Uninstallation device and uninstallation method

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an uninstall device and an uninstall method capable of easily uninstalling a file installed on a storage medium.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a conventional uninstall device shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-222915. In FIG. 23, 30 is an operating system, 31 is a file storage means, 32 is a file name extraction means, 33 is a file backup means, 34 is an uninstall device containing codes 30 to 33, and 35 is an installation medium such as a CD-ROM. , 36 are backup media. Here, the file stored in the installation medium 35 is installed in an auxiliary storage medium (not shown), and the file name extracting means 32 extracts the file having the specified name and stored in the auxiliary storage device. The file backup means 33 reads the specified file from the file stored in the auxiliary storage device and copies it to the backup medium 36.

【0003】

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the figure. FIG. 24 is a float chart showing the processing of the installation device 34. In FIG. 24, in step S50, when the file name extraction means 32 installs, the name of the file to be installed stored in the installation medium 35 and the name of the file stored in the auxiliary storage device are collated. From the files stored in this auxiliary storage device, the files whose names are the same as those stored in the installation medium 35 are extracted. These are the files whose contents will be overwritten by the installation. In step S51, the file backup means 33 reads the file with the name extracted by the file extraction means 32 in step S50 from the auxiliary storage device and copies it to the backup medium 36. This makes it possible to back up files that may be overwritten and changed when files related to the installed software are installed. Further, in step S51, it is possible to select a file to be backed up, and if the file is overwritten but there is no risk of failure during the operation of the information processing device including the installation device 34, the file is backed up. In some cases.

【0004】

In the information processing device including the installation device 34, the file whose contents have been overwritten and changed by executing the software installation is assisted from the backup medium 36 by using a file management program provided in another tool or the system. It is possible to restore the original contents by copying to a storage device. Also, by checking the contents of the backup medium 36, the file information overwritten at the time of installation can be confirmed.

【0005】

Recently, the price of auxiliary storage devices such as large-capacity hard disks such as 500 megabytes and 1 gigabyte has been declining, and at the same time, large-capacity software such as demo software and multimedia software in magazine appendices have been added to CD-ROM. It is stored and distributed, and the number of cases where a large number of files are installed in an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk at one time is increasing.

【0006】

For the installation of such a large number of files, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-28631, the directory information newly created on the storage medium, the added file information, and the changes were made when the software was installed. An uninstall device that retains installation history information such as file information on a storage medium and uses this history information to ask the user whether or not to perform an uninstall. It is disclosed. In addition, the commercially available uninstall software "WinAdvisor" also uses history information to perform processing while asking the user whether to uninstall each file at the time of uninstallation. ..

【0007】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the conventional installation device, since the user is left to decide whether to uninstall, when a large number of files are installed as described above, the user has to make a judgment for each file, which requires a great deal of labor for the user. Will be required. Especially for beginners of personal computers, it is often difficult to make a decision, and the software may not work because the file that was accidentally uninstalled was also required by other software. In this case, it is necessary to search for the file from another storage medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM and install it again.

【0008】

Also, once you use the demo version software distributed on a large-capacity storage medium such as the above-mentioned CD-ROM, software that is unlikely to be used after that is the price of the hard disk if it is left installed. Although it is cheaper than before, it occupies the extra capacity of the hard disk, which is a waste of resources. Furthermore, if a plurality of softwares are installed without uninstalling, for example, a hardware resource conflict occurs and a phenomenon occurs in which the software does not operate normally.

【0009】

In addition, software such as personal computers are intended for users who have knowledge of hardware and operating systems, and in particular, advanced knowledge is required for uninstallation. With multimedia information home appliances that are supplied by storage media such as CD-ROMs and can process multimedia such as text information, movies, music, and television broadcasts using software that installs large files on the hard disk. It is desired that the so-called device can be easily enjoyed by users who are unfamiliar with the processing of personal computers, especially elderly people and infants.

【0010】

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an uninstall device and an uninstall method that can be easily uninstalled even by a user who has little knowledge about a personal computer. It is an object. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the work load on the user and to provide a simple uninstall device and an uninstall method that can be reliably uninstalled.

