Add and remove programs in Windows How not to remove a program
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This article, Add and remove programs in Windows, was last updated on 30 July 2008 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
Deleting desktop shortcuts won't remove the actual program
The right way to remove a program
If you have a program on your computer that you no longer need, you can easily uninstall it using the Add and Remove Programs tool found in Microsoft Windows XP. You'll find similar a function in Microsoft Windows Vista too – it just comes under a different name.
Using the uninstallation tool in Windows is the best way to remove programs thoroughly and safely.
The wrong way to remove a program
Just deleting the folder the program resides in won't work in Windows – it may cause future problems, and it won't usually remove all the necessary files.
Similarly, removing the program's icon from your desktop or Start bar doesn't remove the actual program itself – you'll just be deleting the ‘shortcut’ that launches the program.
Follow our step-by-step guide on the next page to successfully add, change or remove programs on your home computer both safely and efficiently.
How to remove Windows components
The Add and Remove Programs tool in Windows XP has other uses, too. You can install certain programs or change some programs settings.
In XP you can also remove certain unwanted Windows components that may be taking up precious space on your computer.
Microsoft released a Beta version of its next operating system, Windows 7, in January 2009, though it isn't expected to be rolled out until late 2009. Read the Which? first look review of Windows 7
