Copyright: Copyright CyberMedia, Inc. 1998
Citation: Copyright CyberMedia, Inc. 1998


SmartLinks database

The SmartLinks database stores information about the files required by the operating system and each application on your computer.

It stores the name and location of all files required by the operating system. It stores information about all of the files that each application requires to run correctly, including icons, dynamically linked libraries (DLLs), and other executable files, as well as operating system files that are used by the application.

The database is updated each time you start UnInstaller and each time you use UnInstaller to restore or remove files or settings on your computer.


Transport wizard package file
Transport package file

The package file is the auto-run, compressed file that the Transport wizard creates.

The package file contains:

The application and all its settings.

Any data files you choose to include.

The part of the Transport wizard that can rebuild the application.

When you run the package file, the Transport wizard included in the file guides you through the steps to rebuild the application.


Associated files

If a data or document file opens  in an application when you double-click its name in the Windows Explorer file list, then the file type extension is associated with that application

For example, because files with the extension .TXT are associated with Notepad, if you double-click a file name such as Myfile.txt, the file opens in Notepad.

To see what files are associated with applications, click Folder Options, or Options, on the Windows Explorer View menu, and click the File Types tab.


Compressed graphics files

Many kinds of graphics files are compressed so that they will download quickly from the Internet and also save disk space. Graphic files types with the .GIF and .JPG extensions are compressed, and some files with the .TIF extension might also be compressed.

Deleting these files and backing them up or archiving them to the same drive will not save much disk space because the files are already almost as small as they can be.


CyberMedia Agent

CyberMedia Agent is a program used by many CyberMedia applications to manage scheduled events.

For CyberMedia UnInstaller, CyberMedia Agent manages:

Scheduled QuickClean junk file cleanup.

As-you-work Installation Monitor so that you can undo application installations with BackTrack.

To view or change the schedule for these events, right-click [image] in the clock area of the Windows taskbar and click What's Scheduled. If [image] does not appear, you have explicitly prevented CyberMedia Agent from loading when you start your computer.

Note:

To start the Agent again, choose CyberMedia Agent from the Windows Start menu Programs list for CyberMedia UnInstaller.


Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is a database that stores information about the operating system and installed applications.

The database file format discourages uninformed tampering and ensures that information is stored according to well-defined standards that make it possible for applications to store and retrieve configuration information reliably.


Wildcard definition
Wildcard

A wildcard is a single character that stands for one or more characters in a file name.

The question mark (?) wildcard stands for any single character, and the asterisk (*) wildcard stands for any character or group of characters that might match that position in other file names.

For example, *.EXE represents all files that have the .EXE extension. TH?.TXT represents all .TXT files that have the first two characters TH and a single unspecified character.


File type extension

In a file name such as MyFile.DOC, the last three characters, the characters that follow the dot, are called the file name extension, or extension.

Extensions can have more or less than three characters, but documents associated with commonly used applications usually have three characters.

The extension is used by Windows to identify the application that should open or run the file by default when you double-click the file name in the Windows Explorer file list.


Shortcut menu

Shortcut menus are sometimes called popup menus because they pop up when you click your right mouse button on an object in a folder or file list.

Shortcut menus are designed to let you work more efficiently. They usually contain the most often used commands for the object you have clicked. For example, if you click a file name, the shortcut menu might contain the Copy, Delete, Move, QuickView, Create Shortcut, and Properties commands.


Cache folder

When you browse the Internet, your browser copies each Internet page and its graphics to a cache folder on your hard disk. The browser can then load the page quickly if you return to it again.

This is a useful feature if you repeatedly visit the same Internet pages and their content does not change. Most of the time, however, the cached files are not useful and can be deleted.


Installing Quick View
Installing Quick View viewers

Quick View is an accessory for Windows 95 that is used in the UnInstaller PowerClean dialog box Viewer tab.

Quick View is not part of the default setup configuration for Windows 95. It must be installed as an Accessory.

To install Quick View from the CD-ROM:

1	Insert the Windows 95 CD in the CD drive.

2	Choose Settings in the Windows 95 Start menu and click Control Panel.

3	Select  Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.

4	Click the Windows Setup tab and  select Accessories.

5	Click Details.

In the list of accessories, check the Quick View option, then click OK.

6	In the Add/Remove Programs dialog box, click OK.

The Quick View files are installed from the CD, and the Accessories group is updated.

To update your viewing capability from 29 file types to  over 200 different file types, order Quick View Plus from Inso Corporation at www.inso.com.

Note:

Quick View is not included on the Windows 95 floppy disk set. It is included only on the CDs.


What you can do in PowerClean

The PowerClean dialog box provides custom file management for experienced computer users.

What you can do in the PowerClean dialog box

Delete, archive, move, or copy selected files or defined groups of files.

Find out what applications use a selected file.

Create custom file groups that contain only the files you specify.

Add programs and files to the Start menu.

Related topics.


How to use PowerClean

The first time you use PowerClean, it opens in read-only mode.

If you try to copy, move, archive, or delete a file, you see a message box explaining that you cannot manage any files from the PowerClean dialog box unless you clear the check next to Read-only mode in the Options menu. This feature is provided for your protection. It reminds you that using PowerClean can be risky and prevents you from deleting files inadvertently.

When the dialog box is in read-only mode you can:

Explore the files and Registry entries on your computer.

This is a good way to begin educating yourself about your computer. You can find out what kind of information is kept in the Registry, what files the operating system uses, what files each application uses, and what files are downloaded when you use the Internet.

Select a file, and then click File Links on the shortcut menu to see what application uses the selected file, or click the Viewer tab to see the contents of the file.

Create a custom file group.

Although you cannot delete, move, copy, or archive any files, you can still define a custom file group that will let you manipulate specific files quickly.

What do you want to know about PowerClean?

How do I remove read-only mode protection?

What files are in the default file groups?

What do the color-coded icons mean?

How do I create a custom group?

How do I set options?

How can I change the way files are sorted in the list?

What do the PowerClean menu commands do?

Are there any tips for using PowerClean?


How are the PowerClean file groups defined?

The PowerClean file groups make it easy for you to find files of certain kinds.

Note that some groups contain overlapping or duplicate subgroups. For example, the Non-critical Files and Internet Stuff groups both contain an Archive subgroup. The Registered File Types group also contains many categories that overlap those in the Non-critical Files group.

For more information, read the group or subgroup description in the Advice tab and click the Viewer tab to see the contents of a selected file.

Group	Description

Non-critical Files	Files in this group are not needed to run your computer or your installed applications.

Nevertheless, they might be useful. Screen savers, help files, multimedia files, archive files, and clip art are among the file subgroups. Click the Viewer tab to see the contents of each file, or technical information about it, before you remove it.

Internet Stuff	Most files in this group have been downloaded from the Internet, either intentionally or by your Internet browser for its cache folder.

The Archive and Graphics subgroups, however, include files that you might have created in some other way, and the Internet Documents category includes all .HTM and .HTML files found on your computer. If you are developing Web-based information, these files should not be removed without careful examination.

Duplicates	This group lists files that have two or more exact copies on your computer. By default, duplicate files must match the file name, date, and size, but you can change this definition in the PowerClean page of the Options dialog box to match files that have only the same name, or only the same name and size.

When you remove duplicate file copies, make sure that you do not delete a copy that is in use.

Disconnected Items	Files in this group either link to an application that is no longer on your computer, or do not appear in the Start menu or on the desktop. Although some executable files are not included in the Start menu, these files might be needed by another application or run by a batch file.

Windows Shell Items	Subgroups in this category list connected and disconnected shortcuts, Start menu items, and desktop links.

Windows Registry	This category displays most Registry entries except low-level system entries. It is safer to let QuickClean remove Registry entries that are not associated with any application on your computer than to remove them manually.

