Help uninstalling programs?

Question

My computer has been a little slow lately. It takes longer to boot-up, shut-down or log-off. Programs open a little slower, and Firefox keeps on getting hung up on pages. I just did a defragment and Disk Cleanup, now I'm uninstalling programs. (There are 97!!!) I don't know which of these I can safely remove:
Google Apps
Google Update Helper (What is this used for?)
Google Updater
Google Talk Plugin (This is for using video chat in Gmail, correct?)

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Microsoft Search Enhancement Pack
Junk Mail filter update
Microsoft Application Error Reporting
Microsoft Choice Guard
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU]
Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime Native v1.0 (x86)
Microsoft Sync Framwork Servies Native v1.0(x86)
MSVCRT
Windows Live Call, Communications Platform, Essentials, Family Safety, etc.
Microsoft Visual C 2005 ATL Update kb973923 - x86 8.0.50727.4053
Microsoft Visual C 2008 ATL Update kb973924 - x86 9.0.30729.4184
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.21022
Windows Live Sign-in Assistant
HERE is a complete list of crap installed by Microsoft:
http://bayimg.com/image/haejnaacg.jpg

NVIDIA Drivers (Why is this listed in programs?)
NVIDIA Sterscopic 3D Driver

System Requirments Lab

Viewpoint Media Player

Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX, Plugin (Why is there two?) + Shockwave Player 11.5

Apple Application Support
Apple Mobile Device Support
Quicktime
Bonjour
(I only need iTunes and Safari, but Apple installed all this with it)

Dell Support Center (Support Softare)
DellSupprt
DellConnect

HP Print Diagnostic Utility
HP Driver Diagnostics
HP Product Detection

CDDRV_Installer
KhalInstallWrapper
erLT
Logitech SetPoint, QuickCam, Updater, Desktop Manager,
(All by logitech, including CDDRV and down)

Razer DeathAdder (TM) Mouse (I have this mouse, but what is the point of this software?)

Rhapsody Player Engine (Do I need this to listen to Rhapsody?)
SigmaTel Audio (Is this required for audio?)
Java(TM) 6 Update 7,10 (Why are there two, and why are they update?)

Any help is appreciated!!

Answer 1

How much RAM do you have, and what version of Windows are you running? Not enough RAM will always cause a computer to be slow. You can also stop programs that you don't need from starting. Unless your hard drive is very full, if the programs don't run, they don't affect how fast your computer is running. It's like having appliances sitting on your counter top - if they aren't turned on they don't use any power.



A good tool for seeing what starts automatically, and disabling or removing them from auto-startup, is WinPatrol. It is free, though the one-time charge for the Plus features is well worth the money. I prefer to disable items, so that if I find out later that I disabled something that I need I can just re-enable it.



Several of the things in your list are not ones that you will ever use directly, they allow other programs to work. A good example of that is the Visual C++ Redistributable.



Some of the items you have questions about:

The Google Update Helper is probably what lets you set options for Google updates to Google software.



NVIDIA drivers usually also include a program to allow you to adjust video settings. That is why the drivers show up as an installed application.



If the mouse has extra buttons (not just the two buttons and wheel) of special features, that is the reason for the mouse software.



You probably do need the Rhapsody player, at least to get the most benefit from Rhapsody. SigmaTel is probably for your sound card. It may be required for sound, or it may give you configuration options.



The Java entries are updates to Java - newer versions of Java than what you first installed. Some updates just don't clean out the information about earlier updates when they install.

Answer 2

As we all know that it is normal to uninstall a program from Add/Remove programs list. But most of the time, some program will not list/be uninstalled from Add/Remove programs or with its built-in uninstaller. At this time, it is very necessary to uninstall it with a professional uninstaller to prevent some left-over files in the drives or registry. Of all the uninstallers I have used, Perfect Uninstaller is the one that I love so much. The "Force Uninstall" function allows us to uninstall programs that are not in the Add/Remove programs list, which is very suitable in uninstalling corrupted program. So wish you good luck!

