WinXP Add/Remove

[Julie]

Is Win XP's Add/Remove good enough?
Or should I add another uninstaller e.g. Cleansweep?
I would like to hear some of your opinions, please.

(B.T.W. The same question applies to Win XP's firewall.)

[aym]

I think Add/Remove works well, never had a problem with it.

XP firewall on the other hand, isn't enough, because it doesn't block outgoing connections, I use Sygate Personal Firewall, available for free:
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

[Panama Red]

The XP uninstaller works fine. However, whenever I install or uninstall a program, I run my Registry Healer program after to correct the missing items. Then I Defrag the hard drive. Several threads here talk about which Registry fixing program is best/cost least. Here's one:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...egistry+repair

[glc]

XP's firewall is adequate. It may not block outgoing, but routers don't either, and it *is* stateful packet inspection.

[Julie]

Thanks for your advice.
My Win98se on this computer ( I dual boot on the same HD) uses Zone Alarm.
So if I add a firewall should it be Sygate or Zone Alarm?
( I'm a bit nervous about not blocking outgoing! )

[Confused]

Originally posted by Julie ( I'm a bit nervous about not blocking outgoing! )

Why? I'm not trying to be smart, I honestly don't understand the reasoning. I run Spybot from time to time to clean up the spyware, but there are a number of programs that have a legitimate reason for outbound traffic. For instance I use automatic updates for the critical ones from MS and updates from AVG that kicks off at 3AM. These programs have to send out requset. I run a router to block the inbound which is important, but I honestly don't understand the outbound issue.
Chas

[aym]

WMP tries to connect to the Internet everytime I open it, to check for updates, open the media guide webpage or whatever, I don't need such stuff, so I block the connection.

The same applies to other apps.

[Julie]

I have a better understanding of the various issues now.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments.