Introduction to WinDelete

Welcome to WinDelete 95, the safest and easiest way to install and uninstall software in Windows 95.

Anyone who installs Windows-based software knows how difficult it can be to keep track of all the files and directories on your hard drive. Let WinDelete keep track for you!

WinDelete does more than just install and uninstall software. It offers ten utilities designed to keep your computer in tip-top shape.

Subtopics

Getting Started

Quick Tour

Using the Help System


Getting Started

After you read this section you will be familiar with WinDelete’s main features and how to contact IMSI.

Subtopics

Features

Contacting Technical Support


Typographic Conventions

This help system uses the following typographic conventions:

·	Keyboard keys are enclosed by <brackets>, such as: <Enter>, <Tab>, or <F1>.

·	Key combinations are joined by a plus sign and appear within <brackets>. For example, <Alt >+<A> means to hold down the <Alt> key and press the letter <A>.

·	User entry appears in bold face. For example, you might see instructions like this: “Type A:\ Setup on the command line.”

·	Pull-down menu instructions are printed as: menuname|option. The steps through the menu system are separated by a pipe (|). For example, “Pull down the File menu and choose Install” appears as Select File|Install.


Features

WinDelete 95 has ten main features. You can access all of WinDelete’s features from just about anywhere within the program: the toolbar, the menu bar, the Quick Reference Card, or the keyboard.

Take a moment to become familiar with WinDelete’s features.

Install

Uninstall

Duplicate Finder

System Editor

System Tuner

Graph Viewer

Log Viewer

System Consultant

Restore Application

Move Application


Accessing Online Help

To access the help system, do one of the following:

·	Click the Help button on the toolbar.

·	Select Help|Help on WinDelete.

·	Press <F1>.

Use the Contents Tab to locate the area you need to see and click the topic.

Subtopics

Help on WinDelete

Using Windows Help

About Help

Typographic Conventions


Contacting Technical Support

If you can’t find the answer to your question in the manual or the help system, our Technical Support staff can help you. If you call Technical Support, be prepared to provide the information outlined in following list. If you only have a question about a WinDelete function, you only need to provide the first three items. However, if you suspect a hardware or system problem, try to have all the information.

·	Your name, address, and phone number

·	The product name and version number (choose Help | About WinDelete)

·	Your computer make and model

·	The DOS and Windows versions currently installed

·	Amount of RAM

·	Graphics adapter and monitor type

·	Printer or plotter make and model

·	The text of the error message and a clear description of the problem

To reach IMSI tech support by phone call IMSI (415) 257-3000, extension 3. You can contact IMSI electronically at:

·	e-mail: support@imsisoft.com

·	homepage: www.imsisoft.com


Quick Tour

Before you can begin uninstalling software and exploring your hard drive, you need to be familiar with the fundamental elements of WinDelete’s interface. For more information on WinDelete’s interface choose from the following topics:

The Main Screen

Utility Workspace


Using WAV files

If you have a sound card installed on your computer, WinDelete can play WAV files while starting or exiting the program.

To enable this feature, copy the desired WAV files into the WinDelete directory and rename them WDSTART.WAV and WDFINISH.WAV.


The Main Screen

The WinDelete Main Screen contains the following elements:

Menu bar

Toolbar

Quick Reference Card

Status bar

To access any feature, click the appropriate button on the toolbar, select an option from the menu bar, or click the Quick Reference Card button. In addition, most of the menu commands have hotkeys.

Note


Menu Bar

The Menu bar gives you access to WinDelete’s pull-down menus. To display a pull-down menu, click on the menu name or press <Alt> plus the underlined letter in the menu name. <Alt>+<A> will display the Action menu.

The following menus are available:

Action

Tools

View

Help


Action Menu

The Action menu enables you to:

·	Begin the Install or Uninstall process.

·	Scan your computer for duplicate files.

·	Restore applications and files.

·	Move an application.

·	Set up your printer.

·	Exit WinDelete.


Tools Menu

The Tools menu gives you these options:

·	Examine a log file of all WinDelete activities performed on your computer.

·	View a graphical representation of your computer’s hard disk usage.

·	Tune and optimize your system’s performance.

·	Edit and print important system files.

·	Display information about your computer’s software and hardware configuration.


View Menu

This menu allows you to customize the WinDelete interface. You can choose to display or hide the menu bar or the status bar.


Help Menu

The Help menu provides two options:

Help on WinDelete

About Help


Help on WinDelete

To get online information, select one of the following three options from anywhere within WinDelete:

·	Help|Help on WinDelete

·	Press <F1>

·	Click the Help button.

Once you are in the Help system, you can:

·	Scan through the Contents Tab.

·	Search for specific topics.

·	Print the information and save it for reference.

·	Jump from topic to topic.

Some help topics have a section on the bottom of the window called Subtopics. This section presents topics that will provide either more or related information on the topic you are currently viewing.

If you have a question about using a help system look for the Help on Help button.


About Help

Help|About Help displays the version of WinDelete you have and the copyright information. In addition, the About Help dialog displays some quick information such as the amount of memory WinDelete currently has available and the amount of free disk space on your computer.


Toolbar

The WinDelete 95 toolbar has12 buttons. This includes the Help and Exit button. You can access all of the WinDelete’s features through the toolbar by clicking the corresponding button.

Hold the mouse cursor over a toolbar button to display the name of the feature.


Status Bar

The status bar is located at the bottom of the desktop and provides a brief report on WinDelete’s progress as it performs a function. For instance, when WinDelete is busy taking a snapshot of your system, the status Bar will read “Working.” When WinDelete is idle, the status bar will read “Ready.”


Quick Reference Card

When you start WinDelete, an animated menu, the Quick Reference Card, appears on the desktop. The Quick Reference Card’s moving graphics are actually buttons which you can click to launch all of WinDelete’s utilities. The Quick Reference Card occupies the desktop whenever WinDelete is idle.


Utility Workspace-Quick Tour
Utility Workspace

The Utility Workspace replaces the desktop when you activate any of WinDelete’s utilities. Within each utility, the procedure you follow flows from left to right in the following order:

1.	Application List Box

2.	Tab Dialog Boxes

3.	Function Buttons


Application List Box

The Application List Box is located on the left side of the Utility Workspace. Depending on which utility you’re using, the contents of the Application List Box will vary. The types of items that you are likely to see in the Application List Box include program folders, file types, a log of installs and uninstalls, and system components.


Tab Dialog Boxes

On the right side of the Utility Workspace you will find two tab dialog boxes: the Upper Tab Dialog Box and the Lower Tab Dialog Box. The tab dialog boxes present detailed file information when you select an item in the Application List Box.

To view files within program folders you need to be familiar with WinDelete’s tree control procedures.

Not all of the features require the use of both tab dialog boxes to present file information. For instance, the System Tuner’s Upper Tab Dialog Box has only one tab displaying the items eligible to be optimized. Its Lower Tab Dialog Box features the Help and Tip tabs. As with the Application List Box, the contents of the tab dialog boxes will vary depending upon which feature you activate.


Tree Control

WinDelete does not automatically display all of the contents within a program. Instead, WinDelete presents a tree. The following topics explain how you can manipulate the tree to view the files you need.

Expanding and Collapsing

Selecting Items in the Tab dialog boxes


Expanding and Collapsing

You can expand the tree one of two ways:

Using the Folder

Using the (+) and (-) symbols


Using the Folder

To expand and collapse the tree using the folders, follow these steps:

1.	You can double-click a program folder to expand the list one level.

2.	Collapse the list by double-clicking the folder again.


Using the (+) and (-) symbols

Follow these steps to expand and collapse the tree using the (+) and (-) symbols:

1.	One of three symbols will appear to the left side of each list item: a plus symbol (+), a minus symbol (-), or an empty box.

