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Removing "Programs" ?

I'll admit to being tech challenged, by I can walk and chew gum at the same time, without a great deal of thought.

I'm trying to rid my small hard drive of un-needed "STUFF"

My Q is,,, Windows/ MS often does updates/upgrades, on occasion, and accepting them seems logical. They end up as titles in ALL PROGRAMS,. but show no MEGS used. Some are as far back as 2 or 3 years. Can I remove them without essentially doing damage?

I'd be very Ok taking the comp to the curb anyway, but for now, want some free space. I have adequate programs for spam, and virus issues, I just want to rid myself of things I don't use or need.

My lady love says "A Clean HD is a happy HD."

Thank you in advance.

Update:

While I appreciate both of you responding, thank you, I am well aware of HOW to remove. That wasn't the question. The qestion was about the "WHAT" I'm considering can be removed.

2 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Well, since this is still up (and I am too) I'll toss in the 1 sense I might have left.

    I'm not sure I'm fully understanding what you mean by 'they end up as titles in ALL Programs', but, I tend to stick to the old rule of thumb, if you don't know what its for, don't remove it, unless its obviously intrusive.

    Windows updates don't seem to take up much space as most of the updating is reconfiguring the registry and such, and also applying patches, fixes and service packs to previous updates. (we're still in the Beta ages here) and not really adding much.

    When I want a clean up (cause happiness is a clean HD ;) I use my Internet Option tool and delete cookies, and all that jazz, as well as going through my program list now and then. And, btw, don't forget to empty your trash can ;).

    As for the aforementioned errant 'titles', we can take that up in another place, soon.

    So there, you got my last scent tonight.. *Ping*

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.

    Or download the Revo uninstaller - it's much more thorough.

    ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

    More: when I come across a program or process that I'm not sure about, I do an internet search for it.

    And I've never seen a Windows update wind up in All Programs. It sounds a little fishy. You might run a scan for spyware. One pretty good anti-spyware program is Spybot Search Destroy. I'll add a link below.

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