Does a program like this exist? - Tilted Forum Project - TFP - Sexuality, Philosophy and Political Discussion

cybermike · 01-01-2004, 04:26 AM

Every computer novice I know installs crap on their computer, uses it once but they never uninstall anything, So I end up having to clean their computers out every few months.

I'm looking for a program that log's every program that gets installed and tracks how like it's been since the program has been opened. If it hasn't been opened in 3-4 months it asks if you want to uninstall the program.

I can see some problems with the basic idea of a program like this but maybe if it does exist, the problems have been solved.

Markaz · 01-01-2004, 05:01 AM

I don't know of one off the top of my head but google is a good way to find out.

RelaX · 01-01-2004, 12:43 PM

I dunno if they still update Norton Uninstall, but that used to be a good program for that sort of stuff.
It didn't keep track of how many times you used your software though... probably because it is too privacy invasive and is hard to make legal through a license.

The_Dude · 01-01-2004, 02:16 PM

winxp add/remove panel shows the frequency of the use of a program.

User Name · 01-01-2004, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Dude
winxp add/remove panel shows the frequency of the use of a program.

As does Windows 2000, but I doubt many novices use it, outside of a professional environment.

SecretMethod70 · 01-01-2004, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Dude
winxp add/remove panel shows the frequency of the use of a program.

That thing is NEVER accurate in my experience. I think a program like you described would be pretty nice though - so long as it's made by an honest company and doesn't submit any of that data back to anyone.

charliex · 01-01-2004, 02:43 PM

cleansweep does the logging and windows does track usage, however its difficult to tell. Cleansweep does claim to be able to remove old software, but it doesn't make it clear who determines if its old

the search tool allows you to search on a last accessed date range, so as long as its ntfs you could do a search that shows all the accessed .exe files then subtract the ones used in the last N months.

windows does track exe's though so i bet theres a way to pull it out, it uses it for optimizing the disk layout.

01-01-2004, 04:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
cybermike Why So Serious? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wut?	Does a program like this exist? Every computer novice I know installs crap on their computer, uses it once but they never uninstall anything, So I end up having to clean their computers out every few months. I'm looking for a program that log's every program that gets installed and tracks how like it's been since the program has been opened. If it hasn't been opened in 3-4 months it asks if you want to uninstall the program. I can see some problems with the basic idea of a program like this but maybe if it does exist, the problems have been solved.

01-01-2004, 05:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Markaz Tilted Join Date: Apr 2003	I don't know of one off the top of my head but google is a good way to find out. __________________ Tu madre está muy sabrosa

01-01-2004, 12:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
RelaX Follower of Ner'Zhul Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Netherlands	I dunno if they still update Norton Uninstall, but that used to be a good program for that sort of stuff. It didn't keep track of how many times you used your software though... probably because it is too privacy invasive and is hard to make legal through a license. __________________ The most likely way for the world to be destroyed, most experts agree, is by accident. That's where we come in; we're computer professionals. We cause accidents. - Nathaniel Borenstein

01-01-2004, 02:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Austin, TX	winxp add/remove panel shows the frequency of the use of a program. __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

01-01-2004, 02:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
charliex Junkie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Hollywood	cleansweep does the logging and windows does track usage, however its difficult to tell. Cleansweep does claim to be able to remove old software, but it doesn't make it clear who determines if its old the search tool allows you to search on a last accessed date range, so as long as its ntfs you could do a search that shows all the accessed .exe files then subtract the ones used in the last N months. windows does track exe's though so i bet theres a way to pull it out, it uses it for optimizing the disk layout.