2.	Click the plus symbol to expand the list one level. After the list expands a minus symbol appears in place of the plus symbol.

3.	Click the minus symbol to collapse the list, and the plus symbol reappears

The empty box appears next to individual files. If none of these symbols appear, you have reached the end of that particular tree.


Selecting items in the Tab dialog boxes

You can select one or multiple files in the Tab dialog boxes. Find out more about selecting items in the following topics:

Selecting one item

Selecting Multiple items


Selecting one item

To select one item in the tab dialog boxes, follow these steps:

1.	Open a folder by clicking the plus symbol (+) to the left of the folder.

2.	Select a file by clicking on each file name.

3.	To deselect a file, hold down the <Ctrl> key and click the highlighted file.


Selecting multiple items

To select multiple items in a series follow these steps:

1.	Hold down the <Shift> key, and click the first item in a series.

2. 	While keeping the <Shift> key depressed, drag the cursor down the list, and click on the last file in the series.

3.	All of the files between the first and last file selected will be highlighted.

To select multiple files that are not in a series, press the <Ctrl> key and click the items you want selected.


Function Buttons

On the right edge of the Workspace you will find the function buttons.

Each feature provides its own set of function buttons. However, there is one similarity that applies to all of the features; the bottom button will always be Close or Cancel, which you click to return to WinDelete’s main screen.


 Install

Menu: Action|Install

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<I>

WinDelete’s Install feature monitors and records all the stages of an installation. It observes where files get placed and what changes occur in your system during an installation.

It’s a good idea to install software with WinDelete, because if you ever have to uninstall it, WinDelete will know exactly where to find all the files.

Subtopics

Alternate Access

Install Workspace

Install Process

Trouble Shooting


Alternate Ways to Access Install

There are three alternate ways that you can access Install. Click the following topics to find out more.

Drag and Drop

Run dialog

Windows 95 Add/Remove Utility


Install Workspace

The Install workspace contains the following elements:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

One function button


Install's Application List Box

WinDelete performs a series of checks on various aspects of your computer system during the installation process. The Application List Box displays the system components that WinDelete analyzes during an installation. The list includes:

·	Program Folders

·	Application Shortcuts

·	File Structure

·	Windows Registry Files

·	System Files


Install's Tab Dialog Boxes

Install’s workspace makes use of both tab dialog boxes. Click the following topics to find out the contents of each tab dialog.

Upper Tab Dialog Box

Lower Tab Dialog Box


Install's Upper Tab Dialog Box

While WinDelete checks your system and takes a snapshot, it shows you its progress in the Status tab, which you will find in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.

As WinDelete checks the components listed in the Application List Box during each phase (initial, final, and compare) you will see a check mark appear in the corresponding box in the Status tab.


Install's Lower Tab Dialog Box

The Lower Tab Dialog Box contains Help and Tip tabs.


Initial Phase

During the Initial phase WinDelete takes a snapshot of your current system configuration before allowing the new program to install. The snapshot includes:

·	File structure of your hard drive.

·	Contents of your Windows and Windows\System directories.

·	Contents and location of all program folders, registry files, and system files

After it compiles the information, WinDelete’s desktop disappears (minimizes), and the installation instructions in the software you are installing take over.


Final Phase

When the new program’s installation procedure finishes, WinDelete takes another snapshot of your system configuration, which includes the new program and the location of all its files.


Compare Phase

During the Compare phase, WinDelete compares the initial and final snapshots and records the location of the new files and all the changes made to your system. WinDelete stores this information in its database and will refer to it if you decide to remove that application in the future.

After WinDelete completes the Final phase, a dialog box appears stating that WinDelete successfully monitored the installation. It also gives you the opportunity to customize the entry for the Installs log file.

The Log Title edit box usually provides a default title using the name of the program you installed, but if the program you installed did not create a shortcut or a program folder, only a time/date stamp will appear. In either case, you can enter a custom title  if you want.


Install's Function Button

There is only one function button on the Install workspace: Cancel. If at any time you need to cancel the installation process, press Cancel. WinDelete will abort the installation and return to the main screen.


Install Process

WinDelete only launches the installation program included with your software application; it does not physically install the program.

Therefore, if a problem occurs, it’s important to know which program is responsible: WinDelete or your software.

The following topics represent the three phases or stages of a WinDelete Install:

Initial Phase

Final Phase

Compare Phase

Subtopics

Install Errors


Install Errors

Although Install errors are rare, WinDelete classifies install errors into two categories:

Application Errors

WinDelete Errors


Application Errors

Application errors occur during the installation process after WinDelete has completed the Initial phase.

After the Initial phase, the installation instructions in the software you are installing assume control. A problem that occurs in this period is an Application error.

If you experience an Application error, contact the developer or distributor of that application, or refer to that application’s user manual.


WinDelete Errors

WinDelete errors occur either before or after the software installs. A WinDelete error would then occur in either the Initial, Final, or Compare phase, but it would not occur during the actual install.

In other words, a WinDelete error can only occur while WinDelete is active.

If you suspect that you have encountered a WinDelete error, verify that the program will install properly through the Start|Run, or standard procedure.

If you still can’t find the answer, contact IMSI Technical Support.

Warning!


Install Troubleshooting

If you do encounter a problem while installing software, first try to determine which program is responsible: WinDelete or your program.

Subtopics

Missing Program folder or Shortcut

Windows Restart or Reboot


Missing Program Folder or Shortcut

Certain software applications do not create their own program folders or program shortcuts.

When this happens, the Log Title Edit Box will automatically display a time/date stamp. You may either click OK to accept this default title, or replace it with a custom title.

You need to be able to identify the program when you view files in Uninstall mode, so create a title you can remember. When you’re ready, click OK to return to the Install screen.

Note


Windows Restart or Reboot

When you install software, it is often necessary to reboot or restart your computer to officially complete an install.

In such a case, usually the program you installed will display a dialog box telling you to restart the computer.

A restart will not disrupt WinDelete. It is designed to recognize that a restart has occurred after an installation and will automatically restore itself as you reenter Windows.

If it does not automatically appear, double-click the WinDelete shortcut and WinDelete should resume where it left off.


Uninstall

Menu: Action|Uninstall

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<U>

WinDelete Uninstall safely and thoroughly removes unwanted software applications from your hard drive. Uninstall removes program folders, shortcuts, directories and files of any application you select.

The unique color-coding system WinDelete uses provides simple, visible means to identify files that you can safely delete. Don’t worry about causing permanent damage to your system; WinDelete’s safety features will alert you to potential dangers. However, one must always use caution when deleting files and applications.

Subtopics

Alternate Access

Uninstall Process

Uninstall Workspace

Safety Features


Alternate Ways to Access Uninstall

There are two alternate ways that you can access the Uninstall feature. Click the following topics to find out more.

Drag and Drop

Add/Remove Utility


Uninstall Process

When you activate the Uninstall feature, WinDelete recalls the snapshots it took of your system during installations.

The snapshots act as maps showing WinDelete the exact location of all the files associated with a particular program.

As WinDelete searches your hard drive it classifies software into two categories:

Software Installed with WinDelete

Software Installed without WinDelete

Color Coding System


Uninstall's Workspace

The following topics provide more information on the components of the Uninstall workspace.

