is-if you want to play safe-don't blindly install it over your existing system, go for a clean new install and it should work without hassles. It's worth the trouble, since several flaws and even a few new exploits have been fixed by it. (Of course, newer holes will popup sure as the sun shines, but thats' another story :) )

If IE should never be used on production servers, why is IE so heavily integrated into the shell environment in which the server runs?

BTW, to say that the integration of IE in Windows is somehow equivalent to the integration of Konquerer in KDE is rather ridiculous.

It is trivial to entirely replace one browser with another on a GNU/Linux system. Eradicating all traces of IE on MS Windows machines is nowhere near as simple.

Create Windows installation CDs that won't install IE (and/or many other things, like Outlook):

A howto + files for Windows 2000

Free (as in beer) software with no howto for Windows 2000, 2003, and XP

You could always remove what you don't want manually: http://nuhi.msfn.org/ (including IE,WMP,COM,DCOM, MSN...)

no, you don't do a clean install then go on the net to download the patches. you download the full patches, burn those to disk, or if you are able to follow instructions, you slipstream sp1 & sp2 onto a bootable window xp disk, then you don't have to worry about the firewall or patching it after you do the clean install.

for info on the slipstreaming, check out: http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bo otcd.html I have nothing to do with that web site, I just found it using google http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=slip stream+windows+xp+sp2+how+to&btnG=Google+Searc h it was the first link, there are many others.

Also, the utility Nlite http://nuhi.msfn.org/ will slipstream service packs and updates onto a disk image for you. It will also remove stuff off the windows disk, like drivers you don't need, apps you don't need, even Internet Explorer. Personally, I like that you can take MSN Explorer, Messenger, and other non need programs that are security risks. I haven't used the program yet, but it seems like a very nice one. You can also put the cdkey in the install program so you don't have to enter it when your installing. sweet.

Try:
How to convert your Windows Server 2003 to a Workstation

You might want to follow the whole guide if you want to use win2003 as your desktop machine.

Customize 2k before installing files and instuctions

Uninstall IE and OE, etc from a 2k machine that already has them

Customize Win2k, 2k3, XP before installing

Anyone who's interested in a REAL solution that eliminates the changes to TCP/IP connection limits by Service Pack 2 should go to this site:

http://www.lvllord.de/index2.htm

This patch DOES work and fixes the REAL issue which is a change to the TCPIP.SYS file.

NOTE: If you ever re-install or repair your TCP/IP protocol or your network system/drivers/files, then you will need to re-run this patch since windows will replace the TCPIP.SYS file with the one on your CD.

SUGGESTION: If you want to modify your XP CD to include a patched TCPIP.SYS after you slipstream the CD with Service Pack 2, you can follow the guide below: http://unattended.msfn.org/xp/hacked_files.htm Cheers

Is there a list of msfn.org member sites? I found this page, but it is incomplete. I didn't find anything at www.msfn.org.

Thanks.

Is there a list of msfn.org member sites? I found this page, but it is incomplete. I didn't find anything at www.msfn.org.

Thanks.

First of all, you don't even need to extract the service pack from the windows xp KBblah.exe file. Just run $SP2_filename.exe /integrate:c:\i386 (note the lack of spaces between integrate, the :, and the C). As for registry tweaks, applications, etc, I highly suggest checking out this site and its accompanying forum. You also might want to look into Nlite, a (beta) tool that can remove those nasty things such as WMP, MSN Explorer, etc from your win2000/XP/2003 installation source so they never get installed in the first place.

First of all, you don't even need to extract the service pack from the windows xp KBblah.exe file. Just run $SP2_filename.exe /integrate:c:\i386 (note the lack of spaces between integrate, the :, and the C). As for registry tweaks, applications, etc, I highly suggest checking out this site and its accompanying forum. You also might want to look into Nlite, a (beta) tool that can remove those nasty things such as WMP, MSN Explorer, etc from your win2000/XP/2003 installation source so they never get installed in the first place.

If you want a similar too that doesn't cost $40 USD, I'd suggest checking out nLite. While it doesn't allow you to add or remove components from an existing Windows installation, it does allow you to remove them before you install Windows. How's a 180mb Windows XP Pro CD sound? :) It's also freeware.

Don't forget nLite. Like XPLite, only it works on the install media instead of a current installation. Oh, and it's free.

Commersial program to remove components from Windows XP http://www.litepc.com/xplite.html

Free programs to reduce the size of Windows XP before installation: http://nuhi.msfn.org/ and http://jdeboeck.msfnhosting.com/

And of course, my project that reduces the size of Windows 98 to less than 5MB http://www.etek.chalmers.se/~e8gus/nano98/ ;-)

I heard this from other people, too. I guess someone made a mistake, then. http://www.msfn.org/comments.php?shownews=9214/

Use this link for the pirates info. No sense in linking to a forum that just links to another.

Daddypants agrees.

http://www.msfn.org/comments.php?shownews=9214/ Many users have questioned why illegal PIDs are being allowed on a Windows XP SP2 installation when they were blocked in previous betas. This is due to Microsoft's new approach on security in Service Pack 2 to prevent any further Windows XP machines from getting infected with viruses and malicious attacks. Microsoft's Gary Schare answers: "There have been a number of discussions on this newsgroup regarding whether SP2 will install on non-genuine (aka "pirated") versions of Windows. Here is the official Microsoft position on this topic: We expect that nearly all Windows XP users, running genuine or pirated Windows, will have access to the security technologies in SP2. The same users that were blocked from installing SP1 - those that have used a small set of legacy pirated product keys - will be blocked from installing SP2. We believe that there are very few systems in use today that use these keys -- in other words, the pirates have moved on to other keys which we are not blocking. So how do we charaterize our policy? We want to make sure that the broadest number of people can install SP2. The nature of malicious attacks on computer users is constantly changing and we will continue to evaluate how we deal with security updates for pirated versions of Windows to best protect our genuine Windows customers. Thanks, Gary Schare Microsoft"