too many programs and files

There are so many programs and files on Vista, I know I don't need them all
but I don't know which are necessary and which aren't. Like all those video
and picture programs Help there has got to be a way to tell ?

KatieMom wrote:

> There are so many programs and files on Vista, I know I don't need them
> all
> but I don't know which are necessary and which aren't. Like all those
> video and picture programs Help there has got to be a way to tell ?

Start the programs and see what they do and whether you like them. If you
don't, uninstall them. If you seriously can't tell if a program is
necessary, Google its name to see what it is. If that's too much, have a
knowledgeable friend - someone who is *really* knowledgeable and not just
saying s/he is - come and take a look. If none of your friends fits that
category, have a computer professional come on-site and take a look and do
a bit of training so you will feel comfortable with your computer. I don't
recommend using a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:27:31 -0700, KatieMom
<> wrote:

>There are so many programs and files on Vista, I know I don't need them all
>but I don't know which are necessary and which aren't. Like all those video
>and picture programs Help there has got to be a way to tell ?

Stick with them for a while. Who knows? Maybe you'll find a need,
hmm? In the meantime, I'm sure you don't have a space problem on your
hard drive, given that most newer systems come with large ones.

There is NO list of "keep and delete".
And in Vista, as with other Operating Systems, you can only turn ON or OFF
System Features.
You can not delete them from your Hard Drive to make more space.

The only Programs you can delete are extras that the Computer Manufacturer
has installed.
Unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing, leave well enough alone.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"KatieMom" wrote:

> There are so many programs and files on Vista, I know I don't need them all
> but I don't know which are necessary and which aren't. Like all those video
> and picture programs Help there has got to be a way to tell ?

On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:27:31 -0700, KatieMom
<> wrote:

> There are so many programs and files on Vista, I know I don't need them all
> but I don't know which are necessary and which aren't. Like all those video
> and picture programs Help there has got to be a way to tell ?


In addition to the other good advice you're received, be aware that
there is *no* downside to having programs and files on your drive that
you don't need, other than they take up a little disk space. Unless
you are very short of disk space, there is no reason to worry about
things like this.

Moreover, if you are very short of disk space, the amount you can save
by getting rid of a few Vista files or programs you don't need will
not be big enough to make a substantial difference. The only real
solution to that problem is to buy a bigger (or a second) disk drive.

So my recommendation is to leave it all alone. There's no benefit to
getting rid of what you may not need, and a substantial risk of
deleting the wrong thing and getting yourself into trouble.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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