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


Color Coding System

WinDelete provides a unique color coding system to help you determine which files you can safely remove from your computer system.

Uninstall analyzes all the files and assigns to each file either the color green or yellow. The following topics provide more information on the specific colors.

Green

Yellow


Green

The green folders represent files that can be safely removed. They were either installed using WinDelete, or they meet all of WinDelete’s safety criteria.

The green folders will appear in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.


 Yellow

The yellow folders represent files that were not installed using WinDelete or files that do not meet the safety criteria. Look carefully at each file within a yellow folder before removing it.

The yellow folders will appear in the Lower Tab Dialog Box.


Uninstall's Application List Box

As soon as you enter Uninstall mode, WinDelete scans all the program folders on your hard drive and lists them in the Application List box.

Expand the list to reveal the programs contained in each Program folder by clicking the plus symbol (+) on the left of the shortcut, or by double-clicking the folder.

Selecting an application will display the associated files in the tab dialog boxes.

If you accidentally click on the wrong program folder, press <Esc> to halt WinDelete from building a list.

The following topics provide information on particular folders that you will find in the Application List Box.

Desktop

Netscape Plug-ins

WinDelete Installations


<Desktop> Folder

The <Desktop> folder appears at the top of the list in the Application List Box. It contains all of the applications that have a shortcut on your desktop. This is a useful feature for users whose desktop shortcuts are the only shortcuts pointing to their applications.

Subtopics

Multiple Shortcuts


Multiple Shortcuts

Generally, when you install a program, a shortcut is added to your Programs menu (Start|Programs).

If you create a shortcut on your desktop and do not delete the one in the Programs menu, there will be two shortcuts pointing to that program.

Therefore, WinDelete’s Application List Box, in the Uninstall mode, would provide two shortcuts for that program: one in <Desktop> and one in the original folder.

However, if you delete the shortcut in the Programs menu but keep the shortcut on the desktop, you will only find a shortcut for the program in the <Desktop> folder.

To remove an entire application or files within an application in the <Desktop> folder, follow the uninstall procedure that suits your present needs. See Uninstall Function Buttons.

Note


<WinDelete Installations>

All of the installations you perform with WinDelete will appear in the <WinDelete Installations> program folder. You can only remove an entire application (or installation) from this folder. If you only need to remove a few files from within the application, you need to access it through the primary application folder.

Applications that didn’t provide a program folder or an application shortcut during a WinDelete Install will appear in the WinDelete Installations folder with the shortcut.


<Netscape Plug-ins>

WinDelete offers a Netscape feature that you can access through Uninstall. In the Application List Box, where all of your program folders appear, there is a <Netscape Plug-ins> folder. This folder contains all the Netscape Plug-ins that you have in your system (if there are any).

If you don’t use Netscape, you won’t have any plug-ins, or if you just browse with Netscape but don’t download applications and information, you shouldn’t have any plug-ins either.

You must have at least Netscape 2.0 in order for WinDelete to recognize the plug-ins. The following topics provide more information on the <Netscape Plug-ins> folder:

What is a Plug-in?

Uninstalling Netscape Plug-ins


What is a Plug-in?

A Plug-in is essentially a link that allows you to download information from an information source on the Internet. The plug-in contains the Application Program Interface (API) that lets you access the source’s document format.

The API is the “language” that an application program (in this case Netscape) uses to communicate with another program that provides a service.

When you download information from the Internet, you are calling the source and plugging in. The API  link you create between Netscape and the information source is your plug-in.

If you frequently download information through Netscape, you might have a lot of plug-ins that you don’t use anymore in your system. With WinDelete’s Netscape feature, all of the plug-ins on your computer will appear in the <Netscape Plug-ins> folder in the Application List Box.

For detailed information regarding Netscape Plug-ins, refer to your Netscape reference material.


Uninstalling Netscape Plug-ins

To remove excess plug-ins from your system

1.	Open the <Netscape Plug-ins> folder. All the plug-ins on your system will appear.

2.	Select the Plug-in(s) you want to remove.

3.	Choose the appropriate Uninstall method to suit your needs.

If you’re unsure which method to choose, see Uninstall Function Buttons.


Uninstall's Tab Dialog Boxes

The Uninstall workspace employs both tab dialog boxes. The following topics provide information regarding the contents of each dialog box.

Upper Tab Dialog Box

Lower Tab Dialog Box


Uninstall's Upper Tab Dialog Box

The Upper Tab Dialog Box only includes items that WinDelete determines are safe to remove, and these items appear as green folders. The following list contains the type of files that most often appear in the Upper Tab Dialog box. These items are safe to delete.

·	Application Shortcut

·	Programs

·	Primary Application

·	Documents

·	Related Files

·	INI

·	Registry entries

The following topics provide more information concerning the Upper Tab Dialog Box:

Deleting Multiple Files

Uninstall Function Buttons

Item Display


Uninstall's Lower Tab Dialog Box.

The Lower Tab Dialog Box contains the files that should be cautiously removed. They appear as yellow folders.

The following topics provide more information concerning the Lower Tab Dialog Box.

Deleting Multiple Files

Uninstall Function Buttons

Item Display


Uninstall Function Buttons

There are four function buttons to choose from in the Uninstall mode. Make sure you know what each function offers before you remove any files or applications. The three functions are:

Trial Run

Express

Uninstall

Close


Trial Run

Trial Run does not remove any files; it only provides useful comparisons. Trial Run allows you to see how much space will be restored to your hard disk by deleting an application using the Express mode versus standard Uninstall.

If you click Trial Run, a dialog box appears displaying the name of the application you have selected. The dialog box also shows the savings, or the amount disk space you’ll recover with both the Express mode and a standard Uninstall.

Compare the savings, and decide what mode would best suit your present needs.

Note


Express

The Express mode is an effective choice for:

1.  Removing all the green items (and only the green items) that appear in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.

2 	Removing software that you installed with WinDelete.

Generally, the Express mode works best with applications that you installed with WinDelete. For more information on the Express mode, read the following topics:

Backup options

Confirm on each delete

What about the yellow folders?


What about the yellow folders?

Once you remove an application using the Express mode, you may be unable to remove the yellow items that appeared in the Lower Tab Dialog Box.

By removing the contents of the Upper Tab Dialog Box, which included the shortcut and the application, you’ve effectively eliminated the links to the yellow folders.

If you feel that you must remove the yellow folders too, you’ll have to do it through Windows Explorer. This is not recommended.

What’s  inside a yellow folder?

Warning!

Warning!


What's inside a yellow folder?

For applications that you installed with WinDelete, the yellow folders typically contain data or document files created by the program and do not present a problem if you remove them.

On the other hand, if you did not install the application with WinDelete, the yellow files might contain files that other programs use. It is common in the Windows environment for different applications to share files.

If you remove a DLL in a yellow folder during an uninstall, you could effect another program.


Uninstall-function button
Uninstall

This is the most complete method for removing an application. You can use it whether or not you installed the application through WinDelete. Uninstall lists the files that are safe to delete in the Upper Tab Dialog Box and those that require caution in the Lower Tab Dialog Box. Select the items you wish to remove, then proceed.

Selecting Items

Warning!


Selecting Items-Uninstall mode

Each individual item that you want to remove needs to be selected.

You can select files in both the Upper and Lower Tab Dialog Boxes. Folders that have a plus symbol (+) contain items which will only be removed if you individually select them.

Click the plus symbol (+) to expand the list, and select individual items in both the Upper and the Lower Tab Dialog Boxes. Use the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key to select multiple items.

