Why do softwares leave their trace in the registry? I mean, after i uninstall a software, why aren't all?

Question

the registry entries deleted ?

Like, what if I go in there and delete them? I know it could **** up the comp, but why?

If a program is not on your comp any more, why does it still live on in registry entries?

Like, even freeware doesn't always go away with uninstall, and crapcleaner doesn't remove everything.

Answer 1

One reason is because the uninstall program for the software is provided by the same vendor that wrote the code for the software to begin with, and it's just inefficient programming. Most uninstall programs will clean up the registry of their entries.

Another reason, in the case of spyware, for example, is because the marketing snoops have programmers that make sure their software gets into your registry and tangles itself in there so that it is quite difficult to remove. Since they can't stop you from deleting their files from your computer hard drive, this is their way of saying "screw you" for not letting them snoop out your computer anymore.

You can go to Symatec or Norton Antivirus or even Microsoft help pages and search for whatever particular shareware or spyware you have tried to remove, and get step-by-step instructions on how to edit the Registry, using a program called RegEdit. You can go to Start, Run, and type in RegEdit into the box there. That opens up your registry editor. If you don't know what you're doing, I don't recommend messing with the Registry. If you've removed the components of the offending software already, that should be sufficient (unless that software is particularly mean, like a virus). Then you need antivirus software.

In summary, if you want to clean your registry, there is software from Microsoft, Norton, Symatec, and others, that you can buy that will analyze your registry and see what is not needed.

Answer 2

The registry always leaves a trace of the software for licensing purposes. Say you go and try a product free for 30 days. The trial runs out. With that entry in your registry, you cannot uninstall and try to reinstall to get it again free for 30 days. If you were able to do that, then a lot of companies would lose a lot of money. And DO NOT go into your registry if you don't know what you are looking for or what to do when you get there. I've spent countless hours already fixing problems because of people who have done just that, gone where they don't belong. There are many cleaners out there that will do it for you, install one of them.

Answer 3

1. If you installed a program, let's say AOL 9.0 and decided to uninstall in order to install 10.0. It will leave registry keys because this allows the updated program to search the registry to see if a previous installation was made.

2. Most programs store version number, product key, registered user information on the registry just in case when reinstalled, the program will not prompt for the information again.

3. It is the easiest way [for the program] to perform an update/upgrade.

4. Most trial/demos that are installed usually leaves registry keys so in case you try to reinstall the program... It will now that it has already been used and the trial/demo expired.

Answer 4

many of the new softwares enter the the date when u installed and so. if the software is a trial it will not install the software again after the trial period ended.

and you can delete the registry vaules. Before you do that take a backup of the whole registry at a separate location.

Answer 5

since most softwares carry some sort of trial offer or limited time thing, the registry traces are left there in the event you try and reinstall the software again to bypass having to buy it. you can try and figure out which registry key is the particular one for it but chances are you'll screw something up big time.

Answer 6

The safest way of getting rid of program from registry is...After uninstalling it go to run type regedit...on the registry box click on edit,on dropdown click find,,,Type in name of program you uninstalled....click find next..Do a search,delete everything in window on right side only..

Answer 7

It is basically bad programming, bad tracking of installed components, and in some cases, programmers that don't want their software entirely removed.

Check here for some free Registry cleaners: http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0-1-0.html?qt=registry+cleaner&author=&titlename=&desc=&dlcount=&daysback=&swlink=&gfiletype=&os=&li=49&dlsize=&ca=

I'd read the reviews and descriptions to determine which is the best for you.

Answer 8

Clean up your registry with CCleaner, available for FREE download @ http://www.ccleaner.com/download/

;)

Answer 9

Well, you'll find that shareware programs that allow you to try them for a certain amount of time do this and they do it to make sure that, after you try it, you either buy it, or you can't use it again on that system.

Answer 10

CCcleaner will get rid of them.It is a free tool.