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When you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later on, a new option shows in the Add or Remove Programs dialog box. This option, enforced as a condition of settlement of the antitrust suit brought by the United States Department of Justice against Microsoft, gives Windows users the option to remove access to a number of Microsoft programs that were before tightly integrated into Windows.

This list of “middleware” components contains the following:

● Web Browser: The Microsoft default program is Internet Explorer.

● E-mail Program: Unless you specify otherwise, Windows uses Outlook Express for this function.

● Media Player: In Windows XP, Windows Media Player is the default utility for playing sounds, videos, and media files.

● Instant Messaging Program: Windows Messenger is integrated into a number of places in Windows XP, including Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.

● Virtual Machine for Java: In the past, Microsoft included its own Java VM. Although it’s no longer available from Microsoft, you can continue to use it if it’s installed on your computer.

Clicking the Set Program Access And Defaults icon on the left disclose the options shown in Figure. With the help of options in this dialog box, you can alter the default program used for any of the five tasks listed here. You can also take away easy access to any or all of the Microsoft programs used to perform these tasks.

If you installed a retail copy of Windows XP and then added Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2, the first option, Microsoft Windows, is selected. This option maintains the status quo, with all five categories being assigned to their default Microsoft programs.

Choosing the Non-Microsoft option removes access to all five Microsoft programs listed above. If you previously had icons for Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and other programs on the Start menu, the Quick Launch bar, or the desktop, they are removed. If you have not installed alternative programs for e-mail and Web access, the E-mail and Internet choices at the top of the Start menu change to generic icons, and clicking either one opens the Internet Options dialog box.



Figure - Use this dialog box to change default programs used with Windows and to hide access to Microsoft programs and utilities.

Finally, you can banish some Microsoft programs while keeping others available. After installing the alternate software (the Mozilla Web browser, for instance, or RealPlayer), open the Set Program Access And Defaults dialog box and choose the Custom option. For each category, you can choose whether to use the currently installed program or the Microsoft default. In addition, you can choose to hide access to one or more of the programs while allowing access to others.