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7 Replies Last post: Jan 21, 2008 8:00 AM by coastie65

computerdude06

14 posts since
Jul 30, 2006

Jan 20, 2008 3:36 PM

Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

I am trying to clean out my computer, and there are many programs that i dont use, but they came with my computer. Im afraid to uninstall some of these programs in fear that other programs may use or share files that will be removed if i uninstall the programs. Some of these programs include MS works, napster, wild tangent, virtools life player (?), HP photo and imaging suite, etc. will these actions harm my computer?

lilxkid24

1,630 posts since
Jul 8, 2007

1. Jan 20, 2008 3:39 PM

in response to: computerdude06

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

Uninstalling wont hurt your computer, just make sure the stuff your uninstalling your dont use at all. If you use it keep it, if you dont use it then uninstall. Dont uninstall microsoft hotfixes or updates. Usually when new computers come they tend to have lots of junk like norton etc.

computerdude06

14 posts since
Jul 30, 2006

2. Jan 20, 2008 3:43 PM

in response to: lilxkid24

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

yeah, I have all the updates and hotfixes hidden. what about duplicates of software. My add/remove shows that both firefox 2.0.0.6 and 2.0.0.11 are installed. I have only ever installed 2.0.0.x, and then updated it as updates became availiable. ive never tried to install multiple copies.

Adama

4,095 posts since
Sep 7, 2007

3. Jan 20, 2008 3:53 PM

in response to: computerdude06

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

Hi, Computerdude. A good rule of thumb is: if you're not sure, do not uninstall it.

Otherwise, there's a good program that will get rid of the pre-loaded stuff on your computer. Here's the link http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/ I believe it's a free download. It was written up by PCWorld a few months ago and it's supposed to be really good. Good luck to you.

Avatar sig by Chromium. Thank you!

mcbarker

724 posts since
Aug 10, 2006

4. Jan 20, 2008 4:40 PM

in response to: computerdude06

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

computerdude06 wrote:yeah, I have all the updates and hotfixes hidden. what about duplicates of software. My add/remove shows that both firefox 2.0.0.6 and 2.0.0.11 are installed. I have only ever installed 2.0.0.x, and then updated it as updates became availiable. ive never tried to install multiple copies.

Sometimes both the original install (in this case v2.0.0.6) and the latest update (v2.0.0.11) will appear in the Add/Remove Programs window. It doesn't mean that you have both installed. If you try to remove v2.0.0.6, you will also remove most of v2.0.0.11, and possibly be left with some orphaned registry and temp file entries for the latter. Both versions were installed in the same directory, and the later version overwrote (updated) most of the earlier version's files. Don't worry about it.

Old Scottish Saying: A deaf man will hear the clink o’ money.

coastie65

3,976 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

5. Jan 20, 2008 5:32 PM

in response to: computerdude06

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

Hi computerdude, I kept Microsoft Works as I needed the word processor. As for Wild Tangent, those are only trial games and you can ditch them. Napster is music download service which can be dumped if you are using another service or not interested at all. That life player thing is something I've never heard of, but probably clutter. I would look a little closer at it and determine exactly what its function is, so as not leave yourself without a media player although I think you probably have Windows Media Player. I know they used to pack in AOL, Compuserve, Netscape, MSN as well, which I uninstalled as I had no intention of using any of those. coastie65

eMachines T5212.... Intel Pentium D 945 3.4Ghz..... evga 8600 GT 256 Mb PCI-E video card..... Realtec HD audio......2 Gb 533 Mhz DDR2 memory..... Lite on CD RW; DVD +R / RW DL optical drive...... Windows XP MCE 2005....... Antec Basiq 500w PSU......200 Gb PATA HDD

SpiritWind

1,271 posts since
Aug 19, 2006

6. Jan 20, 2008 10:39 PM

in response to: computerdude06

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

Hi :

Most, if not all, Expert Malware-Fighters consider "Wild tangent" a very bad piece of Malware and

recommend its COMPLETE REMOVAL which can NOT be done by the "usual" Methods. I recommend

you ask experienced, trained, certified, Volunteer, Malware-Fighters at One of the many Online Forums

for help and I recommend SPECIFICALLY the One at

http://www.castlecops.com/f67-Hijackthis_Spyware_Viruses_Worms_Trojans_Oh_My.html . The

"Process" starts by Posting a "Log" from the HijackThis program, most easily downloaded from

http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis . They will "Inspect" your computer and make

Recommendations to throughly "cleanse" it of ALL "viral" Infections .

For the BEST in what COUNTS in LIFE : http://www.tacf.org

coastie65

3,976 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

7. Jan 21, 2008 8:00 AM

in response to: SpiritWind

Re: Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

Hi spiritwind, Wildtangent was more of an ongoing removal project and a pain than anything. I used the add/remove programs thing and thought it was gone. I kept running into Wildtangent files at times and I said what is this as I thought they had been removed. I used windows explorer and did an indepth search, and lo and below, here was a bunch more, so I commenced to delete them. It wasn't as bad as trying to get rid of Norton in which I had to use their removal tool in order to rid my computer of that stuff. coastie65

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This Question is Answered

Jan 20, 2008 3:36 PM

Uninstalling programs that came with the computer

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