To deselect an item, hold down the <Ctrl> key and click the item. If you do not select any files, the Uninstall function button will be disabled.


Close

To exit the Uninstall utility and return to the main screen, click Close.


Safety Features
Safety Features-Uninstall Mode

WinDelete offers several safeguards to protect you from accidentally erasing important files and to give you the option of reversing your uninstall. In order to ensure that a program is available for reinstallation, be sure to choose the appropriate option.

Please make yourself aware of the following safety features:

Archive Files

Confirm on Each Delete

The Everlasting StartUp Folder

Troubleshooting


Archive Files

The Archive Files option allows you to store multiple files in an archive.

The option appears as a check box on the Confirm Uninstall dialog box. To access the archive and restore items you’ve removed, you must activate the Restore Application utility.

See Also


Confirm On Each Delete

This option is only available if you choose the Uninstall function. Look for its check box in the Confirm Uninstall dialog box, which should appear immediately after you click the Uninstall feature.

This option provides file-by-file control over what gets removed from your system. To disable this option, click “Yes to all” in the Confirm Item Removal dialog. Keep in mind that by disabling this safety feature, you are forfeiting file-by-file control.


The Everlasting Start Up Folder

In previous versions of WinDelete, users could mistakenly remove the StartUp folder from their hard drive. Now, the StartUp folder itself can’t be selected in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.

However, you can select individual item(s) within the StartUp folder and remove them.


Troubleshooting

You should not delete the contents of any WinDelete program subdirectories or attempt to modify them in any way. These directories contain the records of installs and uninstalls that WinDelete has performed. These subdirectories may also contain archives.

If you remove an application that created a shortcut in the StartUp folder, it can cause a minor problem. In some cases, this shortcut will remain in StartUp even after the application is gone.

This orphaned shortcut becomes invalid as it no longer references an application. Consequently, you will get an error message upon entering Windows.

Subtopics

Removing shortcuts from StartUp

Note


Duplicate Finder

Menu: Action|Duplicate Finder

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<D>

Duplicate Finder helps you locate and safely remove redundant files that are cluttering your system and occupying valuable disk space.

After the Duplicate Finder locates duplicate files, it lets you choose which one to remove.

Subtopics

Workspace

Safety Features


Duplicate Finder's Workspace

The workspace for the Duplicate Finder includes:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


Duplicate Finder's Application List Box

The Application List Box presents icons that represent the file types WinDelete will target during a duplicate search.

Advanced users may customize this list to include any type of extension, including DLL and EXE. All users should exercise caution when searching for and deleting duplicate DLL and EXE files.

Certain programs, including Windows, may require particular versions of EXE and DLL files to operate correctly.

For more information, click the following topic:

Default File List


Default File List

The following list represents the file types that WinDelete will target in a duplicate search.

You can modify this list to include any file extension you want.

BMP	Bitmap graphics

DOC	Word Processor files

INI	Initialization files

PCX	Bitmap graphics created in Paintbrush

TXT	Text files created in Windows Notepad

WRI	Files created in Windows Write

JPG	JPEG Images

WAV	Sound Files

GIF	GIF Images

ZIP	Archive Files

MOV	Movie Files

HTM	World Wide Web Pages


Duplicate Finder's Tab Dialogs

The Duplicate Finder makes use of both tab dialogs. For specific information on each, click the following topics:

Upper Tab Dialog Box

Lower Tab Dialog Box


Duplicate Finder's Upper Tab Dialog

The Upper Tab Dialog Box displays a list of all duplicate files, organized by Location (path) and Details (size and date).

Here, you will see a list of all duplicate files found during the system search.

Click on the Location tab to view filenames and the drive and directory where they are located.

Click on the Details tab to see the filename, file size, and date it was created.

Warning!


Duplicate Finder's Lower Tab Dialog

The Lower Tab Dialog Box lets you customize your search by adding your own file extensions and choosing the parameters of your search.

There are two tabs in this box:

Search For

Extensions


Search For tab

As shown below, the Search For tab gives you three different search parameters from which to choose.

The default search will always target exact duplicates (filename, date, and size).

You can expand the search parameters, however, and search just by filename or by extension.


Extensions tab

Click the Extensions tab if you want to create a custom file extension for your search or to edit the list of extensions.

The Extensions tab contains two edit boxes, a scrollable list box, and two buttons, as shown below:

Warning!

To Add an Extension

To Remove an Extension


Adding a file extension

To add a file extension to Duplicate Finder’s list, follow these steps:

1.	In the first edit box, Extension, enter any file extension you want Duplicate Finder to target during its system search. Type in all capital letters omitting any punctuation, such as ICO or BAT.

2.	In the next edit box, Description, enter a short description of the file extension. For example if you typed WD3 in the Extension box, you would enter WinDelete 3.0 Files in the Description box.

3.	Click the Add button. The extension and its description will appear in the Application List Box and the extension list exactly as you entered them in the edit boxes.


Removing a File extension

To remove a file extension from Duplicate Finder’s extensions list, follow these steps:

1.	Select an extension from the file extension list.

2.	Click Remove.

3.	The extension will be erased from the extensions list as well as from the Application List Box.


Duplicate Finder's Function Buttons

There are two function buttons on the right-edge of the of the workspace:

Remove

Close


Remove

Press the Remove button to eliminate the selected duplicate files from your hard disk.

See Also


Close-Duplicate Finder

The Close button cancels the operation, exits the utility, and takes you back to the main screen.


Duplicate Finder's Safety Features

When you select Remove, the Confirm Duplicate Removal dialog appears providing two safety options, as shown below.

You will have the Archive File and Confirm on Each Delete options just as you do in Uninstall mode. You can type an archive title in the text box, which currently displays the text, Duplicate Removal.

See Also


 System Editor

Menu: Tools|System Editor

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<E>

The System Editor allows you to edit, delete, or add values to Window’s most important system files: WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI, CONTROL.INI, DOSAPP.INI,  and WINFILE.INI. The System Editor workspace allows you to translate, navigate and manipulate your computer’s cryptic system files with ease.

Subtopics

Why do I need System Editor?

What Is an INI File?

Alternate Access

Workspace

Warning!


Why Do I Need  a System Editor?

When you delete a program without WinDelete, program settings, registries and INI sections can be left behind in the WIN.INI and Windows system directory. Your computer will run more efficiently, if you remove the obsolete settings from your INI files. WinDelete’s System Editor enables you to edit INI files easily.

When you edit INI files through the System Configuration Editor, for example, it can be difficult to locate the section or entry that you want to edit. However, System Editor makes the INI file collection on your system appear as though you are in Windows Explorer. Just scan the list and open the file and section you want.

Also, System Editor ensures that your edits are in the proper format. When you edit system files on your own (without WinDelete) nothing monitors the format you type. If your edits are not the proper format, your computer will not recognize the edits. WinDelete formats your entries correctly and automatically.


What Is an Initialization File?

An Initialization File (abbreviated as INI) is a list of directions, or settings, that Windows uses like a map to find and execute Windows-based software programs installed on your hard drive. You can find INI files either in your Windows and Windows\System directories, or in the directory of the program it represents.

When you execute Windows, the first files your computer accesses are WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI. These files contain important instructions that enable Windows to set up according to your preferences and your computer’s hardware configuration.

All of your Windows-based programs rely on Windows to operate. Usually, an application will maintain its own INI file in its program directory, but smaller applications sometimes add their INI file (in the form of a section with a heading within brackets) to the WIN.INI file.

