Microsoft seems to be under the impression that change is good and will not confuse users of a previous versions of their Windows operating system. It is interesting that they decided to change on elementary function in Windows Vista if you compare it to Windows XP: the Add/Remove Windows Components.
If you go into the Control Panel in Windows Vista you will not find Add / Remove Programs like in Windows XP and there is also no SYSOC.INF file where you can remove the HIDE parameter to add more windows components to the Add / Remove Programs menu.
The function in Windows Vista is called Turn Windows Features on or off and is available in the Programs and Features menu. There is however a huge difference. You might have noticed the on or off phrase and that is exactly what is happening. The component is not uninstalled and still on the hard drive if you select to turn a feature off.
There is only one known way to remove Windows components permanently and that would mean to prepare a special installation DVD with vlite. This means lots of work however and most users will not feal it is worth it.
You can however remove lots of Windows components this way including the Windows Firewall, Windows Media Player and Windows Mail.
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Oh Martin, you forgot the link again… ;)
Here it is: vLite, which is the Vista-equivalent of XP’s nLite.
Uninstalling Or Changing A Program In Windows Vista
1.Click the Start button located in the lower-left corner of the Windows Vista desktop.
2.Then click on Control Panel.
3.In the Control Panel, click on Programs.
4.Then click on Programs and Feature to show all your installed programs.
5.Now use your mouse to scroll down to the program you want to remove.
6.Then highlight that program and click the Uninstall button on the top menu bar.
7.Windows will then remove that program from your computer including all related system files.
8.Some programs include the option to change or repair the program in addition to uninstalling it.
9.To change a program, click on either the Change or Repair button on the top menu bar.
10.More often than not Windows will ask you to reboot your system after uninstalling a program.
11.Whether you are asked to do so or not, you should exit all programs and reboot your system.
Note: This Technical Brief Will Work For All Microsoft Windows Vista Editions.
You Can Also Add Other Windows Components By Reading: How To Add / Remove Vista Components