Deleting Programs

On Jan 20, 10:21*pm, johnn <a...@cd.ca> wrote:

> On Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:05:52 -0800 (PST), Carl <carlhamm...@gmail.com> wrote:

> >I am a Mac user, new to Windows.

>

> >I removed Firefox from Windows XP Home by using the Add or Remove
> >Programs control panel.

>

> >Afterward, when I do a search for Firefox, I come up with three
> >folders: *Components, Defaults, and Plugins.

>

> >May I just right click on these and delete them?

>

> >Why are they not deleted by the Add or Remove Programs control panel?

>

> >Is there some Program I could download, as there is for the Mac, that
> >will, when you use it to delete a program, safely delete every file
> >associated with that program?

>

> >Many thanks,
> >Carl

>
> Hi Carl:
>
> I use REVO uninstallerhttp://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html
>
> As far as I kinow, it does exacrly that.
> If I'm wrong (and I'm no expert) I'm sure someone will soon set me straight.
>

Thanks, Johnn.

Searching I came across the REVO you suggested and another one called
AppUpdater.

Hope some other folks add their preferences/experiences with similar
programs.

Cheers,
Carl

It's common - in the Windows world, at least - for programs to leave
behind some files and folders after they are uninstalled. Many people
uninstall a program only to re-install it right afterwards. This might
be done if the program stops working properly.

Rather than forcing the user to re-configure the program when it is
re-installed, certain configuration information is left behind. If you
have no intention of using the uninstalled program again - or if you
prefer to configure a re-installation from scratch - you are free to
delete the leftovers.

The leftovers in your case are your Firefox profile.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

Carl wrote:

> I am a Mac user, new to Windows.
>
> I removed Firefox from Windows XP Home by using the Add or Remove
> Programs control panel.
>
> Afterward, when I do a search for Firefox, I come up with three
> folders: Components, Defaults, and Plugins.
>
> May I just right click on these and delete them?
>
> Why are they not deleted by the Add or Remove Programs control panel?
>
> Is there some Program I could download, as there is for the Mac, that
> will, when you use it to delete a program, safely delete every file
> associated with that program?
>
> Many thanks,
> Carl

At least you tried to uninstall the software. Some users just delete the
files which causes problems; not the least having to re-install to do a
proper uninstall.

I'm not sure if the uninstall which comes with some software is any more
efficient than the Windows 'Add remove software': I've not found any real
difference.

You may also find references to uninstalled software will remain in the
Registry. If you're that bothered a registry cleaner should do the job but
be cautious.

Bill Ridgeway

"Leonard Grey" <l.grey@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:efsHRu3eJHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> It's common - in the Windows world, at least - for programs to leave
> behind some files and folders after they are uninstalled. Many people
> uninstall a program only to re-install it right afterwards. This might be
> done if the program stops working properly.
>
> Rather than forcing the user to re-configure the program when it is
> re-installed, certain configuration information is left behind. If you
> have no intention of using the uninstalled program again - or if you
> prefer to configure a re-installation from scratch - you are free to
> delete the leftovers.
>
> The leftovers in your case are your Firefox profile.
> ---
> Leonard Grey
> Errare humanum est
>
> Carl wrote:

>> I am a Mac user, new to Windows.
>>
>> I removed Firefox from Windows XP Home by using the Add or Remove
>> Programs control panel.
>>
>> Afterward, when I do a search for Firefox, I come up with three
>> folders: Components, Defaults, and Plugins.
>>
>> May I just right click on these and delete them?
>>
>> Why are they not deleted by the Add or Remove Programs control panel?
>>
>> Is there some Program I could download, as there is for the Mac, that
>> will, when you use it to delete a program, safely delete every file
>> associated with that program?
>>
>> Many thanks,
>> Carl

At least you tried to uninstall the software. Some users just delete the
files which causes problems; not the least having to re-install to do a
proper uninstall.

I'm not sure if the uninstall which comes with some software is any more
efficient than the Windows 'Add remove software': I've not found any real
difference.

You may also find references to uninstalled software will remain in the
Registry. If you're that bothered a registry cleaner should do the job but
be cautious.

Bill Ridgeway

"Leonard Grey" <l.grey@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:efsHRu3eJHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> It's common - in the Windows world, at least - for programs to leave
> behind some files and folders after they are uninstalled. Many people
> uninstall a program only to re-install it right afterwards. This might be
> done if the program stops working properly.
>
> Rather than forcing the user to re-configure the program when it is
> re-installed, certain configuration information is left behind. If you
> have no intention of using the uninstalled program again - or if you
> prefer to configure a re-installation from scratch - you are free to
> delete the leftovers.
>
> The leftovers in your case are your Firefox profile.
> ---
> Leonard Grey
> Errare humanum est
>
> Carl wrote:

>> I am a Mac user, new to Windows.
>>
>> I removed Firefox from Windows XP Home by using the Add or Remove
>> Programs control panel.
>>
>> Afterward, when I do a search for Firefox, I come up with three
>> folders: Components, Defaults, and Plugins.
>>
>> May I just right click on these and delete them?
>>
>> Why are they not deleted by the Add or Remove Programs control panel?
>>
>> Is there some Program I could download, as there is for the Mac, that
>> will, when you use it to delete a program, safely delete every file
>> associated with that program?
>>
>> Many thanks,
>> Carl

"Bill Ridgeway" <info@1001solutions.co.uk> wrote in message
news:%23%23jplI7eJHA.3792@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

<snip>

>
> You may also find references to uninstalled software will remain in the
> Registry. If you're that bothered a registry cleaner should do the job
> but be cautious.

Take cover, everyone!
<ducks>

"Bill Ridgeway" <info@1001solutions.co.uk> wrote in message
news:%23%23jplI7eJHA.3792@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

<snip>

>
> You may also find references to uninstalled software will remain in the
> Registry. If you're that bothered a registry cleaner should do the job
> but be cautious.

Take cover, everyone!
<ducks>