Cleaning up a Windows 10 Pro system – RevoUninstallerPro

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[Kathy Stevens]

We have been using RevoUninstallerPro to remove unwanted applications from our Windows 10 Pro computers for some time.

Now, in anticipation of using Laplink PCmover to migrate the apps and data from Windows 10 Pro computers facing retirement to new Windows 11 Pro workstations, we  are looking into cleaning up the old Windows 10 drives.

As part of the process we ran Revo’s Junk Files Cleaner on an old computer’s Windows ( C ) drive.  According to the Revo manual, “Junk Files Cleaner lets you find and remove unnecessary files from your computer.”

The results were amazing, we found:

• Hundreds if not thousands of “junk” files,
• Some files were last modified as far back as 1991 (we have been using LapLink for years) and some are as recent as yesterday,
• We found files with the following extensions:
  • .db,
  • .cfg.old,
  • old,
  • .dmp,
  • .tmp,
  • .old,
  • etc.
• File size ranged from 0 KB to 12.41 MB

Now the question is what files are safe to remove and which should be left alone.

Obviously, we will backup and clone the drives before aggressively cleaning them up.

• This topic was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by Kathy Stevens.
• This topic was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by Kathy Stevens.

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

As part of the process we ran Revo’s Junk Files Cleaner on an old computer’s Windows ( C ) drive. According to the Revo manual, “Junk Files Cleaner lets you find and remove unnecessary files from your computer.”

Kathy, I’ve been using the Junk Files Cleaner option at least weekly for years.  The folks at VS Revo Group know their stuff.  I’ve never had any sort of issue using JFC.  (Incidentally, Revo Uninstaller Pro 2-year license is now on sale for $16.78)

Kathy Stevens wrote:

Now the question is what files are safe to remove and which should be left alone.

All the files that are listed after scanning all drives are safe to remove.  Once you click Delete, if there are any files in use, Revo will give you a popup informing you that those files cannot be deleted.  It’s pretty foolproof.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

3 users thanked author for this post.

young058, jburk07, Kathy Stevens

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Is Revo Uninstaller Pro OK onWindows 11?

 

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CR2 wrote:

Is Revo Uninstaller Pro OK onWindows 11?

Indeed.  I’m running it on 23H2 and 24H2.  I’ve been using Revo Uninstaller Pro for several years, now, on every version of Windows since Windows 7 Pro.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

2 users thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens, CR2

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bbearren

Thank you for giving the green light to use RevoUninstallerPro to remove “Junk Files” from our computers.

In addition to junk files, I would like to uninstall nonessential apps using RevoUninstaller.

According to Belarc Advisor, the following Microsoft apps are installed on one of the Windows 10 systems we are cleaning up:

• Microsoft apps that we frequently use:
  • Office version 16.0.18129.20116 (32/64-bit),
  • Snip & Sketch version 10.2008.3001.0 (64-bit),
  • Sticky Notes version 6.0.2.0 (64-bit),
  • Teams version 3.2.7.0.

 

• Microsoft apps that we never use:
  • OneDrive version 18.151.0729.0013,
  • OneDrive version 19.043.0304.0013,
  • OneNote version 16.0.18129.20116,
  • Store version 22410.1401.4.0 (64-bit),
  • Store Experience Host version 22410.1401.0.0 (64-bit),
  • Windows Calculator version 11.2401.0.0 (64-bit),
  • Windows Clock version 11.2401.9.0 (64-bit),
  • Windows Maps version 11.2311.1.0 (64-bit), and
  • Windows Voice Recorder version 10.2103.28.0 (64-bit).

 

