ok when an app is uninstalled will it leave orphan installation/program files hanging around like windows? is there any registry equivalent in android? i know probably stupid questions. what is the preferred way to uninstall apps?
thanks '
mark
Yes, some programs do leave traces when you uninstall them. Others don't, at least I haven't found a trace of them. I have to go through my SD card every now and then and clean up folders and different files left behind by programs I uninstalled.
jodell22 said:
Yes, some programs do leave traces when you uninstall them. Others don't, at least I haven't found a trace of them. I have to go through my SD card every now and then and clean up folders and different files left behind by programs I uninstalled.
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+1. You may have stuff on your SD card, but anything not there will be wiped when you change ROMs anyway.
Related
I have this curious problem. After I uninstall a program, the shortcut is left in my menu (.lnk file). Having some experience with WM devices, I browsed to the \Windows\Start Menu folder, but the rogue .lnk files are not there. All the other shortcuts in my menu ARE there, so I am pretty sure I am looking at the right folder.
So next I used the search function and searched the entire device, both internal memory and the storage card, for the rogue .lnk files. Nada, zip, zilch.
However: the empty .lnk files STILL show up in my list of programs.
this has me stumped. Any help appreciated.
Is the file in "recent programs" or "all programs"? if former, it'll eventually go away once it becomes the "10th most recent program used".
.-ombre-.
Yeah, that's what I think.
It's in the Recent Programs menu and so because the app is not there anymore a broken link exists.
If you use other things eventually it will disappear from there.
ombre33 said:
Is the file in "recent programs" or "all programs"? if former, it'll eventually go away once it becomes the "10th most recent program used".
.-ombre-.
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Now that you mention it, some of the older ones seem to have vanished over time ... mmmm So I guess that if I use a reg editor, I should be able to flush m out immediately. They do hang on for quite a while.
Thx for your reply.
If that is the case you dont need to do anything with reg editor. Just open some other apps randomly and the links will be gone for ever.
Corduroy-21 said:
If that is the case you dont need to do anything with reg editor. Just open some other apps randomly and the links will be gone for ever.
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Yep, that's exactly what I do. Some applications are uninstalled using a link from the All Programs and after the uninstall the link remains among the 9 recently used programs.
Corduroy-21 said:
If that is the case you dont need to do anything with reg editor. Just open some other apps randomly and the links will be gone for ever.
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A bit late, but wanted to thank you guys. You gave me the cause and the solution! thx
Coming from Windows Mobile, I knew I was in for a bit of a shock. But I didn't realize it would be this bad.
You see, I have OCD when it comes to organization and cleanliness. It's pretty bad. On Windows Mobile, I had every program organized by category. I edited all the .cab files to install to "\Program Files\*CATEGORY*\App Name", and the shortcut to be installed to "\Start Menu\*CATEGORY*"
Everything was perfectly organized. On the root of my SD card, I had 2 folders - "My Documents" and "Program Files". There were no stray files on the root.
I had everything setup PERFECTLY with Sashimi so when I reflashed, I could run my script and all settings/apps would be restored.
I found the registry key for all settings and backed them up, made provisioning XMLs for all of my account settings, etc. Anything that needed to be saved between flashes would be saved to the SD card. When I flashed, everything would be back to the way it was an hour ago.
I LOVE my Evo 3D, but I'm getting incredibly frustrated with how insane the clutter is. Every app and its mother decides to make a folder on the root of my SD card. And half the time, they're empty folders. I just want to know:
1. How are settings stored in Android? In WM, there were registry keys for everything from backlight to email signatures. Where and how does Android store these settings?
2. How can I have an app completely installed on the SD card, so that if I hard-reset, all I need to do is put it's shortcut in the app drawer?
3. Are there any tools like Sashimi that streamline the hard-rest/reflash process?
4. Are apps hard coded to store files where they do? Or is there something like an XML file for the app that tells it to write to "%SDCARD%" instead of "%SDCARD\xxx"
Thanks in advance!
saumaun said:
Coming from Windows Mobile, I knew I was in for a bit of a shock. But I didn't realize it would be this bad.
You see, I have OCD when it comes to organization and cleanliness. It's pretty bad. On Windows Mobile, I had every program organized by category. I edited all the .cab files to install to "\Program Files\*CATEGORY*\App Name", and the shortcut to be installed to "\Start Menu\*CATEGORY*"
Everything was perfectly organized. On the root of my SD card, I had 2 folders - "My Documents" and "Program Files". There were no stray files on the root.
