comprehensive uninstalling - how ?

I am aware that I can Uninstall via the "add/remove" icon on the control panel. However, U must have noticed that sometimes the file directory stays in the "program files" directory.
I wonder what else the "add/remove" button failes to remove.
I know that ther are lots of traces that can be found, some of them are in the registry and so on.

How can I remove every last bit of a softwere I am no longer interested ? how can I make it as if I have never installed it ?

I think this is one of those topics that is left unspoken of, even though it should.

Thanks !!!

 

There are registry cleaners out there. Some folks use CCCleaner. I use RegSupreme. The version of RegSupreme I use does not search out and clean up the files left around, but there is another version (RegSupreme Plus or the like) that does.

RegSupreme says it is Vista compatible; however, I have been somewhat reluctant to try it yet since I am still tweaking my Vista notebook. It was flawless on XP Pro SP2, though.

 

I would simply format the whole thing and then install only that software which you need. Its the best and most reliable way of getting rid of junk

 

P.s if you don't have a separate copy of the OS, then lenovo made a handy tool called base software administrator which would let you (almost?) entirely control the rescue/recovery process.

 

I've heard about the base software adminstrator but it seems nobody uses it. You say it "almost" lets you control the entire rescue/recovery process. Why do you say almost, and have you ever used it before?

 

For a new installation, this is really the best option for getting rid of *everything* if that's what you're after.

For the less extreme method, unistalling from Add/Remove and deleting any leftover program folders is quite sufficient unless some of the applications had poorly written uninstallers.

Really, registry cleaners are overrated the majority of the time.

 

I've used it, just now, and have to say its attractive but a bit complicated (maybe that's why nobody uses it?) I said 'almost' as I am not sure what half of those names in it mean

Initially when you start up the program you see all drivers/applications/os files are divided on two areas, 'required' and 'optional'. Then the program lets you to change all of this and untick ones you don't want to be installed during the recovery process. It says however that it is recommended to install everything that is in 'required' section but it is obvious that many of the stuff in there is not essential.

Anyway I've copied everything it lets you to control; maybe someone will suggest which things are really essential and which are not? Below:

Code:

[b]1.Required[/b]

[i]a.OS files:[/i]
.Net Framework 2.0. US 
C partition size setting to noerr which equals max 
Copy Integrated Base QFE’s into SWTOOLS/OSFIXES directory 
Dos Fdisk Script to create temp winpe partition 
Dos Format Script to create temp winpe partition 
ILA Update – OOBE Customization 
Lenovo Customization PE,SP”,Rebranding 
MOPS32.dll patch for usb reader 
PATCH – Replace PDA IASTOR files 
Patch for IDEDMA setting 
Patch to update PxHelp20.sys file 
Patch – LC – Bootfont.bin fix 
Pre OS Server 2003 WinPE Boot files – with Ramdisk 
Preos Partition Work and run MOPS (plus200) 
REMOVE OEM0.INF – Intel IMSM from Base 
REMOVE PMEM CALL FROM MFGCLEAN 
Run Bootfix Make PE Partition Bootable 
Service Partition Diskpart Script for Legacy MFG 
SLP files for LC SysPrep Base 
US XP PRO SP2 SYSPREP APIC ZIP BASE OS Module GOLD 
WIN – IE 7.0 Favorite Tabs for ThinkPad for MS Portal 
WIN – Lenovo IE Favorite for ThinkPad 
WIN – Lenovo IE Favorites TP/TC 
WINPE addenv.exe path=d:\recovery%path% 
WINPE diskpart/Format Script for c: plus 300mb 
WINPE SERVICE PARTITION DISKPART SCRIPT 
WINXP – LC – CUST – Disable Logging for Parport Service 
WinXP – LC – Patch for Installshield6 Update 
WINXP – LC – PCMCIA PowerPolicy Reg Patch 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q884575 (Fix for CPU speed) 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q888111 (High Def Audio) 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q889816 (S4 Extended Battery Information Fix) 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q896613 (Prevent CSS PW issue when EFS files not accessible) [ML] 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q903250 (Stop button in MP10 Fix) 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q918005 (Battery Drain Fix) 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Q918837 (WLAN Power Management Fix) 
WINXP – LC – QFE – Remove Energy Star emblem from screen saver tab (Q910728) [ML] 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Critical Security Update Apr-06/May-06 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Critical Security Update Aug/Sept – 06 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Critical Security Update Feb-06 [US] 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Critical Security Update Jul-06 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Critical Security Update Jun-06 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Critical Security Update mid-Sept-06-Jan-07 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Internet Explorer 7.0 
WINXP – LC – SUP – KB928388 - 2007 Global Time Zone Update for Windows 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Media Connect [US] 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Media Player 10 [US] 
WINXP – LC – SUP – MS Bluetooth – Copy Only 
WINXP – LC – SUP – SP2 Yonah Proc Support (Q896256) 
WINXP – LC – SUP – Windows Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) (Q893357) 
WINXP – LC – ThinkPad Default Power Scheme 
WINXP – LC – ThinkPad LCD Resolution and 12Bit 
WINXP – QFE – KB916189 – One Note Audit Boot Hang Fix 
WINXP – QFE – Q929120 West Australia Time Zone Update 

