[TizzyT]

(Sorry I originally Posted this In the wrong Section, If a MOD could please delete that one)
This guide is to show you how to remove unwanted Icons manually from the ps3 through editing files. I only state that this only removes the icons from the XMB and other files that might be associated with the icon will not be in this guide. Also this guide requires that you mess in flash and can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing in there, and so I will not be responsible for anything that might happen to your system while using this guide. On another note I am not saying that this guide is perfect nor is it complete. I discovered this while exploring a way to remove the (I don't know why) annoying Netflix icon. I did not follow any other guides but there might be other guides out there and you are free to use any other guides you choose. If you just want to remove some Icons and understand the risks/dangers then continue on ahead.

Firstly we need to obtain the files for editing.

Using FTP to connect to the PS3 (Requires that the PS3 and a computer is connected onto the local area network) is what I would recommend as it is more convenient IMHO.
This requires the following:

Dev_Blind (On the PS3)
OpenPS3FTP (On the PS3)
FTP Client Software (Optional-On the Computer)

Instructions:
First install Dev_Blind and OpenPS3FTP on your PlayStation 3. You then first run dev_blind found under the games menu on the XMB, select yes and yes again then OK, It will create a link pointing to the dev_flash with the ability to write to it. The PS3 should exit back out to the XMB. Now go over to Network menu and run OpenPS3FTP. Remember the IP address that is displayed on screen. Now leave the PS3 alone, DO NOT press X.

Go over to your computer and create a new folder. This will be our working folder. In that folder create a Shortcut.. Set its location as
"C:\Windows\explorer.exe ftp://XXX/dev_blind/vsh/resource/explore/xmb/"
Replace XXX with the IP address OpenPS3FTP shown then click Next. Call it anything you want but make it something so you know what it is (I called mine PS3 XMB Settings). This will create a shortcut directly to the PS3 and into the directory that contains the necessary files. Create a New Folder called Backup. Run the shortcut you made, It will ask for a username and password if this is the first time doing this, set the username as root and leave the password blank. Check save password and click log on. There should be files that begin with the word category shown.

Here are the respective files that controls what is displayed in the XMB that I have tested myself and is working.

category_game.xml = Displays the Icons under the Game Menu on the XMB.
category_video.xml = Displays the Icons under the Video Menu on the XMB.
category_music.xml = Displays the Icons under the Music Menu on the XMB.
category_network.xml = Displays the Icons under the Network Menu on the XMB.
category_photo.xml = Displays the Icons under the Photos Menu on the XMB.

For the icon you want to remove select and copy its respective category_XXX.xml to the working folder, DO NOT edit it yet, it is important that you copy it again into the backup folder. now you can edit the one in your working folder.

Lets use an example, lets say I wanted to remove the "Online Instruction Manuals". Here is what you would have to do.

Since the "Online Instruction Manuals" icon is under the network menu on the XMB I copy the category_network.xml file to the working folder and again to the backups folder. I open the category_network.xml file in the working folder with wordpad and it looks like this:



now we look for keywords that will lead us to the icon itself. For the "Online Instruction Manuals" icon I searched the word "manual". The first result will be highlighted but deleting that by itself will not remove the icon, you will notice it is in a list of other queries.



What you need to do is select the entire query that the word manual is contained in, so highlight from "<Query" to the beginning of the next "<Query" like this:



and delete it. Press F3 to go onto the next result. For this one Select from "<View id" to the beginning of the next "<View id" like this:



and delete it. That should be it, Save and exit. Run the shortcut again if you closed it, and paste the category_network.xml file from the working directory onto the PS3 replacing the file when asked. Go back over to the PS3 and press X, if the system hangs and a black screen is displayed don't worry and just power down the PS3 (Holding the power button down). Power the PS3 back up and the icon should be gone. Do the same to the other Icons you may want to remove, keep in mind that this method wont be able to remove all icons on the XMB (at least not when I tried).

PS: When removing the Netflix icon you might also want to remove its icon directory called "Netflix" found here:
ftp://XXX/dev_blind/vsh/resource/explore/"

[itskamel]

has anyone tested this method?

[TizzyT]

LOL other then myself iuno. Why don't you be the first.

[TizzyT]

Hmm, wrote this guide because there was a lot of people who wanted to remove Icons from the XMB, I posted this method because I think compiling a whole other firmware using the MFW builder takes too long. I thought it would be useful for many owells.

[Wintersun]

I'm not ballsy enough to mess with dev_flash, but good work and thanks for sharing!

[TizzyT]

Thanks, it is kinda risky but messing with these files are always be repaired I think. Never tested it but you should be able to go into recovery and repair from there if you mess up at any point using this guide.

[Thelostdeathknight]

to repair your firmware if you botch it using this method is as simple as going into recovery and reflashing the firmware you were using at the time.

[TizzyT]

Originally Posted by Thelostdeathknight to repair your firmware if you botch it using this method is as simple as going into recovery and reflashing the firmware you were using at the time.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, I don't have to purposely mess up my system now lol.

[Thelostdeathknight]

i could give you a pup i have that has no xmb most awesome firmware ever

[TizzyT]

Originally Posted by Thelostdeathknight i could give you a pup i have that has no xmb most awesome firmware ever

LOL but how would anyone use it if there is no XMB? it honestly sounds interesting to see, sure bring on the link, I'm going to to install it tonight just for laughs. Hope I don't brick though my brothers will be mad.