Hi Folks,With so many updates and Service Packs I have gained a "bad" habit of practicing frequent de-installations of FS add-ons. I realise that a simple uninstall can do the thing but do always find some files and even folders (sometimes 500Mb - 1.0 Gb in size) left on my computer. Also, when I run the registry cleaner (I use jv16 Power Tools 2005) it sometimes finds tons of unnecessary or useless values and keys left on my hard drive. So, I have come to a conclusion that not all uninstallers and cleaners are successful on complete cleaning and, probably, you guys also had the same problem with uninstallation. Therefore, after any de-installation I usually do manual erase of these folders but am a bit wary of doing the same in the registry [Reg. cleaner does leave some useless registry folders]. With the registry, I usually back it up (export) before FS and add-ons installation to a safer place [What else could I do :(]. I have therefore, listed a couple of questions below:1. Is/are there any powerful and customizeable tool(s) available for complete treatment of useless files, folders and registry. If no... 2. what would be the optimal solution for doing both install and de-install of FS (I use FS9.1) and add-ons from scratch. What would be the drawbacks or risks associated with manual de-installation ["manual" means erasing files and folders after any typical (using add-on's own uninstaller) de-install]???In addition, I use Rana Hossain's FS Manager 2.8.5 specifically for the de-install of aircraft and utilities I do not use as I have more realistic commercial and non-commercial add-ons. Although the FSM is customizeable in some way it does not give a chance to look for particular gauges and files associated with any particular aircraft and provides no means for analysing such dependencies to make a 100%-clear de-installation. I still can find gauges like 737-400***.gau etc. files in the main Gauges folder, for example. Are they needed for correct operation of add-ons like PMDG's or LDS's Boeings or other aircraft add-ons?Regards and Thank you.Rustam

there ARE certain software titles you can buy that will actually "monitor" a new installation being performed on your machine. It will keep track of every single file and folder being created and then later, when you want to uninstall, it will uninstall it for you by deleting every single file and folder as well as registry entries that were originally created during install.Be leary though, as some of these can be a bit "clunky" to use...and as a defensive measure you should only use the ones that will actually show you a list of the exact files that are going to be removed, and let you manually choose certain ones you might not want deleted. You have to be very careful sometimes not to have any other programs running in the background while a "monitoring" session is active because it can end up "seeing" those other files running and get confused, and then later itll end up uninstalling files and system files you really need...so be very careful and read all instructions before using them!One such title which i have tried in the past is called "advance uninstaller pro"....sometimes i like using it, and other times i dont trust it...but you can always check into it and decide for yourself of course.Dave

Dave, Give this freeware utility a try. http://www.ccleaner.com/ Craig

thanks Craig -i regularly use a combination of tools:Easy CleanerNorton's WinDoctorNorton's Clean Sweep (fast & safe mode)Reg CleanerI run them each once a day which only takes a total of about 2 minutes and after more than 3 years time ive yet to have to re-install my WinXP OS...ive tried many utilities over the years and while theres really no perfect solution this combo has worked well enough for me to avoid any slow downs over long periods of time and helps keep my system relatively clean...and used together its quite fast and simple enough for everyday use.Add in a good antivirus app (i use nod32) and anti spyware (i use ad aware, spybot and ms antispyware) which i run maybe 2x-3x/month and the system keeps runnin pretty tight thankfully.Would of course be great if there was only 1 app needed to do all of these tasks equally as well but thatll probably never happen...probably wuld be easier to find that 1 perfect add-on aircraft we all seek LOL.Dave

thanks Dave,I've searched for "Advance Unistaller Pro" to give it a try but unsuccessful. Does it keep a log of *all* files and registry items installed with third party addons similar to the above?If yes, I'd likely to try it.The same question goes to Easy Cleaner and CCCleaner, if you use the latter.Regards,Bina

Bina - heres a few links:http://www.innovative-sol.com/http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htmhttp://www.jv16.org/like i said...just go slow and be carefulDave