[i]b.drivers[/i]
Intel Chipset Support 5 for Windows 2000/XP – LC 
Intel Mobile IMSM AHCI Driver Ver 5.5 – LC 
ThinkPad Atmel TPM Device – LC 
ThinkPad Audio Features XI for Win2000/XPHOME/XPPRO – LC 
ThinkPad Bluetooth Software for Callisto – LC 
ThinkPad Hotkey Features – LC 
ThinkPad Intel PRO/1000 LAN Adapter Software – LC 
ThinkPad Keyboard Customization – LC 
ThinkPad Modem Software – LC 
ThinkPad Monitor File for Windows
ThinkPad MS Bluetooth INF for Callisto BDC2 – Copy Only – LC 
ThinkPad OM Driver – LC 
ThinkPad Power Manager – LC 
ThinkPad TrackPoint Driver – LC 
ThinkPad Video Features (Intel 945GM) – LC 
ThinkPad Wireless LAN – Foxconn 11a/b/g Mini PCIe – LC 
ThinkPad Wireless LAN – Foxconn 11a/b/g/n Mini PCIe – LC 
ThinkPad Wireless LAN – Intel Golan 11a/b/g – LC 
ThinkPad Wireless WAN – Verizon Wireless (Tosa) – LC 
ThinkPad Wireless WAN – Vodafone Wireless (Akita) – LC 
ThinkVantage Active Protection System – LC 
TrackPoint Accessibility Features – LC 
ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software Ver.5.5 

[i]c.applications[/i]
AOL LC - app
Client Security Solution 3.1 [ML]
CSS Splash Screen / Chip Activation module 
EarthLink Network 
InterVideo WinDVD 5.0 – LC
InterVideo WinDVD Creator – LC
LENOVO Product Registration Link – LC 
REC – ThinkPad Recovery CD Artwork Label – LC 
Rescue and Recovery 3.1 [ML] 
SPP inject module 
SPP module 
Swisscom – LC 
Symantec Virus Scanner for WINPE 
Symantec Virus Scanner for WINPE NAVCC 
Telus – LC 
Think Multimedia (RecordNow+DLA) by Sonic 
ThinkVantage Card Reader Drive Letter Fix Patch 
ThinkVantage First Boot PopUp Message Remove Patch 
ThinkVantage ILA File Update Patch 
ThinkVantage Lenovo Care RnR SMA5.DLL Overwrite Patch 
ThinkVantage Usrintfc Directory Files Patch {Corolina} 
Time Stamp – LC 
Vodafone – LC 
VZ Access – LC 
WindowsXP OOBE Customization LC 
WWAN Splash Screen

[b]2.Optional[/b]

[i]a.drivers[/i]
Presentation Director 
Productivity Center Supplement for ThinkPad 
ThinkPad Configuration 
ThinkPad Configuration Data III 
ThinkPad Configuration for DOS (Command Prompt) 
ThinkPad EasyEject Utility 
ThinkVantage Access Connections 

[i]b.applications[/i]
Access Help
Acrobat Reader
Away Manager 2.0
Disckeeper Lite
Google Picasa
Help Center for ThinkPad
Message Center for ThinkPad
Microsoft Windows Live Toolbar
PC-Doctor for Windows
RnR – Enhanced Diagnostics
RnR – Enhanced Diagnostics Diskette Image
SUN JRE 1.5.0.06
Symantec Client Security
Symantec Client Security Virus Definition
System Migration Assistant
ThinkVantage Productivity Center
ThinkVantage System Update
TVT – Welcome Message Applet
Wallpaper 2005 (world map)
WINXP – ILA Update – TVSU2
XP Themes 2005 - LC

 

True, unless one is a stickler (like me ) with knowing for sure one's system is pure lol

 

Thanks for the info! It just seems like an easy solution for me considering I don't have anyway to do a clean install. I would only mess around with some of the applications, I wouldn't touch anything else.

From the required applications I would definately uncheck

Vodafone – LC
VZ Access – LC
Symantec Virus Scanner for WINPE
Symantec Virus Scanner for WINPE NAVCC
AOL LC

I would probably try to call tech support to find out what some of the other stuff is like:

Swisscom – LC
Telus – LC
Time Stamp – LC

From the optional I would probably uncheck about 1/3 - 1/2 of it.

 

Thanks, I was wondering which ones could I leave out if I were to use this software. So what are these programs then? I didn't see AOL anywhere on my system that came preloaded so it makes me wonder what are these -LC files for do you think?

 

Telus is something to do with canadian wwan:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/ca/wwan/index.html

 

oh yes, and that list with drivers/applications - it is for x60s XP Pro. it will be slightly different for other models

 

Same question here as I didn't see on mine InterVideo WinDVD 5.0 and InterVideo WinDVD Creator but apparenlty they are on the preloaded partition and so during the recovery are supposed to be installed?