Section 6.11. Uninstalling Software


6.11. Uninstalling Software

When you've had enough of a certain program and want to reclaim the disk space it occupies, don't just delete its folder. The typical application installer tosses its software components like birdseed all over your hard drive; therefore, only some of the program is actually in the program's folder.

Instead, ditch software you no longer need using the "Programs and Features" control panel described above. Click the "Uninstall a program" link at the top left, and then proceed as shown in Figure 6-10.

Figure 6-10. To vaporize a program, click its name to reveal the toolbar above it, as shown here, and then click the Uninstall button. Here's a tipright-click the column headings to add or remove columns . If you choose More, you'll see some really useful ones, like Last Used On (shows you the last date you ran this program) and Used (how often you've run itFrequently, Rarely, or whatever).


Even after you uninstall a program, the folder that contained it may still exist, especially if it contains configuration files, add-ons, or documents that you created while the program was still alive . If you're sure you won't need those documents, it's safe to remove the folder (discussed later in this section), along with the files inside it.




Windows Vista for Starters
Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual
ISBN: 0596528264
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2007
Pages: 175
Authors: David Pogue

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