Uninstalling Software for Efficiency

If you try a program and decide you don't need it, it's best to remove it from your PCs hard disk. However, you must use the Uninstall or Remove command instead of deleting the program manually.

When you install any new piece of software, the set-up or installation program copies the software's many files to your hard disk. It also makes changes to vital system files buried deep within Windows. System files are the many files stored within the Windows folder on your hard disk. They include thousands, of Windows XP program files, and many others added by software you have installed. Often these are more recent versions of files that were originally included with Windows XP; the new versions add extra features required by the software you are installing.

It does all of this automatically so that, when the process is complete, the software and Windows work perfectly together. If the files were simply copied to a folder on your hard disk, the program wouldn't work properly. For example, you would find that the new program's icons and program entries simply wouldn't appear on the Start menu. More importantly, however, Windows XP wouldn't be able to keep track of your software, and make sure that it has the resources it needs to run.

Don't delete programs. If you decide to uninstall software, it is vital that you follow the correct procedure to do so, rather than simply dragging a program to the Recycle Bin in order to delete it. In fact, this point is so crucial that Windows XP reminds you not to do it if you ever try. This is because the changes made to your Windows system files when the software was installed must also be undone to restore the files to their original state before you installed the software. There are so many changes - typically several dozen - and they affect so many different files that you can't possibly hope to do this manually. Instead you must use the proper Uninstall or Remove command which will run a Windows program that automatically undoes all the changes for you.

Why uninstall at all? Only a few years ago, the limited size of PC hard disks meant that most people had to uninstall programs in order to make space for other software. With today's PCs weighing in with hard disks of 40GB or more, few people are likely to run out of space. However, there are other reasons why many PC users need to remove software. For example, you may have installed a trial version of a program and then decided that it isn't suitable for you. Similarly, you may have bought and installed the full version of a program and subsequently sold the package and CD-ROM. In both cases, you are obliged to uninstall the program - such clauses are often included in the small print of the license agreement that appears when you install the software.

It's also possible that you may buy a program that simply doesn't work with Windows XP. Some programs seem to install themselves perfectly but may crash or refuse to work at all when you try to run them from the Start menu. Check with the software manufacturer or the dealer where you bought the software for advice on Windows XP compatibility; you may find the only option is uninstalling the program and getting a refund.

Generally, it's advisable to uninstall software you no longer use in order to help your PC to run more efficiently. The reason is that every piece of software that you have installed adds a small burden to Windows. The more software you have installed on your PC, the more significant the cumulative burden and the poorer your PC's performance.

With half a dozen programs, the burden isn't worth worrying about but, with the very large hard disks available on modern PCs, there's a natural tendency to install more programs. Each program increases the size of some very important system files that are opened and closed every time you use your PC. The larger these files are, the more time it takes to access them, and therefore the slower your PC runs.
Uninstalling unwanted software helps keep these file sizes down. Windows XP makes it easy to see which files you rarely use, so it's a simple issue to keep on top of.