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Need to clear space on C Drive, unsure which programs (listed some below) are safe to uninstall when trying to clear up my C drive?

I was wondering if anyone could help me by suggesting how to properly uninstall programs -which are safe to uninstall??? I know not to do any dll or 32 file exts, but I have programs that I don't use, and don't know what they do that came on my laptop. I have done all of the temp file and cache memory dumps, internet, history cleared, disk cleanup, have updated current virus protection, defrag'd, deleted old restore points, and lowered %'s on recycle bin storage/restore point memory, etc. and still have no space on my hard drive C. I don't download anything from the internet like graphic games, mostly the occasional email attachment that may be a picture. I do have pictures from my digital camera, but that's about all. Not big into graphics or pictures for backgrounds, but at this point, my next big download was trying to get messenger for IM. It didn't download and though it may be some other reason, I would assume that my C drive being in the red and all but a bit filled, it might have something to do with that, or my pc running poorly. The biggest and only cd program I have on it is Mavis Beacon Typing,  I'm also wondering why I have a D drive titled Data D drive which is practically empty and if I should in fact transfer some of the programs to this drive. I'm having issues because of what appears to be a duplication of my files, one titled Program files, the other titled Program Files X 86 and I don't know the difference or if they are both needed or mistakenly somehow duplicated some time ago. I'm wondering specifically about a number of certain programs as far as being safe to uninstall, including:

Microsoft Visual C++, 2 of which are listed, one of 2005 and one of 2008 and I have never used it nor do I know what it is or need it.

Microsoft NET Framework programs are listed, have no idea what it is, never use it and if I don't need it would like to uninstall but I am unsure I should as it could be important and actually run in the background while I'm using the pc for other tasks.

Cyberlink

ATI Catalyst Install Manager

Synaptics Pointing Device Driver-I use only the touchpad for my mouse or a USB wired mouse for my pointer on the laptop I'm referencing as my "pc".

Microsoft Silverpoint,

The above programs are only from briefly looking over a list of programs that appear when I open the uninstall program from the control panel that I have never purposely installed or downloaded or where there when I got the pc (I'm assuming that). All of the above programs are listed in the Uninstall box, but I don't know that just because they are listed means they are safe to delete and uninstall. I simply don't know if these are part of needed programs for the OS or not. I can't be sure since I don't know the programs and I've never sought to use them on purpose to operate them so I have no idea what it is they do, though for this purpose, I really just need to know-Can I indeed uninstall them to clear up space on my computer without causing damage to the pc working?

I also wonder why only some programs show up as opposed to all programs when in the Uninstall box? Granted, that may be the answer in that what appears on the list can be uninstalled…? I'm not sure, so I ask for any assistance and help in this whole thing. I see lists of my programs on both Program Files and Program Files X86. It seems like it’s a complete duplicate of all the files I have on my computer, and I have no idea why it’s there, unless the makers or Microsoft meant this to be. I really appreciate your time and any advice or ideas you may be able to offer!

Answer
Answer

First - look in your "Documents" and "Pictures" and "Music" folders.  How much of that could be stored on "D"?

As for JDiskReport - it requires Java to work.  Here's the steps I would take to get it installed.

  • Download the latest version of the Java Runtime Environment: JRE 6 Update 26
     (Saving it someplace obvious and easy to locate - like your desktop.)
     (The filename will be jre-6u26-windows-i586-s.exe.)
  • Download and save the latest JDiskReport: JDiskReport R1.3.2
     (Saving it someplace obvious and easy to locate - like your desktop.)
     (The filename will be jdiskreport-1_3_2-win.exe.) 
  • Restart your computer and log in.
  • Right-click on the jre-6u26-windows-i586-s.exe file (Java) and choose "Run as Administrator" and if asked, enter your administrator password and answer all questions it asks in the affirmative.  (Install, (Yes if asked), Close, etc.)
  • Once it is done installing, restart your computer and log in.
  • Right-click on the jdiskreport-1_3_2-win.exe file (JDiskReport) and choose "Run as Administrator" and if asked, enter your administrator password and answer all questions it asks in the affirmative.  (Next, Next, Install, Finish, close the README if it opens.)
  • Once it is done installing, restart your computer and log in.


Run it from the shortcut on your desktop.

It may *still* pop up, telling you that Windows is searching for a file (javaw.exe), which is annoying, but you can just click "Browse..." and its location - depending on whether you have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows - will be (look in this order):

  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin (you have 64-bit Windows)
  • C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin  (you have 32-bit Windows)


Once you point it to the javaw.exe, it should run.  On the first screen, click "Next".  On the second, click the radio button for "I accept the terms in the license agreement" and THEN click "Finish".  It will appear with two choices, you want "Scan a file tree".

It will then let you choose where to scan.  You should expand "Computer" by clicking the [+] to the left of the word and choose (click on once to highlight blue) the "Local Disk (C:)" and click on OK.  It will begin scanning - it will take a while.

 

(Do this all even if you already installed it, know you have Java, etc.)

.-
Shenan Stanley
MVP 2005-2011 & 2013-2015
Insider MVP 2016-
.-

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Last updated March 9, 2024 Views 721 Applies to: