How to Uninstall a Windows Program Safely

By eHow Computers Editor

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When you install a program on a PC, it invariably includes ancillary files scattered through your Windows folder. To remove a program completely, use the Add/Remove Programs utility.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Microsoft Windows
Step1
Check your documentation to see if the application has its own custom uninstall program, and use it if it's available.
Step2
If not, open the Start menu and select Settings, then Control Panel.
Step3
Double-click on Add/Remove Programs.
Step4
Find the program you want, then click Add/Remove.
Step5
In the box that appears, confirm to remove the program and click through the Wizard that follows.
Step6
Consider using a third-party utility, such as Clean Sweep or Norton Utilities, to uninstall remnants of programs from your system.

Tips & Warnings

  • Usually the Add/Remove Pro-grams utility will alert you to the presence of shared programs and let you leave them on your system.
  • Only delete an application folder as a last resort. The program could have added programs or files to additional folders. To be safe, rename the application folder and reboot your PC. If it restarts without a problem, delete the folder. If it does not, rename the folder with its original name and do not delete it.
  • For Windows to uninstall an application with the Add/Remove Programs utility, you cannot have moved or deleted the directory that the application originally resided in.

Comments

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Innocent

Innocent said

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on 12/2/2007 Hello! I bought AVG anti virus but McAfee in my Windows ME is blocking it. Everybody is speaking about going to Control Panel and use ADD/Remove which IS NOT TRUE. McAfee is not listed in ADD/Remove un Windows ME but under Virus Scan (in Control Panel) but there is no option to uninstall it and I can not find a reasonable information in Google.
Some help around? Thank you!!!
Sergio

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eHow Article: How to Uninstall a Windows Program Safely

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

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