Registered File Types	This group lists files of all types that are associated with the operating system or with specific applications on your computer.

Related topics.


Creating a new PowerClean category
To create a new PowerClean file cleanup category

1	Click Create Custom Group on the Tools menu. The Custom Group dialog box appears.

2	Enter a descriptive name for the group.

3	Specify the names of files to be included in this group.

You can include wildcard characters and use semicolons (;) to separate multiple file specifications.

4	Enter the drive and folder to search for the specified files.

You cannot enter more than one path to search. Select Search subfolders to include files in subfolders of the path you specify.

5	Click OK to close the dialog box and save the new custom group.

Custom groups that you create appear under the Custom File Group category. When you select one of the groups, the Advice tab displays information about what files are included and what path is searched.

Related topics.


Setting options for PowerClean
To set options for PowerClean

1	Click Settings on the PowerClean dialog box Options menu. The Settings dialog box appears with the PowerClean tab page open.

2	Specify delete protection:

Select Never delete items marked in red to prevent yourself from accidentally deleting a file that is protected because of its age.

You can also choose to be warned about deleting files marked with any of the color codes.

Select Create backup of deleted files to create a backup of any files you delete so that you can recover them later. To avoid making a backup copy of a deleted file, choose Permanent Delete(do not back up) from the File or shortcut  menu.

Set the Modified Date Threshold and Accessed Date Threshold to an appropriate period of time. The default is 180 days, approximately 6 months. Files modified or accessed more recently are marked with [image].

3	Specify how strictly duplicate files are defined:

Select True Duplicates (same name, date and size) for duplicate files to ensure that all files are actually duplicates and not files with the same name, or by chance, the same name and size.

Note:

You can also set PowerClean dialog box options by clicking Settings on the Options menu in the main UnInstaller window and then clicking the PowerClean tab in the Settings dialog box.

Related topics.


Interpreting PowerClean color codes

Icons with a color code like that used by traffic signals mark files and settings to indicate how safe it is to delete them.

A red circle with a diagonal black line
UnInstaller will never let you delete these files. Either your computer needs them to run correctly, or you have set them as protected files in the General page of the Settings dialog box.

A red circle
By default, these files or Registry entries cannot be deleted because they are important to the health of your computer.

You can change the default in the PowerClean page of the Options dialog box to permit you to delete these files. If you do delete any files marked with a red circle, make sure that you also create a backup.

Files might be marked by a red circle only because they have not yet reached the age you specified in the PowerClean page of the Settings dialog box.

A yellow square
Delete these files only after careful consideration. Applications might require this file or setting. Right-click the file name and click File Links in the shortcut menu to see how the file is used.

A green triangle
These files are probably safe to delete because the operating system or your installed applications do not need these files to function.

Nevertheless, you might need these files yourself. If you delete any of them, make sure that you also create backups and keep them until you are sure you do not want to restore the files.

Related topics.


Remove read-only protection from the PowerClean dialog box
To remove read-only protection from the PowerClean dialog box

When you aren't working in the PowerClean dialog box follow these steps

1	On the UnInstaller main screen, click Options and select Settings.

2	Click the PowerClean tab.

3	Clear the check next to the Read-only mode check box.

When you have the PowerClean dialog box open, follow these steps:

1	Click Options and select Settings from the menu. The UnInstaller Settings dialog box appears with the PowerClean tab selected.

2.	Clean the check next to the Read-only mode check box.

To remind you that deleting items in the PowerClean dialog box might be risky, read-only mode is active when you first open the dialog box.

Related topics.


Find out what applications use a file
To find out what applications use a file

1	In the PowerClean dialog box file list, click the file name with your right mouse button.

2	Choose File Links from the menu that appears.

UnInstaller checks the SmartLinks database to find out what applications use the file and displays the information in the File Links dialog box. For an executable file, files that the executable file itself requires are also listed.

3	Click Print List to print the information for later reference.

Note:

This information is especially useful for identifying files required by applications, such as .DLLs, and applications or system components that use device driver files (.DRV).

Related topics.


Changing the file sort order in the PowerClean
To change the file sort order in the PowerClean dialog box

In either Detail or List view you can click one of the toolbar buttons that sort the file list.

In Detail view, click the header of the column you want to sort by. Click again to reverse the sort order.

In List view, click Arrange Icons on the View menu, and choose the sort category. You can sort by name, type, size, date, location, or color code.

Tips:

To change the size of a column, click on the column header divider and drag the divider to make the column wider or narrower.

To change the order in which columns appear, click in the middle of a column header and drag the entire header to the left or right until it is where you want it.

Related topics.


PowerClean tips

For more effective use of the PowerClean dialog box, consider these tips and tricks:

Protect folders that contain important files, and files with certain extensions, by specifying them in the General page of the Settings dialog box.

Protected files, and files in protected folders, are marked in the PowerClean file lists by [image], like operating system files, and cannot be deleted in the PowerClean dialog box, or by any UnInstaller wizard.

Create one or more custom file groups and use them to archive or delete old working files.

For example, you might create a custom file group called Letters, that contains all documents with file names that contain LET as the last three characters of the file name, such as AcmeLET.doc, SmithLET.doc, and so on. Then select all files in the group marked with [image], and click Archive from the Tools menu.

Adjust the position or size of the columns in the file list so that the important information is displayed closer to the file name. Click a column header and drag it to a new position, and collapse columns that you do not want to see by clicking the divider and dragging it to the left to reduce the size of the column.

To delete junk files quickly without backing them up but keep the backup file option on by default, select the flies and then click Permanent Delete (do not back up) from the shortcut menu or the File menu.

Related topics


Excluding files from UnInstaller actions

To prevent UnInstaller from deleting certain files, either add their extensions to the list of Protected Files or add the folder where they are stored to the Protected Folders list.

Specify Protected File Types and Protected Folders either in the General page of the Settings dialog box, or by re-running the Interview. Both options are available from the Options menu in the UnInstaller windows. To open the Settings dialog box, click Settings in Options menu. To re-run the Interview, click Interview.

To specify files that should never be deleted or moved, click Select in the Protected File Types group box.

To specify folders in which no files should be deleted or moved, click Select in the Protected Folders group box.

Note:

In the PowerClean dialog box, files that cannot be deleted either because they have a protected extension or because they are stored in a protected folder, are marked by [image], like operating system files.

Related topics


Using PowerClean menus
Using the PowerClean menus

The PowerClean dialog box menus provide useful file-manipulation commands.

In addition to the commands you expect, such as Open, Delete, and Print, the menus also provide these commands:

Useful commands on the File and file list shortcut menu:

Delete Permanently	Delete files without making a backup copy. This command lets you bypass the default backup. Files you delete with this command are removed immediately.

File Links	See a list of the files that use the selected file. If the file is an executable file, such as a DLL, the File Links dialog box also lists the files that the selected file needs.

Useful commands on the Tools menu:

Archive	Remove files and create archive copies that you can restore easily. You might use Archive in combination with a custom file group and make backups of your old working files.

Connect to Start menu	Add items to the Windows Start menu Programs list. You can add an executable file or a document associated with an application.

Create Custom Group	Define a custom file group that contains specified files of a specified type contained in a specified folder and its subfolders.

To click a menu command in a picture of a menu and read its description, click one of the menu names:

File menu

Edit menu

Tools menu

View menu

Options menu

Related topics.


Click a menu command to see information about when and how to use it.


Click a menu command to see information about when and how to use it.


Click a menu command to see information about when and how to use it.


Click a menu command to see information about when and how to use it.


Click a menu command to see information about when and how to use it.


Putting UnInstaller to work for you

UnInstaller wizards give you complete disk cleanup and application management capability.

UnInstaller wizards organize the work for you and ensure that you don't skip a step or make a mistake. For even more protection, by default UnInstaller wizards make backup copies of important deleted files so that you can restore them if you need them later.

