Removing Traces of Uninstalled Programs in XP

A

Andy

Hey all, I have an annoying problem and am wishing that you guys can help me
out if possible. Any help would be really appreciated. Over the years I've
installed a number of programs, however, like most of us, I've come to
realize over time that I did not necessarily need all of them. I uninstalled
many. Problem is, there are now many folders on my PC that are named after
programs I've uninstalled a long time ago, I mean many folders.
Also when I upgraded from ME to XP several programs remained but did not
show up in my programs list under the Start Menu and are not visible under
Add/Remove Programs. I tried installing them from their respective folders
but did not succeed. I wish to uninstall these programs as I cannot access
them. Are there any free programs out there that may be able to help me? Any
other that I can purchase? Please help!!!

Andy
 
R

Rich Barry

Andy, any files or folders that you can see on the desktop are usually
just shortcuts. You can delete all those you don't
use anymore. Go here and try System Mechanic.It's free for thirty
days. www.iolo.com
 
R

Robert

Hey all, I have an annoying problem and am wishing that you guys can
help me out if possible. Any help would be really appreciated. Over
the years I've installed a number of programs, however, like most of
us, I've come to realize over time that I did not necessarily need
all of them. I uninstalled many. Problem is, there are now many
folders on my PC that are named after programs I've uninstalled a
long time ago, I mean many folders. Also when I upgraded from ME to
XP several programs remained but did not show up in my programs list
under the Start Menu and are not visible under Add/Remove Programs. I
tried installing them from their respective folders but did not
succeed. I wish to uninstall these programs as I cannot access them.
Are there any free programs out there that may be able to help me?
Any other that I can purchase? Please help!!!

Andy
_______________

Hi, Andy!
The best would really be to format your HD then make a clean install of
XP.

Failing this, you could try using the freeware WT Registry Cleaner XP
found at http://www.majorgeeks.com
You could also do a manual search in your registry for strings related
to the programs to uninstall.
From Explorer, you could remove any relevant folders manually too.
But I am afraid this would most likely still leave a lot of hidden and
unnecessary clutter.

If you go the whole hog and make a clean install of XP, make sure that
you build a complete report on each new software install in the future.
To monitor software install, you could use the freeware InCtrl5 if it's
still available from any of the following links:
http://sbcserv.tripod.com/data/inctrl5.zip

http://members.tripod.com/sbcserv/downloads.htm

http://www.raukarna.com/download/Program/Test o Konfig program/Rec
ord%20registry%20change%20(inctrl5).zip

http://www.raukarna.com/download/Program/Test o Konfig program/
 
R

Robert

Hey all, I have an annoying problem and am wishing that you guys can
help me out if possible. Any help would be really appreciated. Over
the years I've installed a number of programs, however, like most of
us, I've come to realize over time that I did not necessarily need
all of them. I uninstalled many. Problem is, there are now many
folders on my PC that are named after programs I've uninstalled a
long time ago, I mean many folders. Also when I upgraded from ME to
XP several programs remained but did not show up in my programs list
under the Start Menu and are not visible under Add/Remove Programs. I
tried installing them from their respective folders but did not
succeed. I wish to uninstall these programs as I cannot access them.
Are there any free programs out there that may be able to help me?
Any other that I can purchase? Please help!!!

Andy
_______________

Hi, Andy!
To monitor software install you might also use the freeware InstallSpy
(http://www.mjleaver.com/Software/software.htm)
 

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