Here's the thing: A program that I was downloading had complications towards the end, so it did not download completely. Thus, some files have already been transfered to my c:/ drive. But the thing is, the program is not usable. It is not in my programs list, nor is it on my add/delete programs list from the control panel. Could I go into my c:/ drive and simply pick the corrupt folder and delete it?
I've been told never to do this, as it will cause problems, but I see no other way of uninstalling it properly since it was never installed properly. Is there some other procedure to take on deleting the files?
2006-12-11 03:30:40 · 10 answers · asked by Carolina 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
BTW, this was Borland's C++ compiler, I found a free version that was under 10MB.
What about file folders from uninstalled programs? Could those be treated the same way?
2006-12-11 03:43:56 · update #1
The only reason not to do this normally is that it will leave entries in your System Registry that are unused. This is not as dangerous as it sounds.
Visit your C:\Program Files\ folder and find the correct folder for the application. Be 100% sure that the folder only affects your application.
To play it safe rename the folder rather than deleting it, to see if anything breaks. For example if you're trying to delete MyProgram, change the folder name to MyProgram_old and reboot your computer. This will let you know if any other programs will miss the MyProgram folder after it's gone. If you find that nothing changes (expected) after you rename it, it's now safe to be deleted.
Good luck!
2006-12-11 03:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by Kyle S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and delete it!
You need to understand the difference between "downloading" and "installing". Anything you "download" will be a single file (or a group of files), that has no connection to anything else on your PC. On the other hand if you "Install" a program it has many connections (throughout the system, mostly registry entries) and if you want to remove that program you must "Uninstall" it, (via the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs).
Take note that you can download and install in a single step, so be careful!
2006-12-11 03:55:46 · answer #2 · answered by Arius 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is to re-install the program again and then after reinstalling you can uninstall it, this is the safest way. Deleting the files directly from the harddrive if you are absolutely sure about the location is safe as long as no other program depends on it. You can also try to run Norton disk doctor to check for orphaned files.
But still re-installing and then un-installing is still the best way. However if this doesn't work try "system restore" (for windows xp). Just make sure you make a backup of your valuable data before doing this.
2006-12-11 03:53:12 · answer #3 · answered by NHEL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Simply check the path of your downloader program, where he store his downloaded file. and go to that directory through my computer and delete that folder.
2. check is it make any shortcut to your start menu or desktop. is it made then right click on that shortcut icon and find the target directory and delete that directly manualy.
3. Try to download and install it again then after it installed. Uninstall it.
2006-12-11 03:42:31 · answer #4 · answered by Mirjee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first answer is very good, but you can also use Crap Cleaner and that will hunt out any unused registry entries and you have a choice to save them in a file after deleting them or just getting rid of them. I won't tell you to edit the registry manually as you don't sound as if you have the experience to do that.
Ron
2006-12-11 03:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by Ron75 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to privacy and security concerns, most people wish to delete all files from their computer. Usually this is simple, but at times you can face problems. If you selling your hard disk, you may wish to delete all files . Since most users use their computer while they are logged in as administrator, they should be able to delete any file on their hard drive. More information at http://fixit.in/deletefiles.html You can try this site if you can get what is required.
2006-12-11 11:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by BU1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try downloading it again and then re-installing it first. If that fails again it should be ok to delete tho it may leave a few other files in other areas of the disk.
2006-12-11 03:35:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't need to delete the whole C, just the folder that corrupt program is in. also do a search for the program's name to make sure you killed all of its files.
2006-12-11 03:37:49 · answer #8 · answered by Cory W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go to start,run,then type regedit.find the folder and delete it.this deletes it from the registry.
2006-12-11 03:39:01 · answer #9 · answered by ibrahimoum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can.
2006-12-11 03:37:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