What do you want to do?

Clean up my disks…

Free disk space.

Clean up unused files, shortcuts, and Registry settings.

Manage applications…

Move one of my applications to a new drive or folder.

Get rid of an old application.

Remove an application, but archive it so I can get it back whenever I want it.

Package an application so I can copy it with all its settings to another computer.

Monitor installing an application so that you can undo it later

Restore files or applications…

Restore an application I have backed up or archived.

Restore files I have deleted, but backed up.

Rebuild an application I packaged with the Transport wizard.

Undo installation of an application

See what UnInstaller has done…

Use the Reports dialog box


What is the SmartLinks database?

The SmartLinks database stores information about the files required by the operating system and each application on your computer.

It stores the name and location of all files required by the operating system. It also stores information about all of the files that each application requires to run correctly. This information includes icons, dynamically linked libraries (DLLs), and other executable files, as well as operating system files that are used by the application.

SmartLinks data makes using UnInstaller quick and safe. It ensures that applications can be safely and completely moved, archived, deleted, and transported, and it determines the files that can be safely deleted without damaging an application or the operating system.

The SmartLinks database is created as part of the UnInstaller installation process. Because building the SmartLinks database for the first time can take several minutes, it is built in the background as you perform other installation tasks.

UnInstaller updates the SmartLinks database:

Each time you start UnInstaller, information in the database is compared with new information on your computer.

Whenever you restore files or applications from UnInstaller backup copies. UnInstaller records changes that it has just made.

When you delete or archive files or applications.


Setting options with the User Interview
Using the interview to set options

You run the interview while you install UnInstaller and build the SmartLinks database for the first time.

The interview wizard lets you specify:

Which files associated with applications should never be deleted.

Which folders contain files that should never be deleted.

Whether you want to schedule Installation Monitor and QuickClean.

The interview is a quick way to specify files you want to exclude from all UnInstaller actions. All of the options set by the interview can be viewed or changed in the Settings dialog box.

To run the interview again, click Customization Interview in the Options menu in the main UnInstaller screen.

To change or view all settings, click Settings in the Options menu in the main UnInstaller screen.

Related topics.


Setting options with the Settings dialog box

Use the Settings dialog box to see the default settings created by the interview and to change them if they are not exactly what you want.

Use the General page of the Settings dialog box to specify:

The drives tracked by the SmartLinks database.

Folders that contain files you want to protect, and files of specified file types that you want to protect.

Use the Folders page of the Settings dialog box to specify:

The default directories for backups and archives, and the default drive for the package files created by the Transport wizard.

The cleanup file wizards, QuickClean and SpaceMaker, have their own pages in the Settings dialog box. A Settings page is available also for the BackTrack wizard where you can turn on Installation Monitor and specify how long BackTrack archives are kept. The application management wizards, Remove, Move, Archive, and Transport, use the defaults in the General and Folders pages of the Settings dialog box, but you can change these options when you run a wizard.

What do you want to do?

Set General options

Set PowerClean options

Set QuickClean options

Set SpaceMaker options

Set Installation Monitor options

Set Folder options


To schedule QuickClean

1	Click Options in the main UnInstaller window, then click Settings.

2	Click the QuickClean tab in the Settings dialog box.

3	In the QuickClean page, select the Run QuickClean in the background check box.

Then click Schedule to open the CyberMedia Agent Event Schedule dialog box.

4	Specify when you want QuickClean to run:

At an interval in minutes, hours, days or weeks.

After your computer has been running continuously for a number of minutes, hours, days or weeks.

At a specific time after a number of days or weeks.

Each time you start your computer.

Each time you shut down your computer.

Never.

5	Click OK to save the schedule.

Note:

To get more information about schedule options, click Help in the Event Schedule dialog box.

About QuickClean


Choosing an application-management wizard
Choosing a wizard to manage an application

UnInstaller wizards provide complete application-management capability.

Although the wizards are simple and safe enough for inexperienced computer users, knowledgeable computer users will also find these wizards useful.

This wizard...	Does this...

Remove	Uninstalls an application and removes it from your computer entirely. It can also delete data files that are associated with the application. If the wizard first makes a backup copy, you can change your mind later and restore the application.

When to use it...

How to use it...

Move	Moves an application from one drive or folder to another drive or folder on your local computer, or to a network drive.

When to use it...

How to use it...

Archive	Makes a backup copy of an application and removes it, but leaves all shortcuts on your computer. To restore the application quickly, either click its Programs list entry or any shortcut to it, or use the Restore wizard. You can also add associated data files to the archive.

When to use it..

How to use it...

Transport	Packages an application so that you can rebuild it with the same defaults on another computer. You can also add associated data files to the package.

When to use it...

How to use it...


When to remove an application

You might completely remove an application from your computer if you have:

A different, more useful application to perform the same tasks.

A shareware or demo application that you decided not to buy.

An application that is behaving so badly that you want to reinstall it from scratch.

An application that you no longer need.

Related topics.


When to move an application

You might relocate an application if you want to:

Move existing applications to a new, additional hard drive on your computer.

Free space by running an application from your network.

Reorganize application folders.


When to transport an application

You might package an application to rebuild on another computer in order to:

Create a copy of a desktop computer application on a laptop computer.

The Transport wizard creates a compressed file that contains an entire application, including its option and Registry setting information. You can use this file to make sure that you are using an application with the same settings on all of your work and home computers.

Move an application to a new computer.

Avoid time-consuming application-setup time when you buy a new computer. Use the Transport wizard to install your old applications with the same option settings.

Warming:

Make sure that the application license agreement permits you to install the application on more than one computer.

Related topics.


To rebuild a transported application

1	On the computer where you want to rebuild the transported application, make the Transport package file available in one of the following ways:

Insert the first disk of the disk set that contains the Transport package file into the disk drive. If you are using a large removable disk, such as a Zip disk, you will have only one disk.

Connect to the network server and folder where you stored the package file.

2	Double-click the name of the package file in the Explorer file list to start the rebuilding wizard.

3	Follow instructions that appear in the wizard screens to recreate the transported application on the new computer.

Note:

The rebuilt application will be set up exactly like the original copy of the application.

Related topics.


When to archive an application

You might remove an application from your computer and create an archive copy if you:

Think you might need the application again.

Use the Archive wizard and retain shortcuts if you are not sure that you want to get rid of an application entirely, instead of using the Remove wizard and creating a backup file.

Want to free space on your computer by removing an application temporarily.

If you need disk space to perform a task that requires a large amount of temporary space, you can archive applications to free the space. Then you can quickly restore the applications when you no longer need their disk space.

Want to store useful applications that you rarely use.

If you have old games or specialized programs, use the Archive wizard to free disk space, and keep the shortcuts and other entry points for the programs available from your desktop.

Note:

UnInstaller keeps track of applications that you have archived. Their shortcuts and Start menu Programs list entries remain in place. When you click the shortcut or Programs list entry for an archived application, a message box appears, telling you that UnInstaller has archived the application and asking if you want to restore it.

You can also use the Restore wizard to restore archived applications.

Related topics.


When to monitor application setup
When to monitor application installation

If you run the Installation Monitor in the background while you install applications, you can be sure that UnInstaller has complete and accurate information about the program and all of its components.

This information makes it possible for UnInstaller to:

Remove the application completely later.

Maintain a full record of all file dependencies for the program.

Related topics


Monitoring application installation
To monitor application installation

Choose either continuous background monitoring for installation programs, or one-time installation monitoring for a specific application.

For background installation monitoring:

To set up continuous background installation monitoring, click Options, then select Settings in the UnInstaller main window. Then click the BackTrack tab in the Settings dialog box.

Specify either or both of the monitoring options.