When this happens, the WIN.INI grows, making a longer list of instructions that Windows has to read every time you launch Windows. A longer WIN.INI list means a longer wait for you. Keeping your system’s INI files updated will dramatically improve its performance.


Alternate Ways to Access the System Editor

There is one alternate way to access the System Editor. Click the following topic to find out more.

Drag and Drop


Start System Editor with Drag and Drop

To access System Editor through drag and drop capabilities, follow these steps:

1.	In either Windows Explorer or My Computer, locate the INI file that you want to edit or modify.

2.	Drag it to the WinDelete shortcut on your desktop.

3.	Drop the INI shortcut on the WinDelete shortcut.

4.	WinDelete will launch System Editor with that INI file already loaded.


System Editor's Workspace

The following topics present more information on System Editor’s workspace:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


System Editor's Application List Box

When you launch System Editor, you will automatically encounter an Open dialog box from which you can navigate to any INI file on your system. As shown below, the interface of the Open dialog resembles any File|Open dialog.

After you select and open an INI file, the Open dialog will disappear and the Application list box will look similar to the figure below:


System Editor's Tab Dialogs

The System Editor workspace contains two tab dialog boxes:

Upper Tab Dialog Box

Lower Tab Dialog Box


System Editor's Upper Tab Dialog

The Upper Tab Dialog Box contains two tabs which allow you to edit, delete, or add a value to the selected system file.

Edit Item

Add Item


Edit item

To edit an INI file, follow these steps:

1.	Select a section to edit from the Application List Box. Its Section heading, entry and value appear automatically in the Edit Item tab.

2.	The value is the only item that you can modify. Notice that it appears in an edit box.

3.	Click Remove to delete this line from the section, or click Update to change the value.

4.	After you remove or update a value, the changes will not be effective until you click the Save button.

5.	If you accidentally delete an item, do not click the Save button. Instead, click Close. When a dialog appears asking if you want to save the changes you just made, click No.

The following figure shows the Edit Item tab:


Add item

To add an item to an INI file, follow these steps:

1.	Select the Section heading to which you want to add an item. To do so, use the drop-down list in the Section edit box.

2.	Notice that all the sections in the Application List Box appear in the drop-down list. If you want to create your own section, type the name in the text box.

3.	In the entry edit box, insert a section entry.

4.	The third edit box allows you to set the entry value.

5.	When you’ve made the desired changes, click Update to implement your changes. Click Cancel to clear the edit boxes and start over.

6.	Always click the Save button, after you’ve added an item. Your changes will not take effect, if you don’t click Save.

Below is figure showing the Add item tab:


System Editor's Lower Tab Dialog Box

The lower box contains the Help and Tip tabs.


System Editor's Function Buttons

The System Editor has the following four function buttons:

Open

Print

Save

Close


Open

The Open button will display a list of system files available for revision. Select a file and click OK. You may choose any INI file on your system.


Print

The Print button allows you to print a hard copy of each file you edited for future reference.


Save

Click Save to accept the revisions and to replace the original file with your updated version.

When you click Save, a dialog box will appear. You can check the “Make backup before saving” check box to save a copy of the original file, and then click Continue.

Click the Cancel button to return to the workspace without saving changes.


Close

Click Close to return to the main screen.


System Tuner

Menu: Tools|Sytem Tuner

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<T>

The System Tuner helps you optimize your computer’s efficiency by performing diagnostic checks on the important system files and directories on your hard drive. It makes sure that all entries and values in the system files are configured correctly and notifies you if they are not.

Subtopics

What does the System Tuner Tune?

Workspace


What the System Tuner Tunes

When you click on the System Tuner button on the main screen, WinDelete automatically scans your system and sends the results to the System Tuner workspace. Be patient as the system scan may take a minute!

The System Tuner investigates your computer’s hard drive to report on the status of three important elements: system integrity, orphan files, and backup files.

After it scans these areas, System Tuner analyzes the information it collected and decides whether or not your system is performing at peak level. If it is not, the System Tuner offers to fix the problem.

Sometimes, WinDelete may determine that it is not equipped to modify a particular file. If this happens, the System Tuner will outline the problem and suggest ways that you can repair the files on your own.

The System Tuner is a very complex utility, so please make sure you that you carefully review its capabilities.


System Tuner's Workspace

The System Tuner workspace contains the following items:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


System Tuner's Application List Box

After System Tuner completes its scan, you will see four icons in the Application List Box. Each icon represents a particular area of your system, and each icon is assigned a color that represents the status of that area.

Click the plus symbol (+) to expand the tree and view an icon’s subcategories. For more information on the System Tuner click the following topics:

Color Coding System

Integrity Check

Orphan Files

Backup Files


System Tuner's Color Coding System

The System Tuner uses a color coding system similar to the Uninstall mode.

·	Green: Indicates that this area of your system is operating efficiently.

·	Yellow: Indicates that there is a problem that may be corrected through WinDelete.

·	Gray: Indicates the selected item contains a less-than-optimum setting. WinDelete will not optimize the setting for you, but it will offer advice on what you could do to optimize the setting.


Integrity Check

Reads the following system files/elements and determines the validity of each entry.

·	AUTOEXEC.BAT (used by DOS)

·	CONFIG.SYS (used by DOS)

·	WIN.INI (used by Windows)

·	SYSTEM.INI (used by Windows)

·	Invalid Shortcuts (shortcuts no longer pointing to applications)

·	Empty Start Menu Folders

·	DLL reference counts


Orphan Files

Scans the Windows\System directory and determines if all items are being referenced in the appropriate initialization file. When scanning for orphan files, System Tuner looks at these areas:

·	Fonts

·	Display drivers

·	Temporary files

·	Group files

·	Lost cluster files


Backup Files

Looks for any backup files left on your system. Backup files are usually just as large as the original file and take up unnecessary disk space. WinDelete searches for the following backup files:

·	BAK files

·	OLD  files

·	SYD  files

·	00?  files (files with any numeric extension)

·	AUTOEXEC.??? files (files with any extension except BAT)

·	CONFIG.??? files (files with any extension except SYS)


System Tuner's Tab Dialog Boxes

When you click an icon in the Application List Box, the tab boxes will display information pertaining to that category. If the icon in the Application List Box is yellow, an expandable list will appear in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.

On the other hand, if the icon is green or gray, either nothing will appear or just read-only results will appear in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.

For more information on the System Tuner’s Tab Dialogs, click the following topics:

Upper Tab Dialog

Lower Tab Dialog


System Tuner's Upper Tab Dialog

The Upper Tab Dialog Box contains the Items tab which reveals the filename, drive, and directory of the items that WinDelete could optimize. WinDelete provides this information so you know the precise location of the files which are slowing down your machine.

If the item you selected in the Application List Box is green or gray, the Items tab will display read-only search results.

If the icon is yellow, the problem files will appear in the Items tab, as shown below:

You may select a file item, or you can select multiple items by clicking and dragging down the list.

After you select the item(s) click the Optimize button. A dialog box will appear asking if you are sure you want to remove the files. At this point you have the option to proceed or cancel.


System Tuner's Lower Tab Dialog

The Lower Tab Dialog Box contains Help and Tip tabs. The Help tab displays comments regarding the results of a particular category search.

If you click on a yellow icon, the box explains the problem and provides a solution. If the selected icon is green or gray, the box will display read-only search results.


System Tuner's Function Buttons

The System Tuner has two function buttons:

Optimize

Close


Optimize

Click the Optimize button to implement System Tuner’s solution. The Optimize function either deletes problem files or updates system files in order to let your system operate the way it should.

