[natds]

I have 2 XP SP3 computers, one of which I am currently unable to get to run in anything other than safe mode due to malware infection, I have a thread in the Malware forum which I am waiting on assistance for. I have another older computer which I have had many malware problems on as well, including random IE popups of garbage sites. I use Firefox exclusively on both computers, and from what I read even having IE and Outlook on your computer even if you never use them creates so many security threats, and I just don't want to deal with any of the activex problems or continue to leave my computers vulnerable to further infection.
I found some guides to removing them from Windows XP, but there seems to be some potential basic conflicts with how explorer.exe/shell works if you remove all IE and Outlook files. And some of the guides are old, so I at least wanted to be directed to a non-obsolete guide of how to safely remove these programs completely without damaging anything or leaving things inoperable.
Right now on my computer that I can only use safe mode on, I have an old installation of IE 7. On this, the more functional computer, I uninstalled IE 7, which was automatically replaced by IE 6. Can anyone explain or link to me to a reliable explanation on how to rid my systems of these security threats?

[atnskyline]

OK don't do that. internet explorer is part of the windows operating system. if you do that it will create problems including no updates, no support and many other problems. DON'T do that. as for outlook, i imagine you can but i would not recommend it. i am not fully sure about out look. if you want to go through with removing outlook, first be sure to create a system check point( I assume you know how to do that, if you don't just ask me). then go to control panel and click add/remove programs. then click on add/remove windows components. then check out look express.

I do not recommedn you do this, but if you want to I am not your mom or dad. BUT I will not be held responsible for anything, telling you how or anything.
My suggestion is don't do this. especially i explorer. it is important to windows. i am not 100% sure you need outlook but i don't think so.

[mrss]

Outlook isn't necessary, but IE is vital for keeping windows up-to-date with the latest patches, which is important to help prevent future malware infections. Been brainwashed to think that a fully patched XP system is more secure.

Without IE, you can still do Windows Update via 3rd party stuff. I dunno. I wouldn't go that way.

[lunarlander]

There is a software called XPLite :
http://www.litepc.com/xplite.html

It can remove a lot of Windows components, and I think you can roll back any changes. But like what was said above, if you remove IE on an XP system, then you probably cannot do Windows Update. And Windows Update does keep your PC patched against the latest vulnerabilities.