OT: Brief help with this computer problem?

[Torin]

search for a clean registry application that cleans it for you.

[Jazzepi]

Endoperez said:
Leaving entries in the registry is not dangerous, but it will clutter the registry, and if you always just remove the programs' directories knowing what you have and what you removed will become quite difficult.

I just find that registry "clutter" is extremely relative. If you've actually poked around in there, it's filled with so many different items, that deleting a handful that aren't caught by an uninstaller just doesn't seem worth the risk. Especially since you don't look at the registry on a regular basis.

But to answer onomastikon's question, you should definitely use the uninstaller whenever possible. It will, as you said, get rid of all those other little things the program installs. The important thing to remember is that the vast majority of the install files end up in the Program Files directory.

Jazzepi

[SlipperyJim]

Torin said:
search for a clean registry application that cleans it for you.

Yes, yes, a THOUSAND times yes! Personally, I recommend CCleaner. It's free, fast, and not loaded up with spyware. Just remember to clear the silly checkbox that asks if you want the Yahoo! toolbar.

Editing the Registry yourself is pretty safe if you know what you're doing, but it can be a bad place for a novice to go exploring. The Registry is not well-documented, and deleting (or changing) the wrong thing can have bad effects. If you're going to do it yourself, then take the time to learn how to do it safely. Read some articles about the Registry on the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Learn how to make a backup copy in case of a mistake. Learning about the Registry is an important part of learning how Windows actually works, and I highly recommend it. That said, if you aren't really curious about your computer, than the Registry is not the place to start learning.

Use CCleaner.

[Dedas]

Learning the registry can be a very rewarding experience. But so are most things that require some actual brain work. Just like Dominions.

[onomastikon]

THanks much folks.

Just to finish this thread off:

I deleted the folder, DLed and ran CCleaner (a few times), and it's all ok it appears -- except that HommV Demo still appears in /system/software with 750MB, and hitting "remove" still doesnt work. Weird!
Should I worry?
thanks much

[Dedas]

That can be removed by deleting the corresponding key in the registry (by hand of course). CCleaner won't delete it because it thinks it is still used (and in a way it is).

[Endoperez]

In other words, it's probably simpler to just leave it there. I'm not sure if I remembered to explain my earlier post, but I've also had some demo games stay even after their removal. I never dared to try messing with the registry, because it isn't that big of a problem.

[onomastikon]

Thank you very much.