How do you review and update your software inventory after uninstalling software?

1 Backup your data

Before you uninstall any software, you should always backup your data. This means copying any files, documents, photos, videos, or other data that you want to keep to a safe location, such as an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a USB stick. You should also backup any settings, preferences, or licenses that you need to restore the software later. Some software may have a built-in backup feature, or you can use a third-party tool to create a backup image of your system.

2 Use a reliable uninstaller

To uninstall software, you can use the default uninstaller that comes with the software, or you can use a third-party uninstaller that can remove more traces of the software from your system. A reliable uninstaller should be able to remove the software files, folders, registry entries, shortcuts, and other components that the software may have created or modified. It should also be able to scan your system for any leftover files or folders that the software may have left behind, and give you the option to delete them or keep them.

3 Review your software inventory

After uninstalling software, you should review your software inventory to see what software you have installed and what you need to update or remove. A software inventory is a list of all the software that you have on your system, along with information such as name, version, size, installation date, and usage. You can use a software inventory tool to generate and manage your software inventory, or you can manually check your system for installed software. You should look for any software that you don't use, that is outdated, that is incompatible, or that is suspicious.

4 Update your software inventory

Once you have reviewed your software inventory, you should update it to reflect the changes that you have made. You should remove any software that you have uninstalled from your inventory, and mark any software that you have updated or replaced. You should also add any new software that you have installed to your inventory, and check for any updates or patches that are available. Updating your software inventory can help you keep your system secure, optimized, and organized.

5 Test your system

After updating your software inventory, you should test your system to make sure that everything is working properly. You should check if your system is running faster, smoother, and more stable than before. You should also check if your data and settings are intact, and if you can access and use all the software that you need. You should also scan your system for any errors, viruses, or malware that may have affected your system during the uninstallation process.

6 Repeat the process

Finally, you should repeat the process of reviewing and updating your software inventory regularly. This can help you maintain your system performance, security, and functionality. You should uninstall any software that you no longer need or use, and update any software that is outdated or vulnerable. You should also backup your data and settings before uninstalling any software, and test your system after updating your software inventory.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?