To make sure that Installation Monitor is running in the background, right-click the CyberMedia Agent icon [image] in the taskbar, and choose What's Scheduled on the menu that appears.

Click Installation Monitor in the list of UnInstaller events. Then click Schedule, and verify that the Installation Monitor is scheduled to run As-you-work.

For one-time application-installation monitoring, follow these steps:

1	Click BackTrack in the UnInstaller main window.

2	Click Monitor to start the Installation Monitor.

3	In the Installation Monitor dialog box, click Browse to find and select the installation program you want to monitor.

Installation programs usually have names like Setup.exe, or CDSetup.exe. The instructions for installing the application usually tell you the name of the installation program.

4	Click Monitor to start the installation.

Related topics


When to use BackTrack

If you used Installation Monitor to monitor an application installation, use BackTrack to undo the installation if:

You realize that you have installed the wrong version of an application or the wrong application.

If you download an application from the Internet, you might not realize that you are installing a version or application that you do not want. BackTrack can undo the installation and let you re-install correctly.

The installed application seems to be causing problems with other applications on your system.

Sometimes other applications on your system start to act in an unusual way after you install a new application. If you have monitored the installation of the new application, you can use BackTrack to restore your computer to the state it was in just before you installed the new application.

Related topics


Reversing monitored application installation
To reverse the installation of a monitored application

If Installation Monitor tracked file and Registry changes when you installed an application, you can use BackTrack to reverse the installation, and restore the state of your computer just as it was before you installed the application.

To undo installing an application:

1	Click BackTrack in the UnInstaller window.

2	Select the BackTrack archive for the application installation you want to undo.

3	After you select the BackTrack backup file and click Next, BackTrack evaluates the backup to find out how much your computer has changed since you installed the application. Then BackTrack evaluates the safety of restoring from the backup.

If restoring from the backup is not recommended, then the state of your computer has changed too much for it to be safe to undo the installation completely. If you choose to restore from this backup, only safe changes will be made. Your computer might not be completely restored to its pre-installation state.

If you are an experienced computer user, you might be able to restore your computer to its pre-installation state, but you do this at your own risk.

Click Details, examine each item carefully, and evaluate the risk in replacing or removing it from your computer.

If restoring from the backup is recommended, then installation will be completely undone.

4	If it is safe to undo the application, click Next, and let the wizard guide you through undoing the installation.

If it is not safe, cancel the BackTrack wizard and use the Remove wizard to get rid of the application.

Related topics


Choose a file and disk-space management wizard
Choosing a file and disk-space management wizard

UnInstaller provides two wizards that free disk space by getting rid of files that you don't need.

QuickClean 	This wizard deletes only files you certainly don't need, such as Internet junk and temporary files. QuickClean is so safe and simple that you can schedule it to run automatically.

Files deleted by QuickClean are not backed up and cannot be restored.

SpaceMaker	This wizard lets you specify other kinds of files that can be deleted to free the amount of disk space that you need.

You can specify which files SpaceMaker backs up before it deletes them, so that you can restore files later.

Tell me how to…

Run the QuickClean wizard.

Schedule QuickClean to run automatically.

Run the SpaceMaker wizard.


To restore a backed-up file
To restore deleted and backed-up files

1	Click Restore in the UnInstaller main window. The Restore wizard opens.

2	From the list of backup and archive files that appears in the first Restore wizard page, select the backup that contains the files you want to restore.

To see what files the backup or archive contains, click Report.

If you deleted a file with the SpaceMaker wizard or if you deleted it from the PowerClean dialog box, you can restore the file only if you also created a backup copy.

3	In the second Restore wizard screen, the list box displays the names of all files that can be restored from this backup.

Select the files you want to restore.

4	In the third Restore wizard screen, choose whether to:

Confirm restoring each file

Replace files in the restoration folders if they already exist. You can choose to replace all files, to replace only older files, or never to replace files.

The default is "Only replace older files with newer files".

5	Click Restore to begin restoring the files.

6	When the files are restored, the wizard displays a summary page, reporting its actions.

To see a complete report, and print or save information to a file, click Reports.

Related topics.


Getting rid of unnecessary files in Windows 98

If you have installed the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system on your computer, you can benefit from UnInstaller which integrates seamlessly with Windows 98. Using the Windows 98 Disk Cleanup feature, you not only benefit from the many useful scans provided by Microsoft, but gain the superior Registry and file system cleanup capabilities offered by UnInstaller.

Windows 98 monitors how much free space you have on your hard disk . When it becomes too full, the operating system sends a "low-disk space" message and launches the Disk Cleanup feature. From there you have access to the UnInstaller PowerClean feature.


Ensuring system file safety

UnInstaller is extremely careful about removing operating system files from your computer. Whether you are using Windows 95, Windows NT, or Windows 98, UnInstaller knows which files it should never remove, which files it can safely remove, and when to warn you that it is about to remove files so that you can decide how to proceed.


Working with the Windows 98 file system

The programs that you need to use and operate your computer are stored on the computer's hard drive. Because you install more and larger programs, hard drive manufacturers are building high-capacity drives to accommodate the demand for more storage space. Whereas in the past, disk storage capacity was measured in megabytes (millions of bytes), it is not uncommon today to buy a computer with a hard drive that provides gigabytes (billions of bytes) of storage space.

Your computer's operating system must be able to use the space efficiently on these larger disk drives to store your programs and data. Microsoft developed the FAT32 file system, which is part of the Windows 98 operating system, to allow data to be stored with as little wasted space as possible on high-capacity hard drives.

Because UnInstaller must deal directly with the file system on you computer, UnInstaller has been designed to be fully compatible with Windows 98 and FAT32. You can safely use UnInstaller in the Windows 98 operating system environment just as you can in Windows 95.


Removing an application

UnInstaller offers flexible choices for removing entire applications or just specific components of an application. If you select a shortcut to a program, just that component and all its specific references and dependencies will be removed. If you select an application subfolder from the Start Menu all the programs within that folder and all their references and dependencies will be removed.

How the remove process works depends on how you choose to remove the application.

Using UnInstaller to remove an application.

Using an applications uninstall feature.

More about Remove and Restore


Archiving an application

UnInstaller offers flexible choices for archiving entire applications or just specific components of an application. If you select a shortcut to a program, just that component and all its specific references and dependencies will be stored. If you select an application subfolder from the Start Menu all the programs within that folder and all their references and dependencies will be stored.

Step one

Select the application to archive.

If the application has an entry in the Windows Start menu Programs list, or a shortcut on the desktop,  select it from one of the two groups, Applications on the Desktop and Applications in the Start Menu.

If the application is not included in the Programs list or on the desktop, then click Browse to find application programs, which have the extension .EXE, and choose the one you want to archive.

Step two

If the application has any associated data or document files, such as .DOC files for Microsoft Word or saved game files for a computer game, you can choose to archive these files with the application.

To see a list of files that will be archived and removed, click Details.

Do not change the selection of any files except those listed in the Data Files category. In order to archive an application so that it can be restored, all of the files in the Main Program File and Related DLLs categories must be included in the archive. Shortcuts and Registry entries remain on your computer so that you can restore the application quickly.

Step three

Specify the drive and folder where the archive copy will be stored.

To browse for a drive and folder name instead of typing it in the text box, click Browse.

Tip:

It is easier to archive applications to a location that is large enough to contain the entire compressed archive file. Large removable disks, such as Zip disks, are useful for this purpose. Nevertheless, you can create an archive file that spans several floppy disks.

If you use high-density floppy disks, after the Archive wizard compresses the application for the archive file, it will tell you how many formatted disks you will need. You can choose to continue or stop the Archive process.

If the archive file spans more than one floppy disk, be sure to label each disk so that you know the order in which you will have to insert them to restore the application.

Enter a name and description for the archive. The name that you enter will appear in file lists of the folder where the archive is stored as well as in the Restore wizard screen. The description information also appears in the Restore wizard screen and helps you identify the archive.

