TIME TO UNINSTALL

Once you’ve found the monsters—or when you’re simply done with your apps—how do you remove them? You might be surprised, but we’re going to suggest that the best way to clean up an old app is by using Windows’ own built-in interface, which you can find in the “Programs and Features” section of the Control Panel. Removing files using this tool automatically fires up their included uninstaller (or, in the case of MSI-installed components, the Windows built-in equivalent), which should mean all trace of the app is wiped away. Make sure, if using this method, that you remember to check any boxes that also remove settings files or equivalent because, while they’re not going to take up much space, any redundant files you leave on your drive slow down indexing and basically irritate you no end.

If you’re a fan of overkill and salting the Windows earth, try a tool such as IOBit Uninstaller ( www.iobit.com). It’s available as a portable app from http://portableapps. com (because if anything should be, it’s a tool that helps you get rid of installed software), and it’s a great way of making sure every trace of an app is removed. Set it to work, and it bangs through your registry and filesystem to find files traditional uninstallers might have missed. If a program doesn’t appear to be installed— as in, it doesn’t appear in “Programs and Features”—you can also point IOBit Uninstaller at its executable file, and it does its best to do an automatic uninstall. It’s not flawless, but it’s pretty damn good.