Control Panel (Windows XP)

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Hello everyone:

I have a belkin bluetooth dongle, which I used once a month, yesterday I decided to plugin the bluetooth dongle, not realizing that XP SP2 activiated a bluetooth device icon. I am happy to say, that I like belkin, and have no desire to use Microsoft’s bluetooth. My question is, what I can do to remove MS’s Bluetooth icon from the control panel, without disrupting the apple cart (computer System).

Thank you.

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Replies

Hiya, this has recently happened to me. Although in the end i found the WinXP SP2 bluetooth worked better than my original drivers. I am now using all my software except for the original drivers, which just needed me to configure the COM port in the SP2 bluetooth setup. The functionality of bluetooth in the SP2 is limited, as you probably have seen, you can send or receive files, and thats it. But other software works fine using these drivers.

To get your old belkin drivers back you will need to force the hardware wizard to load up the old drivers. If you want to do this there are ways, you have to rename the bluetooth in SP2 file and then update the drivers for the dongle etc.

[indent]

---

What you will need to do to install WIDCOMM drivers on a Windows XP SP2 machine is:

1. Remove your Bluetooth dongle from the PC
2. Uninstall youir Widcomm software.
3. In Explorer go to WindowsInf
4. Rename the file bth.inf to bth.bak

After this reboot & then reinstall your WIDCOMM software. You should find everything now works as it did before SP2.

---

[/indent]

Getting rid of the icon is easy enough – a right click will give you the option of doing that – but the SP2 drivers will still be loaded for the device. Its classic MS cheek really – they just updated the dongles drivers and hence rendered the belkin ones powerless!

What other software are you using? As I said, after i got ove the initial rudeness of MS violating my setup, i had to say that my bluetooth software works a lot better now with me dongle!

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Hello Mtz:

Thank you for your reply, I only use my dongle once a month, and the last time I used it, I forgot to place it in the correct usb slot.

somehow the dongle activated the MS Bluetooth. I did however have to go back to the Belkin Wizard, and reset some items.

I will keep your instructions, just in case, I have a problem in the near future. Regarding the right click of the MS icon, there was not delete option, most likely I will have to find it in the register. I used the register before to delete some of the unused icons before.

If you need to delete the second bluetooth icon here are the following instructions:

PLEASE BACKUP YOUR REGISTER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE
MS Bluetooth Icon!

1) Click Start – type regedit – look for the the HKEY_CURRENT_USER
2) Look for a small yellow folder “don’t load”
3) On the right side create a new “String value”
4) type bthprops.cpl
5) modify the value “No” without the quotes
6) close the registry
7) close your control panel, then reopen.

Cheers

dillon65

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hi dillon65, i hope your usb dongle is working ok now with the bluetooth.

if you right click the icon there should be the option to turn off the icon. though as i said this does not uninstall the Microsoft Bluetooth software. See attached.

cheers

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hi dillon65, i hope your usb dongle is working ok now with the bluetooth.

if you right click the icon there should be the option to turn off the icon. though as i said this does not uninstall the Microsoft Bluetooth software. See attached.

cheers

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I’ve run into a similar “conflict” between the software that came with my USB 802.11g (WiFi) adapter and the built-in Windows wireless networking program. (Not even the sp2 version.) In the Windows dialogs, there is a checkbox to disable Windows from managing your wireless connections. That greatly simplified things in my case, but it sounds as though the Bluetooth dialogs may be different.

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Hello Mtz, jscher2000:

Mtz, I right clicked, and my options were open, or create shortcut. I had no choice but to go into the regedit, and delete the icon from there. Once I can find a safe way to disable the MS bluetooth, I will be alright. I still consider myself to be some what of a beginner advanced, so I really do not want to do something I will regret.

