Uninstalling Programs

[Mitch Hatfield]

In order to uninstall any program, I always understood that the Control Panel route should be used first, even if the program in question offered its own uninstall option. The program uninstaller was therefore only to be used if the program was not shown on the Windows install/uninstall list.]

In some cases, however, I have gone to uninstall a previously downloaded program, to find that it was not so listed, nor did it have its own uninstaller.

The only way I have worked then, is by going into Windows Explorer, finding the program folder and then, by right clicking, delete it - although sometimes such programs folders, or remnants of them, are to be found under "My Documents", when I've still deleted them.

The fact programs which have "deleted" often seem to still remain on my HD,especially "Zip" folders, leads me to suspect that I am really not doing things properly at all.

Has this got something to do with "Registry Files", an area which I only ever visit with the aid of Norton Utilities?

As I download (and then ditch!) quite a lot of software, I would really appreciate some advice and guidance, please! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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Cheers!

Mitch Hatfield

Looking out for some signs of Evolution!!

[YODA74]

the program may not be listed in the Add/Remove listing. This also occurs sometimes when the program was installed by double-clicking the installation file instead of using Add/Remove's Install feature. Here's how to uninstall them IF there is a *.isu file in the program folder. This will usually have the name of DeIsL1.isu, DeIsL2.isu, etc., (use the highest L number for the removal), or Uninst.isu. If this file is present, then enter the following in Start, Run:

c:\windows\uninst.exe -f"[Location of .isu file]"
Example:
C:\Windows\uninst.exe -f"D:\Utility\File Recover\DeIsL1.isu"
This will open the uninstall shield, and remove the program properly.
Some programs have an Uninstl.exe, or Unwise.exe file in the program folder that normally a shortcut in the Program menu originally pointed to. If this shortcut is missing, enter the line in Run as:

[Location of .exe] [location of install.log]
Example:
D:\Utility\DirSnoop\Uninstl.exe D:\Utility\Dirsnoop\Install.log
If the program folder has an uninstal.exe file, this is usually a custom uninstalling program that may be run with the following command in Run:
[Location of Uninstal.exe] [Location of program folder]
Example:
D:\Utility\Fixit\Uninstal.exe D:\Utility\Fixit

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PUSH TO TEST. RELEASE TO DETONATE.
[Closed captioned for the thinking impaired.]

[mjc]

If you are talking about the Documents on the start menu, that is not the same as the My Documents folder. The listing there is a MRU (most recently used) list, which can be cleared by going to Settings on the start menu, selecting Taskbar & Start Menum then Start Mneu programs, the hitting the clear button under the Documents section.

Also when you "delete" something you are not getting rid of it until you empty the recycle bin. No, it is not advisable to just delete a program, it leaves too many bits and pieces around if you do.

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.


Please Post Questions in the forums, not my email. Thanks

[Paul Komski]

I've only just started "playing" with RegCleaner (http://www.jv16.org/) Two things I've discovered.

1) Some programs, even though uninstalled correctly, have left loads of bits behind them ("Real" applications in particular).

2) There are also "Hidden" items on the add/remove list. Most of mine being from preinstalled software.

Are there any special do's and don'ts when using a utility like this?

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul
"Those who say they don't let little things annoy them have never tried to sleep in a room with a buzzing mosquito."

[mjc]

DOs: MAKE A BACKUP OF THE REGISTRY FIRST!

Don'ts: Don't use it without making a backup first..... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

Almost forgot, if you can't figure what a "junk" entry is really for leave it alone. Some programs are not very good with the registry and some of the cleaners will say that something is an error when it is not.

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.


Please Post Questions in the forums, not my email. Thanks

[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 06-25-2002).]