Deleting -vs- Uninstalling

[blinc]

Was just wondering if some of you computer geniuses knew the difference between the two? On some things I've seen the uninstall option on others it isn't there. Heard that uninstalling is better then deleting a program. If the program doesn't have an uninstall option, is there a way to uninstall it rather then delete it?

Also, how can you make sure all components of a program are out of your system? My husband downloaded a "Cad" program... an engineering program.. and uninstalled it later on. We keep finding it popping up in all kinds of places. Is there a way to hunt for it and get rid of it permanently?

[jamesglewisf]

Several companies make uninstall applications that will go in and try to find all of the pieces of the program. The best thing is to have the uninstall program on when you install the software, then it knows exactly what was installed.

I think some of the main names are Clean Sweep and Uninstaller. Basically, look for the major utility developers like Symantec and Network Associates (McAfee).

[blinc]

You have to know you're dealing with the ungeeky person on the forum here. {toothy}

Can you explain how you do that? Where do you find those programs? Are they installed on a computer already? How do you have the uninstall program on?

[TTP]

It is better to uninstall rather than delete.
You can also try going to start-->settings-->Control panel-->Add/Remove programs-->and see if it's listed there before just deleting the program. If so, highlight it and chose remove and it will start an uninstall program thingy.
For the most part the utilities are alright, but a couple downsides are that they take up system resources like crazy and to work properly they should be in your startup and two sometimes they will not only grab a program file and delete it but they will also grab a Windows file and nuke it...then you have problems.
When they work like the are supposed to they are great things, but when they don't..."Bad things man...bad things."

[blinc]

Ok this is going to sound REALLY stupid... but what do you mean by "utilities"?

[TTP]

I refer to utilities as programs that are supposed to help maintain your computer. Whether that is correct or not I don't know. ;)
Like Norton Utilities, Mcafee those things...

[blinc]

OK, sounds good to me, just wasn't sure. I'll learn the Geekanese soon, don't worry. {toothy}

[utah007]

When you delete a program, you simply remove a file from your hard drive. Often the program has more files in different places... Also a program is also recorded in the Windows Registry. The Registry is a large database that windows uses to record what is installed on your system... Everything from hardware to software... When you use an Uninstall program or utility it not only deletes the files from your hard drive, it removes the entry (called a key) out of the registry. So in short, uninstall is a way to thoroughly remove a program from your computer.
:)

[blinc]

Cool! Now I know the difference! Thanks you guys, it's really nice to learn about this computer and what stuff actually means. It's much appreciated!