Choose whether to confirm archiving each file.

When you click Archive, the wizard begins to create the application archive and remove the application from its installed location.

Step four

The wizard displays information about the drive and folder of the archive file and the amount of disk space freed.

To see a detailed report of archived files, click Report.

More about Archive


Relocating an application

Although UnInstaller allows you to move entire applications or just specific components of an application, it is recommended that you always move the entire application. If you select a shortcut to a program, just that component and all its specific references and dependencies will be moved. If you select an application subfolder from the Start Menu all the programs within that folder and all their references and dependencies will be moved.

Step one

Select the application to move.

If the application has an entry in the Windows Start menu Programs list, or a shortcut on the desktop, select it from one of the two groups, Applications on the Desktop and Applications in the Start Menu.

If the application is not included in the Programs list or on the desktop, then click Browse to find application programs, which have the extension .EXE, and choose the one you want to move.

Step two

Specify the drive and folder where you want to move the application.

To browse for a drive and folder name instead of typing it in the text box, click Browse.

To see a list of application files that will be moved, click Details.

Do not change the selection of files in the list. You must move all application files for the application to run correctly.

Step three

The wizard displays summary information.

To see a detailed report of moved files, click Report.

More about Move


Transporting an application

UnInstaller offers flexible choices for transporting entire applications or just specific components of an application. If you select a shortcut to a program, just that component and all its specific references and dependencies will be included in the transport. If you select an application subfolder from the Start Menu all the programs within that folder and all their references and dependencies will be included in the transport.

You can also include document files in the Transport package file. If you choose a folder in the application, just the files in that folder and any thing that they depend on to function correctly will be included in the transport package.

The Transport wizard does not make any changes to the copy of the application on your computer. It only creates a Transport package file that you can use to rebuild the application on another computer.

Caution:

Make sure that your application license permits you to run the application on more than one computer.

Step one

Select the application to transport.

If the application has an entry in the Windows Start menu Programs list, or a shortcut on the desktop,  select it from one of the two groups, Applications on the Desktop and Applications in the Start Menu.

If the application is not included in the Programs list or on the desktop, then click Browse to find application programs, which have the extension .EXE, and choose the one you want to archive.

Step two

If the application has any associated data or document files, such as .DOC files for Microsoft Word and so on, you can choose to transport these files with the application.

To see a list of files that will be included in the Transport package file, click Details.

You can tailor the list of data or document files so that only documents or templates that you will need on the new computer are included in the Transport package file. Do not deselect any application files.

Step three

Specify the drive and folder for the Transport package file.

To browse for a drive and folder name instead of typing it in the text box, click Browse.

Note:

Make sure that you specify a drive that contains a disk that you can use on the machine where you want to install the transported application.

Click Transport to start creating the package file.

If you have specified a 3.5-inch floppy drive as the file location, after it compresses the application for the package file, the a message box appears to tell you how many formatted disks you will need to store the package file. You can choose to continue or stop the Transport process.

If the package file spans more than one floppy disk, be sure to label each disk so that you know the order in which to insert them to rebuild the transported application.

Step four

The wizard displays information about the drive and folder of the transport file.

To see a detailed report of files in the Transport package, click Report.

More about Transport


Freeing disk space with SpaceMaker

The SpaceMaker wizard frees space on one of your disk drives, either a certain amount of space or as much space as possible.

Step one

Choose the drive where you want to free space. You can choose any disk you can write files to, including floppy disks and other removable disks.

Choose whether to free as much space as possible or enter the number of megabytes of space you want to free. Enter fractions of megabytes as decimal numbers. For example, if you want to free 6 MB of disk space, enter 6 in the text box.

Note:

Always enter whole numbers in this text box, and start with a number greater than 5.

Step two

Select the categories of files that can be deleted to free space.

To change the file types included in each category or to change the age files must be to be deleted, click Settings.

When you click Next, the wizard shows you the number of files it will delete and the amount of space it will recover.

Step three

Choose whether to create a backup of all deleted files and whether to confirm deleting each file.

It is a good idea to create a backup of all deleted files. You can specify that the backup copies be stored on a different drive from the drive where you are freeing space. Backup copies are compressed and often take up only half as much space, or less, as the uncompressed originals. If you back up deleted files, it is easy to use the Restore wizard to get one or more of them back. When you are sure you do not need the files, you can delete the backup.

To see the list of files to be deleted and cancel the selection of some of them, click Details.

Click Delete to free space.

Step four

The wizard displays a list of the files it deleted and tells you how much disk space was freed and where the backup copies were created, if you selected that option.

From the final wizard screen you can display a full report that you can save to a file or print, or undo the wizard actions if you chose to create a backup.

About other wizards


Cleaning your computer with QuickClean

The QuickClean wizard gets rid of unnecessary files, such as Internet junk files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes references in the Registry to applications that are no longer installed on your computer.

QuickClean is designed to be set up with defaults so safe that it can run automatically on a schedule. But you can also run it manually at any time by clicking QuickClean in the main UnInstaller screen.

Step one

Select the cleaners you want to run. As you select each cleaner, you see information in the Cleaner Description box about what it does.

As soon as you click Next, the wizard begins analyzing you system.

Step two

The wizard analyzes files and Registry entries to determine what can be safely removed.

To stop this analysis at any point, click Stop.

Step three

The wizard lists the items that each cleaner can remove.

Click Details to see a complete report.

Click Close to exit the report and return to the wizard page, then click Clean to start deleting files.

Step four

The wizard deletes the files.

Step five

The wizard summarizes the items that each cleaner deleted and the space that was regained.

Click Details to see a complete report.

Note:

If you run QuickClean after using UnInstaller to launch an application's uninstall feature, QuickClean will perform a special cleaning scan called "Post Uninstall Cleaner". This cleaner only runs in this situation and will remove any files and folders that may have been left behind on your hard drive by the application's own uninstall feature.

Warning:

Deleted files are not backed up. You cannot restore files deleted by QuickClean.

Scheduling QuickClean


Using BackTrack

The BackTrack wizard will undo installation of an application if you monitored its installation with Installation Monitor.

Step one

To undo a monitored application installation, click Next.

If you started BackTrack because you want to monitor an application installation, click Monitor to open the Installation Monitor dialog box and specify the application program to monitor.

Step two

Choose the archive from the list in the second wizard screen and click Next.

If no archives appear, click Browse to find the folder where you stored the backup file created by Installation Monitor.

Step three

The third wizard screen displays status information about the archive you selected. BackTrack backup files are rated as:

Recommended

You can use these backups to completely restore your computer's pre-installation state.

Not Recommended

If restoring from the backup file is not recommended, BackTrack has determined that serious problems might result from trying to restore your computer to its complete pre-installation state. You can safely use Not Recommended backup files to restore some of your computer's original state, but no risky changes will be made.

If you are an expert computer user, and are willing to proceed at your own risk, then click Details and examine each file to see what changes might be made, evaluate the consequences, and select or deselect items to restore.

If you cannot use the archive file created by Installation Monitor, cancel the BackTrack wizard and use the Remove wizard to uninstall the application in the usual way.

If you decide to use the selected archive to restore your computer to its pre-installation state, click Next.

Step four

BackTrack displays its progress as it restores your system to its pre-installation state. When it has finished its restoration, it displays summary information.

Related topics


The Settings dialog box General page
The General page of the Settings dialog box

Use this page to set basic options for PowerClean and the UnInstaller wizards.

Set this option...	To control...

Drives to Scan	The drives where you want the SmartLinks database to track files.

Protected File Types	The list of file types that appears when you click Select was created by the interview wizard that you ran when you installed UnInstaller. If you did not specify any applications whose files you wanted to protect, you can either enter extensions in the Protected File Types dialog box, or you can run the interview wizard again by clicking Customization Interview in the UnInstaller Options menu.

