Permanently deleting files/folders forever

[tnm]

Maybe I'm really OCD but I downloaded certain applications that I now don't need, so is it ok to go into regedit and find those applications and delete them or should I just use add/remove programmes and search windows explorer?

I've noticed that even though I've deleted an application in regedit under software, some file with the same word as the application appears when searching on windows explorer.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Use the normal/standard method for uninstalling software.

You will not see any performance gain by removing the entries that you mentioned from the registry.

If the normal uninstallation process leaves some folders/files behind, you can rename them and see if things still work as desired. After a week or two, you can delete them... but it should not be a big problem if those left over files/folders happen to hang around.

 

[Britton30]

Removing a program in the registry is certainly not the way to do it. Use the Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features
You can try Revo Uninstaller too, link in my sig. Don't worry about any reg entries left over.

 

[jackson208819]

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[MilesAhead]

I agree on just using Programs and Features for the normal uninstall. Periodically you may find it useful to use the CCleaner Registry clean function. But I would only do it a few times a month. Make sure to back up your Registry more than one way. For example, restore points, system image back up, and the CCleaner .reg file back up method.