Microsoft enables the “Kill Switch” – Kill Switch to remove Internet Explorer and other programs

It is official now. Microsoft has confirmed that users will be able to remove Internet Explorer 8 (IE8), as well as several other integrated applications, from Windows 7. This is confirmed on a blog post by Jack Mayo, group program manager for our Documents and Printing team in Microsoft on the Microsoft Blog. This feature is released with Windows 7 RC.

What is interesting that this not only includes Turning Windows Features On or Off for Internet Explorer nust host of other features as well.

How to Turn a Windows Features On or Off / Kill Switch for Windows features

• Go to Control Panel
• Click on “Turn Windows Features on or off” (available from the standard “Programs and Features” control panel this was earlier called ARP or Add/Remove Programs). Alternatively you can just typing “Windows features” in the start menu.
• You will see the following window in Windows 7 RC (note that by default the hierarchy is not fully expanded)

• Deselect the feature you do not want
• Click OK and you are done!

Can I again Turn on a Windows feature

Yes. If a feature is deselected, it does not means that it is removed from the computer. It is just not available for use.  This means the files (binaries and data) are not loaded by the operating system (for security-conscious customers) and not available to users on the computer. These same files are staged so that the features can easily be added back to the running OS without additional media.

Which features apart from IE can be disabled

Out of the features which can be disabled some are targeted towards Developers working on a client workstation (IIS, MSMQ, etc.), others are utilities for network administrators and enthusiasts (RSM, SNMP, Telnet, etc.), and some are features customers have asked us to make optional (Games, Fax and Scan, Tablet PC components). Microsoft has expanded the number of features (in Windows 7) you have control over and added the following:

• Windows Media Player
• Windows Media Center
• Windows DVD Maker
• Internet Explorer 8
• Windows Search
• Handwriting Recognition (through the Tablet PC Components option)
• Windows Gadget Platform
• Fax and Scan
• XPS Viewer and Services (including the Virtual Print Driver)

How will it affect other programs  and APIs that depend on the removed program?

Note that the APIs related to those features are still supported by Windows 7 even if the application or feature has been disabled.

Will I save memory space?

Yes and No. Not as much – this is because the program is still available in binary form in your PC. yes you may save some memory as the temporary files associated with the program may not occupy the space. However the binary files will still be there.

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