Also I wanted to uncheck in MSCONFIG – STARTUP (rundll32 rundll32.exe bthpropes.cpl,,Bluetooth Authentication Agent), however I was not too sure. I will give belkin a call tomorrow, to find out if this is safe. Furthermore, it was by going into the MSCONFIG, that I found the “bthprops.cpl”

Jscher: Far be it for me to give you advice, however, if you type msconfig, and go into services, you can disable the service which is causing you problems.

Gentlemen, is it alright to always leave your bluetooth dongle, in the back of the computer systems daily?

Thanks

Dillon

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Hey Dillon,

One of the nice things about msconfig is that if you don’t like the change, you can always go back in and recheck the item. I’d venture that it is safe to uncheck the reference to bluetooth in msconfig and the only consequence will be that it doesn’t load with Windows (which is what you want).

As for leaving the dongle attached to the back of the PC……… why not ?? I leave USB cables plugged in with nothing attached to them. They are for use with 2 external HDs that I do a weekly incremental backup to one and a monthly system image to the other. Both are stored in my safe and I leave the cables hanging until the next backup. Doesn’t seem to cause any problems that I’m aware of.

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Hello DocWatson:

I understand what you mean about the msconfig, however, doc, that unchecking the (rundll32 rundll32.exe bthpropes.cpl,,Bluetooth Authentication Agent) in the startup section; is like stopping one’s heart, it will not start again. You and I both know that there is no life support for today’s computer system.

I would rather be safe than sorry, I will call belkin tomorrow. Thanks for the input.

dillon

Reply | Quote

Dillon,

If you want to remove the Bluetooth Authentication icon and the underlying program, I found the following information here.

Remove the Bluetooth Authentication agent
To remove the Bluetooth Authentication agent, follow these steps:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Bluetooth Authentication Agent, and then click Add/Remove.
Restart the computer
Delete the BluetoothAuthenticationAgent entry from the Windows registry
Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

If the Bluetooth Authentication Agent was removed from the computer, follow these steps to delete the BluetoothAuthenticationAgent entry from the Windows registry. To do so, follow these steps:
Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK
Locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

In the right pane, right-click BluetoothAuthenticationAgent, and then click Delete.
Click Close to close Registry Editor.
Restart the computer.

Or is this not what you are trying to accomplish ??? I’m assuming that the Belkin device has it’s own software and drivers and doesn’t need (and you don’t want) the MS Bluetooth program involved in your sessions.

Reply | Quote

Hello DocWatson:

Thank you so very much for your help, and support; your reply is exactly what I was looking for. Just one problem, I am too afraid to delete the “BluetoothAuthenticationAgent entry from the Windows registry.”
In addition, I did disable the service from the msconfig.

My bluetooth still works, so I suppose this is what is important. Doc, when delete any thing which start with the rundll are you not asking for problems? Concerning your last statement you are so correct.

Thanks

dillon

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Dillon,

I don’t think that you need to go into the registry. If you have disabled the service in msconfig and gone to Add/Remove Programs and removed it there as well, I doubt there is much chance of it springing back to life. So if your preferred device is working properly and the Bluetooth Agent has been banished, I’d leave well enough alone.

As to deleting something that begins with rundll, I usually try not to “deletet” anything that I can disable, rename or move until I’m sure that I know what it does and what the consequences will be. In this case, the information was from the MS Knowledgebase. And as such, should be reliable (for the most part ).

Glad I was able to help.

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PMFBI
Slightly different problem but in the same area. To get my PC to phone sync program (Mobiledit!) to work on my notebook I have to remove any third party bluetooth drivers and re-install/activate MS’s Bluetooth stack. The advice I have is that if there are no other bluetooth drivers, then Win XP SP2 should activate its own bluetooth drivers.

However, there is no sign of them. For example, after removing Toshiba’s drivers from my Portege 4010 there is nothing in the Control Panel – such as Bluethooth Devices or whatever. Nothing shows up in Device manager either.

Any ideas about how I can re-install Microsoft’s own bluetooth stack/drivers?

