Installed programs not totally removed

[Guest]

It dawned on me recently that not all programs uninstall completely (no
surprise there I guess) when using Add/Remove Programs or the program's
uninstaller. An example is the Web Games you download that has a certain
number of minutes to play. When I uninstalled and re-installed it, it still
told me my time was up. Poor example I know, but the program definetly left a
file or something behind. How can I know for certain that every part of a
program has been completly removed?

 

[Guest]

I can't tell you how to 'hack' your way to free online game downloads but
check for the program files list as well as temp folders. The rest of the
program can be found in the registry. If you are unfamiliar with regedit I
wouldn't reccommend editing it.


(drive usually C):\documents and settings\Dark\Application data
C:\documents and settings\Dark
C:\Documents and Settings\dark\Local Settings\Temp

for firefox
C:\Documents and Settings\Dark\Local Settings\Application
Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

Internet Explorer
C:\Documents and Settings\dark\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

Opera
C:\Documents and Settings\dark\ApplicationData\Opera\Opera\profile\cache4

When you install most applications it creates a log file (*.log, opens with
notepad) which shows in what directories it installed. It is in that programs
folder so you can view it so you know where to go to delete it (next time).

 

[Guest]

I can't tell you how to 'hack' your way to free online game downloads but
check for the program files list as well as temp folders. The rest of the
program can be found in the registry. If you are unfamiliar with regedit I
wouldn't reccommend editing it.


(drive usually C):\documents and settings\Dark\Application data
C:\documents and settings\Dark
C:\Documents and Settings\dark\Local Settings\Temp

for firefox
C:\Documents and Settings\Dark\Local Settings\Application
Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

Internet Explorer
C:\Documents and Settings\dark\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

Opera
C:\Documents and Settings\dark\ApplicationData\Opera\Opera\profile\cache4

When you install most applications it creates a log file (*.log, opens with
notepad) which shows in what directories it installed. It is in that programs
folder so you can view it so you know where to go to delete it (next time).

I don't want to hack the programs, just ensure everything was removed. I'll
assume Dark is your user name.

 

[Bob I]

Only way to be absolutely sure is to format the drive and reload.

 

[Guest]

sorry I forgot to put that in there, yes, "dark" is the user name. I didn't
mean to assume you were looking for a quick security bypass to hack free
games, although I've tried it just to see how it works and that was the
question i thought of first. Its not worth the effort FYI.

You cant really get all the programs leftover gunk out but you'll do well if
youre using some power tools ensemblage like a registry backup (not to be
confused with registry cleaner suites- they are garbage) , hijackthis! etc.
Best thind is to save the LOG file it saves ater installing though, it has
ALL the places it installed.

Most of the leftovers reside tin the registry and a few .dll's, .inf's and
some custom extentions scattered here and there. the next post said to
reformat and reinstall your OS, we all do that from time to time to "clean"
out the junk, as even the most xperienced user can't clean it all out
manually or even with utilities and eventually slows the computer down.
So its an option if you have a lot of overhang. Don't forget to back up your
data.

good luck