How can I reduce the disk space size that WinXP Pro uses?

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to reduce the disk space that WinXP Pro uses so I will have
smaller backup images. I use Ghost Version 7.5 to create the images with
high compression.

I've noticed a new installation of WinXP pro is about 2.5 Gigs - 3 Gigs of
hard drive space after all the windows updates are installed. I've turned
off System Restore and the Virtual Memory (swapfile) just before doing a
disc image to save space. When I restore the image onto my hard drive I
re-enable System Restore and the Virtual Memory (swapfile).

I also run the disk cleanup and check off all the files to delete in the
"Temporary Internet Files", Downloaded Program Files", "Recycle Bin", etc.
Under the tab "More Options I look at all "Windows Components" and
"Installed Programs" and find I need all these so I don't remove any because
I'll just have to put them back when I restore the image, plus removing them
will not save me much space.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to reduce the size of WinXP Pro
further so I am able to save not just a few Megabytes but few hundred
Megabytes or greater (Gigabytes) of space?

Thanks to all who reply,

Ismael