【0011】

[Means for solving problems]

The uninstall device according to the present invention is an uninstall device that deletes a file installed on a storage medium, and records the file current information including the name and contents of the currently installed file on the storage medium. , File management means to record the past information of the file including the name and contents of the file installed before the file to be uninstalled is installed in the storage medium, and the uninstall to instruct the execution of the uninstall. The file names of the file current information and the file past information are collated according to the instruction of the instruction means and the uninstalled instruction means, and the file current information is changed to the file past information according to the collation result. It is equipped with a means for changing files.

【0012】

Further, in the uninstall device according to the following invention, the file management means manages the directory related to the operating system provided in the file current information and the file past information and the system directory for storing the file, and the file changing means. Is provided with a system file extraction / deleting means for collating the file current information with the directory under the system directory included in the file past information and deleting a file having a different name from the file current information. Is.

【0013】

Further, the uninstall device according to the following invention is a system in which the file management means describes the setting values required for operating the operating system provided in the file current information and the file past information corresponding to each file. The setting file is managed, and the file changing means collates the system setting file of the file current information with the system setting file of the file past information, and the system setting file of the file current information is changed to the file past according to the collation result. It is equipped with a system setting file restoration means to change to the information system setting file.

【0014】

Further, in the uninstall device according to the next invention, the file management means manages a directory structure file that stores the directory of the entire system included in the file current information and the file past information, and the file changing means is the file present. It is provided with a directory extraction / deleting means for collating the information with the directory structure file included in the file past information and deleting a different directory from the file current information.

【0015】

Further, in the uninstall device according to the following invention, the file management means manages the version information that distinguishes the file having the same name included in the file current information and the file past information, and the file changing means is the file current. A file restoration means for collating the version information of a file with the same name included in the information and the file past information, and overwriting the file of the file current information with the file having the same name of the file past information if there is a difference. It is prepared.

【0016】

Further, in the uninstall device according to the following invention, the file management means manages the icon information file related to the software start icon of the installed file included in the file current information and the file past information, and the uninstall instruction means. It is provided with an icon information deleting means for deleting the icon information file from the file current information in response to the instruction of.

【0017】

In addition, the uninstall method according to the following invention is an uninstall method for deleting a file installed on a storage medium, in which the current information of the file including the name and contents of the currently installed file and the uninstallation are performed. A file containing the name and contents of an installed file before the file to be installed is installed. A recording step that records past information, an uninstall instruction step that instructs the execution of an uninstall, and an uninstall instruction. This is a method including a file change step of collating the file current information with the file past information according to the above and changing the file current information to the file past information if there is a difference.

【0018】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an uninstall device of the present invention and an information processing device using the uninstall method. In FIG. 1, 1 is a CPU (central processing unit), 2 is a memory (main storage device), and CPU 1 executes the processing described later according to a program stored in the memory 2. 3 is an auxiliary storage device equipped with a storage medium such as a hard disk, and holds directories, files, and an uninstall program. 4 is a console, equipped with a keyboard, mouse and display for the user interface. 5 is a CD-ROM drive that reads data from the CD-ROM.

【0019】

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the uninstall device according to the first embodiment, and the uninstall device is mainly built on the CPU 1 and the memory 2 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes an operating system that controls the entire system of the uninstall device 29 and each program, and the uninstall device 29 performs processing using the functions provided by the operating system 6. 7 is the system directory containing the operating system 6 (hereinafter referred to as the directory S), and files such as the system related to various functions of the operating system 6 and the driver of the display ability by the software of the newly installed file are stored. It is stored. 8 is a system configuration file (hereinafter referred to as file S) that holds the parameters referenced by various files in the system directory 7 that operates the system, and 9 is a copy directory of directory S7 (hereinafter referred to as directory B). Yes, it stores copies of all directories and files that existed in the directory S7 before the software to be uninstalled is installed, and the names of the stored directories and files are the same as those of the copy source directories and files. 10 is a copy file of the system setting file (hereinafter referred to as file B), and is a file that retains the contents of file S7 before the software to be uninstalled is installed. 11 is a directory structure information file (hereinafter referred to as file D), which holds information on the directory structure of the entire system after the software to be uninstalled is installed. 12 is a copy-file of the directory structure information file (hereinafter referred to as file E), which holds the directory structure information of the entire system before the software to be uninstalled is installed. Reference numeral 13 denotes an uninstall instruction means, and when the uninstall device 29 is started by an appropriate method, the uninstall instruction means is shown in FIG.

