Add/Remove Programs

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Guest

Like some other people, I have problems with the add/remove programs list.
Recently, when looking at my list, there are many many programs listed that
have no "change" or "remove" buttons. The program size is also not shown. I
have no idea if these are files that I need or that I should delete. When
clicking on them, it always says files are rarely used. Is there a way for a
dummy like me to determine whether or not these are needed, and if not, a way
to remove them?

My hats off to everyone trying to help us newbies here! Your assistance
keeps us sane!
 
Thank you Rich for the information. I downloaded the windows installer
cleanup utility and it seems that I can indeed delete the entries with that
program. However, before I do, is there any advice you can give as to
whether or not they SHOULD be deleted? For example, if I do a "search" for
one of these files and nothing shows up (in either system or hidden files),
does this give me a clue that these files need to come off the add/remove
program list? As I am not having any problems with my computer as is, I am a
bit reluctant to mess with anything (as the ole adage goes, if it ain't
broke....) Again Rich, many thanks for taking the time to answer....
 
Thu, 5 Jul 2007 18:06:01 -0700 from Kathy
Like some other people, I have problems with the add/remove programs list.
Recently, when looking at my list, there are many many programs listed that
have no "change" or "remove" buttons. The program size is also not shown.
Click to expand...

The program sizes are usually laughably, wildly off, even when the
system is working as designed. I'm not sure what size is being shown,
but it's not the size of the installed program and it's not the
amount of disk space you would recover by uninstalling.
 
Kathy, most of the programs in the Add/Remove Program List should be
recognizable. If you know you uninstalled one and
it is still listed then delete the entry. If you realize that you don't
use a certain program then uninstall it. Be aware that these
are shortcuts to the program's uninstaller. The same is true for any entry
in the Start>All Programs Menu except they are
shortcuts to the programs executable file which in turn opens the program.
So, not removing any of these entries will have
no effect on your system except to maybe confuse you as to which programs
you actually do and do not have.
Since I am a neat freak it would bother me to know that I had anything
that was not needed on my system. Maybe you
may care somewhat less about this issue. Finally, if you want to
uninstall a program and it's not on the list then go to
the C:\Program Files Folder. Look for the Program folder that you want
to uninstall there and in that folder usually should
be a Uninstaller.
 
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