Remove Unnecessary Icons from Welcome Center (VISTA)

[nigel]

Here is the way to remove unnecessary icons from Welcome Center. Go to c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\oobe.xml and remove the tasks, which means icons, that you don't want. Then reload the Welcome Center. You will find the icons are removed from the Welcome Center.
Here is the original information which I found from the internet. http://www.pchell.com/support/remove...tericons.shtml

For HPs, since they modify the default oobe.xml and use their own configuration instead. You have to check the <default> section. Find the <location> and <locale> for actual oobe.xml file. For example <location>244</location> and <locale>1033</locale> means the actual oobe.xml is located in c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\244\1033. This was not mentioned in the original resource which I found. Hope you may find this useful.

I used this method to remove Norton icon from Welcome Center which was removed when I got my TX2500. I am now using AVG Free which is a good anti-virus software, and it's free for personal use.

[Archangel]

I have a tx2011AU (ie: not a tx2500) and there is no info directory under C:\Windows\System32\oobe, nor does a search for an oobe.xml find anything.

Edit: *slaps forehead* It's been ages since I've looked at the Welcome Center, so my last memories of it were before I formatted my tablet.

[charmee]

Nigel,
Thanks for the great information. Lots of people had info on how to find and edit the oobe.xml file, but it wasn't working for me on my HP laptop. Your info on the <location> and <locale> worked perfectly, and I'm so grateful to you for sharing your knowledge.

Charmee

[nigel]

Nigel,
Thanks for the great information. Lots of people had info on how to find and edit the oobe.xml file, but it wasn't working for me on my HP laptop. Your info on the <location> and <locale> worked perfectly, and I'm so grateful to you for sharing your knowledge.

Charmee

Glad that I was able to help.

[arplast]

Here is the way to remove unnecessary icons from Welcome Center. Go to c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\oobe.xml and remove the tasks, which means icons, that you don't want. Then reload the Welcome Center. You will find the icons are removed from the Welcome Center.
Here is the original information which I found from the internet. http://www.pchell.com/support/remove...tericons.shtml

For HPs, since they modify the default oobe.xml and use their own configuration instead. You have to check the <default> section. Find the <location> and <locale> for actual oobe.xml file. For example <location>244</location> and <locale>1033</locale> means the actual oobe.xml is located in c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\244\1033. This was not mentioned in the original resource which I found. Hope you may find this useful.

I used this method to remove Norton icon from Welcome Center which was removed when I got my TX2500. I am now using AVG Free which is a good anti-virus software, and it's free for personal use.

Nigel,
You obviously know your stuff! I've followed your instructions as carefully as I can, but when I open the oobe.xml file I just see a list of numbered folders, and nothing that I can identify as connected to Norton. My laptop is an HP Pavillion. Any other suggestions please?

[Tablets]

"Thanks for this great explanation. I have just received a tx2500 Pavillion notebook and am trying to remove the Norton free offer.

When I follow your instructions, I get lost when I find many folders - all containing what appears to be called oobe.xml at:

C:\Windows\System32\oobe\Info\

There are many folders, all numerically named from '4' to '249', plus the 'Default' folder and an 'oobe' document in the Info folder.

All these folders and default folder also contain oobe.xml

none can be opened without the message

windows cannot find 'C:\Windows|System32\oobe\Info\oobe.xml'. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again.... OK

What should I do next

Here is the way to remove unnecessary icons from Welcome Center. Go to c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\oobe.xml and remove the tasks, which means icons, that you don't want. Then reload the Welcome Center. You will find the icons are removed from the Welcome Center.
Here is the original information which I found from the internet. PC Hell: How to Remove Icons from the Windows Vista Welcome Center

For HPs, since they modify the default oobe.xml and use their own configuration instead. You have to check the <default> section. Find the <location> and <locale> for actual oobe.xml file. For example <location>244</location> and <locale>1033</locale> means the actual oobe.xml is located in c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\244\1033. This was not mentioned in the original resource which I found. Hope you may find this useful.

I used this method to remove Norton icon from Welcome Center which was removed when I got my TX2500. I am now using AVG Free which is a good anti-virus software, and it's free for personal use.