How to Remove a DVD Decoder
DVD Decoder is a codec—a technology that shrinks video or music files—that allows DVD playback on the computer. Some programs, such as VLC Media Player, have the codec built into the software, but others, such as Windows Media Player, require a separate piece of software. Media files are large, and if codecs didn't exist, downloading the files would take three to five times longer. Each media format has its own codec. If you want to remove one, you just need to identify it, then uninstall it.
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Instructions
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Identify Your Codec
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Download and install the Windows XP Video Decoder Check Up Utility from Microsoft's website. This software is free.
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Launch the program and wait for it to identify all of the DVD decoders on the computer.
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Write down the name or names of the decoders currently installed on the computer. You'll need this information to uninstall them.
Uninstall Method No. 1
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Click on "Start" and launch the "Control Panel," then launch "Add or Remove Programs."
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Find the name of the codec you wrote down earlier and locate the name in the list of programs. (If you don't see it, skip to the next section.) Click on it once. On the button to the right, click on "Uninstall."
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Follow all prompts until you see the message "Uninstallation complete."
Uninstall Method No. 2
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Navigate to "My Computer" and double-click on the "C" drive. Inside, move to the "Program Files" folder and double-click on it.
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Find the folder with the name of the codec you wrote down earlier.
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Right-click on the folder and select "Delete." When it asks if you want to send it to the Recycling Bin, click "Yes." This will delete the decoder entirely.
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