Safely Removing Programs

Reasons to remove a program:

You no longer use it and want to free up space and resources

The program is malfunctioning and you want to remove it and then reinstall it.

The program is causing problems with your computer system.

Caution

If you remove a program and do not have the original installation disk you may not be able to reinstall it. If you want to remove the program and reinstall it at a later date, make sure you have the ability to reinstall it.

There are a number of methods for removing unwanted programs.

Some programs have their own uninstall feature with the program. Other programs may be removed using the Add/Remove program feature that is included with Windows-XP, Windows-ME and Windows 98

Using The Program's Uninstall Feature

	Click Start
	Click All Programs
	Hold the Mouse over the programs name
	A new menu list may pop up.
	If the list includes Uninstall you should click on uninstall.
	The uninstall program will open
	Follow the directions that you are given
	Not all programs have an uninstall feature. If you do not see an Uninstall while hoovering the mouse pointer you will have to use the Windows Add/Remove Program feature.

Using the Windows Add/Remove Program Feature

	Click Start
	Click Control Panel
	Click Add/Remove Programs
	Follow the prompts

Some files are shared files. You may be presented with a dialog box that says (something along the line of) “This is a shared file. It appears that no other programs are using the file. If other programs are using the file they may not function if you remove the file. Your system will not be harmed by leaving the file in place.”

If you receive the above dialog box do not remove the file. Read the question carefully to be sure that you do not delete the file.

You may have to restart your computer for the changes to take place. You will be prompted if this is necessary

It is a good practice to remove only one program at a time. Then wait a few days to make sure that removing the program has had no adverse effect on your system. After you have used the computer for awhile and it is operating properly you can remove another program.

As a general rule it is always safer to make only one change to your computer at a time. Make sure the system operates well and then make other changes. If you follow this practice it will be easier to troubleshoot system malfunctions.

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Safely Removing Programs

Caution

There are a number of methods for removing unwanted programs.

Using The Program's Uninstall Feature

Using the Windows Add/Remove Program Feature