【0020】

14 is a means for extracting and deleting system files. For all subdirectories and files stored in directory S7, and all subdirectories and files stored in directory B9, the names of subdirectories and files are assigned. Match and extract subdirectories or files that exist in the former but not in the latter and delete them from the former. 15 is a system setting file restoration means, which compares the size, creation date and time, and modification date and time of file S8 and file B10, and if there is a difference as a result, overwrites the former with the latter. 16 is a directory extraction / deletion means that compares the contents of file E12 with file D11, which is the current system-wide directory structure, and if there is a directory that is not listed in the contents of file E12, it exists under that directory. Delete all files including subdirectories and the directory.

【0021】

17 is the auxiliary storage device 3 that changes and retains the contents of the direct S7, refile S8, file D11, which is the current file information, and the directories B9, B10, and E12, which are the past file information, each time the contents are installed and uninstalled. File management means for recording on a storage medium, 18 is a file change means including system file extraction / deletion means 14, system setting file restoration means 15, and directory extraction / deletion means 16, and 29 is the uninstall device.

【0022】

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the uninstall instruction means 13, and the uninstall instruction means 13 instructs the user whether to execute or cancel the uninstallation on the display of the console 4 shown in FIG. The message you are looking for is displayed. In FIG. 3, 20 is a window for displaying a message, and 21 and 22 are buttons for the user to select the next process. Select button 21 to instruct to uninstall, and select button 22 to not uninstall.

【0023】

Next, the system file extraction / deletion method 14 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the directory S7, which is the processing target of the system file extraction / deletion means 14, for example, the directory name is CURWIN7a. In Figure 4, there are subdirectories SYSTEM7b and three files under CURWIN7a, and three files under subdirectory SYSTEM7b. FIG. 5 illustrates the configuration of the directory B9, which is the processing target of the system file extraction / deletion means 14, for example, the directory name is INIWIN9a. In FIG. 5, there are a subdirectory SYSTEM9b and two files under the INIWIN9a, and two files under the subdirectory SYSTEM9b. All subdirectories and files with the same name as directories existing under INIWIN9a, which is directory B9, always exist under CURWIN7a, which is directory S7. Comparing the bottom of CURWIN7a and the bottom of INIWIN9a in Figures 4 and 5, mplayer.exe 7d and system · s3vsnd.drv Two files in 7c exist in the former and not in the latter. Here, the system file extraction / deletion means 14 knows in advance that CURWIN7a is the directory S7 and INIWIN9a is the directory B9.

【0024】

Next, the operation of the system file extraction / deletion means 14 will be described. 6 and 7 are floats showing an example of the processing operation of the system file extraction / deletion means 14. Here, it is assumed that CURWIN7a in the directory S7 shown in FIG. 4 and INIWIN9a in the directory B9 shown in FIG. 5 are targeted. In FIG. 6, step S1 processes the files that exist directly under each of the two specified directories. The two directories are, for example, CURWIN7a in directory S7 and INIWIN9a in directory B9.

【0025】

The process of step S1 shown in FIG. 6 will be described by the float chart shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, in step S3, preprocessing such as securing a work area on the memory 2 shown in FIG. 2 is performed. In step S4, the two directories specified in step S1 are set in the variables DIR1 and DIR2. For example, DIR1 is CURWIN7a and DIR2 is INIWIN9a. In step S5, one file that exists directly under DIR1 is extracted. When a plurality of files exist, the extraction order is, for example, alphabetical order. In step S6, a file having the same name as the file extracted in step S5 is searched directly under DIR2. For example, if the file extracted in step S5 is mplayer.exe 7d, then in step S6 mplayer.exe is directly under INIWIN 9a. Search for a file named 7d. In step S7, the search result of step S6 is used to determine the next process to be executed. If the search result of "does not exist" is obtained in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8, and if the search result of "exists" is obtained, the process proceeds to step S9. For example, if the name of the file extracted in step S5 is "taskid.com", the process proceeds to step S9, but if the name of the file extracted in step S5 is "mplayer.exe", the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the file extracted from CURWIN 7a in step S5 is deleted. For example, mplayer.exe7d exists in CURWIN7a but not in INIWIN9a, so system file extraction / deletion means 14 is a file newly installed in CURWIN7a when the software to be uninstalled by mplayer.exe 7d is installed. Judging that there is mplayer.exe Delete 7d. In step S9, it is determined whether all the files directly under CURWIN7a have been extracted, if there are unextracted files, the process returns to step S5, and if it is determined that the extraction of all files is completed, the process proceeds to step S10. .. In step S10, post-processing such as release of the work area secured in step S3 is performed.