Answer 3

Dude, first off when you are asking a question like this you need to include your system information. You can locate this by going to your start menu and selecting computer, then at the top of the window, below the address bar click system properties (in vista.) you will want to list your windows version, processor, ram, and system type.

Second, you can really only rely on yourself in this online world, there's no telling what someone on the internet might suggest to you. So, be skeptical of all advice received here (a bit of personal advice.) So, if you don't know what something on your computer is then just google it and sift through the info. It's better to investigate for yourself then find out some advice was bad by "F"ing your system over.

Now, all that google stuff? Do you use Chrome? calender? talk? page creator? If not, you probably don't need it. I use gmail but don't use chat so am not sure on that.

All that microsoft stuff looks funny to me, what are you doing with this machine? I only have five enties from microsoft and four of them are C++ and updates for x64 and x86. Looked at your print screen, holy cows. you've probably got registry errors up the yin yang. Checked your registry yet? If not, do so as soon as you are done uninstalling everything. I suggest ccleaner. It's been keeping my two towers running fast for over two years with basically no other maintenance. Get it from filehippo like me, or just goggle up a download site of your choice. But always use trusted sites. Anyways, maybe you would be better off with a fresh install of windows. If so, stick with XP.

The nvidia drivers are normal and necessary. I have five drivers on my list, including nvidea drivers.

System Requirements Lab is a program to tell you if you can run certain programs on your system. Toss it, if you can't figure that out on your own then get off the computer.

I have viewpoint also, my son uses it. If you don't use it trash it.

Keep adobe, You'll need it.

I hate iTunes, it "F"ed up my system. I had to boot from disc to get rid of it. Try to uninstall quicktime and bonjour separately.

Dell, Dell, Dell, are you still under warranty? If not, trash it. They will make you pay for any of their services. You can do anything on your own, just use your head and know where to start. Google everything. Everything? Yes, everything!

Do you have an HP printer? If yes, then keep it. If no, trash it.

Looks like you have a logitech drive, maybe also webcam. Right? Then keep it.

Razer is obviously your mouse driver, leave it alone.

Leave rhapsody alone if you use it, but I suggest media forums and utorrent.

Sigmatel alone or you will have no sound. Unless you want to switch to realtek or some other AC97 audio codec.

Last but not least only keep the latest update from java. I.E, java 6 update 10. But you should download 15 and delete the rest.

Hope this helps you a bit. Like I said, be skeptical though. I am only learning, myself.

Answer 4

Start with uninstalling the ones you absolutely know you don't want or use. For programs you know you use see if they are starting or pre-loading at start-up, if they are ask yourself if you really want or need them loading at start-up.



example: adobe reader pre-loads at start-up go into it's settings and disable it from doing so.



Any program that puts an icon in you notification tray on your taskbar is loading at start-up do you really need them doing so?



these first two steps will speed things up considerably.



now you can start looking at programs you are unsure of, google them and see what they are for.



I suggest downloading the trial version of TuneUp Utilities. It's a very good program and will give info on your programs and their start-up. It will also make recommendations as to disabling unneeded services etc. I would imagine you have so much stuff running that doesn't need to be.

you will notice a huge improvement and save yourself the headache of researching all this on your own.



I see nothing that says a virus infection, just a lot of stuff you don't need running at start-up



http://download.cnet.com/TuneUp-Utilities-2009/3000-18512_4-10206416.html

Answer 5

are you a programmer or web designer?

you're running lots of sql and programming software...



but you may need more ram for starter,

check for adware and viruses...

and yes you can get rid of certain programs..



try to do the adware , spyware and virus detection..



cause at this rate, some users are better off reformatting and reinstalling windows, and just putting the bare minimal programs they neeed..



because overtime even uninstalling programs dont always remove completely or clean.. so more problems may develop over time..

Answer 6

The problems you're describing are more associated with a virus infection. It's doubtful that having unnecessary programs installed would cause those symptoms.