Protected Folders	Files in protected folders will never be deleted by any UnInstaller wizard or dialog box.

The folder list that appears in the Protected Folders dialog box was created when you ran the interview wizard during UnInstaller installation. Click Select to open the Protected Folders dialog box. Then click Add to browse for folders to protect.

Files in subfolders of protected folders are also protected.

Note:

Protected files and files in protected folders are marked by [image] in the PowerClean dialog box. They cannot be deleted. If you want to delete some of these files, you must first remove them from the Protected File Types or Protected Folders lists.

Related topics


The Settings dialog box PowerClean page
The PowerClean page of the Settings dialog box

Options in this page apply only to the PowerClean dialog box.

Set these options...	To control...

Date thresholds	How old files must be before they can be deleted. The Accessed Date Threshold should be either the same as the Modified Date Threshold or less.

Create backup of deleted files
Clear the check if you want PowerClean to delete files without making backup copies.

Read-only mode	Clear the check to turn off read-only mode so that you can delete files or settings.

Never delete items marked in red
Whether items marked with [image] can be deleted. Items marked with [image] can never be deleted, regardless of the setting of this option.

Internet options	What folders hold files cached by your Internet browser or downloaded from the Internet. Click Download Folders to specify download folders. Click Cache Folders to specify cache folders.

UnInstaller detects these folders automatically for Netscape, Microsoft, and America OnLine browsers.

Duplicate file options	Whether duplicate files must have the same file name, size, and date, or only the same file name and size, or only the same file name.

Related topics


The Settings dialog box QuickClean page
The QuickClean page of the Settings dialog box

Options on this page set up the QuickClean wizard so that you can run it automatically on a schedule.

Choose whether to:

Remove files that accumulate as you browse the Internet. These files are stored in folders called Internet Cache folders.

Delete Windows Registry information, shortcuts, and system file references for applications that no longer exist on your computer,

Delete temporary files.

When you select a cleaner name, the Cleaner Description information tells you what the cleaner does.

To specify the time or interval when QuickClean should run, select Run QuickClean in the background and click Schedule to open the CyberMedia Agent Event Schedule dialog box.

Note:

Files deleted by QuickClean are not backed up, and cannot be restored.

Related topics


The Settings dialog box SpaceMaker page
The SpaceMaker page of the Settings dialog box

Options on this page apply only to the SpaceMaker wizard.

Set these options...	To control...

Date thresholds	How old files must be before they can be deleted. The Accessed Date Threshold should be either the same as the Modified Date Threshold, or less.

Backup copy options	Specify which categories of deleted files you want to back up. It is not necessary to back up Internet junk files because they are automatically recreated on your computer when you revisit Internet sites. You might back up other kinds of files in case you want them again.

Related topics


The Settings dialog box BackTrack page
The BackTrack page of the Settings dialog box

Choose either or both of the options on this page to run BackTrack Monitor in the background as you work. If no options are selected, BackTrack Monitor does not run in the background.

Dialog box options:

Programs that match a specific name

Typical installation programs, such as Setup.exe, that you might run from your CD drive. Click File Names to see a list of these programs, or add to the list.

Compressed and InstallShield files
Installation from self-extracting compressed files. Such files are often used when you download applications to install from the Internet.

Number of days to keep BackTrack archives for
The number of days that you want to keep BackTrack information on your hard drive before it is automatically deleted. You should allow yourself enough time to be sure that you will not want to return you computer its previous settings.

Related topics


The Settings dialog box Folders page
The Folders page of the Settings dialog box

Specify the default locations for backup, Archive, Transport, and BackTrack Monitor compressed files.

The original default location is the Backup subfolder of the CyberMedia UnInstaller program directory. This is a good location for the BackTrack Monitor backup files and backup files that you create as insurance against data loss.

Archive wizard files, however, should probably be stored by default on a large removable disk drive, such as a Zip drive, if your computer has one. Transport wizard package files must be stored on a disk or connected network drive that you can access from the computer where you will rebuild the application.

Note:

Each time you run the Archive, Transport, Remove, or SpaceMaker wizards, you can specify a different location for the compressed file.

Related topics


When to use the Restore wizard

If backups were made by the wizard or PowerClean and the backups are still available, the Restore wizard can restore:

Files deleted by PowerClean and SpaceMaker.

In PowerClean you can choose Permanent Delete to delete files without making any backup even if backups are the default. In SpaceMaker, you can specify that only certain kinds of deleted files be backed up.

Files deleted when applications were removed or archived.

You can restore one or more files from the backup of a removed application, or an entire archived application.

Removed applications.

You can restore any application that you removed, if you also made a backup copy and have not deleted the backup.

Archived applications.

If you click a shortcut to an archived application, a message box appears, telling you that the application has been archived and asking if you want to restore it.

Note:

You do not use the Restore wizard to:

Rebuild a Transported application. Double-click the Transport package file name in the Windows Explorer file list.

Undo installation of an application monitored by Installation Monitor. Click BackTrack in the main UnInstaller window.

Return a moved application to its original location. Run the Move wizard again and move it back.

Related topics


Restoring an application

Use the Restore wizard to restore archived or backed up applications and files to their original location and state, and also to delete old backups or archives that you are sure you no longer need.

You cannot restore removed applications or deleted files unless a backup copy was made at the time they were removed or deleted.

Step one

The Restore wizard list box displays the names of the backup and archive files in the current backup folder. The backup and archive files are listed in chronological order, the most recent first.

To see what files the backup or archive contains, click Report.

To find other backup or archive folders if you do not see the backup or archive file you want, click Browse. When you select a different folder, archive or backup files stored in it will appear in the Restore wizard list.

To delete a backup or archive file that you no longer want, select the file in the list and click Delete. You are prompted to confirm deleting the file.

Step two

The files contained in the backup or archive you selected appear in the second Restore wizard screen.

By default, all files are selected. Clear the check next to the file name to deselect files, or click Deselect All to deselect all files and then select only a few files in the list manually.

If you are restoring an application, do not deselect any files. To make sure that the restored application will run correctly, restore all of its files.

Step three

Choose one of these options:

Only replace older files with newer files
If you are restoring just a few miscellaneous files, choose this option if you might have created newer versions of these files and do not want to replace them with older files of the same name.

Always replace existing files
Choose this option if you are restoring an application. Replacing all files ensures that all application files will be the same version.

Never replace existing files
Choose this option to keep any file that has the same name.

Specify whether you want to confirm replacing files.

To begin restoring files, click Restore.

Step four

The summary screen tells you how many files were restored, and how much disk space was used.

To see a detailed report, click Reports.

To return to the main UnInstaller window, click Close.

After you close the Restore wizard, the SmartLinks database is updated to record the restored files or application.

Note:

The Restore wizard cannot undo a monitored application installation. Click BackTrack in the main UnInstaller window to undo an application installation that the Installation Monitor has monitored.

Related topics


Using the Reports dialog box

The Reports dialog box displays numeric and graphic information about actions performed in the PowerClean dialog box and by UnInstaller wizards.

When you first open the Reports dialog box you see information from the Master Log in all pages.

The information that appears depends on whether you are viewing Master Log totals, or have chosen a specific action report.

To see information about a specific action, click Open. Then choose the action from the list that appears, and click OK.

Summary page

This page shows numeric data about the total number of files affected, the total size of files moved, compressed, or deleted, the disk-space savings, and so on. The pie chart on the right shows the percent of disk space regained by the selected action if you are viewing a specific action report, or by all UnInstaller actions, if you are viewing Master Log information.

Report Log page

This page lists all changes made by the wizard or in the PowerClean dialog box if you are viewing a specific action report.

If you are viewing Master Log information, you see a list of available action reports. Click Open to chose an action report to view.