The System Tuner  always gives you the chance to cancel after you press this button.

The Optimize button will be disabled until you select an item in the Application List Box that is yellow.


Close

Click the Close button to abandon the task at hand and return to the main screen.


Graph Viewer

Menu: Tools|Graph Viewer

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<G>

The Graph Viewer is a reference tool which reveals the file distribution on your hard disk. It reads all the files on your hard disk and then displays the results in the form of a pie chart.

As soon as you launch the Graph Viewer utility, WinDelete will automatically start assembling the graph. Depending on the size of your hard drive, it may take a few minutes for WinDelete to complete the graph.

Subtopics

Color Coding System

Workspace


Graph Viewer's Color Coding System

The pie chart which Graph Viewer creates is comprised of three colors. The following list explains what each color represents:

·	The green area represents the amount of hard disk space that contains green files. Green files can be safely removed. They were either installed with WinDelete or meet its safety criteria.

·	The yellow area represents the amount of hard disk space that contains yellow files, which are not always safe to remove. Yellow files were not installed with WinDelete nor do they meet the safety criteria.

·	The white area represents the amount of space on your hard drive which is taken up by system files.

To display the statistical pie chart, click the Graph Viewer button. The chart assembles as WinDelete checks the file distribution on your system. Be patient because this process may take a while! You can click the Cancel button at any time to exit and return to WinDelete’s main screen.


Graph Viewer's Workspace

The Graph Viewer is not technically a workspace as it merely presents a read-only graphic. You can’t alter or modify anything that appears on the desktop. At any rate, the Application List Box and tab dialog boxes present information that could be useful to you before entering Uninstall or Duplicate Finder.

Sub Topics

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


Graph Viewer's Application List Box

Here you will find a legend describing the elements of the chart and what they represent.


Graph Viewer's Tab Dialogs

The Graph Viewer uses the following tab dialog boxes:

Upper Tab Dialog Box

Lower Tab Dialog Box


Graph Viewer's Upper Tab Dialog

The Upper Tab Dialog Box displays the pie chart which is a graphical representation of the file distribution on your hard drive. The following figure is an example of what you might see:

The more programs you install with WinDelete the larger the green area will grow. Remember that the green files are safe to remove.


Graph Viewer's Lower Tab Dialog

The Lower Tab Dialog Box contains Help and Tips tabs.


Graph Viewer's Function Buttons

The Graph Viewer has two function buttons:

Cancel

Close


Cancel -graph viewer
Cancel

The Cancel button is only enabled while WinDelete is assembling the graph. Clicking Cancel as WinDelete assembles the graph will cancel the graph and take you back to the main screen.


Close graph viewer
Close

The Close button is only enabled after WinDelete has completed the graph. If you click Close, WinDelete will take you back to the main screen.


Log Viewer

Menu: Tools|Log Viewer

Hotkey: <Ctrl>+<L>

Every time you alter your system with the Install, Uninstall, or Duplicate Finder, WinDelete adds a detailed record of each change to the Log File. The Log Viewer allows you to review all of the Log File entries.

Subtopics

Workspace


Log Viewer's Workspace

The Log Viewer workspace contains the following items:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


Log Viewer's Application List Box

The Application List Box contains three icons representing Installs, Uninstalls, and Duplicate File Removals.

Expand the folders to view the individual entries within each. The Log File entries contain the date, log title, and the time WinDelete recorded the entry.

WinDelete organizes the entries by date, with the most recent entry appearing at the top of the list. When you select an entry, its details appear in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.


Log Viewer's Tab Dialogs

The Log Viewer uses the following tab dialogs:

Upper Tab Dialog Box

Lower Tab Dialog Box


Log Viewer's Upper Tab Dialog

When you select an entry in the Application List Box, the Upper Tab Dialog Box displays the items that WinDelete modified.

A list presenting one or more of the following categories will appear: Folders, Shortcuts, Directories, Files, Registry Keys, and any modified INI files.

Depending upon the complexity of the item you selected any combination of categories will be included in this list. If a plus symbol (+) appears next to the category, you can expand the list to view any changes made to the items inside.


Log Viewer's Lower Tab Dialog Box

The Lower Tab Dialog presents the Help and Tip tabs.


Log Viewer's Function Buttons

The Log Viewer has three function buttons located on the right edge of the workspace. Click the following topics to reveal more information:

Print

Close

Delete


Print-Log View
Print

If you want a hard copy (printed copy) of a log entry, click Print.


Close Log View
Close

Click Close to exit the Log Viewer and return to main screen.


Delete log view
Delete

You can remove unwanted log files with the Delete button.

However, it is not recommended to remove install logs. Deleting an install log entry could hamper WinDelete’s ability to perform a thorough Uninstall of that program. Generally, it’s not necessary to delete anything from the Installs category.


System Consultant

Menu: Tools|System Consultant

Hotkey:<Ctrl>+<C>

The System Consultant feature provides vital statistics about your computer’s hardware and software configuration. Before WinDelete, finding this information required a lot of time and was nearly impossible for the inexperienced PC user.

Now the System Consultant gathers the statistics, displays them, and, best of all, makes the information easy to understand.

Subtopics

Workspace


System Consultant Workspace

The System Consultant workspace contains the following items:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


System Consultant's Application List Box

The Application List Box contains three icons, and each represent a component of your computer system. Click on the icons, and the corresponding information will appear in the System Info tab. For more information on the icons click the following topics:

Processor

Drives

Environment


System Consultant's Tab Dialogs

Upper Tab Dialog

Lower Tab Dialog


System Consultant's Upper Tab Dialog Box

The Upper Tab Dialog contains the System Info tab.

Select one of the components in the Application List Box, and the corresponding information will appear in the System Info Tab.


System Consultant's Lower Tab Dialog Box

The Lower Tab Dialog contains Help and Tips Tabs.


Processor

·	Type of CPU (80286, 80386, 80486, etc.)

·	Math co-processor present, detected or undetected


Drives

·	Names of local, non-removable hard drive partitions

·	Total size of each drive

·	Amount of free space on each drive


Environment

·	Windows directory path

·	Temporary directory path

·	Version of Windows


System Consultant Function Buttons

The System Consultant only uses one function button, Close.


Close System Consultant
Close

To exit the System Consultant utility and return to the main screen, click Close.


Restore Application

Menu: Action|Restore Application

Hotkey:Ctrl>+<A>

The Restore Application feature expands the backup storage area into an archive. The only size limits for an archive are those imposed by the amount of free space on your hard drive.

Removing applications and files with the Uninstall and Duplicate Finder features can make anyone a little nervous. However, Restore Application relieves the pressure that comes with the big decision: to remove or not to remove. If you want the program or the files back, WinDelete will restore them to their original locations.

Subtopics

Workspace

Restore/Delete Archives


Restore Application's Workspace

The workspace for Restore Application features the following components:

Application List Box

Tab Dialogs

Function Buttons


Restore Applications' Application List Box

The Application List Box automatically displays the archives associated with the Uninstall and Duplicate Finder.

The Uninstalls folder only contains the files and applications you archived during the Uninstall process, where as the Duplicate File Removal folder only contains the files you archived from the Duplicate Finder.


Restore/Delete an Archive

To restore/delete an archive, follow these steps:

1.	Open the Uninstalls or Duplicate File Removals directory.

2.	Select the log entry that represents the application or set of files you want to restore. The associated files will appear in the Items tab which is in the Upper Tab Dialog.

