Question about deleting files in Windows xp System Restore

[jimdagys]

Since I recently got a Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, etc), I decided to uninstall some Microsoft products that came with this computer. Using the Add/Remove Programs, I uninstalled
Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office Power Point Viewer, Compatibility Pack for 2007 Office.
(see screenshot).
However, I'm assuming that those uninstalled products could be re-installed using System Restore, so it seems that they are still taking up disk space, and not truly removed from the computer. My question is: How can one completely remove these products from the computer? I can't see any point in having them take up disk space.

[DB83]

I was not aware that un-installed programs could be re-installed from System Restore. Un-installed programs are deleted. They way leave behind some traces (registry etc.) but the core programs have gone.

[jagabo]

I was not aware that un-installed programs could be re-installed from System Restore.

They can be restored by a System Restore.

You can use Disk Cleanup to remove old system restore points. Use the Clean Up System Files button, then the More Options tab. Be very careful: you won't be able to go back to those older restore points after deleting them.

[DB83]

OK. But there is a perverse logic at play here.

You purposely un-install a program because a) it is taking up disk space and b) you no longer need it yet MS brings it back against your wishes.

But I am sure that when I did uninstall some programs my HDD space increased. I now read that only 'certain' items are monitored/capable of restoration ???.

[jagabo]

You purposely un-install a program because a) it is taking up disk space and b) you no longer need it yet MS brings it back against your wishes.

It's not against your wishes. You performed a System Restore. You explicitly asked to restore the system to where it was at the time of the backup.

But I am sure that when I did uninstall some programs my HDD space increased.

Of course. You uninstalled the program deleting the installed files. But that doesn't effect the contents of the System Restore backups. And it shouldn't. They are backups after all.

I now read that only 'certain' items are monitored/capable of restoration ???.

Portable apps (those that aren't installed) won't be restored. Data may not be restored.

[jimdagys]

OK, I like to know how things work. I will look at your directions ("Use the Clean Up System Files button, then the More Options tab"), but probably won't remove old restore points as a matter of principle.

They can be restored by a System Restore.
You can use Disk Cleanup to remove old system restore points. Use the Clean Up System Files button, then the More Options tab. Be very careful: you won't be able to go back to those older restore points after deleting them.

However, I do have a question. With a large software (such as Microsoft Works), what would one expect to see on the before/after uninstall on available C drive space? Unfortunately, I failed to check the before/after available C drive space. In my mind, for example, lets say a software install file is 400MB. After installing, it might take 800MB of space. Then, after uninstalling, I originally thought I would get 800MB of space back. But since (as you say) System Restore retains a complete copy of the installed file, it now seems that the available space on the C drive wouldn't change after uninstalling the software.

[jagabo]

System Restore routinely creates restore points all the time. It limits itself to a certain percentage of the drive space so it often deletes old restore points to make room for a new one. Just before installing a program it will create a restore point. It may also delete an old restore point. All this creating and deletion of restore points makes it difficult to predict how much disk space will be consumed or restored by installing and uninstalling software.

[Cornucopia]

But, his scenario is possible.

Personally, I wouldn't ever presume to use Sys Restore as a "Backup" of an install, since, as jagabo mentioned, it could very possibly lose portions of installs due to the % constraints placed on SR. But I wouldn't also do an uninstall specifically because I was worried about drive space, so it wouldn't bother me too much if it didn't remove everything from a prior installation (at least space-wise).

What makes sense to me is to:
1. Make sure apps are installed and running OK
2. Install & remove whatever you desire to get you to your nice clean "fighting weight".
3. Create a new, manual SR point that mirrors this good configuration
4. Delete previous SR points and then do a Reg Cleanup, Drive cleanup & defrag.
5. Use a standard BACKUP program for real, secure backups of the files you find necessary.

I've almost always found that it actually takes less work to uninstall a faulty app and then re-install it cleanly than it does to try to restore the same app from (often multiple) backups. So it's mainly the SETTINGS & Documents that I mark to be backed up. Of course, you could always Ghost/mirror your drive as well for a complete return to past known-goods, but I often wonder if those using such remember to backup their post-mirrored files prior to restoring mirrors.

Scott

[Gabriel]

"They can be restored by a System Restore."

I don't think this is correct.

I just tried it and it did not restore a deleted program. It did take the computer back to the date requested but the program was not revived.

[jagabo]

Yes, I was overstating the issue. System Restore doesn't backup and restore user installed programs. But I believe it does backup and restore critical system executables.

[Nelson37]

It is primarily registry information and very little concerned with actual files.