Uninstalling Programs

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Gregory
  • Start date Start date
J

John Gregory

Musicmatch caused a hidden window to constantly reappear upon shutdown. Then
sent instructions to uninstall and then reinstall. I don't think I need this
program; it came with my Dell machine and I've used it once or twice out of
curiosity.



I've followed their instructions and have rebooted. However, the
instructions call for me to go further by removing all "leftover files that
were not automatically removed during uninstall". They include deleting the
Musicmatch directory under c:\Program Files (I was surprised to see there's
still a lot of stuff in there). Then I'm to go to C:\Documents and
Settings\user\Local Settings\Temp and finally C:\Documents and
Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data and do the same.



The thought occurred to me that the Musicmatch folks are under the
assumption I'm gonna' reinstall. I don't think I'm gonna' do that; once
burned, twice shy. That being the case, should I still go to this extreme in
removing all these folders? Isn't that what the "Add/Remove Programs"
operation was supposed to do? What happens if I DON'T go the whole nine
yards? I hesitate for fear that something they want me to delete is needed
for other programs as well but Musicmatch isn't concern because they think I'm
going to reinstall and that new program will put back whatever is needed for
the others to operate. That's probably very remote but. better safe than
sorry. That's how I got into this mess in the first place; just following
instructions to update.
 
Some times when you uninstall a program it leaves things behind, for
whatever reasons.

After you reboot, get rid of the things mentioned.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Well... I started the process. I'm down to the Windows Temp directory
(C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Temp). There has to be 50
folders in there, none of which appear to have a thing to do with
Musicmatch. The instructions are to "Delete the files and folders in the
Temp directory". Should I really highlight all those folders and hit
"Delete"? It says nothing in use will be deleted? I know this is just an
open space for stuff to set "temporarily" but having never been here
before... it looks intimidating... and dangerous. Proceed as instructed?
 
Does it make any difference if the Files Options in Windows Explore is set
to show hidden files and folders? Some of those listed in the Temp directory
are identified only by numbers.
 
Disregard this question, Wesley. If I hadn't checked "Show Hidden Folders" I
would have never seen the Local Settings\Temp file to begin with so the
answer is "Yes" it makes a difference. So I guess ALL files that show up in
that Temp folder should be highlighted then deleted... right?
 
Hi John,

Yes.

All the files or folders that are in...
%windir%\Temp
or
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
and
%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temp
or
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Local Settings\Temp
can be deleted.

Anything in those locations can be deleted, unless something happens to be
in use. XP will not let you delete a file that is in use. And XP will let
you know about it with a popup message.

Also if you just installed software you should reboot. Then check the
folder(s) again. Some programs require these files after a reboot. It is
good practice to always reboot after installing any software.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Thanks Wesley.

Wesley Vogel said:
Hi John,

Yes.

All the files or folders that are in...
%windir%\Temp
or
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
and
%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temp
or
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Local Settings\Temp
can be deleted.

Anything in those locations can be deleted, unless something happens to be
in use. XP will not let you delete a file that is in use. And XP will
let
you know about it with a popup message.

Also if you just installed software you should reboot. Then check the
folder(s) again. Some programs require these files after a reboot. It is
good practice to always reboot after installing any software.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Click to expand...
 
You're welcome, John.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
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