How do I uninstall MySQL? (Server 4.1)?

Question

I've installed a program that's installed MySQL 4.1 on my C: drive. When I uninstalled the program, MySQL was still there.

I've got 4 questions:

1) How do I uninstall MySQL? It's not in Add / Remove Programs, and it doesn't have an uninstall program. It's in the directory "MySQL Server 4.1"

2) How does the MySQL program (mysqld-nt.exe) start with Windows? My Startup software and Windows XP don't list it amongst startup programs so how's it starting? I wanted to disable it from starting but can't find it listed.

3) From a security point of view, what harm can happen to my machine having MySQL installed?

4) Why would the program need MySQL to be installed anyway? i.e. what does MySQL actually do? I didn't like the word 'server' in the name of the directory!

Thanks!

Answer 1

1. Just delete the parent folder.

2. It's probably running as a service. Disable it in the Services applet.

3. As long as you're behind a firewall, there's no significant risk.

4. It's a database. The app needed a database, and MySQL is a free one.

Answer 2

MySQL is a database server. From a security standpoint, it can be configured to only accept local connections, that is nothing to the outside world would be open. Even with openings to the outside it is still a pretty secure system, and there's really only so much you can do with a database.

It has been installed as a system service, so it starts that way, you could go into the services and disable it, then you should be able to delete the entire directory it's installed in. it's a bit messy, but should work.

Answer 3

Maybe this might help

http://dev.mysql.com/tech-resources/articles/4.1/installer.html

Answer 4

no idea