Disk Analysis and File Analysis pages

The Disk Analysis page displays the percent of total disk space regained by deleting, moving, or archiving files in each file category. The File Analysis displays the total number of files in each category.


The Open Report dialog box

Each page of the Reports dialog box shows graphical and statistical information about the selected log.

To view information in a log, click the name of either an event log or the master log.


The PowerClean Move or Copy dialog box
Using the Move or Copy dialog box

The same dialog box is used for both moving and copying the files that you selected in the PowerClean file list. The default action specified by the Operation radio buttons is determined by whether you clicked Copy to or Move to.

Dialog box options:

Files and folders	The selected items appear in the list.

To Folder	The destination drive and folder for the selected items. To change the destination, either click Browse and select a drive and folder, or type a drive and folder name in the text box.

Operation	To copy files, select the Copy radio button.
To move files, select the Move radio button.


The PowerClean Archive dialog box
Using the Archive dialog box

Use the Archive dialog box to create an UnInstaller archive of the files you selected in the PowerClean file list.

Dialog box options:

Destination folder	The default archive location appears here. Type a different drive and folder path or click Browse to select a drive and folder.

Description of archive	Enter a description in this text box that will help you identify the archived files in the Restore wizard list. Replace the default text with up to 64 characters to provide more information about the contents of the archive.

Delete original files	The default is to delete files after they have been stored in an archive.

To keep the original files, clear the check next to Delete original files after creating archive.

Note:

Archived files can be restored only by the UnInstaller Restore wizard.


Using the PowerClean Custom Group dialog box
Using the Custom Group dialog box

The Custom Group dialog box appears when you choose Create Custom Group or Edit Custom Group from the PowerClean dialog box menus.

Dialog box options:

Group name	Replace the text in this box with a name that describes the new group, such as "TIFF files", or "1997 Spreadsheets."

Search for files named	Enter the specifications of files to include in the group. Separate multiple pathnames with semicolons (;).You can use wildcards in the file specifications. For example, you might enter AV*.TIF, or 97*.XLS.

Search in	Enter the top level folder of the path you want to search for the files you have specified. You can enter only one path specification. To search all files on a drive, enter the root level of the drive, such as C:\.

Click Browse to use a dialog box to locate a drive and folder instead of typing the name.

Search subfolders	Select this checkbox to search subfolders of the folder you entered in the Search in textbox. Clear the check to find files only in the specified folder.


Using the PowerClean Customize Toolbar dialog box
Using the Customize Toolbar dialog box

Use the Customize Toolbar dialog box to add or remove buttons from the PowerClean dialog box toolbar.

To add a button, select it in the Available Buttons list, and click Add.

To remove a button, select it in the Toolbar Buttons list, and click Remove.

To adjust the position of a button in the toolbar, select the button in the Toolbar Buttons list, and click Move Up to move the button up in the list, or Move Down to move the button down in the list.

Moving a button up moves it to the left in the toolbar. Moving it down moves it to the right.

To restore the toolbar to the PowerClean default, click Reset.


Using the PowerClean Print dialog box
Using the Print dialog box

The Print dialog box appears when you choose Print List from the File Links dialog box or from the PowerClean dialog box.

To print more than one copy of the list, enter a higher number in the Copies text box.

To select a different printer, click Print Setup.


Using the File Links dialog box

The File Links dialog box displays the list of files that the selected file uses and is used by.

If more than one file is selected the file list, the File Links dialog box displays information about the first selected file only.

To print the information that appears in the dialog box, click Print List.


The Advanced Details dialog box
Details dialog box

This dialog box displays the files that will be removed, transported, archived, or moved by the wizard.

Files are grouped in categories. To see the files in a category, click the + next to the category name.

If you are transporting or archiving an application, do not change the selection of any files in the Main Program File, Related DLLs, Program Shortcuts, or Registry Entries categories. All of these files must be included for the application to be rebuilt correctly.

If you are removing an application, you can change the selection of files, but if you do, the application will not be completely removed.

If documents are included in the Data Files category, you can change their selection.

If you are moving an application from one folder or drive to another, you cannot select which files to move. The wizard relocates everything.

Information about wizards


Using Installation Monitor

In this dialog box you specify the installation program you want to monitor, and click Monitor.

To browse for a drive, folder, and installation program, click Browse.

When you click Monitor, Installation Monitor performs these steps:

1	It records the state of your computer before installation begins.

2	It starts the installation program.

You run the installation program as you ordinarily would, making installation and configuration choices.

3	When the installation is complete, Installation Monitor compresses tracked installation information into a BackTrack backup file and asks you to provide a descriptive name for the file.

If you want to restore your computer to its pre-installation state, click BackTrack in the UnInstaller window and choose this backup file to undo the installation.

Note:

You can start Installation Monitor from the first page of the BackTrack wizard, from the Windows Start menu Programs list for UnInstaller, and from CyberMedia Agent.

Related topics


Technical support information for users without Internet connections
Technical support information

You can get online technical support information directly from CyberMedia through its World Wide Web site, www.cybermedia.com.

Send e-mail to support@cybermedia.com or to the customer support representatives for your country.

For a complete list of customer support telephone numbers and addresses, please refer to Appendix A of the UnInstaller manual, "Getting Started."


Using the application uninstall feature
Using an application's uninstall feature

Most well-designed applications have an uninstall program, and UnInstaller has detected that the application you have chosen does. You can choose:

Yes	If you choose to use the selected application's uninstall feature, UnInstaller scans your computer to determine which files and Registry entries should be removed. After this scan is complete, UnInstaller launches the application's uninstall program. You may be required to reboot your computer to complete the uninstall process. After rebooting, UnInstaller can optionally run a "cleanup" scan to see if the files and Registry were thoroughly cleaned and delete anything that the application's uninstall feature may have left behind.

Note:

If you choose Yes, UnInstaller waits until the application's uninstall program finishes removing the application. However, in rare cases, UnInstaller may think the program has finished when it really hasn't. If this happens, you can press ALT+TAB until you have reselected the uninstall feature and complete the removal.

No	If the application's uninstall feature fails for any reason, you can always rely on UnInstaller to do the job. UnInstaller uses its own removal logic to uninstall the selected application.


Cleaning up after using an application uninstall program
Cleaning up after using an application's uninstall program

Because not all uninstall programs are as thorough as UnInstaller, UnInstaller can optionally check to ensure that the uninstall program did a good job removing the files and Registry entries associated with the application from your hard. You can choose:

Yes	UnInstaller will check you computer to see if the file system and Registry were thoroughly cleaned and remove anything that the application's uninstall program left behind.

No	UnInstaller does nothing.


Using UnInstaller to remove an application

Follow these steps to have the Remove wizard get rid of the unwanted application

Step one

Select the application to remove.

If the application has an entry in the Windows Start menu Programs list, or a shortcut on the desktop, select it from one of the two groups, Applications on the Desktop and Applications in the Start Menu.

If the application is not included in the Programs list or on the desktop, click Browse to find application programs, which have the extension .EXE, and choose the one you want to remove.

Step two

If the application has any associated data files, such as .DOC files for Microsoft Word and so on, you can choose to delete these files when you remove the application. If you can use the data files only in the application that you are removing, then you might as well delete them to free disk space.

To see a list of files that will be removed, click Details.

Although you can change the selection of files, we recommend that you accept the list exactly as the wizard has created it. To remove an application cleanly, all of the application files must be deleted.

If you chose to remove associated data or document files, however, you can change their selection to keep any files in the Data Files category.

Choose whether to create a backup copy of the removed application so that you can restore it if you change your mind, and whether to confirm deleting each file.

When you click Remove, the wizard begins to remove the application. It displays its progress as it works. At any time, you can click Stop to end the wizard action.

Step three

The wizard displays summary information.

