Uninstalling Software Correctly

You are screwed. Because you have deleted just the folders, there is an awful lot of stuff on your PC that doesn't know where 'home' is. Trying to uninstall something which has lost much of the stuff that the uninstall routine looks for will give you error after error. Your best plan is to make a list of the things in the Add/Remove Programs dialog which you have so inadvisably removed the folders for and reinstall them. Then you can go through Add/Remove programs and remove things properly. Very few programs indeed these days put all of their files in a single folder. They will also store files in System folders and make changes to the registry which you cannot undo manually unless you know intimately exactly how the software works. Even then, it's a pain. Messing with the registry yourself is certainly something you should DEFINITELY not do!

Hi.. Many softwares that have been uninstalled, but still making a rest on the program files or program data. So, it's very important to uninstall it correctly and sweap the rest. you can use many softwares like wise uninstaller, and utility tools to make your computer fast.

Hi marinepeter, you should go into control pannel then into uninstall a program remove what you want to remove. When thats done go into your downloads and remove the folder that keeps things nice and clean.

Actuall the correct way is use "add/remove program". Hold one here, it doesn't always remove everything! It best using a freeware as "ccleaner" in addition!

Yep, you've messed your pc alot now. Your registry is full of stuff that belong nowhere. You should try using a software for cleaning your registry. I am using ccleaner as it's free and gets the job done. You can even remove any value from your add/remove programs list, as well as clean your registry. It should certainly help you tidy up your files and operating system. Certainly help you avoid some problems from missing entries.

It is very important to make use of uninstalling wizard to uninstall the program. Deleting the folders of a software do not complete remove it's components. If you just delete the folders it's some components or services still remain in the PC. So always make use of uninstalling wizard to remove software.

Well, the programs in your add/remove programs listing have an "uninstall" feature built into them... so when you correctly use "add/remove programs," it should remove a program in its entirety. Also, if it can't, you generally get a message that says that some things couldn't be removed and may need to be done manually. Just deleting a folder is not the same as uninstalling a program. I'd go through that add/remove programs list and, if you know you don't need (or have deleted folders of) certain programs, take the step to remove them as intended. You might also want to defrag your computer afterwards :)

Use the free tool that came with your operating system. It removes almost everthing from the computer. There are advanced uninstaller tools too. For instance Iobit uninstaller. I recommend that one too. Its better to use these tools to completely free your computer from the space the programs that are no longer required are occupying. Happy mylotting

You are right when you uninstall software from Add or Remove Programs. You don't need to do anything else. The computer does it all for you till it said that uninstall is complete. If you delete some folders before uninstall, this process may not work well because of losing some files or folder.

As mentioned by other mylotters, You should always uninstall the software rather than just delete the files. Use the uninstall exe. Or go into Add or remove programs. Even this doesn't always completely rid the remaining files in your registry. I would recommend, going through every program in add or remove programs. Uninstall everything that shouldn't be there. Download a freeware program called Ccleaner. Clean out your registry with that. It should rid all the remaining files from improper uninstalls and leftovers from the programs. Another great program I would recommend that would do all this for you is Revo Uninstaller. This will do all the work for you. And even uninstall programs that won't uninstall.

It very important to uninstall software correctly using the proper uninstall button. Doing it this way ensure it removes a lot of registry keys and other stuff that start up with your pc. When you have removed them from your add or remove programs tool folder make sure to clean up your registry files with a system mechanic type program.