Is This a Good Idea, or A Waste of Time

I have a couple of applications on my pc that will receive no further updates (including security). I may/may not use these programs again.

In order to avoid any security threats, I was wondering if I should put a # or remove_this in front of the exe files in order to stop the programs starting (the exe files will not be found).

Thanks

 

Your best bet would be to completely uninstall those programs. I see in your signature you're still running Firefox 26. It's currently at ver. 28 final and they're working on ver. 29.

 

Change the name of the executable and you won't be able to :-D Do as mdonah suggests and get rid.

 

Also, you would have to change the extansion, to prevent things from running. blah.exe and dontrunthisblah.exe will still excute, blah.whatever wont.

 

Hi my friend , you can even use this way removing things from start up :wave

http://www.howtogeek.com/74523/how-to-disable-startup-programs-in-windows/

 

Right, I have developed some interest here.

I have two programmes on my pc that are at the end of their lives.

One is MS Word 2. This programme was pre-inatalled at build, and I have the Works Suite 6 disks(containing Word 2). I could uninstall Word 2 (I now have Kingsoft Office - free), and wonder if I could just re-install Word 2 from the disks if necessary? - I think so, but have never tried.

The other is a more serious problem. I have InstallShield installed at build and do have any disks for this programme. Installshield evidently installs some programs which cannot be properly uninstalled without installshield. Hence, I need to keep the programme.

Some people have advised me to leave installshield and white-list it in my software inspection programme (PSI).

I believe that installshield may be a security risk, because it cannot be further updated. So I wonder if I should stop it trying to update - I can do this and then rename the exe files to make it safe. In any event, there is no way to uninstall installshied either from Program and Features, or from its own directory. There is a complex set of registry files as well. To be honest, I don't know how to manage this situation.

Best wishes.

A

Ps. I upgraded FF some time ago, but forgot to alter the signature file.

Earthling said that I could not run the programme if I changed its name- quite right. But I can always change it back, if necessary.

 

Revo Uninstaller:

http://www.revouninstaller.com


Run the advanced scan, delete all registry entries and file objects.

 

Are you advising removing installshield (using Revo), and then if I have trouble uninstalling other programmes that depend upon installshield to use Revo? Sounds alright, but there might be a but!

Ps. Revo looks like commercial software with a free trial. I don't want to buy software (I would need it installed on the pc, or, I suppose, download if necessary). I am sure there must be a free utility.

 

I believe that's what the mekanic is suggesting. Sounds good to me.

Download Revo Uninstaller(free version) - MajorGeeks

Be sure to read the "Limitations:" section on the MG-download page! Use the custom install option, not the default/express install.

 

Thank you.

I have been reading a review:

I am worried about the reference to removing unrelated files and the 'disastrous consequences' (my emphasis below: bold).

_____________________________

Revo Uninstaller
5 Star Rating:


Gizmo's Freeware award as the best product in its class!

Product type: Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer

Pros:
Removes leftovers without needing to monitor before an installation, only product that is good at cleaning failed install, small footprint.

Cons:
Can remove other unrelated files with disastrous consequences, can be slow in scanning.

Developers website: http://www.revouninstaller.com/
Download page: http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

Version: 1.95
Download file size: 2.5 MB

License type: Free for private use only

Portable version available: A portable version of this product is available from the developer.
System requirements: XP, Vista, 7, 8

_______________________________

From this list only, it might be worth my while looking at 'Geek Uninstaller; and ZSoft Uninstaller.

 

It is possible for Revo to remove unrelated files but it isn't probable. When you use Revo it will run the regular un-installer the same as Add-Remove. Then it scans the registry for left over entries. You only want to check the bolded entries.

It then scans for left over files and shows them to you in a list with path/filename. If you see one you're not sure of, don't check it for deletion.

What you're worried about is not having the program un-installer available, Revo will just find the registry entries and files that the un-installer would have removed plus whatever it would have left behind.

Geek Un-installer will leave registry entries that Revo would have picked up, if you use the advance mode as the mekanic suggested. You can probably pick-up most of the missed entries with CCleaner. I haven't tried the forced un-install feature yet.

ZSoft isn't going to work for you(in this case) as it needs to monitor the installation of a program before it can un-install said program.

 

The more I think about it, that's the safe way to play it.

Sorry for double post.:-o

 

Installshield is simply the name for the OS's built-in application installer. It's used to install most apps and OS updates. You can't AND don't want to get rid of it.

I run Secunia PSI also and there's no "white listing" an app. You can, however add apps for it to check if there are updates to them and if an app is at it's end of life, you can tell PSI to ignore it.

As has been suggested, Revo uninstaller is your best choice for app removal. I use it in Hunter mode. If I want to uninstall something, I simply drag the desktop icon over to the crosshair icon in the upper right of my desktop. I see you're running Vista. For Hunter mode to work, UAC would need to be turned off. Otherwise, Revo works fine.

 

Just a note to point out that the free version of Revo only works for 32 bit apps. 64 bit apps won't be listed. Although I'm anything but a fan of Iobit software, their Uninstaller actually works better than Revo, 64 bit too.

 

I thought that the Windows Installer was the default application for programmes, and that InstallShield was just utility that my pc manufacturer installed at build.

So, most programmes choose Windows Installer, but some choose to use InstallShield. Is this correct?

InstallShield is at the end of its life, and I don't intend to purchase an updated copy. Your advice is keep it and carry on. Am I correct? Your advice regarding Revo applies to other programmes, have I understood you correctly?

Regarding PSI and white listing. I was using the term white listing when I should have used the term ignore. It seems to be the same thing to me.

Best wishes.

Ps. Still in thinking mode

 

Another idea might be to set up a virtual machine and put your "at risk" programs there.
VMWare player is free for personal use and you can run your older programs without worrying about compromising your computer.