To see a detailed report of deleted files, click Report.

To undo the removal of the application, click Undo. You can undo a removal only if you chose to create a backup.


Using an applications uninstall feature
Using an application's uninstall feature

Most well-designed applications come with an uninstall program to complement its required installation (or setup) program. If UnInstaller detects that the application that you are trying to remove has its own uninstall program, it offers you the choice of using it or using the Remove wizard.

Because not all uninstall programs are as thorough as UnInstaller, UnInstaller can optionally perform a cleanup scan to remove files that the application's own uninstall program may have left behind on your hard drive.

Step one

Select the application to remove.

If the application has an entry in the Windows Start menu Programs list, or a shortcut on the desktop, select it from one of the two groups, Applications on the Desktop and Applications in the Start Menu.

If UnInstaller detects that the object you have selected has its own uninstall feature, UnInstaller asks you if you want to use it instead of the Remove wizard.

Step two

If you choose to use the application's uninstall feature, UnInstaller will scan your computer to determine what should be removed. After this quick scan, the application's uninstall feature starts.

Note:

After launching the application's uninstall feature, UnInstaller hides and waits until the uninstall process is complete before displaying the final summary page. In some instances, UnInstaller may not be able to detect completion and may appear before the uninstall feature is finished. If this happens, just click in the uninstall feature's window to finish uninstalling the application. You can also press ALT+TAB to return to the uninstall process.

Step three

On the final summary page, you can optionally run QuickClean to perform a series of "post-uninstall" scans to make sure that the application's uninstall feature thoroughly cleaned your computer's file system and Registry.


Select All

Selects all file names in the file list.


Invert Selection

Selects all currently unselected file names in the file list, and deselects all currently selected file names.


Undo

Uses the last backup file to restore the most recent set of deleted files.

To undo earlier actions, click Restore in the main UnInstaller window and select the backup or archive file for the action.

Note:

If files were deleted by the Permanent Delete command, they are not included in any backup and cannot be recovered.


Open

Opens the currently selected file in its associated application, or runs the file if it is executable.


Quick View

Displays the currently selected file in the Viewer tab pane.

The Viewer pane displays a message instead of an image if a viewer for the selected file is not available.

If there is no viewer for the file, you might be able to open the file in its associated application.


Properties

Opens the Properties dialog box for the selected file.


Move to

Opens the Move to/Copy to dialog box so that you can specify a new location for the selected file or files.

The Move to/Copy to dialog box lets you change your mind, and copy files instead of moving them.


Copy to

Opens the Move to/Copy to dialog box so that you can specify a location for copies of the selected file or files.

The Move to/Copy to dialog box lets you change your mind, and move files instead of making copies of them.


Permanent Delete

Deletes the selected file or files without making a backup and without moving the files to the Recycle Bin.

You cannot select Undo to reverse the action of deleting files permanently.


Delete

Deletes the selected file or files and makes a backup if you have specified default backups for deleted files.

To specify backups for deleted files, click Settings on the Options menu and make sure that Create backup of deleted files is checked.


Rename

Opens a text box around the selected file name so that you can type a different name for the file.


File Links

Scans the SmartLinks database and displays a list of files that use the selected file, as well as files that the selected file uses.

You can print this list for reference.


Print List

Lets you print a list of the files in the current file list, including the file names, sizes, dates, DOS attributes, and locations.

Opens the Print dialog box, where you can choose a printer and a number of copies to print.

To make sure that all information for each file is printed, click Print Setup and choose Landscape in the Orientation section.


Print File

Prints the selected file, if it can be printed by an application on your computer.


View Report

Opens the Reports dialog box, which automatically shows detailed information about the most recent action in the PowerClean dialog box.

The Report pane of the PowerClean dialog box shows only the backup or archived file actions.

In the Reports dialog box you can choose any event you performed in UnInstaller and view detailed information about it.

For example, if you delete some files from the Lost Cluster file group, and some files from the Help Files category, and then click Undo on the Edit menu to restore the deleted help files, you see only the two deleted file actions in the Report pane. But if you click View Report, you see detailed information about the files that were restored, and you can click Open to choose any other UnInstaller event.


Exit

Closes the PowerClean dialog box and returns to the main UnInstaller screen.


Settings

Opens the PowerClean page of the Settings dialog box.

You set these options in the PowerClean page:

How old files must be to be deleted

Whether deleted files are backed up

Whether you can delete files marked with the red circle

When you are warned about deleting files

Whether duplicate files are files with the same file name, date and size, or only files that have the same file name and size, or only the same file name.

You can also click Download Folders or Cache Folders to specify folders where you download files from the Internet and where your Internet browser caches files.


Customize Toolbar

Opens the Customize Toolbar dialog box, where you select buttons to add or remove from the toolbar.


Toolbar

If Toolbar is checked, the toolbar appears in the PowerClean window.


Cleanup Tabs

If Cleanup Tabs is checked, the tab pane appears in the PowerClean window.

The tab pane contains three tabs that display different information when clicked.

This tab...	Displays this information...

Advice 	Information and warnings about files in the selected file group.

Report	Backup files created during the current PowerClean session.

Viewer	The contents of the selected file, if a viewer is available on your computer.


Status Bar

If Status Bar is checked, the status bar appears at the bottom of the PowerClean window.


Save Settings on Exit

If Save Settings on Exit is checked, settings on the Options menu for the PowerClean dialog box are saved when you close the dialog box or choose Exit from the File menu.


Save Settings Now

Saves settings on the Options menu immediately.


Archive

Opens the Archive dialog box.

In the Archive dialog box you can choose a location for a compressed archive file to contain the currently selected files, and enter a description that will make it easier to identify the archive later in the Restore wizard.

By default, the files are deleted after the archive is created. To keep archived files in their original location, clear the check in the Delete original files after creating archive checkbox in the Archive dialog box.

Archived files can be restored only by the UnInstaller Restore wizard.


Connect to Start Menu

Opens the Connect to Start Menu dialog box where you choose the position and level in the Start menu Programs group where you want to place the selected item.

You can connect shortcut files, applications, and document files to the Start menu.


Find Target

Opens the Find Target dialog box and displays the folder where the target for the shortcut is located.

Find Target is available only for shortcut files, which have the extension .LNK.


Refresh SmartLinks Database

Scans your computer and updates the SmartLinks database.

The SmartLinks database is automatically refreshed whenever you use the PowerClean dialog box to delete or restore files.


Refresh Internet Folders

Checks the folders where files included in the Internet Stuff group are stored, and refreshes the list so that it includes the names of recently added files. Names of deleted files are removed.


Custom Groups

Three Custom Group commands are available from the Tools menu in the PowerClean dialog box.

If you have not defined any custom groups, or a custom group is not selected in the File Groups pane, only Create Custom Group is available in the Tools menu.

This command...	Does this...

Create Custom Group	Opens the Custom Group dialog box. Some default information appears in the dialog box to show you the kind of information to enter in each text box. Click Help for detailed information about creating a custom group.

Edit Custom Group	This command is available only if a custom group is selected in the File Groups pane. When you click Edit Custom Group, the Custom Group dialog box opens so that you can change the information that specifies the group, including the name that appears in the File Groups list.

Delete Custom Group	This command is available only if a custom group is selected in the File Groups pane. You are asked to confirm deleting the selected group.


List or Detail display

Choose List to display only the names of files in the file list pane. If you choose List, file names are arranged in columns.

Choose Detail to display the name of each file and its size, type, date, and location.


Arrange Icons

Choose a file property to use in sorting the file list.

This command is useful if you have selected List as the display method for the file list. Although you cannot see the date, type, location, and so on for each file, you can still arrange the file names in order by one of those properties.

If you have selected Detail as the display method for the file list, you can click a column header to sort the file list by that property instead of using the Arrange Icons command.