6 replies to this topic

[Capman]

When I uninstall a program, I find that there is often a folder relating to it in the "Program Files" folder, I once read that these can just be deleted, which is what I always do, and have never had any problems yet.

However, tonight I have uninstalled all the kids games from my computer as they dont play them anymore, and whilst I was at it I uninstalled a few other apps, and put alternatives on in place which I downloaded from Tarun's site.

I now have loads of folders left in the "Program Files" folder, which are possibly wasting space, which is what tonights exercise has all been about, because I noticed last night that I only had 5Gb of hard drive left, it is now back up to 17Gb.

Is it really safe to just delete these folders?

[rridgely]

The only downside is that if you reinstalled those programs you would no longer have all of your settings and things. I used to have tons of them too and deleted them. How big of a hard drive do you have? I have never almost filled one up. Even with the gigs of music and photos that I have.

[Andavari]

rridgely, on Jul 1 2005, 07:09 PM, said:

The only downside is that if you reinstalled those programs you would no longer have all of your settings and things.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easiest solution is to fire up your file archiver and zip the remain folder contents (settings) storing the full folder information.

[Capman]

rridgely, on Jul 2 2005, 02:09 AM, said:

How big of a hard drive do you have?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Only 40Gb

Andavari, on Jul 2 2005, 11:59 AM, said:

Easiest solution is to fire up your file archiver and zip the remain folder contents (settings) storing the full folder information.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good idea.

[Humpty]

CaPMan, on Jul 2 2005, 11:26 AM, said:

Only 40Gb
Good idea.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Capman,yeh I've noticed this as well.They have some you beaut uninstallers out there that reckon they can get rid of everything.Even reg entries.
What I beleive the truth is that you need a program to monitor any installs of software to fully uninstall everything put on your system.But the the catch 22 comes into play if you want uninstall the install monitor.Stuffed if I know the solution except a clean install or ghost image backup.

[Capman]

I would still like to know if it is always totally safe to remove these folders.

[IceDogg]

no expert, but I've done it tons of times, and never had any problems.