Thanks

Richard

Reply | Quote

PMFBI
Slightly different problem but in the same area. To get my PC to phone sync program (Mobiledit!) to work on my notebook I have to remove any third party bluetooth drivers and re-install/activate MS’s Bluetooth stack. The advice I have is that if there are no other bluetooth drivers, then Win XP SP2 should activate its own bluetooth drivers.

However, there is no sign of them. For example, after removing Toshiba’s drivers from my Portege 4010 there is nothing in the Control Panel – such as Bluethooth Devices or whatever. Nothing shows up in Device manager either.

Any ideas about how I can re-install Microsoft’s own bluetooth stack/drivers?

Thanks

Richard

Reply | Quote

Dillon,

I don’t think that you need to go into the registry. If you have disabled the service in msconfig and gone to Add/Remove Programs and removed it there as well, I doubt there is much chance of it springing back to life. So if your preferred device is working properly and the Bluetooth Agent has been banished, I’d leave well enough alone.

As to deleting something that begins with rundll, I usually try not to “deletet” anything that I can disable, rename or move until I’m sure that I know what it does and what the consequences will be. In this case, the information was from the MS Knowledgebase. And as such, should be reliable (for the most part ).

Glad I was able to help.

Reply | Quote

Hello DocWatson:

Thank you so very much for your help, and support; your reply is exactly what I was looking for. Just one problem, I am too afraid to delete the “BluetoothAuthenticationAgent entry from the Windows registry.”
In addition, I did disable the service from the msconfig.

My bluetooth still works, so I suppose this is what is important. Doc, when delete any thing which start with the rundll are you not asking for problems? Concerning your last statement you are so correct.

Thanks

dillon

Reply | Quote

Dillon,

If you want to remove the Bluetooth Authentication icon and the underlying program, I found the following information here.

Remove the Bluetooth Authentication agent
To remove the Bluetooth Authentication agent, follow these steps:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Bluetooth Authentication Agent, and then click Add/Remove.
Restart the computer
Delete the BluetoothAuthenticationAgent entry from the Windows registry
Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

If the Bluetooth Authentication Agent was removed from the computer, follow these steps to delete the BluetoothAuthenticationAgent entry from the Windows registry. To do so, follow these steps:
Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK
Locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

In the right pane, right-click BluetoothAuthenticationAgent, and then click Delete.
Click Close to close Registry Editor.
Restart the computer.

Or is this not what you are trying to accomplish ??? I’m assuming that the Belkin device has it’s own software and drivers and doesn’t need (and you don’t want) the MS Bluetooth program involved in your sessions.

Reply | Quote

Hello DocWatson:

I understand what you mean about the msconfig, however, doc, that unchecking the (rundll32 rundll32.exe bthpropes.cpl,,Bluetooth Authentication Agent) in the startup section; is like stopping one’s heart, it will not start again. You and I both know that there is no life support for today’s computer system.

I would rather be safe than sorry, I will call belkin tomorrow. Thanks for the input.

dillon

Reply | Quote

Hey Dillon,

One of the nice things about msconfig is that if you don’t like the change, you can always go back in and recheck the item. I’d venture that it is safe to uncheck the reference to bluetooth in msconfig and the only consequence will be that it doesn’t load with Windows (which is what you want).

As for leaving the dongle attached to the back of the PC……… why not ?? I leave USB cables plugged in with nothing attached to them. They are for use with 2 external HDs that I do a weekly incremental backup to one and a monthly system image to the other. Both are stored in my safe and I leave the cables hanging until the next backup. Doesn’t seem to cause any problems that I’m aware of.

Reply | Quote

> if you type msconfig, and go into services, you can disable the service which
> is causing you problems.

Good idea. Since I used Windows 2000 for a long time, I got used to not having msconfig and using the Services control panel instead. (In the WiFi case, since I want to have the little connect icon on the tray, it’s probably easier to right-click and configure it than to block it at a lower level.)

