Computer help forum: Micrsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU]

Thankyou, Bob!! I see that you and Grif are in a dispute here. You say keep it and he says remove it! I like your idea better as I really hate having to use recovery cds for any reason at all!!

Here is the very long list of all my software:
Mozilla Firefox & Internet Explorer 7
Calendar Pal
Email Guardian
Folder Magic
Smileycons
Outlook Express
Bejewelled - Snood and Snood Slide
My HP Games
Logitech Mouseware
Logitech QuickCam Webcam
Lexmark & Epson All-in-One Printer/Scanners
ACDSee
HP Photosmart
HP (Software) Update
Quick Time
Rhapsody
Windows Media Player 11
Sonic Programs: muvee autoProducer 5.0, Digital Media Home, DVD Play, Express Labeller, My DVD Plus
Windows Digital Media Enhancements: Windows Audio Converter, Windows CD Label Maker, Windows Dancer, Windows Party Mode
Windows Media: Windows Media Encoding Script, Windows Media File Editor, Windows Media Profile Editor, Windows Media Stream Editor
Windows Media Encoder
AOL Instant Messenger
Yahoo Messenger
Windows Live Messenger
Microsoft Works Suite 2005: not all - only Picture It, Office, Word 2002, Works & Powerpoint viewer
Media Monkey
Dimage Viewer
Irfanview
Power Toys for Windows XP: Image Resizer & Tweak UI
Ulead Photo Explorer 8.5 SE Basic
Windows Movie Maker
Abbby Fine Reader 6.0 Sprint
Disk Internals CD-DVD Recovery
eCleaner
JDisk Report 1.3.0
Light Scribe Direct Disk Labelling
Rainlender 2
Registry Mechanic
Revo Uninstaller
Shaw Internet
Shaw Secure
Will Expert
WinPatrol
XnView
Zappit!
Acrobat Reader 5.0
Adobe Reader 8
Network Magic
Remove Assistance

There are programs inside of some of these that I didn't add b/c they are obvious (I think!). Do any of these need this software? If so, which ones and what does it do?

Thanks, Bob!

On some of the newer Windows XP computers we've received lately, we're seeing that Microsoft is preinstalling a basic version of the SQL Server software for database managment. I'll believe it's also showing up on Vista machines. The "Compact Edition" allows the standard user to use an SQL type program without installing the full SQL 2005 Server. Since most home users don't really want to get into learning SQL Server ins and outs, it's not really needed for most folks. It's primarily used for business/Enterprise related database and application management in which your computer would be used as a server.. If you're not going to use your computer as a server from which multiple computers can access a run an application from, then you can safely delete it. You will also see a few other items related to SQL Server in the Add/Remove Programs section. They too can be unisntalled..

If for some reason, you ever need it down the road, use your recovery discs to bring the computer back to its factory state or download some of the necessary parts from the link below.

See the link below for an explanation of the Compact Edition and view those downloads:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920700

I've recently removed it from 3 or 4 new HP computers and one custom machine made by "PC Club", all of which had it preinstalled with Windows XP or Vista.. No problems since the users weren't in need of SQL Server.

Hope this helps.

Grif