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Now in the Add/Remove programs in Vista, is there anything in there that I need to keep my laptop working? I'm cleaning out my laptop and I don't want to remove anything that will prevent my laptop from working properly as it did when I first got it.

Thanks..I'm down to 2.31 GB Was a lot higher when I started to clean out my laptop.

^^ sure does. I'm on a lap top with Vista...the things they add to it that ya sure don't need...utterly stupid in my book.

The only things you NEED are the programs that it needs to have in order to function. Things such as Windows Updates (and you really dont need most of those). Go to Add/Remove programs in your control panel. Scroll through all the programs listed. If you dont use it, delete it. Your XP system files are not going to be listed there so doing any type of damage to the OS itself wont happen. (just stay out of the registry  ). Most programs you see in the add/remove folder are things either you added yourself, or programs the vendor you bought the system from added because its in their contract with people like MS to put them on there. Items such as trial versions of virus software, etc. Its their way to advertise it and get you to buy it.

You may see things that pertain to your mouse, keyboard, etc, which are drivers for the peripheral to function of you added a new one that required a special driver. If you arent sure if what is ok to delete, pm me witha list of programs in your add.remove programs folder and I will let you know what each one is for. (Thats part of my real life job, I am a network admin for Dell) 

I know with my laptop it came with two music players, two dvd players (only need one of each) and I had installed yahoo im with the whole kit and kaboodle. I got rid of all of it but the im itself and install manager. If you need a popup blocker...I prefer google over yahoo, you dont need two, but the choice is yours on preference. I also took out the MSN menu/search bar.

Once your trial version of the virus thingie runs out you can unistall ALL of its components unless you keep it.

Just DONT take out the synaptics pointing device (if you have a compaq)...most might know this but I have found some that do not LOL it is the touch pad on the lap top.

Ya might wanna do a restore point though before you do any of this

Another thing that will bog the system down is if you are not using your trial version of office 2007 and you install another version...egads that just slows it down! I'd recommend using your trial version first so you can take it off if you do not want to purchase it and go back to a previous version.

Make sure that you have another virus program ready to replace it IMMEDIATELY when you are ready to uninstall the current one.

When you uninstall the current one do NOT go online until you have installed the new program.

OMG yes lol ^^ I'm am a total computer person so I assume that most people know to have one already downloaded or on there system to install once you have the other one uninstalled...whoopsy. My sincerest apologies. Yes, if you try and install one with another one in there? That is trouble waiting to happen.

AVG is a good program too. I know many people that use and love it. Pandabear, or Panda something is a good program too, it is a three month trial program that you have purchase afterwards but it really works while you have it.

If the current program is Norton and you decide not to keep it I highly suggest you use the Norton Removal Tool.   Norton is notorious for leaving remnents behind.

I couldn't remember the name of it...that is what I had...I swear it is as bad as a virus that will not go away. But I think that of Vista sometimes too...lol I am MAC person what can I say? lol

"Installing" another antivirus program while you have another one on it, does not cause a problem.

Every time I did that it crashed the puter...coulda been it is a compaq? lol Not a big fan of them either haha

My point was  "whoa"  don't be a sitting duck and have your computer online with no virus software on it at all.

Gwendillian  lol   its Panda Antivirus