But, getting rid of program that has been installed on your computer is not always so easy. One reason is that programs often create a number of different files in different directories. Also, some alter system settings, such as making changes to the Windows' "registry file," a crucial file needed in order for the Windows operating system to function.
The first step in trying to remove a program from your PC is, of course, to use its "uninstall" utility. This can be accessed by clicking "Control Panel" and then clicking on "Add/Remove Programs". A list appears of programs installed on the computer that have the option to be uninstalled. Most of the time, this procedure will delete the program from your computer. In some instances, you may have to manually delete a "short cut" icon that remains on your "desktop" screen, from which the program could be launched quickly.
However, sometimes a program will not uninstall itself, even though it appears on the Add/Remove list and you select it for removal. Another problem is that even when a program is successfully uninstalled, remnants of files and changes it made to the system registry can be left behind.
Fortunately, there is a computer program that can uninstall stubborn programs that you can't delete using the Add/Remove option, and which can also erase unused files that were associated with programs no longer on the PC. The program is called "Ccleaner" and is available for downloading at www.ccleaner.com.
Ccleaner is a utility that cleans out files and system registry entries that have accumulated and are no longer needed. Such a clean-up task will ensure your computer runs efficiently and has increased hard drive space.
The best news is that Ccleaner is FREE! Like all freeware, a donation is appreciated and required for timely updates.
Ccleaner itself is a clean program...it contains no spyware or adware, and it downloads quickly. As a bonus, Ccleaner can also be used to eliminate traces of online activities by deleting Internet Explorer and Firefox temporary files, URL history files and cookies (it let's you select any cookies you do not want deleted, such as those that contain login [user and password] information for your favorite sites.
Check out www.ccleaner.com.
Published by Dan Keen
Dan Keen is the publisher of a county newspaper in New Jersey. He has authored many books on a variety of subjects for such publishers as Sterling Publishing, McGraw-Hill, and TradeWins Publishing. He has a... View profile
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