Windows 10: Spring cleaning my computer

Hi, In an attempt to get rid of some unused apps on my computer, I notice I have 20 apps totalling over 20 MB. These are titled "Visual C++ redistributable" I think they may have something to do with programming which I have never done or intend to do. Is it OK to delete these?

:)

 

Windows 10 infinite restart black screen


The tutorials provided are just a list of troubleshooting steps. Use only the steps which apply to you.

Since none of the troubleshooting steps here worked, I'd suggest you do a Clean install.

John

 

Windows Store Spring Cleaning

Yes, the Revo Store App removal has been out for some time. Be aware, it's only one at a time, no mass uninstall, can't choose multiples. And after the uninstall of each, it rebuilds the entire list again.

 

USB devices not working after Device Manager spring clean

I had a spring clean of my Device Manager devices (I am having some major issues for the last 2 months with the Win 10 1709 upgrade.and this was a suggestion) and now various USB devices (harddrives, mice, keyboards) will not work when plugged in.

Take the spare mouse for example.

It is a simple standard plug-and-play Logitech wired mouse which was not connected to the laptop at the time I did the 'spring clean'.

When I bought this mouse last year my laptop had never seen it before. I plugged it in and it immediately worked.

I figured if I clean out the Device Manager devices it will be OK since they will automatically reinstall when the device is re-connected for the first time just like when I first bought them.

But this is not happening. After the 'spring clean' the devices are not automatically reinstalling when plugged in.

They show up in Device Manager as devices that are not working due to no driver.

How come these items set themselves up automatically when they are first purchased but will not set themselves up on first connection after Device Manager clean up?

I can get them working for one session by selecting them in Device Manager (they have the yellow warning symbol) and selecting Update Driver.

If choose 'Search automatically...' there are never any results.

If I choose 'Browse My Computer' then 'Let me pick from a list....' then I can sometimes get lucky and get the device working using a generic Windows driver. But it only works for one session. As soon as I unplug the mouse/keyboard/whatever and plug it in again I am back to square one and it is not working.

How do I get these devices to work again like they did when I first plugged them after buying them and before doing the DM clean-up ?

(this Win 10 1709 upgrade nightmare has cost me about 30 hours of wasted time before i even tried this device manager clean up suggestion)