Uninstall and other issues

[C Tate]

I have recently discovered just how naive I am. Perhaps it's due to growing
senility or perhaps it's just pure stupidity. However, computers have been
getting the better of me of late. Hopefully somebody out there can shed some
light on the following problems.

It seems that uninstall does not truly mean uninstall. I recently decided to
try my hand at web design. I bought a magazine with a trial version of some
software on it. Unfortunately, apart from the first day, I never actually
got around to using the package owing to family commitments. I suppose I was
under the impression, perhaps stupidly in retrospect, that I could reinstall
it (I am sure I've done that in the past!). When I tried to reinstall it
recently, of course it wouldn't allow it. This is clearly a very clever move
on the part of the manufacturers. I suppose we could go on reinstalling
their software for ever and ever and never actually buy it. However, it does
raise some questions for me.

First, does this mean that I should be very selective about what I install
on my computer? Nowadays we are showered with offers of trial software on
discs. If I were to try out lots of these programs does it mean that,
somewhere on my machine, is an ever growing repository of redundant program
information? If so is it possible to get rid of this data? Should I be
thinking of setting up my machine so that I can restore it to the its state
pre-installation of software? Is that indeed possible at all (and if so,
how)?

Second, it is likely that this 'never to be removed' information could
conflict with programs I am using? Or even prevent me installing a full
program I later decide to buy? Do full programs leave behind this
information too (ie, not just trial software)?

Third, is it legitimate (or 'the done thing') to try and get another trial
of software which wasn't used?

I suppose I am asking some rather awkward questions really. However, I can't
be the only person who has wondered about the issues I have raised above,
which I feel are legitimate concerns about my hardware. I am not very happy
to go on using trial or other software which can never be removed from my
system.

 

[Guest]

Some applications are well designed and provide an unistall function

Those which don't should be able to be uninstalled useing Add/Remove function in Control panel

Experience tells me that very few applications are designed / built and quality controlled to a level which meets users' satisfaction

Thus no matter which way you try, the majority leave bits and pieces of themselves behind: this could be System Registry Entries, Hard Drive Folders [system or application or user data] and even desktop shortcuts

The end result is that other companies like Symantec make application to manage the removal of others, plus registry cleaners etc. Peculiarly most Symantec applications fail to uninstall correctly as well: which is why they even publish a removal tool on their website

If it wasn't the truth you'd laugh: because it is, well it's pathetic and makes me mad

A little hint for the trial software.......if you remember roughly when you installed it...and also the trial period....click on your date settings and adjust the month [and year if needed] back to a valid date within the trial period

Go on and try the software out. When you've finished; reset the date

Then go about getting rid of the rubbish it left behind.