【0026】

Next, returning to FIG. 6, in step S2, first, processing is performed on the subdirectories existing directly under the same two directories as the directory specified in step S1. The two subdirectories here are SYSTEM7b and SYSTEM9b. The process performed in step S2 will be described with reference to FIG. Step S11 performs the same process as step S3. Step S12 performs the same process as step S4. For example, DIR1 is CURWIN7a and DIR2 is INIWIN9a. In step S13, one subdirectory existing directly under DIR1 is extracted. When there are multiple subdirectories, the extraction order is, for example, alphabetical order, and SYSTEM7b shown in FIG. 4 is extracted. In step S14, the subdirectory having the same name as the subdirectory extracted in step S13 is searched directly under DIR2, and SYSTEM9b shown in FIG. 5 is obtained as the search result. In step S15, the search result of step S14 is determined. When the judgment result of "does not exist" is obtained, the system file extraction / deletion means 14 determines that the subdirectory existing directly under DIR1 was created when the software to be uninstalled was installed. Delete the directory.

【0027】

In this example, since there are subdirectories with the same name directly under DIR1 and DIR2, the processing in step S16 is not performed. If the determination result of "exists" is obtained in step S15, the process of step S17 is executed. In step S17, step S1 is called by designating the subdirectory extracted in step S13 and the subdirectory determined to be existing in step S15 after the search process in step S14. In this example, SYSTEM7b and SYSTEM9b are specified to call step S1. In step S1, SYSTEM7b is set in DIR1 and SYSTEM9b is set in DIR2, and steps S3 to S10 are executed in the same manner as above. In this example, since it is determined that S3vsnd.drv7c does not exist in step S7, the process moves from step S7 to step S8, the process of step S8 is executed, and S3vsnd.drv7c is deleted.

【0028】

Next, the process returns to FIG. 8, and in step S18, it is determined whether the extraction of all the subdirectories existing directly under DIR1 has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S13 and the above process is repeated. When completed, the process proceeds to step S19, and the same post-processing as in step S10 is executed. In this way, the system file extraction / deletion means 14 recursively calls step S1 and step S2 to compare the directories and files existing in the directories S7 and B9, and extract the directories and files to be deleted from the directory S7. And delete it.

【0029】

When the system file extraction / deletion means 14 is configured as described above, the system file extraction / deletion means 14 compares the contents of the directories S7 and the directory B9 when the user instructs the uninstall instruction means 13 to start the uninstall, and the directory Since directories and files that exist in S7 and do not exist in directory B9 are extracted and these are automatically deleted from the hard disk, the storage medium of auxiliary storage device 3 can be effectively used and uninstalled. Only the files that should be uninstalled are uninstalled, and the files before the files that should be uninstalled are not accidentally uninstalled, and the uninstalling work becomes easier.

【0030】

Next, the system setting file restoration means 15 will be described. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of files S8 and B10 processed by the system setting file restoration means 15. In FIG. 9, files S8 and B10 hold information on three items related to the file, 23 is the file creation date and time when the file was created, 24 is the file modification date and time when the file was modified, and 25 is the file size. The file size in bytes. Figure 10 shows an example of data representation of the file creation date and time 23 and the file modification date and time 24. In FIG. 10, for example, yy represents the last two digits of the year. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of file information of the file S8. In FIG. 11, the file creation date and time 23a is such that the file S8 was created at 8:30:15 on January 1, 1994, and the file modification date and time was changed from 24a to 12:30:00 on January 1, 1995. From size 25a you can see that the size is 8500 bytes. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the file information of the file B10, and the reference numerals having the same numbers as those in FIG. 11 indicate the same contents.

