Windows XP operating system file replacement method detailed

First of all, it must be declared, the purpose of writing this tutorial is not to encourage everyone to replace the system file, because the system file directly affects the normal operation of the system, processing If it is not right, it will cause the system to be unstable, and the system will crash if it is heavy. So, unless you have already understood the following, clarifying the meaning of each step you make and the possible consequences, please don't try it easily.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the following content, you must first let everyone know some concepts and know some facts.

What is the meaning of replacing system files?

The so-called system files generally refer to files that are closely related to Windows and are inseparable from the normal operation of the system. Most of these files are located in the System32 directory (X: WindowsSystem32) and the system file backup directory DllCache (X: WindowsSystem32Dllcache) ("X" is the partition where your XP system is located). They are usually in the form of dll files. Secondly, there are other formats such as cpl (control panel). The elements of the Windows look and feel (icons, bitmaps, dialogs, text, etc.) that we see are stored in these files, such as the button icons for the forward and backward buttons on the Explorer and IE toolbars. In the form of a bitmap and in the shell32.dll file, in other words, as long as the shell32.dll file containing the new bitmap element is replaced with the original file, we can see the new button pattern. By replacing the system files, we can create a personalized Windows system :)

What is blocking us from replacing system files?

If you think that replacing the system file can be done simply by overwriting the original file, then you are too naive, and Microsoft would like to see his "pretty" window s interface being made otherwise. So, from Win2000, I added WFP (Windows File Protection), which is system file protection. As the name implies, the protection system files are not modified or replaced by the user. How does it implement file protection? The Dllcache file backup directory (or file cache directory) has been mentioned above. Windows backs up the system files that it considers important to this directory. Once WFP detects that these important files in the System32 directory have been changed or replaced. It will automatically restore the replaced files from the backup, leaving you in vain. This feature of Windows does not play a good role in self-protection by tampering with system files such as viruses, but it makes many people who play the theme feel helpless, and it seems that there is no way to completely disable WFP.

About SP1

The file protection mechanism of the xp system with SP1 (Service Pack 1) has not changed. The difference is that there is one more backup directory for system files. When installing SP1, Windows made a backup of the updated files in the Syst em32 directory and placed them in a new directory: X:WindowsServicePackFile si386, while the original Dllcache directory kept the files that were not updated. As a result, the backup folder becomes two: Dllcache and i386.

I have said so much, the purpose is to let everyone understand the reason why it is more difficult to replace system files, to understand the mechanism of system file protection, it is very good to understand the methods and steps of replacing system files described below. of. Ok, let's start replacing it now!

However, before doing the replacement, do a little preliminary work, which is to make all hidden and protected files visible (Dllcache directory and some other files are hidden by default), method Very simple, open any of the Explorer windows (such as "My Computer"), select "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View" tab in the menu bar, "Hide Protected In the front of the operating system file, remove the checkmark and select "Show all files and folders" and click OK (Figure 1). OK, all the files in the system are now invisible.

FIG. 1

alternative methods of file system. There are many ways to replace system files. Here I introduce three common methods based on my own experience. The first two methods do not use any third-party software. The third method I will talk about how to use Replacer software. Replace the system file. Are you ready for the preliminary work? OK, let's go!