Old software on my system

[DediServ?]

Is there a tool that helps you to know what you can and can't or rather should or shouldn't remove from your system? When I first got this thing I downloaded anything and everything that said "free". I've deleted what I knew I could be there are a lot of things that I have no clue about...

[Windac]

I don't know any tools that could help with this, but here is what I do when I uninstall old software. Open up the Program Files folder, also open the place where you uninstall software. Check the date of the program and see if you installed it a long time ago or used it recently. Anything that you don't think you need, probably uninstall. If you aren't sure what a program is, read the details of that program or search it up on the net.

[Cherry]

Originally Posted by Windac

I don't know any tools that could help with this, but here is what I do when I uninstall old software. Open up the Program Files folder, also open the place where you uninstall software. Check the date of the program and see if you installed it a long time ago or used it recently. Anything that you don't think you need, probably uninstall. If you aren't sure what a program is, read the details of that program or search it up on the net.

Windac, could you tell me how to know when I used it? I know there are things on here I installed in 2007 that I use but also things that I don't, some of them have a different name than what it is called and I can't tell which is what.

Prowess, I done that with my first computer, I ended up losing it to a horrible virus of some kind or other. Funny how we are so nieve when we first jumped online isn't it? Hammering

[Windac]

Originally Posted by Cherry

Windac, could you tell me how to know when I used it? I know there are things on here I installed in 2007 that I use but also things that I don't, some of them have a different name than what it is called and I can't tell which is what.

Prowess, I done that with my first computer, I ended up losing it to a horrible virus of some kind or other. Funny how we are so nieve when we first jumped online isn't it? Hammering

Well sometimes you might change a program while using it and the file will say something like last edited:...

Also, when uninstalling from the control panel, depending on what OS you have, you can see if its used rarely or often or when it was last accessed.

[DediServ?]

Thank you. I was hoping your reply would be that there was a tool but hmm I will go sifting through this thing soon I suppose. There is just so much clutter you can't find what is what.

[tigress]

If you are using windows, you could use disk clean up. It tells you what files or programs haven't been used for a long time and asks you if you would like to delet those files or programs.

[DediServ?]

When my disk clean up runs, it just tells me the amount of stuff that will be removed or compressed and asks me to continue. Where do I miss the option to see the files or programs not used in a long while?

[centelo]

Originally Posted by Windac

Also, when uninstalling from the control panel, depending on what OS you have, you can see if its used rarely or often or when it was last accessed.

That is how I have always done it myself since it tends to be a little easier and honestly, sometimes I just do not want to fight with my computer. I would rather the computer just work instead otherwise to me, its not doing its job.

[Windac]

Originally Posted by DediServ?

When my disk clean up runs, it just tells me the amount of stuff that will be removed or compressed and asks me to continue. Where do I miss the option to see the files or programs not used in a long while?

I don't see where it tells me about the programs that I don't use either. It only takes me to where I can uninstall programs.

Another hint is looking at the publisher of the program. It could tell you whether some thing is important or not. For example, don't uninstall most Microsoft stuff.

[DediServ?]

I have a friend coming over this upcoming week and her husband is pretty good with computers. I'm going to have him check it out and I'll let you all know what I find out if there are any tips or tricks he knows of.