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General discussion

XP Screensavers - removable?

Jan 8, 2005 2:35AM PST

There are several XP screensavers that I don't care for, but I can't delete them without them just replacing themselves.

Is there a way to get rid of these things permanently?

I'm running XP Pro, btw

Discussion is locked

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Say bye screensavers
Jan 9, 2005 3:09AM PST

If you want a free third party program....I hear this is the thing to have from many, many people and it has the ability to remove your screensavers.

Created by Antonis Kaladis and Jason Kelley, AutoPatcher XP is an installation package designed to get your Windows XP system up to date quick and easily!

Weighing in at a hefty 254Mb, this update package features a slick looking GUI and and can be customized to install as much or as little as you please.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/AutoPatcher-XP.shtml

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Gman, Why DL A 245 MB Program To Remove ScreenSavers?
Jan 9, 2005 4:12AM PST

That's a HUGE file...Most updates that are performed by that program can be performed by using Windows Update, etc. If Tony already is using SP2 for Windows XP, then those updates aren't applicable. Other supposed "updates" listed are also "old" at this point. (Specifically, MS Java and Sun Java) In fact, although it does list that it can remove screensavers, it also lists that it ADD's screensavers..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Angel, It's Probably XP's 'System File Protection'
Jan 9, 2005 3:58AM PST

When files, such as those with .scr file extensions, reside in the System32 folder, the Windows "System File Protection" utility tends to replace them with backup files when they are deleted..Sometimes, if you manually delete the files in "Safe Mode", they will stay gone. After restarting into "Safe Mode", you'll need to do a search for files with a .scr file extension. When you find the specific file that you want to delete, RIGHT click on it, choose "Delete". When you restart the computer, it should start in "normal" Windows and hopefully the screensaver will have been removed.

How To Start In 'Safe Mode'

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Thanks, Grif! And I had another idea
Jan 14, 2005 9:10AM PST

I never thought of trying it in safe mode.

I'm also going to try to delete all three versions of the screensavers: the main one, one in the Service Pack Files and one in the $NtServicePackUninstalls.

Why have three versions of the screensavers anyway? Waste of space if you ask me.