I have WINDOWS XP HOME w/SP2 and i want to make it lighter by cleaning out the extra junk files, preloaded software (Online SERVICES, AOL, etc..).LOG, temp, and  other useless files like Prairewind.bmp (it's one of the things i'll never use). Is there a easy way to do this or a MICROSOFT program that--oh forget that. Any thoughts or ADVISE would be great. thanksThe EASIEST way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Getting rid of that other stuff is going to be a bit harder.  I don't know of any programs that will make it "easy" :-(

Alan <>< :-)Use Crap Cleaner (Click)This is a good question, I have Windows XP Pro, and have never been able to get rid of certain programs that come with it, like 'Netmeeting'....Yeah I am in the same boat as you guys.  I have always wanted to get rid of stuff like the windows games and windows media player and pretty much yeah all the junk that comes with XP...Some of those things, such as unused desktop backgrounds, and those Windows games, just TAKE up disk space, and don't actually slow your computer down. Unless you're running low on disk space, be careful before you start deleting things.Although you can render your machine useless there are a few programs out there ...

NLite is one of them.

patio.   8-)What do you mean render your machine useless?   does windows really need the programs I listed in my post to run correctly? or are you reffering to other files?When you start pruning files from an OS there is no telling what you might wind up with.
I see no problem using Add/Remove to get rid of unwanted  programs but i wouldn't just indiscriminately be removing things i considered bloat.

patio.   8-)