Deleted files instead of uninstalling files now hard drive full

onecrazycat · 26 Dec 2019

HI,

My son listened to bad advise and has been deleting files instead of uninstalling them to remove them from his computer. Now his hard drive is full and he doesn't have enough stuff listed on there that would fill it up. So when he deleted them instead of uninstalling them did it leave hidden files that would take up space? If so how do we get rid of them. It is a gaming computer running windows 10.. Thank you for the help!!

Tutman · 26 Dec 2019

Hey there, Did he just delete the icon for the programs OR did he go into the program folders and delete the install directory of the programs? IF you go into the c: program files folders and still see the programs installed you could try Hibit Uninstaller (Which is completely free!) HiBit Uninstaller Download and install that and go into settings after you run it and make sure to add hibit uninstaller to the context menu, then you can go to your program files directory and right click the main file for each program still installed and choose Uninstall with Hibit and it will scan and remove all the files and residual registry items also. (choose advanced scan after uninstalling each program to remove all the items) Hope that was helpful and not too complicated!

Berton · 26 Dec 2019

Put %temp% in Windows Key + R dialog box and delete all or most of the files in that folder. Also empty the Recycle Bin [right click it]. Uninstalling is the proper method with Windows-based programs software and to remove entries from the Registry and most if not all support files the programs installed in Settings, Apps.

onecrazycat · 26 Dec 2019

Tutman said:

Hey there, Did he just delete the icon for the programs OR did he go into the program folders and delete the install directory of the programs? IF you go into the c: program files folders and still see the programs installed you could try Hibit Uninstaller (Which is completely free!) HiBit Uninstaller Download and install that and go into settings after you run it and make sure to add hibit uninstaller to the context menu, then you can go to your program files directory and right click the main file for each program still installed and choose Uninstall with Hibit and it will scan and remove all the files and residual registry items also. (choose advanced scan after uninstalling each program to remove all the items) Hope that was helpful and not too complicated!

Thank you , I will find out, but I think he went to the program file and deleted it

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Berton said:

Put %temp% in Windows Key + R dialog box and delete all or most of the files in that folder. Also empty the Recycle Bin [right click it]. Uninstalling is the proper method with Windows-based programs software and to remove entries from the Registry and most if not all support files the programs installed in Settings, Apps.

Thank you ! I will try that !

Tutman · 26 Dec 2019

Also btw, that Hibit Uninstaller is a good program to keep and run weekly or so. Choose the Registry cleaner and Junk file cleaner from the Tools (top right) when you run the program and scan and then delete and will save you some HD space!

Lance1 · 26 Dec 2019

Tutman said:

Also btw, that Hibit Uninstaller is a good program to keep and run weekly or so. Choose the Registry cleaner and Junk file cleaner from the Tools (top right) when you run the program and scan and then delete and will save you some HD space!

Yes run the junk file cleaner but I recommend NOT running the Registry cleaner as thy can and do cause problems. IMO and other too..

Compumind · 26 Dec 2019

Tutman said:

Also btw, that Hibit Uninstaller is a good program to keep and run weekly or so. Choose the Registry cleaner and Junk file cleaner from the Tools (top right) when you run the program and scan and then delete and will save you some HD space!

@onecrazycat -

No. I totally disagree. Please don't do any of the above. Post back when ready to proceed.

P.S. Do you have a recent, restorable backup of the entire system available?
If not, then we have to proceed with caution.

f14tomcat · 26 Dec 2019

It would be tedious, but maybe necessary......

Because your son basically took an axe to the program file structure, most if not all the app links to it's parts are really messed up.

Re-install the Programs, one-by-one. After re-installing one completely, turn right around an un-install it properly, thru Programs and Features.

Repeat for each one.

Ztruker · 26 Dec 2019

Take this as the opportunity it is and Clean install Windows 10. Do an image backup first using Macrium Reflect to an External Hard drive so you won't lose any data of course. Once the Clean Install is done, do an immediate Windows Update, then start installing the programs he wants, one at a time.

The computer is somewhat borked (technical term meaning FUBAR

) anyway, it would be a great time to start over and get rid of all the junk that inevitably accumulates on a system over time. Data can be recovered from the backup image.

Follow this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 10

Berton · 26 Dec 2019

f14tomcat said:

It would be tedious, but maybe necessary......

Because your son basically took an axe to the program file structure, most if not all the app links to it's parts are really messed up.

Re-install the Programs, one-by-one. After re-installing one completely, turn right around an un-install it properly, thru Programs and Features.

Repeat for each one.

And do make note that Programs and Features is found in Control Panel but with Win10 look in Settings then Apps.