Simplify by uninstalling
One of the best things you can do to make your computer experience easier and more secure is to uninstall software that you’re never going to use. In Windows, there are two common methods to uninstall software, and they usually work equally well:
- In the Control Panel, which can be found on the Start menu, there is an option called Add/Remove Programs or Uninstall a program, depending on the version of Windows you use.
- In the Start menu, if you point to All Programs, you’ll often find a folder for the program you wish to uninstall. Inside this folder, look for a shortcut called Uninstall program name.
There’s also a free program called Revo Uninstaller that helps out by deleting some of the extra junk (icons, files, settings, etc.) that sometimes gets left behind when you uninstall using the methods above. Of course, this is an article about removing software, not adding more, but if you think you’ll be uninstalling a lot, Revo may be worthwhile.
Before you start uninstalling everything, a word of caution. You should not uninstall a program without having some sense of what it is, and you should not uninstall a program that you think you might want to use someday, unless you have a way of reinstalling it (e.g., the original software disc or knowledge of where you can download it if it’s free software).
With that caution in mind, it’s well worth uninstalling software you don’t need. Trial versions of software you don’t need? Ditch ‘em. An instant messaging program you downloaded two years ago and haven’t used since? Get rid of it.
Uninstalling software declutters your Start menu and desktop, removes possible avenues of malware infection, frees up hard drive space, and occasionally even speeds up your computer. So, what are you waiting for?
