Different Methods to Remove Unused Programs
February 2, 2010 | Guides and Tutorials
When your programs are no longer needed it is a good idea to get them out of your system, this is especially true if you trial many freeware programs downloaded from the internet.
So below we have listed the most common ways to get rid of these programs.
1. Add/Remove Programs
Click Start -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs: A list appears with programs available to be uninstalled.
This is the most common way Windows users go about uninstalling software.
Pro: Very easy and intuitive to use
Con: Does a poor job in removing all files from the registry
Some programs may not be listed.
Spyware will not remove from add/remove programs
2. Uninstall Wizard
Navigate to “Program Files” under C:, find the folder for the program you want to remove, and look for an executable labeled “unwise” or “uninstall”.
Or, click Start -> Programs à All Programs -> Look for “unwise” or “uninstall” in the programs folder.
Another common and easy way to uninstall and remove programs.
Pro: Being an uninstaller from the developer, it is designed to remove the program you want to remove.
Con: May cause errors if it removes files shared by other programs.
All programs do not have their own uninstaller.
If you have many programs from the same developer, it is easy to launch the wrong uninstaller and remove the wrong program.
3. Manual Removal
Not intended for people who don’t at least have a basic understanding of how a computer works.
Click here for the post: How to Uninstall Software
This post is also good if you need to know how to remove programs from start up.
Pro: You can rest assured the program is completely gone.
Con: If you make a mistake you will cause critical system errors.
4. Use a Software Uninstaller
Recommended option to avoid errors and invalid registry files build-up. A Software Uninstaller is designed specifically to detect and remove all files and registry entries associated with a program, and can find programs the add/remove program does not populate.
We would recommend using Perfect Uninstaller, this is great program uninstaller software for hard to remove programs.
Pro: Does a very good job removing all files and registry entries.
Can remove programs not listed in Add/Remove, and programs without their own uninstaller.
Con: They cost money, but will keep your computer running smoothly for a longer time.
