Uninstall Failure
Have you ever installed a program and then when you uninstall, it keeps the files behind. Or does not do the uninstallation at all? What causes this and what can be done to make sure your computer is clean of the files?
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Another example might be a program which requires a lot of customization to get working. It might leave a config file behind so you don't have to go back and tweak every last setting should you reinstall it.
Then there are limited-time trial programs which hide something in your registry so you can't use it indefinitely by uninstalling/reinstalling every time the trial period expires.
If a file is in use by Windows when you uninstall the program it is associated with it generally can't be removed. That's why many programs make you reboot to complete the uninstall process. Theoretically, the file in use is deleted during the reboot process, but this doesn't always happen.
Finally, some software is merely poorly written. If you're bailing out on the product why should the authors care if bits and pieces are left behind? That's your problem, no theirs.
I look for items in my Program Files folder which may have been left behind, then use a program called RegCleaner (free) to clean up the detritus of an uninstall left in the registry. Be careful with it, though - it will permanently remove whatever you tell it to. Make sure you know what you're getting rid of before you act.