3.	At this point you have the following three options:

Express

Restore

Delete

4.	Select the files that you want to restore/delete and press the appropriate button.


Restore Application's Tab Dialog Boxes
Restore Application's Tab Dialogs

The Restore Application workspace contains the following

Upper Tab Dialog

Lower Tab Dialog


Restore Application's Upper Tab Dialog

The Upper Tab Dialog holds the Items tab which displays all of the files within the application you select, as shown below.

You have three options to pursue with the files that appear in the Items tab: Express, Restore, or Delete. See the Function Buttons topic for more information.


Restore Application's Lower Tab Dialog

The Lower Tab Dialog contains Help and Tip tabs.


Restore Application's Function Buttons

The right edge of the workspace contains four  function buttons:

Express

Restore

Delete

Close


Express Restore Application
Express

The Express function will restore all the items that appear in the Upper Tab Dialog Box to their original locations on your hard drive.


Restore

Restore only replaces the files that you select in the Upper Tab Dialog Box to their original locations.


Delete

To clear space on your hard drive, scan your archives looking for the archives you no longer need. The Delete button is only enabled when you have an archive selected in the Application List Box.

You cannot delete individual files within an archive. If you select an individual file in the Upper Tab Dialog Box, the Delete button will still be disabled.

Make sure that you really don’t need the files any longer as once you delete them from the archive, you will not be able to restore them.


Close

To return to the main screen, click Close.


Move Application

Menu: Action|Move Application

Hotkey:<Ctrl>+<M>

The Move Application feature moves entire applications from one directory to another on your local drive. The capability to move applications gives you control of the organization of the program folders on your hard drive.

Move Application moves all of the program application files, data or document folders,  and it updates the Windows Configuration Files so they reference the new location.

Sub Topics

Workspace


Move Application's Workspace

The Move Application workspace contains the following items:

Application List Box

Tab Dialog Boxes

Function Buttons


Move Application's Application List Box

When the Move Application main screen appears, you’ll notice that all of your Program folders appear automatically in the Application List Box. WinDelete organizes the list in alphabetical order according to Program folder just as you would see in the Uninstall mode.

Select the application that you would like to move. You can move anything that has a shortcut, but it doesn’t have to be an application. For instance, you can move a help file or readme, if you want.

Certainly, you can move help files and other sorts of files using Copy/Paste, but if you use Move Application the shortcuts and references pointing to the files that you are moving get updated as well.

After you select an item to move, you can set the new location in the Upper Tab Dialog Box.


Move Application's Tab Dialog Boxes

Move Application employs the use of both tab dialog boxes and provides two tabs in each box. For more information click the following topics:

Upper Tab Dialog

Lower Tab Dialog


Move Application's Upper Tab Dialog

The Upper Tab Dialog Box contains two tabs:

Location

Options


Location Tab

The Location tab allows you to set a new location for the application that you’re moving. The current location will already appear in the Current application folder text box.

To specify the new directory, follow these steps.

1.	Click the Choose location button.

2.	Navigate to the new directory, and click Open.

3.	The new location path will appear in the New application folder text box.

If a new application folder does not already exist on your local drive, you can create a new folder by following these steps:

1.	In the New application folder text box type the letter that represents the drive to which you want to move the application. Then type in the name of the folder you want to create.

2.	A dialog box will appear asking “Ok to create folder X” (substituting the name you type for “X”).

The following figure presents an example of what the Location tab should look like after you set the new location.


Options Tab

The Options Tab provides you with two choices: Move all files and subdirectories and Remove source folder if empty. If you’re moving an application, Move all files and subfolders will be checked by default.

When you move an application, it is a good idea to move all the files and sub folders along with it. Otherwise, WinDelete will only move the EXEs and the DLLs, so there is no guarantee that the application will behave correctly after the move.

However, if you just want to move a document, like a help file or a readme, the check box, by default, will not be checked.

The Remove source folder if empty option helps to reduce clutter on your hard drive. An empty folder is not a disk-space issue as they don’t occupy a significant amount of space, but an empty folder can create unneeded confusion. It’s a good idea to remove an unused folder unless you have a specific reason to keep it.


Move Application's Lower Tab Dialog

The Lower Tab Dialog Box features the following tabs:

Info tab

Drives tab


Info Tab

The Info tab provides the following information:

·	Name of the file

·	Type of file

·	Bytes to move

·	Bytes in system files


Drives Tab

The Drives tab offers the following information:

·	Drives Available

·	Acceptable (Indicates if there is enough space on the selected drive.)

·	Total Space on your hard drive

·	Free Space left on your hard drive

Keep in mind that the drives appearing in the Drives Tab are all local drives: drives that are on your machine. Network drives do not appear in the Drives Tab. If you do not have multiple drives on your machine, C:\ will be the only drive that appears.


Move Application's Function Buttons

Move Application has two function buttons on the right edge of the workspace:

Move

Close


Move

After you have selected the new location for the application you want to move, press the Move button to begin the move process.


Close

To return to the main screen press Close.


Jump

The colored text within a help window represents topics to which you can jump. Notice that the cursor becomes a gloved, pointed finger when you drag it over the colored text.

Clicking on the colored text triggers a jump which makes the topic you clicked automatically appear on the screen.


Hotkeys

A hotkey is a combination of keyboard characters you can press to call a function. For instance, <Ctrl>+<I> will activate the Install function.


Related Topics

Related Topics allow you to see WinDelete functions in other contexts, or they just provide useful, related information. Click a Related Topic and jump right to it. To return to the previous page, click Back.


Help on Help

This option takes you directly to Microsoft Windows Help which explains how to use help systems.


WAV files

A WAV file is Windows sound file that uses the .WAV extension. See Using Wav Files.


Contents tab

One of the tabs under the Help Topics menu. It acts like a table of contents for the Help system.


Help and Tip tabs

You can find these tabs in the Lower Tab Dialog Box within certain features. These tabs offer information that can enhance your Windows and WinDelete skills.


Tree

A tree is a graphical representation of the program organization on your hard drive. The tree starts at your root directory (c:\, d:\, etc.), and it extends outward in the form of branches, or layers. To expand or collapse the tree, click the plus and minus symbols.


Starting Install with Drag and Drop

To start Install using drag and drop features, follow these steps:

1.	Drag an application's SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE to the WinDelete shortcut on your desktop.

2.	Drop it on the WinDelete shortcut.

3.	WinDelete will launch Install mode.


Start Install With the Run Dialog

When you installed WinDelete you had the opportunity to add a checkbox to your Run dialog box. If you accepted this option, you can launch the Install feature through the Run dialog box by following these steps:

1.	Choose Start|Run.

2.	Check the option, Install with WinDelete.

3.	Browse to or type in the name of the installation program for the software you are installing. For example, type a:\Install.

Your Run dialog should look similar to this:

If you did not choose this option while installing WinDelete, you can modify your Run dialog box now. Click the following topic for the appropriate steps.

Modifying the Run dialog


Modifying the Run dialog

To add the option, Install with WinDelete, to your Run dialog, follow these steps:

1.	With the right mouse button, click the Start button.

2.	Click Open on the menu that appears.

3.	The Start Menu window appears. Double-click the Programs folder.

4.	Double-click the StartUp folder.

5.	Select File|Start|New|Shortcut, then click Browse.

6.	Navigate to the directory where you installed WinDelete. For example, navigate to c:\IMSI\WD30.

7.	Double-click the WD30 folder, then double-click RUNDLG.EXE. The Create Shortcut dialog will appear.

8.	Click Next, then click Finish.

Restart your computer, and check the Run dialog. If the checkbox does not appear, make sure you followed the previous steps correctly. Your Run dialog should look similar to this:


Starting Install Through Add/Remove

In the Control Panel (Start|Settings|Control Panel) of Windows 95 there is a utility called Add/Remove Programs.