I had everything setup PERFECTLY with Sashimi so when I reflashed, I could run my script and all settings/apps would be restored.
I found the registry key for all settings and backed them up, made provisioning XMLs for all of my account settings, etc. Anything that needed to be saved between flashes would be saved to the SD card. When I flashed, everything would be back to the way it was an hour ago.
I LOVE my Evo 3D, but I'm getting incredibly frustrated with how insane the clutter is. Every app and its mother decides to make a folder on the root of my SD card. And half the time, they're empty folders. I just want to know:
1. How are settings stored in Android? In WM, there were registry keys for everything from backlight to email signatures. Where and how does Android store these settings?
2. How can I have an app completely installed on the SD card, so that if I hard-reset, all I need to do is put it's shortcut in the app drawer?
3. Are there any tools like Sashimi that streamline the hard-rest/reflash process?
4. Are apps hard coded to store files where they do? Or is there something like an XML file for the app that tells it to write to "%SDCARD%" instead of "%SDCARD\xxx"
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long story short, it won't be easy. The answers aren't likely the most technically complete, but I believe them to be accurate.
1) I know someone has the answer.
2) There is no way to install 100% to SD card.
3) Titanium Backup, MyBackup, etc.. will all backup and restore your applications and settings. You can also take a complete image of the phone, using ClockworkMod. You can then restore all or part of that image. These all require root access.
4) As far as I know, I think it can swing both ways. It would require you to extract, modify, and repack the contents of the APK.
Man do I feel your pain! I absolutely hate the way android allows apps to be installed.
Don't even get me started on the lack of quit buttons on too many apps, or the way apps that have no business running in the background constantly start themselves in the background.
What's crackalackin saumaun. I haven't seen u since ppcgeeks. That's one thing that pissed me off with android when I came from windows mobile. Have you been with android or did u finally get rid of your tp2.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
xenx said:
Long story short, it won't be easy. The answers aren't likely the most technically complete, but I believe them to be accurate.
1) I know someone has the answer.
2) There is no way to install 100% to SD card.
3) Titanium Backup, MyBackup, etc.. will all backup and restore your applications and settings. You can also take a complete image of the phone, using ClockworkMod. You can then restore all or part of that image. These all require root access.
4) As far as I know, I think it can swing both ways. It would require you to extract, modify, and repack the contents of the APK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I'm going to be looking into those backup apps. But I fear I won't be able to do much more until the 3D is rooted.
touchprofan said:
Man do I feel your pain! I absolutely hate the way android allows apps to be installed.
Don't even get me started on the lack of quit buttons on too many apps, or the way apps that have no business running in the background constantly start themselves in the background.
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Click to collapse
That is definitely a pain too! I wish there was an option to close the browser so when I'm done, the next time I want to use the internet, I would be at my home page.
gmfeny said:
What's crackalackin saumaun. I haven't seen u since ppcgeeks. That's one thing that pissed me off with android when I came from windows mobile. Have you been with android or did u finally get rid of your tp2.
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Click to collapse
Hey man, it's been a long time! This is my first Android device. I just came from the TP2. In fact, it's sitting right next to me lol.
Ok, Seeing as how the first 10 pages and search yielded no results, I think I might be one of those special kids mentioned in the terms and agreements video.
I need to know where Astro installs the apks, because obviously it's not under system/app nor data/app. I've browsed both twice while revealing hidden files but they have not yielded any results. I can find every app on the phone but the ones that I've installed through Astro... So if anyone can shed some light as to where I might find them, that would be great.
try here
dont know if its similar but i have same problem with ics not being able to find apps that were unremovable (they just kept reinstalling) but noticed some apps were also in /preload (dont know if this helps your case or not)
Maybe /mnt/sdcard?
Check peferences in astro for home directory?
Other apps also in /data/app
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
mnzt42yd said:
dont know if its similar but i have same problem with ics not being able to find apps that were unremovable (they just kept reinstalling) but noticed some apps were also in /preload (dont know if this helps your case or not)
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Thanks for the reply but it's not an unremovable app, just a few apks that I nicked off the internet. They show up under settings > applications and can be removed, but I just can not for the life of me find them on the system folders
woebetide said:
Maybe /mnt/sdcard?
Check peferences in astro for home directory?
Other apps also in /data/app
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I've checked those, and all the home directories and usb directories and sd external directories, pretty much all of the directories listed in the preference for Astro with no success. Also, somehow, my /data/app folder only has the stock apps, nothing new that I've installed so far. Appreciate the reply though
Use your root file explorer to search your device, it will show up eventually.....
