Why do we need uninstallers for unwanted programs?

I have always wondered why we need to download uninstallers for programs that didn't work out, are unwanted, or obsolete. It seems to me that it would be much simpler to just delete the program from the hard drive. Is this a workable option, or does an uninstaller perform a function that I am not understanding?

 

when a program is installed it enters value into the registry. The registry is a hive / index of values/configurations/settings etc. When a program just deleted from the system it can cause errors at the worst and most typically with starting up programs. For example. Some programs are configured to start up uplon loading the desktop. If the program is deleted and the registry (configuration) information remains, then you will recieve an error that the program cannot be found etc. The more garbage (this is called orphaned) registry entries there are in your registry, the slower your system can become when it needs to search through keys of software that doesn't exist any more. The speed difference is hardly noticeable really, But I venture to say that if left unchecked that other problems could occur along with speed degridation.

NOTE: Not all uninstallers that come with the programs uninstall all the registry information entered upon installation. This is the primary reason for registry cleaners.

 

General or specific?

Do you have to get a specific uninstaller for each unwanted program, or are there general uninstall programs that will uninstall everything you don't want? Will a specific uninstaller uninstall itself when it is finished?

 

most programs come with their own uninstaller. you can go to the control panel --> add/remove programs --> and there will be a list of programs currently installed on your computer. when you choose one of these programs and choose remove, it executes the programs uninstaller and then removes the program entries on your computer. however, sometimes it leaves things behind, such as folders and registry entries, so the uninstallers are not perfect.

there are programs out there that do not have uninstallers. these are rare. come to think of it, the only one I know of is DirectX.

 

typically programs come with their own unistaller but they aren't always the best as they can sometime "leave" stuff behind. You can use a registry cleaner like the one in JV16 powertools (http://www.majorgeeks.com/article.php?sid=462) or you can choose from the multitude of other registry cleaners available (http://www.majorgeeks.com/showfiles.php?cat=15)

CAUTION: Screwing with the registry can bork your sytem!! BACK UP YOUR REGISTRY AND YOUR IMPORTANT DATA BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THE REGISTRY

 

beat you!
http://www.mcmahon.cc/~nada/eicons/woot.gif

 

yeah, but I gave him links

 

http://www.mcmahon.cc/~nada/eicons/blah.gif






http://www.mcmahon.cc/~nada/eicons/worship.gif

 

HeHeHe!

LOL, ROBO! Very true! Thanks for the links, though, KODO!

 

profile was empty.. thus I assumed him..

screw it, from now on, all hers are now hims.. lol