Reply | Quote

> if you type msconfig, and go into services, you can disable the service which
> is causing you problems.

Good idea. Since I used Windows 2000 for a long time, I got used to not having msconfig and using the Services control panel instead. (In the WiFi case, since I want to have the little connect icon on the tray, it’s probably easier to right-click and configure it than to block it at a lower level.)

Reply | Quote

Hello Mtz, jscher2000:

Mtz, I right clicked, and my options were open, or create shortcut. I had no choice but to go into the regedit, and delete the icon from there. Once I can find a safe way to disable the MS bluetooth, I will be alright. I still consider myself to be some what of a beginner advanced, so I really do not want to do something I will regret.

Also I wanted to uncheck in MSCONFIG – STARTUP (rundll32 rundll32.exe bthpropes.cpl,,Bluetooth Authentication Agent), however I was not too sure. I will give belkin a call tomorrow, to find out if this is safe. Furthermore, it was by going into the MSCONFIG, that I found the “bthprops.cpl”

Jscher: Far be it for me to give you advice, however, if you type msconfig, and go into services, you can disable the service which is causing you problems.

Gentlemen, is it alright to always leave your bluetooth dongle, in the back of the computer systems daily?

Thanks

Dillon

Reply | Quote

I’ve run into a similar “conflict” between the software that came with my USB 802.11g (WiFi) adapter and the built-in Windows wireless networking program. (Not even the sp2 version.) In the Windows dialogs, there is a checkbox to disable Windows from managing your wireless connections. That greatly simplified things in my case, but it sounds as though the Bluetooth dialogs may be different.

Reply | Quote

Hello Mtz:

Thank you for your reply, I only use my dongle once a month, and the last time I used it, I forgot to place it in the correct usb slot.

somehow the dongle activated the MS Bluetooth. I did however have to go back to the Belkin Wizard, and reset some items.

I will keep your instructions, just in case, I have a problem in the near future. Regarding the right click of the MS icon, there was not delete option, most likely I will have to find it in the register. I used the register before to delete some of the unused icons before.

If you need to delete the second bluetooth icon here are the following instructions:

PLEASE BACKUP YOUR REGISTER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE
MS Bluetooth Icon!

1) Click Start – type regedit – look for the the HKEY_CURRENT_USER
2) Look for a small yellow folder “don’t load”
3) On the right side create a new “String value”
4) type bthprops.cpl
5) modify the value “No” without the quotes
6) close the registry
7) close your control panel, then reopen.

Cheers

dillon65

Reply | Quote

Hiya, this has recently happened to me. Although in the end i found the WinXP SP2 bluetooth worked better than my original drivers. I am now using all my software except for the original drivers, which just needed me to configure the COM port in the SP2 bluetooth setup. The functionality of bluetooth in the SP2 is limited, as you probably have seen, you can send or receive files, and thats it. But other software works fine using these drivers.

To get your old belkin drivers back you will need to force the hardware wizard to load up the old drivers. If you want to do this there are ways, you have to rename the bluetooth in SP2 file and then update the drivers for the dongle etc.

[indent]

---

What you will need to do to install WIDCOMM drivers on a Windows XP SP2 machine is:

1. Remove your Bluetooth dongle from the PC
2. Uninstall youir Widcomm software.
3. In Explorer go to WindowsInf
4. Rename the file bth.inf to bth.bak

After this reboot & then reinstall your WIDCOMM software. You should find everything now works as it did before SP2.

---

[/indent]

Getting rid of the icon is easy enough – a right click will give you the option of doing that – but the SP2 drivers will still be loaded for the device. Its classic MS cheek really – they just updated the dongles drivers and hence rendered the belkin ones powerless!

What other software are you using? As I said, after i got ove the initial rudeness of MS violating my setup, i had to say that my bluetooth software works a lot better now with me dongle!

Reply | Quote