Edit: so no confusion, I mean the search function within the app
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
krymore said:
Thanks for the reply but it's not an unremovable app, just a few apks that I nicked off the internet. They show up under settings > applications and can be removed, but I just can not for the life of me find them on the system folders
Yeah, I've checked those, and all the home directories and usb directories and sd external directories, pretty much all of the directories listed in the preference for Astro with no success. Also, somehow, my /data/app folder only has the stock apps, nothing new that I've installed so far. Appreciate the reply though
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Click to collapse
If you have your phone set to install apps to external memory, there should be a folder called "android.secure". This is where the phone puts apps that are installed to the SD. (by default) Now I am assuming you have not formatted you SD to include a EXT 2/4 partition, or else you would know to look there. I would investigate to see if you can find an android.secure folder.
Hi guys
My Prime has nearly full to capacity!
I have tons of apps and games and such, well lots of big download files.
Im not convinced that if i uninstall the game the downloaded data goes with it, hence the 800mb+ gameloft crud what comes with it.
is the there a simple app to delete in one click?
Im rooted if needed!
Kindest!
Check Astro File Manager, it has a built-in storage manager which will list folders by their size.
So it'll basically it'll list what folders are the biggest, so you can see if its from gameloft and then delete it if you don't need it.
EDIT: Perhaps get a Cache Cleaner app and let it clean out various caches from the storage? (Be careful though, and set it up, so it doesn't delete stuff you need.)
did you download the stuff from the market or off the internet? if you downloaded off the internet go to the downloads folder and delete the stuff in it.
also try getting a micro sd card and move some stuff over to it.
fcortes626 said:
did you download the stuff from the market or off the internet? if you downloaded off the internet go to the downloads folder and delete the stuff in it.
also try getting a micro sd card and move some stuff over to it.
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Click to collapse
I have a usb drive attached to the prime, am i able to just to drag and drop the files back and forth when i want to play the games etc?
Try DiskUsage
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage
Very useful to have a graphical view of disk and to quickly find files/folders to delete.
Striatum_bdr said:
Try DiskUsage
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage
Very useful to have a graphical view of disk and to quickly find files/folders to delete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Gameloft stuff does tend to stick behind, and when deleting you might have trouble differentiating between the games you've had. Their naming conventions for their folders are a bit off, so you'll have to go by some trial and error.
Worst case scenario - you'll need to redownload the data again for the games you still have.
Coming from the original Incredible, both when resetting the phone or mounting it as a disk drive on your computer would automatically make the gallery and music apps recheck and delete old files/folders and display the new ones, rather than displaying the triangle with a question mark in it that you would come across when deleting a file via Root Explorer or through other methods. However, this doesn't work on the Inc 4G. Resetting the phone deletes nothing, clearing data and cache for the App does nothing, and mounting and dismounting it via USB only removes links to pictures/videos on the internal SD card (which shouldn't be the only place available for saving everything in the majority of apps, nor should it be called 'sdcard' and the real SD card called 'sdcard2', but we'll address that later.)
Barring going through all folders and picking and choosing which triangle-question mark links to delete in the app itself, is there a way to prevent or rectify this annoyance?
IceDragon59 said:
Coming from the original Incredible, both when resetting the phone or mounting it as a disk drive on your computer would automatically make the gallery and music apps recheck and delete old files/folders and display the new ones, rather than displaying the triangle with a question mark in it that you would come across when deleting a file via Root Explorer or through other methods. However, this doesn't work on the Inc 4G. Resetting the phone deletes nothing, clearing data and cache for the App does nothing, and mounting and dismounting it via USB only removes links to pictures/videos on the internal SD card (which shouldn't be the only place available for saving everything in the majority of apps, nor should it be called 'sdcard' and the real SD card called 'sdcard2', but we'll address that later.)
Barring going through all folders and picking and choosing which triangle-question mark links to delete in the app itself, is there a way to prevent or rectify this annoyance?
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Click to collapse
ive come across this.
open the gallery app, then i are able to delete those from within the gallery app, just delete all the ! ones.
worked for me.
andybones said:
ive come across this.
open the gallery app, then i are able to delete those from within the gallery app, just delete all the ! ones.
worked for me.
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I appreciate the thought. Yeah, I know that works, I was wondering if there was any way besides doing it manually.
IceDragon59 said:
Barring going through all folders and picking and choosing which triangle-question mark links to delete in the app itself, is there a way to prevent or rectify this annoyance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-- sorry bro totally skipped over this part.