Is it fairly safe to use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility?

I have about 15 programs on my list.

I am concerned about the warning at the top of the Utility window.

I know it is only supposed to remove remnants of installation files, but the warning makes it sound very risky to run.

Any feedback on this?

Thanks...

Yes it is safe to run, make sure that you unisntall programs through add/remove programs first and then if programs are still in the list of programs in the installer cleanup tool, then use the tool to remove what it finds as this would indicate that there are still emnants of installation files after they have been uninstalled through the add/remove process

It is safe but make sure you are removing what you intend to have removed

This tool is a good tool to have and has helped me resolve issues in the past

For instance - I was having problem with installing an upload tool for MSN. Kept getting error and it was not in add/remove programs (should have been) I found past instaltation files in the Cleanup tool, after removing the remnants with the tool, I was able to install the UPload Tool I was trying to install without a problem

It is safe, but as mentioned, make sure you remove what you intend to remove

Most of the items listed in my Windows Installer Cleanup Utility are programs that are still installed on my PC. (Some I'm not sure what they are)

The tutorial says that this utility does not remove program files, only install files.

Does that mean that I should remove files on my list even if I am keeping the program?

I'm not completely clear under what circumstances I should use this utility?? I like to get as much unneeded junk off my HD as possible.

I did use it once after UNINSTALLING a program. I do understand that much.

By the way, is it possible to paste an image on this site? Sometimes it would be much easier to explain a question if I could do that.

Thanks...

If something is installed on your PC andyou don't plan to uninstall it, keep information that the cleanup tool finds ( you may find an updated version eventually) and if you do remove something from the installer, you will not be able to remove it from add/remove programs as installation files would have been deleted.

Just use it for software that still shows after you have already uninstalled something or having issue with installing a new program (post something if that situation comes around)

So basically, if keeping programs, do not use installer cleanup tool to remove insallation files ( you may need these installation files one day)

If you would like to put an image, you would need to upload image to an image hosting site (photopucket, tinypic, I think these will work) and then after uploaded to that site.
-Click on the icon in the menu above next to the Quote icon (looks like a mountain in a yellow box)

Click the icon with the yellow box, a window will pop up and put the link of the image you would like to post.

Hope all that makes sense




If you would like to clean up some hard drive space and speed up PC some, check out following link and look at posts 3 and 5
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/computers-beginners/frequently-ask-questions-about-computers-233870.html

Thank you SeaHwk.

Makes perfect sense. You've summarized (in plain English) when and when not to use the utility.

I shall add it to my notes.

As far as the items on the list that are not obvious to me, I better just leave them there.

Thanks again.