【0031】

Next, the operation of the system setting file restoration means 15 will be described. FIG. 13 is a float showing the processing operation of the system setting file restoration means 15. Here, it is assumed that the file S8 is changed based on the file information of FIGS. 11 and 12. In FIG. 13, in step S20, the system setting file restoration means 15 acquires the file information of the file S8 shown in FIG. 11 and the file information of the file B10 shown in FIG. Next, in step S21, step S22, and step S23, each item of the given two file information is compared in the order of size, creation date and time, modification date and time, and if there is even one item that is not equal, the contents of file S8 are uninstalled. Judge that it has been changed by the software to be installed, and immediately move to the process of step S24. In step S24, file S8 is overwritten with file B10. This process restores the contents of file S8 to the contents before installing the software to be uninstalled. If all the items are equal in step S21, step S22, and step S23, the process ends without overwriting.

【0032】

When the system setting file restoration means 15 is configured as described above, the system setting file restoration means 15 compares the current file S8 and the file B10, and if there is a difference, overwrites the current file S8 with the contents of the file B10. , File S8 is restored to the state before the file to be uninstalled is installed, and the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device 3 can be effectively used by suppressing the bloat due to the installation of file S8.

【0033】

Next, the directory extraction / deletion means 16 will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the contents of the file E12a processed by the directory extraction / deletion means 16, and 12a shows the state of the file E12 holding the directory structure information before installing the software to be uninstalled. In FIG. 14, "\" represents a directory hierarchy delimiter, and here represents the root directory. In Fig. 14, it shows that there are 6 directories directly under the root directory, and a line feed code (not shown) is entered immediately after each directory name, and one directory name is stored in one line. To do. Here, the directory extraction / deletion means 16 processes only the directory directly under the root directory. For example, when installing software that runs on Windows, which is the OS of a typical personal computer, on the hard disk, when creating a new directory, it is processed from the convention that it is created directly under the root directory by default. The target was limited. Figure 15 shows an example of the directory structure directly under the root directory of auxiliary storage device 3a (for example, hard disk) after installing the software to be uninstalled, and shows that there are seven directories directly under the root directory. ing. FIG. 16 shows file D11a, which represents the directory structure shown in FIG. 15 in the same format as file E12a shown in FIG. From Fig. 16, it can be seen that the directory APPLI4 is created in the file D11a when the application software to be uninstalled is installed. Further, in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, APPLI0 to APPLI4 indicate directories for application software, and CURWIN and INIWIN indicate directories for system software files.

【0034】

Next, the operation of the directory extraction / deletion means 16 will be described. FIG. 17 is a float chart showing an example of the processing operation of the directory extraction / deletion means 16. This process will be explained for the files shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. In FIG. 17, in step S25, the file D11a shown in FIG. 16 is created with the directory information existing directly under the current root directory. In this example, the file D11a shown in FIG. 16 is created from the structure of the auxiliary storage device 3a shown in FIG. In step S26, the directory names for one line are read from the file E12a and the file D11a created in step S25, and in step S27, these names are compared. If the process in step S27 yields unequal results, the directory extraction and deletion means 16 created the directory with the name read from the file created in step S25 in step S26 by the software that uninstalls it. Judging that it is a directory, the process proceeds to step S28, and the directory is deleted from directly under the root directory.

【0035】

In this example, when comparing the directory names on the 5th line of both files, the directory named "\ APPLI4" is deleted, and only the file D11a shown in Fig. 16 refers to the directory name on the next line. Normally, the directory that is deleted is the directory for the application software. In this case, in step S26, the file name "\ CURWIN" on the 5th line is read from the file shown in FIG. 14, and the file name "\ CURWIN" on the 6th line is read from the file shown in FIG. become. If the processing in step S27 yields the same result, move the processing to step S29 and prepare to read the directory name on the next line of file E12a. In this example, the file name "\ CURWIN" on the 5th line of the file shown in Fig. 14 and the file name "\ CURWIN" on the 6th line of the file shown in Fig. 16 Corresponds to the flow of this process when is compared. After the processing of step S28 and step S29 is completed, the processing is transferred to step S30. In this example, prepare to read the directory name from the next line of the file created in step S25. In step S30, it is determined whether or not the next line accessed in step S30 is the end of the file, and if it is determined that the directory name is entered in the next line, the process returns to step S26 and the end of the file is reached. If it is determined that there is, the process is terminated. By the above processing, the directory extraction / deletion means 16 restores the directory structure directly under the root directory to the same structure as before the software to be uninstalled is installed.

