Political Crossfire Forums

TheGirlNextDoor · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 22608

You know sometimes when you get a wild hair and decide to uninstall some programs that you just don't use any longer? Yeah.

I have a question. Sometimes when you uninstall a program you get the message (something along the lines of) some components of "X" could not be removed... blah blah blah.

Is there something I can use to totally rid my computer of these leftovers??

Please keep in mind, that I'm pretty computer stupid... so be gentle.

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 18817

TheGirlNextDoor wrote: You know sometimes when you get a wild hair and decide to uninstall some programs that you just don't use any longer? Yeah.

I have a question. Sometimes when you uninstall a program you get the message (something along the lines of) some components of "X" could not be removed... blah blah blah.

Is there something I can use to totally rid my computer of these leftovers??

Please keep in mind, that I'm pretty computer stupid... so be gentle.

Usually they are not removed because they could support another program, by removing the file you will destabilize other programs causing them to crash or not function at all.

I use Norton System Works to keep my registry and files clean.

Patriot911 · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 6871 Location: Denver, CO

Usually when you uninstall a program and it says a piece is being used by another application, it is best to let them be. The majority of the program still gets removed, but to force the removal of these other parts can often times break the other programs you still use.

Really the only way you can be sure you have completely remove all these pieces and parts is to re-install the operating system either through the recovery CDs or from an original OS CD. Its not a bad idea to do every couple of years to clear out all the assorted junk that builds up in the directories and the registry.

David · Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 12099 Location: Louisiana

Easy Cleaner helps you do that.

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

C cleaner is better. For the registry.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Those other leftovers are usually saved files, icons, patches, updates etc in the folder the program was in. You can go to your program files (doubleclick My Computer, C:/Program files and find the folder for that program and just delete it and they will be gone), That will save a little space on your HD. And whenever you run across an stray icon or link, like say in your start menu, for the program just delete it.

But, if you get a message somewhere along the line saying it is a shared file and asks you if you are sure you want to delete it, don't delete it unless it's backed up. That can really screw you up.

You might have to replace a shared DLL file that you deleted, and if you don't know how or you don't have another comp to use it really s*cks.

I did that once and it took me a long time to figure out to fix it. :lol:

Protostar · Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

I use YourUninstaller. Works great. Uninstalls the original program then gets rid of anything left over (dll files, backups, etc). It also cleans temp files as well. For registry cleaning, I use AMust. You should also defrag you HD regularly to keep file fragmentation to a minimum. I use Diskeeper as the default Windows defrag utility blows ass.

beachbum bob · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:27 pm Post subject:

cap'n queasy wrote: C cleaner is better. For the registry.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Those other leftovers are usually saved files, icons, patches, updates etc in the folder the program was in. You can go to your program files (doubleclick My Computer, C:/Program files and find the folder for that program and just delete it and they will be gone), That will save a little space on your HD. And whenever you run across an stray icon or link, like say in your start menu, for the program just delete it.

But, if you get a message somewhere along the line saying it is a shared file and asks you if you are sure you want to delete it, don't delete it unless it's backed up. That can really screw you up.

You might have to replace a shared DLL file that you deleted, and if you don't know how or you don't have another comp to use it really s*cks.

I did that once and it took me a long time to figure out to fix it. :lol:

ccleaner is very good...used for the past couple years on all my machines with no problems yet....remember the rule of thumb.....when in doubt DON"T DELETE

Pelagius · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 888

A great tool. Keeps your registry clean and a whole lot more.

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 18817

Ah the simplicity and beauty of Linux.

Code: sudo apt-get remove <program>

No registry mess......... no registry :lol:

Clean uninstall everytime.

No stupid cleaning software.

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

beachbum bob wrote: cap'n queasy wrote: C cleaner is better. For the registry.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Those other leftovers are usually saved files, icons, patches, updates etc in the folder the program was in. You can go to your program files (doubleclick My Computer, C:/Program files and find the folder for that program and just delete it and they will be gone), That will save a little space on your HD. And whenever you run across an stray icon or link, like say in your start menu, for the program just delete it.

But, if you get a message somewhere along the line saying it is a shared file and asks you if you are sure you want to delete it, don't delete it unless it's backed up. That can really screw you up.

You might have to replace a shared DLL file that you deleted, and if you don't know how or you don't have another comp to use it really s*cks.

I did that once and it took me a long time to figure out to fix it. :lol:

ccleaner is very good...used for the past couple years on all my machines with no problems yet....remember the rule of thumb.....when in doubt DON"T DELETE

Sounds like you speak from experience. :lol:

TheGirlNextDoor · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 22608

Thanks everyone for the advice. I never delete something if I'm unsure whether or not it's going to cause problems. I'm not that computer savvy, so I tread carefully.. that's why I asked. ;)

Thanks again!

Nnamath · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 3880 Location: atlanta

nerds

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

TheGirlNextDoor wrote: Thanks everyone for the advice. I never delete something if I'm unsure whether or not it's going to cause problems. I'm not that computer savvy, so I tread carefully.. that's why I asked. ;)

Thanks again!

If you go to your program files and see a folder from the the program you just deleted, you can delete it. It's just save files, patches, updates, etc that the uninstaller didn't recognise as the program you uninstalled.

This is what takes up the most space on your hard drive. And even then it's not that much. Unless you and install and uninstall a lot of programs or back up a o lot of data etc.

But if you're like me, you just don't like the idea that they are there and remove them.

TheGirlNextDoor · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 22608

cap'n queasy wrote:

But if you're like me, you just don't like the idea that they are there and remove them.

Bingo. I'm just weird about clutter I suppose. Like shortcuts on my desktop.. I like it nice and clean looking so I have maybe 6 shortcuts, if that. A friend of mine probably has 40+ shortcuts on her desktop... bleh.

Pelagius · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 888

TheGirlNextDoor wrote: cap'n queasy wrote:

But if you're like me, you just don't like the idea that they are there and remove them.

Bingo. I'm just weird about clutter I suppose. Like shortcuts on my desktop.. I like it nice and clean looking so I have maybe 6 shortcuts, if that. A friend of mine probably has 40+ shortcuts on her desktop... bleh.

I'm the same way about my desktop too - only keep the recycle bin and one or two others on it.

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 18817

I can't stand clutter, clean desktops for the win.