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Safest Method of Deleting Files?

Started by Salv , Jun 29 2012 10:48 AM

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4 replies to this topic

#1 Salv

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Posted 29 June 2012 - 10:48 AM

Hi

I recently got a new system and I'm trying to keep it as clean as possible. Unfortunately, some applications leave unnecessary files behind and generally I'm cautious about deleting them in case they interfere with other programs. For example, I quickly tried SpeedFan out earlier today yet speedfan.sys remains in C:\Windows\SysWOW64.

I'm wondering if there are any programs (perhaps CCleaner?) that will handle this kind of irrelevant file if it is safe for them to do so?

Thanks.

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#2 rotor123

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Posted 29 June 2012 - 11:20 AM

I presume you uninstalled the program rather than just deleting it?
My process for that is simple, I rename the folder first and see what effect that has the next couple of days.
I tend to be cautious.

Roger

My next Upgrade, USB 3 on my remaining desktop. The only External storage devices I currently Buy are USB3 devices

How Does a computer get Infected? http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/2520/how-did-i-get-infected/

My first Computer had a Whopping 16K of memory @ 0.89MHz. My first hard drive held 20 Megabytes and never filled up.
My Oldest Motherboard and Hard Drive are a 80286 @ 8Mhz and a Seagate 20 Megabyte MFM drive.

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#3 Salv

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Posted 29 June 2012 - 02:37 PM

I presume you uninstalled the program rather than just deleting it?
My process for that is simple, I rename the folder first and see what effect that has the next couple of days.
I tend to be cautious.

Roger

Yep, standard uninstall and a search for 'speedfan' on C: returns that one remaining item. I presume you mean file and not folder? (since the WoW64 folder appears to be a key component in running 32 bit programs on 64 bit Windows)

Edited by rotor123, 29 June 2012 - 02:44 PM.
OOps

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#4 rotor123

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Posted 29 June 2012 - 02:43 PM

Sorry I should have been more clear, if it is a folder called for example speedfan I rename it.
If it is a file under a different folder such as WoW64 then I rename the file.

It wouldn't hurt to have a restore point from just before you make the change too.

Roger

Edited by rotor123, 29 June 2012 - 02:44 PM.

My next Upgrade, USB 3 on my remaining desktop. The only External storage devices I currently Buy are USB3 devices

How Does a computer get Infected? http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/2520/how-did-i-get-infected/

My first Computer had a Whopping 16K of memory @ 0.89MHz. My first hard drive held 20 Megabytes and never filled up.
My Oldest Motherboard and Hard Drive are a 80286 @ 8Mhz and a Seagate 20 Megabyte MFM drive.

Forum Rules, The BC Welcome Guide

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#5 Salv

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Posted 30 June 2012 - 03:36 PM

Sorry I should have been more clear, if it is a folder called for example speedfan I rename it.
If it is a file under a different folder such as WoW64 then I rename the file.

It wouldn't hurt to have a restore point from just before you make the change too.

Roger

No worries, that's not a bad idea at all. I'll test it out, thanks!