BleepingComputer.com: how to remove old games from PC

Hello; I am new to this bulliten borad, and I am a caveman when it comes to computers. I know very little about how they work and I am looking for help with a problem. I have several games installed on my PC, which is Windows based. My kids installed these games on the PC many years ago, and they don't play them anymore. I want to remove the games, because some are really big files. The problem is, the original disks from the games are long gone. When I try to remove the games by using the "add/delete" funcion in the control panel, the PC tells me to insert the disk. As I said, I don't have the disk. What can I do? One of these games (the biggest file) is called "Sid Meyer's Civilization 4", if that matters. Thanks.

Edit: Moved topic from Forum Games to the more appropriate forum. ~ Animal

Try Revo Uninstaller. It's free and you can get it from CNET:

http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/3000-2096_4-10687648.html?tag=mncol;1

It's fairly easy to use but if you have trepidations about using new software, come back.

Welcome...

Its easy enough to goto the files,right click and delete them....

Then ya might wanna run a registry cleanup program like REGSEEKER to clean up the un-needed keys left by removing the files.... (Just keeps the reg tidy)


Good luck in cleanup

4dude, on 31 December 2011 - 02:54 AM, said:

Bleeping Computer DOES NOT recommend the use of registry cleaners/optimizers for several reasons:

• Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.

The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.

• Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad entry". One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.

• Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes. If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.

• Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.

• The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results".

Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.

• Ed Bott's Webog: Why I don’t use registry cleaners
  
• Do I need a Registry Cleaner?

Ya you are right animal and ALOT THAT COME HERE DONT KNOW AS MUCH AS WE DO RIGHT? (Wouldnt want to give them something that might cause them pain)


Just trying to be helpful