【0036】

Supplementary items will be described below. First, in the process shown in FIG. 13, both files are opened as a pre-process and both files are closed as a post-process. Also, in FIG. 17, the file to be processed is opened as the preprocessing of step S26 before repeating the loop, the access point of the file is specified at the beginning of the file, and the file is closed as postprocessing between step S31 and the end. And delete file D11.

【0037】

When the directory extraction / deletion means 16 is configured as described above, the directory extraction / deletion means 16 compares the contents of the file E12a with the file D11a which is the current directory structure, and for application software that does not exist in the contents of the file E12a. Since the directory is extracted from the file D11a and the directory and the files existing in the directory are deleted, the contents of the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device 3 are restored to the directory structure state before the file to be uninstalled is installed. By doing so, the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device 3 can be effectively used.

【0038】

Embodiment 2. FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing an uninstall device according to Embodiment 2, and in the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 18, 26 is a file restoration means, and 18a is a file change means to which the file restoration means 26 is added. The file restoration means 26 targets all the files existing under the directory S7, extracts the files having the same name as each file from the directory B9, and displays the files stored in the CD-ROM or the like having the same name. If a difference is found by comparing the versions that are John information, the file with the name that exists under the directory S7 is overwritten with the file with the name that exists under the directory B9. A commercially available CD-ROM may not store the software version that is the version information. In this case, the file creation date and file size are compared as the version information.

【0039】

Next, the operation of the file restoration means 26 will be described. The operation is roughly divided into step S1 and step S2 shown in FIG. 6 in the same manner as the system file extraction / deletion means 14. FIG. 19 is a float showing the processing operation of step S1 of the file restoration means 26. In FIG. 19, the processes performed in steps S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S9, and S10 are exactly the same as the processes in step S1 of the system file extraction / deletion means 14 shown in FIG. 7, and step S32 is the file restoration means. 26 This is the part that performs its own processing.

【0040】

FIG. 20 is a float chart showing the processing operation of step S32. In FIG. 20, first, in step S33, the version information of the files having the same name included in the directories D7 and B9 extracted in step S5 and searched and extracted in step S6 is extracted. In step S34, it is determined in step S33 whether the version information of the two files has been successfully retrieved. This is because there are files that do not include version information, unlike file information, which is basic information for managing files. Therefore, it is judged as successful only when the version information of both files is successfully extracted, and in that case, the process is moved to step S35.

【0041】

Next, in step S35, the two version information are compared, and if they are equal, the process of step S32 is finished, and if they are not equal, the process is moved to step S37. If the retrieval fails in step S34, the process moves to step S36. In step S36, the file information of the two given files is retrieved. The file information here is the same as the file information shown in FIG. 9 above. The file information obtained in the process of step S36 is compared in step S21 and step S22, and the process of step S32 is terminated only when the comparison result is equal in both cases, and the process is moved to step S37 in other cases. In step S37, the file under the given directory S7 is overwritten with the file of the same name existing under the directory B9. Since the contents of the latter file are not changed from the time of product shipment, for example, the former file is initialized and restored.

【0042】

If the file restoration means 26 is configured as described above, it is possible for the system file extraction / deletion means 14 to make the names of the files held under the directory S7 and the names of the files held under the directory B9 all the same. However, since the version information has not been confirmed, it is not possible to restore the original file contents to those with the same file name but different contents, but the file restoration means 26 further restores the initial contents of the file. To do.