• Microsoft apps that I have no idea if we use them or not:
  • .NET Framework version 3.0.6920.9141,
  • .NET Framework version 4.0.41210.0 (32/64-bit),
  • .NET Framework version 4.8.4084.0,
  • Antimalware Service Executable version 4.18.23090.2008 (64-bit),
  • App Installer version 1.24.25200.0 (64-bit),
  • GameInput version 0.2309.19041.5129 (64-bit),
  • Get Help version 10.2409.22951.0 (64-bit),
  • HEIF Image Extensions version 1.2.3.0 (64-bit),
  • HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer version 2.2.9.0 (64-bit),
  • Internet Explorer version 11.00.19041.4355 (32/64-bit),
  • WindowsCamera version 2023.2312.3.0 (64-bit),
  • Office Source Engine version 16.0.12527.22261,
  • Paint 3D version 6.2310.24037.0 (64-bit),
  • Pay version 2.4.18324.0 (64-bit),
  • exe version 3.6.220408001-s2 (64-bit),
  • Photos version 2024.11100.16009.0 (64-bit),
  • Print 3D version 3.3.791.0 (64-bit),
  • Tips version 10.2312.1.0 (64-bit),
  • VP9 Video Extensions version 1.2.2.0 (64-bit),
  • Web Media Extensions version 1.1.1295.0 (64-bit),
  • Webp Image Extensions version 1.1.1711.0 (64-bit),
  • Windows Installer – Unicode version 5.0.19041.4651 (32/64-bit),
  • Windows Media Player version 12.0.19041.1 (32/64-bit),
  • Windows Operator messages version 4.1901.60404.0 (64-bit),
  • Wndows Package Manager Source (winget) version 2023.928.2303.555,
  • Windows Script Host version 5.812.10240.16384 (32/64-bit), and
  • Windows Search version 7.0.19041.1 (32/64-bit).

Obviously, the Microsoft apps that we use stay and the apps that we never use can go.

But what do we do with the rest – do they go or do they stay?

Is there a posting somewhere that will help us decide?

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My advice here is NEVER remove the MS-Store, it’ll bork more than you care to fix. Don’t touch those .NET frameworks either unless you wish to break a program that relies on them.

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

1 user thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

Obviously, the Microsoft apps that we use stay and the apps that we never use can go. But what do we do with the rest – do they go or do they stay?

What I would do (and this is just my 2¢) is first, create fresh drive images, then keep

• .NET Framework version 3.0.6920.9141,
• .NET Framework version 4.0.41210.0 (32/64-bit),
• .NET Framework version 4.8.4084.0,
• Antimalware Service Executable version 4.18.23090.2008 (64-bit),
• App Installer version 1.24.25200.0 (64-bit),
• Office Source Engine version 16.0.12527.22261,
• Web Media Extensions version 1.1.1295.0 (64-bit),
• Webp Image Extensions version 1.1.1711.0 (64-bit),
• Windows Installer – Unicode version 5.0.19041.4651 (32/64-bit),
• Windows Package Manager Source (winget) version 2023.928.2303.555,
• Windows Script Host version 5.812.10240.16384 (32/64-bit),
• Windows Search version 7.0.19041.1 (32/64-bit).

(if you use Search on that last one) and uninstall the rest.  Once the uninstalls have completed, test your programs/apps that you use and have kept to make sure that everything still works.  After that I would run Windows Update, just to see if Windows thinks you’re missing something important.

Again, just my 2¢.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens

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RevoUninstaller just removed all of the “Junk Files” on one of our workstations except for two:

• A temporary file associated with the PCs security software that was last modified during October 2024 and
• A temporary file located in C:\Windows\System32\DriveStore\Temp\DELF097.temp that was last modifies during May 2024.

In both cases RevoUninstaller reported that the files were in use.

We will report if we experience any side effects.

In retrospect, I wish I had checked the disk’s Used Space before and after running the uninstaller.

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After running RevoUninstaller to remove “Junk Files” one of the apps on the computer evaporated – Solitaire (Windows 7 Games).

Windows 7 Games dates back to the time of Windows 7 and I installed the Windows 7 version of solitaire on the Windows 10 computer shortly after making the transition to the new operating system.

The app was originally downloaded from the Winaero website and installed on the Windows 10 machine.

https://winaero.com/get-windows-7-games-for-windows-10/

I also just noticed that a desktop icon has has disappeared but I do not remember what it linked to.

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

After running RevoUninstaller to remove “Junk Files” one of the apps on the computer evaporated – Solitaire (Windows 7 Games).

I also have Solitaire, but it doesn’t appear in my Apps menu.  I have it pinned to my taskbar.  Check “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Solitaire\Solitaire.exe” and if it’s there, you can create a shortcut for your desktop or pin it to the Start Menu or Taskbar.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

2 users thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens, PL1

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bbearren

Thank you.

I have created a shortcut onmy desktop.

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