Clearing Resources in Win95

Originally posted in July, 2000
In my previous article, I explained how to clear resources (and reclaim some hard drive space) in Windows 98. I had a couple of requests for the same procedure in Windows 95. Basically the only thing that is different is the first step, as there is no msconfig utility in 95. […]

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Written by Raven on October 3rd, 2006 with comments disabled.
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Originally posted in July, 2000

In my previous article, I explained how to clear resources (and reclaim some hard drive space) in Windows 98. I had a couple of requests for the same procedure in Windows 95. Basically the only thing that is different is the first step, as there is no msconfig utility in 95. You have to do it by hand, but it’s much easier than it sounds.

Right click on My Computer, choose Properties, and click the Performance tab. Make a note of your system resources. Close out that window.

  1. Right-click on the Taskbar, then click on Start Menu Programs, then click on Remove.

    Go down to where it says Start Up and click the “+” next to it.

    This will open up the Programs folder. Inside of that, find the folder labeled Startup or Start Up.

    Click the “+” next to it and open it up.

    Now for each program that is in that folder that you don’t want starting when your machine boots (you don’t need any of it to start but maybe you really like your Gator program), highlight the program by clicking on it once, and then click Remove.

    Click Ok.

  2. Now back on your desktop click Start/Run and type in “Regedit” (no quotes). Click Ok.

    You are now in the registry of your computer. This is where Windows holds information about every program (including the operating system) on your machine. Just in case you mess something up, it’s best to save a backup copy of the registry beforehand. We’ll do that now:

    • Click once on My Computer to highlight it.
    • Click on Registry.
    • Click Export Registry File.
    • Under “Save In” choose your Desktop, and for the File Name type “RegBackup” (no quotes).
    • Click Save.
    • You’ve now backed up your registry and if anything goes wrong, you can restore your registry to its original form simply by double-clicking on the RegBackup.reg file on your desktop.
  3. Click on Edit, then Find

    Type in “runservices” (no quotes), then click Find Next. (This might take a couple of minutes, be patient.)

    If you can’t find it no matter what you do, you can get there by opening these folders in this order:

    • Hkey local machine
    • software
    • microsoft
    • windows
    • current version
    • runservices

      (Note: The Current Version folder is also where you’ll find your Microsoft Windows product ID, in case you’ve lost your certificate. It’s listed there as ProdID.)

  4. This will bring up a menu tree in the left pane, and the Run Services Folder in the right pane. The only thing that has to be in this window is the Modem, if it’s there and you use it. Highlight, right click, and delete everything else.
  5. Now in the left window pane, go up 2-3 folders to the Run folder, and open this up.

    Delete everything the same way EXCEPT Systray.

  6. Close the registry editor. If prompted to save changes, click Yes.
  7. Click Start/Run, and type in “Sysedit” (no quotes).

    You will see cascading windows. You need to go to the WIN.INI file, usually the third one back. Clicking on it will bring it to the front so you can work with it. If you don’t see cascading windows, minimize the foremost window (not the Sysedit window itself) and you’ll be able to see the other files.

    If you see RUN= or LOAD= lines, type “REM” (no quotes) in front of them.

  8. Close out of the sysedit window (click the X in the upper right hand window.

    You’ll be asked if you want to save changes, click Yes.

  9. Shut down and restart your computer, and check your resources again. If you wish, you can now continue on from step 2 in the previous article, “Your Computer Has Performed An Illegal Operation…”

    So how did you do?

    Written by Raven on October 3rd, 2006 with comments disabled.
    Read more articles on Windows.

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