【0043】

Embodiment 3. FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing an uninstall device according to Embodiment 3, and in the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 21, 27 is a function of the operating system 6 that generates and manages an icon information file that holds information about an icon used to start the software when the software is installed in an information processing device equipped with a window system. It is an icon information management program that is a part of or application software attached to the system. Reference numeral 28 denotes an icon information file extraction / deletion means, which extracts the icon information file related to the software when the software is uninstalled and requests the icon information management program 27 to delete the icon information file. .. 17b is a file management means in which the icon information management program 27 is added to the file management means 17 shown in FIG. 2, 18b is a file change means in which the icon information file extraction / deletion means 28 is added to the file change means 18 shown in FIG. 2, and 29b is a file change means. It is an uninstall device that includes file management means 17b, file change means 18b, and uninstall instruction means 13.

【0044】

Simply deleting the files that should be uninstalled does not remove the icon from the Console 4 display. For example, there is a device that regenerates an icon information file related to an icon displayed when the window system is closed, and displays the icon by referring to the file when the file is restarted. In such a case, even if the software itself is successfully uninstalled, the icon information file related to the software may remain on the hard disk. The icon information file extraction / deletion means 28 prevents the above-mentioned situation from occurring.

【0045】

Next, the operation of the icon information file extraction / deletion means 28 will be described. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the processing operation of the icon information file extraction / deletion means 28. Here, the icon information file processed by the icon information file extraction / deleting means 28 is usually held directly under the directory S7, and has a unique extension connected to the file name. By using this extension, it is possible to extract the icon information file. In FIG. 22, in step S38, the icon information file extraction / deleting means 28 extracts one icon information file existing directly under the directory S7 by using the extension. When a plurality of icon information files exist, the extraction order is, for example, alphabetical order. Next, in step S39, the icon information file having the same name as the icon information file extracted in step S38 is searched and processed directly under the directory B9.

【0046】

Next, in step S40, the icon information file extraction / deleting means 28 checks the processing result of step S39, and if it is determined that the icon information file does not exist in the directory B9, moves the processing to step S41. In this case, it is determined that the icon information file extracted in step S38 was created when the software to be uninstalled was installed. Therefore, in step S41 for executing the next process, the icon information necessary for making the icon deletion request to the icon information management program 27 is extracted from the icon information file. The necessary information is, for example, an icon name, a window name for displaying the icon, and the like. Next, in step S42, for example, in order to request the icon information management program 27 to delete the icon based on the icon information extracted in step S41, for example, "DELETE". Generate a command string such as "icon name". Then, by sending this command character string to the icon information management program 27, the icon information deletion process is executed. By this deletion process, for example, the icon is deleted from the display of the console 4. If the process of step S42 is executed or it is determined that the process exists in step S40, the process is moved to step S43. Here, it is checked whether an unextracted icon information file exists directly under the directory S7, and if it exists, the process returns to step S38 and the above process is repeated. If it does not exist, the process ends.

【0047】

When the icon information file extraction / deletion means 28 is configured as described above, the icon information file extraction / deletion means 28 extracts and deletes the icon information file related to the software to be uninstalled, so that the user can press the icon with a mouse or the like. Even if you do not issue the delete command by specifying it, if you specify the uninstall by the uninstall instruction means 13, the icon can be deleted automatically and surely.

【0048】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, the file management means records the file current information and the file past information on the storage medium, and the file changing means sets the file according to the instruction of the uninstall instruction means. If the file name of the current information and the file past information are collated and the file current information is changed to the file past information according to the collation result, the user only needs to instruct to uninstall and the file is automatically uninstalled. Is executed, which reduces the burden on the user, prevents the deletion of files due to the user's misjudgment, and as a result, has the effect of reliably restoring the hard disk directory and file structure to the initial structure. ..

【0049】

Further, according to the following invention, the uninstall device, the file management means, manages the system directory provided in the file current information and the file past information, and the system file extraction / deletion means provided in the file change means. If you match the file name with the directory under the system directory included in the file current information and the file past information and delete the file with a different name from the file current information, the file with a different name is automatically deleted from the file current information. Since it is deleted in, the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device can be used effectively, only the files that should be uninstalled are uninstalled, and the files before the files that should be uninstalled are accidentally uninstalled. It has the effect of preventing this from happening.

