Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

I uninstalled Windows Live Essentials 2011 through Programs and Features. It left several folders in the Registry and Windows Live Mail on the HD. Although I own and granted permission for the Live Mail folders, these "trusted installer" files will not delete. After uninstalling programs in past OS, I have always gone into the Registry and manually cleaned out remaining files that were not uninstalled. I would like to do the same for the remains of Windows Live Essentials in the Registry, but because it has "Windows" in the name, I am reluctant to remove from the Registry...... I am not sure if it is linked to anything else. I have CCleaner, but apprehensive about using in the Registry.

Can some wise person let me know if I manually remove Windows Live Essentials and its family folders from the Registry the sky will not fall down (that said, I don't know if the trusted installer folders on the HD and in the Registry will allow removal)

My thanks......Miki
Dell XPS 8100 Windows 7 SP1 Home Premium 64-bit
IE8

Reply 1 : Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

The registry doesn't update until after a reboot. Have you rebooted yet after the uninstall? If not try that.

If so, and the registry entries remain, I would be very reluctant to remove them. We all know how Microsoft integrates its components into the OS and into the registry, (viz, Internet Explorer), and while I don't see why this particular software should be so closely combined into the OS, I simply don't know.

Be sure you know how to recover from a fail if you remove those registry items and the system becomes unstable or fails to load.

With the folders it might be easier. I would just rename the folders temporarily and test the system for stability, and if you experience no problems after a few days, then they will be safe to delete.

Mark

Reply 2 : Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

There have been many reboots since I uninstalled Windows Live Essentials......appreciate your reply.......Miki

Reply 3 : Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

create a restore point if run it. I use it and registry mechanic for years and never had to use the restore point it created because they never damaged anything.
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Reply 4 : Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

I am still somewhat skeptical about using CCleaner in the Registry, particularly when it is just as easy for me to delete something manually. Although CCleaner creates a restore point, my problem is I do not know if removing the files in question is advisable. Having said that, I would still have to make that decision even if I used CCleaner.

Thank you for replying.....Miki

Reply 5 : Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

.....on a Windows Live forum discussion re manually uninstalling Windows Live Essentials. It lists Windows Live Essentials files to delete from the Registry.
Another forum lists the directories to delete. Seeing these posts answers my question that the files are not linked to anything else. Having said that, I always feel better if I receive a "green light" from this Forum.

Miki

Reply 6 : Windows Live Essentials did not do clean uninstall

And a good test of other forum advice is if someone comes back with a report saying either, "It worked", or "You just destroyed my machine",

But from what you say, a 'green light' from me.

Mark