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About Windows 98
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Windows 98 Applications and Files
This appendix provides background information for computer users who are
curious about how Windows 98 applications keep track of information, and
how computer files are named and used.
You don't need to know the information in this appendix to use UnInstaller
wizards, but if you are an inexperienced computer user, reading this appendix
might give you the information you need to use the advanced features of the
UnInstaller PowerClean feature.
How does an application keep track of its
configuration settings?
In Windows 3.1 and earlier, applications usually stored option settings in text
files called .INI files.
Primarily for backward compatibility and other historical reasons, some
applications still store information in .INI files. You can see the list of all .INI
files on your computer if you open the Windows folder in the Windows
Explorer, and click the Type column header in the file list pane. Then look for
files with the .INI file name extension.
One advantage of storing options in .INI text files is that it is easy for anyone
to open the file in Notepad or another text editor, and view or change the
settings. But this advantage can be a disadvantage if users make changes
incorrectly. Furthermore, the .INI files have size and other constraints, lack a
standard for organization and change, and are often left behind when you use
the Windows Add/Remove Programs to get rid of an application.
For these reasons and others, in Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 and later,
Windows and applications store option settings in the Windows system
Registry.
NOTE: If you do not see file name extensions, see "How can I see
extensions in the Windows Explorer file list?," on page 47 to find out how
to set up the Explorer to display extensions. If you do not know what file
name extensions are, see "What are file name extensions?," on page 47.
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User's Guide
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