Ensure all files from "crapware" is deleted

[abhiroopb]

I installed a program which I thought would restore music from my iPod. Anyway it didn't work as advertised (at least for me) and now I want to ensure EVERY trace of it is removed from my computer.

I obviously uninstalled it, but from experience I know that various files linger in the temp directory and perhaps the AppData directory.

Is there anywhere I can get a definitive list of all the places files place configuration files or the like? Basically, I want to delete EVERYTHING (registry entries and configuration entries) for this file.

Thanks!

 

[linuxdudex12]

try ccleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/
analyze first then run cleaner.
After that create a system restore point BEFORE clicking on the registry tab(button) on the right and scan for issues after which you click the Fix selected issues.

If you uninstall with the add or remove software you should have everything deleted and removed from the system.

In case however this is not the case for you running the scan and fix registry issues should delete unneeded registry values and such.

 

[abhiroopb]

try ccleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/
analyze first then run cleaner.
After that create a system restore point BEFORE clicking on the registry tab(button) on the right and scan for issues after which you click the Fix selected issues.

If you uninstall with the add or remove software you should have everything deleted and removed from the system.

In case however this is not the case for you running the scan and fix registry issues should delete unneeded registry values and such.

Thanks for that!

I actually already use CCleaner, but I have noticed that if I go into AppData there are still a few folders with some stuff left over (relating to the app I had installed). Essentially, CCleaner only seems to remove "temp" files and not files that are associated with programs that are no longer installed. At least my use seems to show this.

 

[catilley1092]

There is a program called Decrapifier that is free to download and use. It was designed to get rid of the "crapware" that OEM's place on computers before shipping. Hope this helps.

 

[linuxdudex12]

Heres a dude with a problem like yours http://www.vistax64.com/vista-file-management/135641-deleting-appdata.html

from what I determine, its best not to mess with the app data. Yes they are left over junk from uninstalled programs, but if you have plenty of hard drive space it shouldn't hurt your computer in any way shape or form. I guess you can always go in and find the left over files but I don't think there is a software program that cleans it out for you ( if im wrong jump in to correct me guys ) How much memory is this "junk" data using? if its under a gig I wouldn't worry. If it bothers you go into your AppData folder and delete them.

Another thing that I would not is that although Windows is not very self sustaining, windows was still designed with somewhat good implementation level of self sufficiency. For example the registry although it sometimes accumulates errors and such, was designed to sustain itself without user intervention. What im trying to say is that Microsoft would have included a way to clean out these settings if they were going to be trouble for the user later on. Windows is designed with simplicity of use in mind. That said, I think you should run disk clean up wizard. Disk cleanup wizard will have options for removing data accumulations that are problematic over time.

 

[catilley1092]

Revo Uninstaller also has a junk file cleaner that finds and removes a lot of crap. I do agree with linuxdude12 though. Modern hard drives are so large that a gig does not really make a difference. If you have an OEM install and really want to get rid of the junk, find a Windows 7 install DVD that's the same as yours, make sure you have your COA on hand, and reinstall from scratch. I would have done that myself, but Microsoft Works is bundled with my PC, and I don't to get rid of that.

 

[abhiroopb]

There is a program called Decrapifier that is free to download and use. It was designed to get rid of the "crapware" that OEM's place on computers before shipping. Hope this helps.

Sorry, my title wasn't clear. When I meant crapware I basically meant the "crap" left over after an application is uninstalled (i.e. the files in the AppData folder). I custom built my PC and bought Windows 7 Home separately.

Heres a dude with a problem like yours http://www.vistax64.com/vista-file-management/135641-deleting-appdata.html

from what I determine, its best not to mess with the app data. Yes they are left over junk from uninstalled programs, but if you have plenty of hard drive space it shouldn't hurt your computer in any way shape or form. I guess you can always go in and find the left over files but I don't think there is a software program that cleans it out for you ( if im wrong jump in to correct me guys ) How much memory is this "junk" data using? if its under a gig I wouldn't worry. If it bothers you go into your AppData folder and delete them.

Another thing that I would not is that although Windows is not very self sustaining, windows was still designed with somewhat good implementation level of self sufficiency. For example the registry although it sometimes accumulates errors and such, was designed to sustain itself without user intervention. What im trying to say is that Microsoft would have included a way to clean out these settings if they were going to be trouble for the user later on. Windows is designed with simplicity of use in mind. That said, I think you should run disk clean up wizard. Disk cleanup wizard will have options for removing data accumulations that are problematic over time.

I think I should clarify. I am using a 80gb SSD for my OS and applications and a 1TB HD for the rest of my files. I have also relocated the "Users" folder into my 1TB. I do have plenty of space and really space isn't the issue. Basically, I just want to avoid what happened to the guy in the other thread. I just want to ensure that whenever I uninstall a program all its files are completely erased (unless I specifically want to keep any files like saved game files). As I have JUST re-formatted my SSD I want to ensure that from now I on I keep a close watch on what I install and how “cleanly” I uninstall it, so as to ensure I don’t have a huge amount of config files just building up in my AppData folder. In sum, I want to use a program like Revo every time I uninstall so from the very beginning I have a clean system.

I have gone into the AppData folder and noticed that programs I have uninstalled are still lying there. Rather than do it manually, I’d like to find a safe automated solution which I can just use whenever uninstalling a program. In this regard Revo appears to fit the bill.

Revo Uninstaller also has a junk file cleaner that finds and removes a lot of crap. I do agree with linuxdude12 though. Modern hard drives are so large that a gig does not really make a difference. If you have an OEM install and really want to get rid of the junk, find a Windows 7 install DVD that's the same as yours, make sure you have your COA on hand, and reinstall from scratch. I would have done that myself, but Microsoft Works is bundled with my PC, and I don't to get rid of that.

Thanks, like I said my PC is a stock Windows 7 x64 so I don’t have any problems per se with OEM installed applications, however as I originally posted I was trying to recover some playlists from my iPod and this resulted in me trying out a bunch of different software which I want to completely remove.

 

[linuxdudex12]

Oh okay lol, well I understand what you want now but I still don't know the name of any such program ( I will look ). But your right, one ought to exist that records where all files stored and then deletes them after you want to uninstall ( but that would probably create a log ). I may be wrong but I think that every time you uninstall with revo you are indeed removing all the program related files that were "installed" on you system, I think windows creates the "AppData" files and therefore would not be affected by uninstalltion programs. Do you know what im saying though? Thats why I don't I will find one that exist or works because the AppData files have nothing to do with the program itself, but rather Windows relationship with the program ( settings and such ). Try to understand what I told you.

 

[abhiroopb]

Revo seems to work quite well. It detected all the AppData and registry files.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[linuxdudex12]

Revo seems to work quite well. It detected all the AppData and registry files.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Sounds like a good program I will have to try it sometime

 

[catilley1092]

Revo seems to work quite well. It detected all the AppData and registry files.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Revo has a uninstaller that gets rid of all traces of any program that you want to uninstall, and has a lot of other tools, including some Windows tools. There's also a tracks eraser, though I use CCleaner for this purpose.