【0050】

Further, according to the following invention, the uninstall device, the file management means manages the system setting file provided in the file current information and the file past information, and the system setting file restoration means provided in the file changing means. If the system setting file of the file current information is collated with the system setting file of the file past information and the system setting file of the file current information is changed to the system setting file of the file past information according to the collation result, the file current information is displayed. Restores the file to be uninstalled to the state before it was installed, and also has the effect of effectively using the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device by suppressing the bloat due to the installation of the current file information. ..

【0051】

Further, according to the following invention, the uninstall device, the file management means manages the directory structure file included in the file current information and the file past information, and the directory extraction / deletion means provided in the file change means is the file present. If you match the information with the directory structure file contained in the file past information and delete a different directory from the file current information, the contents of the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device will be before the file to be uninstalled is installed. By restoring to the directory structure state, it is possible to effectively use the storage medium of the auxiliary storage device.

【0052】

Further, according to the following invention, the uninstall device, the file management means manages the version information included in the file current information and the file past information, and the file restoration means provided in the file change means is the file present. When the version information of the file with the same name included in the information and the file past information is collated, and if there is a difference, the file of the file current information is overwritten by the file having the same name of the file past information. By checking the information, the original file contents can be restored even if the file names are the same but the contents are different, so that the current file information can be restored to the initial contents of the file.

【0053】

Further, according to the following invention, the file management means manages the icon information file related to the software activation icon included in the file current information and the file past information, and the icon information deletion means is the uninstall instruction means. If you delete the icon information file from the current file information according to the instruction of, even if the user does not issue the delete command by specifying the icon with a mouse etc., if you specify the uninstall by the uninstall instruction means, it will be automatic. It has the effect of surely erasing the icon.

【0054】

In addition, according to the following invention, the method of uninstalling is the file current information including the name and contents of the currently installed file and the name and contents of the file installed before the file to be uninstalled is installed. When the file past information including is recorded and the execution of the uninstall is instructed, the file present information and the file past information are collated according to the uninstall execution instruction, and if there is a difference, the file present information is referred to as the above. If you change the file to the past information, the user only needs to instruct to uninstall, and the installation is automatically executed, reducing the burden on the user and preventing the deletion of the file due to the user's misjudgment. As a result, the hard disk directory and file structure can be reliably restored to the initial structure.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the uninstalling apparatus of this invention, and the information processing apparatus for carrying out the uninstalling method.

[Figure 2]

It is a block diagram which shows the uninstall device by Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 3]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the screen instructing the uninstallation by Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 4]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the system directory in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 5]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the copy directory of the system directory in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 6]

It is a flowchart which shows the process of the system file extraction deletion means in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 7]

It is a flowchart which shows the detailed operation of step S1 of FIG.

[Fig. 8]

It is a flowchart which shows the detailed operation of step S2 of FIG.

[Fig. 9]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the system setting file in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 10]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the data format of the system setting file in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 11]

It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the information of the system setting file in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 12]

It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the information of the copy-file of the system setting file in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 13]

It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the system setting file restoration means in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 14]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the directory structure information file in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 15]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the directory structure recorded in the information medium which is the object of the processing operation of Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 16]

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the copy-file of the directory structure information file in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 17]

It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the directory extraction deletion means in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Fig. 18]

It is a block diagram which shows the uninstall device by Embodiment 2 of this invention.

[Fig. 19]

It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the file restoration means in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

[Fig. 20]

It is a flowchart which shows the detailed operation of step S32 of FIG.

[Fig. 21]

It is a block diagram which shows the uninstall device by Embodiment 3 of this invention.

[Fig. 22]

It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the icon information file extraction deletion means in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

[Fig. 23]

It is a block diagram which shows the conventional uninstall device.

[Fig. 24]

It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the conventional uninstall device.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 operating system 7 System directory 8 System configuration file 9 Copy directory of system directory 10 Copy file of system configuration file 11 Directory structure information file 12 Copy file of directory structure information file 13 Uninstallation instruction method 14 System file extraction / deletion means 15 System configuration file restoration method 16 Directory extraction / deletion means 17 File management method 18 File modification method 26 File recovery method 27 Icon information management program 28 Icon information file extraction Deletion method 29 Uninstall device