Uninstalling Unwanted, Unused Programs

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD
  • Start date Start date
J

JD

I read on the MS site a recommendation that I examine the programs in
Add/Remove and uninstall those that I don't use--or don't recognize(!)
I know that I need such things as Macromedia Flash player, but I'm uncertain
about some others. Maybe someone could advise me.

Gateway Customizations (0.54MB)
PC-Doctor for Windows (1.37MB)
HP Instant Support (8.08MB)
HP Memories Disk (23.20MB)

Also, I want to remove Adobe Reader and install the latest version. After
the Reader, Add/Remove shows three "updates." Should each of these be
uninstalled before removing the Reader?
 
JD

I can't advise on the merits of the four programmes you list. I can
comment on Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are just using it to read
documents then uninstall and try Foxit.

An alternative to Adobe is Foxit.
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

Far less hassle than Adobe!

Are you trying to free up disk space? There are better ways to do so?
If yes what is the size of your disk and how much free space?

Are you wanting to improve system performance?

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
I have no shortage of hard drive space. I've just read in Windows Help that
it's a good practice to remove programs that are not used.
Also, some columns I've read about "malware" suggest looking in Add/Remove
for anything "suspicious" or unidentifiable.
BTW, in the registry under software I see an entry from JEDI-VCL. A Google
search tells me that it is a company that has to do with programming, about
which I know nothing and care less. Do you happen to know whether this is a
"legit" registry folder or is "suspect"?
Thanks.
BTW, I did download the Foxit reader and will give it a go. Thanks again.
 
JD

"it's a good practice to remove programs that are not used"

Only if you know the outcome will be beneficial!

JEDI-VCL

It very difficult to say. It's not obviously spyware. The question is
how does
come to be on your machine. Could be provided to support something you
have
downloaded? Does it run and if so when? Does it load at start up?

Autoruns is a programme, which list everything starting and
where it starts from.Try downloading and installing:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

You can save the output of the Everything tab to a txt file.
Place the cursor on any item in the list and it gives a save
as option on the File drop down. Post a copy of suspect
entries giving details of the start location.

http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=JEDI-VCL&mkt=en-us&FORM=LVSP&go.x=16&go.y=11

Please don't go hacking at the registry. It eventually leads
to major problems.

By all means investigate what is running in the background
when you do not expect it.

Download Process Explorer.

For further information about Process Explorer see here:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml


To ascertain which service is causing the problem select the svchost
producing the high CPU usage, right click,
select Properties, Services. Note there are the full names and
some explanation of what each service does.


You will find further information on Services here:
http://majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=12


To trace the particular Service involved you need to turn off each
service in turn and then restore it noting what effect it has on CPU
usage. However, you need to take care and watch what other Services are
dependent on that service. When you click on the Dependencies tab allow
it a little time to display the information.



--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
JD said:
I read on the MS site a recommendation that I examine the programs in
Add/Remove and uninstall those that I don't use--or don't recognize(!)
Click to expand...


I don' t think that's a great recommendation, unless you know exactly what
you are doing. With only a few exceptions, having a program installed that
you never run doesn't hurt you at all, except for the (probably small)
amount of disk space it takes up. And unless you are running low on disk
space, there's no advantage to freeing up a little more of it.

If you are absolutely sure you don't use, and will never want to use, a
program, then fine--go ahead and uninstall it. But exercise caution, and be
sure before you uninstall something. In particular, I would *not* uninstall
something just because I didn't recognize it. First find out what it is, how
it got there, and what it's for, and only then make a decision based on what
you've found out. Blindly uninstalling things just because you don't
recognize their names can get you into all kinds of trouble. When in doubt,
leave it alone (at least until you learn more about it); again, it won't
hurt you to be there.

As far as the specific programs you ask about, below, I have no knowledge of
what they are and have no advice for you, other than to repeat my warning
above to be sure before you get rid of something.
 
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