Deleting program files/folders without actually uninstalling?

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cpulord1

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Sep 25, 2010
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Hi guys
I've tried to search for this answer but it's hard to figure out how to ask it succinctly and clearly (difficulty searching for this answer)

Basically I run my OS on an SSD and most of my programs are installed on my larger HDD.
If I just upgraded my SSD, I realize I can no longer use any of the programs that were previously installed on my HDD.
My question is: to clean up my HDD, can I just delete all the program file folders? Or is it better to properly uninstall all the programs (which would require going back to my previous setup ie: old SSD)

I think the question is pretty simple, but hopefully I've explained it well
 
Solution
coozie7
Fair enough, plenty of us would do the same and start fresh with a new drive.
Your choice on the mechanical HDD: You can just format it or scrub it totally, but don't just delete files, you'll be forever and there'll still be some clutter left behind.
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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If you just upgraded to a larger SSD and have made no changes to the old drive, it should be possible to clone the old one to it without losing any of your programs, check the package the new drive came in for a utilities disc or check the makers website.
If you have already deleted or uninstalled any software obviously, this will not be possible.

Otherwise it'll depend on how paranoid you are about the contents of the HDD.
Simplest option would be to boot up as normal then just format it directly from Windows.
Alternatively you could install something like Ccleaner to the new SSD and use that to scrub the HDD, be aware this will take a long time!
 
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cpulord1

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Thanks for the replies guys.
Yes I guess I could clone it, but part of me likes the idea of a clean slate on my SSD. I don't really care about re-installing all my programs.
I'm moreso wondering if it's okay for me to delete the program file folders on my HDD or does that not really clear out the HDD properly?

I was thinking the other alternative would be to use disk management and just reformat the HDD partition with all my old program files.
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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Fair enough, plenty of us would do the same and start fresh with a new drive.
Your choice on the mechanical HDD: You can just format it or scrub it totally, but don't just delete files, you'll be forever and there'll still be some clutter left behind.
 
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