What is this folder doing on my computer

[Ghot]

Folder name: Microsoft CAPICOM 2.1.0.2 Date Modified 10/10/2009
KB931903, and there is no corresponding $NTUninstallKB931903$ file


I have no idea what this is for other than the un-helpful explanation on Wikipedia. It seems to be an old ActiveX control.

OS: Win XP Pro SP3 32 bit

It shows up in Add / Remove programs and has a few registry entries. There is also a Capicom.dll file located in two places...

C:\WINDOWS\system32
C:\Program Files\Microsoft CAPICOM 2.1.0.2\Lib\x86

As far as I know, I don't use this and it does not show under Task Manager's processes Tab.

Any help with this would be appreciated...I do not LIKE unknown files on my computer, especially Microsoft ones.

[jholland1964]

It is a perfectly legal file found on most computers running Windows. You may not Like MS files but if you run Windows you likely need them. This file is included with the operating systems and other MS products along with many files used by the computer manufacturer files also.
Don't rely on Wikipedia to give you fully answers for everything.

[Ghot]

I understand that, what I need to know is if I can get rid of it. I use no MS Office products, no SDK software and have Win XP stripped of all unnecessary Windows Components, like: MSN Games, Messenger, Outlook Express, Movie maker, No Silverlight, no Windows Live and no .NET framework.

I also have current Ghost 2003 full primary partition IMAGE backups. So I can fix any damage I might do in about 2.5 minutes.

[jholland1964]

No you need to leave it. It is one tiny file, approximately 375kb and is used by many other components of the operating system. If you are that strapped for space then you need a larger hard drive.

Why are you using windows in the first place if you hate MS so much? Makes no sense to me.

[Ghot]

I'm in no way strapped for space...it didn't come with Win XP Pro...it's MS...I don't want it lol

[jholland1964]

XP Pro IS MS...If you don't like Microsoft then run Linux

[Ghot]

No, I truly like Windows XP Pro...I just don't some things that MS installs as updates..especially ones that don't come with an uninstaller

[jholland1964]

No, I truly like Windows XP Pro...I just don't some things that MS installs as updates..especially ones that don't come with an uninstaller

Since the file shows Date Modified 10/10/2009 it is very doubtful that it came from an update it is on there as part of the operating system and the fact there is no uninstaller should tell you that it should NOT be uninstalled, if it would not possibly cause problems then and uninstaller would be included.

[Ghot]

This is the date of the current XP Pro install as shown by the System32 Folder:




I keep really great backups...this is same install on 3rd comp, via NG 2003. I make backup of last fresh install, before drivers, then make a 2nd with everything installed.

So it came after the install...and I've been Googling it, and seeing lots of less than stellar comments.

[DrimiDoral]

This file is included with the operating systems.