How to delete Hidden Files, and Uninstall Programs with Hidden files?

[scottls59901]

1. I still have leftover files... from Adobe Acrobat 9, that I uninstalled/deleted Folder in 2013 (CCleaner still sees it)-
a. In the past to get rid of Firefox (CCleaner shows)- I Show Hidden on C:, shift/delete everything...,
Hide, closed Explorer, waited 30 min, and reboot 3 times (I did the same way with old AV's).
b. I took forever for my system to settle down...!
c. What am I doing wrong (Hide after reboot, or...)?

2. In the future If I am going to uninstall a program with Hidden files, would it get all... if I Show Hidden
First/uninstall, and when to Hide (before or after reboot)?

 

[ethel]

Hi scottls59901, To find more left over files from uninstalled programs, First go to the control panel,

type folder options,click view,check show hidden files,folders and drives,apply.

From the startmenu, click computer,local diskC, open Users, open appdata, and you often find old files

under appdata, local, local low and roaming. Hope this helps a little.

 

[scottls59901]

This reply didn't answer my questions, but I appreciate the effort!

What about showing Hidden files before uninstall, to delete all files, and when to Hide
again (after reboot, or...?)?

 

[ethel]

Hi again, Sorry for the late reply. As far as the hidden files go, I keep mine unhidden, that is my choice.

I only ever restart the pc after uninstalling a program or files if a message comes up saying you need to

restart for changes to take effect. Usually when i delete a file from Appdata, Local or Roaming, I do not

need to restart, the file is gone.

 

[torchwood]

Only MS can really hide programs,
All other 3rd party programs SHOULD only appear in Program or Programs (x86) or on your desktop if they are only executables.

Ethel is correct the remaining "parts/remnants" are in the ProgramData.
and under C >> Users.........varous
Registry entries will remain and contain the program name Acrobat in your case

Roy

 

[Alejandro85]

What about showing Hidden files before uninstall, to delete all files, and when to Hide
again (after reboot, or...?)?

The "hidden" files setting has zero effect on almost everything out there, except what Windows Explorer shows. Nothing at all is affected by it. Ideally, show the hidden files as soon as you can and leave it that way, you gain absolute nothing by not displaying some files and it can even be harmful.

Only MS can really hide programs

Can you explain that? It makes no sense to me. NOTHING should be hidden in a computer, and nobody but the system administrator has the right to hide anything.

 

[looked]

1. I still have leftover files... from Adobe Acrobat 9, that I uninstalled/deleted Folder in 2013 (CCleaner still sees it)

Sometimes it happens with badly written programs that is why after uninstall you should use CCleaner.
Though recently CCleaner sunstained hacking problems so I'm not using it for now.
I'm currently using IObit Uninstaller free and after uninstalling a program it alway shows more files left somewhere so you decide if delete or not.
It's also a common thing that the installation folder is still there so you should delete it manually.

2. In the future If I am going to uninstall a program with Hidden files, would it get all... if I Show Hidden First/uninstall, and when to Hide (before or after reboot)?

You don't need to show hidden files unless you have a specific reason so for uninstalling purpose you don't have to.
CCleaner after the scan will show hidden files as well as registry keys, location of missing directories etc. etc.
Be ware, if you don't know what are the files showing in CCleaner's scan, it's better to leave them instead of deleting.
Sometimes happens that a file cannot be manually deleted because Windows sees it as running so you should download Unlocker and keep it handy: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker
Also consider installing RollBack RX Home (free version), it'll repleace Windows' System Restore so once the system is running smoothly take a snapshot and lock it.
If you install RollBack RX, "disable" any defragmenter as they won't work anymore, RollBack RX has it's own defragment utility.
In this way if things go wrong, you can go back to that snapshot and save you hours if not day of troubleshootings.