An option to Install with WinDelete will be on the Install/Uninstall Tab if you chose that addition when you installed WinDelete.


Snapshot

The snapshot is a device WinDelete uses to remember the file structure and the changes made to your system when you install software.

WinDelete takes a snapshot during Install's Inital phase, and takes another during the Final phase. It records the differences between the two snapshots in the Compare phase.

WinDelete recalls the snapshot when you decide to uninstall a piece of software that you installed with WinDelete. The snapshot acts as a map showing the location of all the files.


Custom Title

When you create a custom title, pick a title that you will remember. If you ever need to look for it in the Log Viewer, you’ll want to have a recognizable name.


Install Warning

Never install new software to the root (C:\), DOS, or Windows directory unless you are directed to do so. These directories contain software and information your computer needs to run efficiently. Placing extra programs here may slow down your computer and hamper the removal of these programs when you no longer need them.


No Shortcut?

If you install a program that does not create a shortcut, WinDelete will create its own shortcut for uninstalling purposes. The shortcut appears in the WinDelete Installations folder, which you can see in the Uninstall mode. However, you will not be able to see the shortcut in Windows Explorer.


Note: Restart

If WinDelete does not reappear after an install that did not require a restart, exit Windows and then reenter. WinDelete should reappear.


Software Installed with WinDelete

If you used WinDelete to install an application, all traces of that application can be removed. You can control the process by selecting the individual files you want to delete, or you can remove it all with the Express mode.


Software Installed without WinDelete

If you want to remove an application that you installed without Windelete, Uninstall advises you as to which files are safe to remove and which files require caution. Remember that you  have file-by-file control over what information stays or goes.


Start Uninstall with Drag and Drop

To start Uninstall by using the drag and drop capabilities, follow these steps:

1.	Locate a shortcut pointing to the application that you want to uninstall. The shortcut must be from the desktop. WinDelete will not recognize shortcuts from Windows Explorer or My Computer.

2.	Drop the shortcut you selected on the WinDelete shortcut, which is on your desktop.

3.	WinDelete will launch the Uninstall mode, and it will automatically start building the file list of the program you want to uninstall.


Start Uninstall Through Add/Remove

Windows 95 contains an Add/Remove Programs utility (Start|Settings|Control Panel). When you install WinDelete you have the opportunity to add a Run WinDelete button to the Install/Uninstall tab.

Clicking this button will launch WinDelete's Uninstall mode. Below is a figure showing the Run WinDelete button:


Deleting Multiple Files

If you choose to remove multiple files simultaneously and choose the Archive Files option, all the files will be stored as one backup file.

Therefore, you will not be able to select a specific file to restore. The Restore Application feature will restore the entire set of files to your system.


Item Display

Items that appear in the list boxes can be displayed in one of three ways: Filename, Location, and Details.

Select the option that provides you with the most useful information for your uninstalling needs. The Filename tab presents just the file’s name, but the other tabs, Location and Details provide a little more information.

Click the following topics for more information:

Location

Details


Location tab-Uninstall mode
Location tab

The Location tab provides you the precise location of a file. It lists the drive, directory, and sub-directory as shown below:


Details tab

The Details tab presents the size of the file as well as the date it was created as shown below:


Trial Run Note

You must select the file(s) you want to "uninstall" before choosing the Trial Run function.


Backup Options-Express mode

To backup your files, the Express mode dialog box provides the Archive files option.

Subtopics

Express Dialog


Express mode dialog box

Here’s a figure showing the Archive files check box:


Confirm each delete-Express mode

The Confirm on each delete will remain active unless you select "Yes to all" in the Confirm Item Removal dialog box.


Folder Contents
Unless you are completely aware of the contents within a yellow folder and know the consequences that may result if you delete it, do not remove it!

WinDelete made it a yellow folder for a reason: it is not completely safe to remove.


Dangerous Extensions
Proceed with extreme caution when you choose to remove files with the following extensions: DLL, VBX, EXE, COM, or BAT.

Beginning PC users should not attempt to remove any of the listed files. You may affect other programs on your system by removing such files, unless they were in green folders.

Always generate a backup copy when removing these files.


Warning-Uninstall mode

We recommend that you always back up the files you remove. To do this, select the Archive File option in the Confirm Uninstall Dialog.

Selecting these safety precautions will ensure that your files are available to reinstall should you suddenly change your mind.


See Also
Duplicate Finder Safety Features


Note-Compressed Backup

If you’re making a compressed backup of an application or file which you plan to restore later, select all files in the upper (green) and lower (yellow) tab dialog boxes.

If you do not select all the files, there is no guaranty that the application will operate properly after you restore it.


See Also
Restore Application


Warning-Confirm on Each Delete

Clicking Yes to all surrenders your file-by-file control over what gets removed.


Removing Items from StartUp

To remove an item from StartUp follow these steps:

1.	Select Start|Settings|Taskbar.

2.	Select the Start Menu Programs tab, and then click the Remove button.

3.	Scroll down the list until you reach the StartUp folder.

4.	Double-click on the shortcut, or click on the plus sign (+) to reveal the contents.

5.	Select the invalid shortcut.

6.	Choose Remove.


Note-StartUp

If you choose to remove an application which has a shortcut in both StartUp and the primary application folder, WinDelete will perform a more thorough job if you uninstall the shortcut in StartUp first.


Series

A set of files that appear one after the other.


Note-Programs Menu
To remove shortcuts from the Programs menu, refer to your Windows 95 documentation.


Warning-Desktop folder

The <Desktop> folder is an actual program folder containing applications. Do not make the mistake of thinking that it only contains desktop shortcuts.

It is not designed just to remove desktop shortcuts. Refer to your Windows 95 user guide, if you just want to remove a desktop shortcut.

Selecting an icon within the Desktop folder and pressing either Express or Uninstall will remove an entire application from the <Desktop> folder.


Warning-Extensions tab
Only advanced PC users should attempt to modify the Extension tab to include files such as DLL, EXE, INI or VBX.

You could severely damage the integrity of your system by removing these file types. Novice or Intermediate PC users should focus on WinDelete’s default document files.


INI Files

Use extreme caution when evaluating these files. Don't alter your INI files if you're unfamiliar with their function.


See Also
Duplicate Finder’s Tab Dialogs


Warning-Dupe Upper Tab

Duplicate Finder will list two files in the Upper Tab Dialog Box. They are duplicate files.

Only select one file to be removed.

DO NOT SELECT BOTH FILES!


Warning Sys Edit

System Editor is an advanced feature. The contents of INI files are essential to the operation of all Windows-based programs and should only be modified by advanced users. If you choose to use this utility, be sure to backup the files before you begin editing.


See Also Sys edit

Workspace


Empty Start Menu Folders

The Empty Start Menu Folder shows the empty folders in the Start Menu. Press Optimize to delete them.


DLL Reference Counts

The DLL reference counts refer to the number of applications that are using/sharing a particular DLL. Often, Windows programs will share a DLL file.

WinDelete monitors shared DLLs keeping track of  how many programs use them. It is important to keep this information current as it ensures that you uninstall applications and remove DLLs safely.

If a DLL’s reference count is not optimized, you could mistakenly remove it and negatively effect one your programs that still may be using the DLL you just removed.