What is ICQ Lite?  It's on my computer and I don't know what it is!

Hwody petitegazelle-ga,

ICQ is, among other things, a very popular text messaging program, such as
AOL's "Instant Messenger" program.  You can read a history of the program
on the free to use Internet based encyclopedia called Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICQ

"ICQ is an instant messaging computer program ... and was the first
all-internet instant messaging program."

The CNET "Download.com" website has some information on the "Lite" version
of the program.
http://www.download.com/ICQ-Lite/3000-2150_4-10155605.html

"ICQ Lite has all the essential features of the full version of ICQ. You
can message people, exchange files, send SMS messages, and meet people."

The ICQ website has instructions on to uninstall ICQ from your system.
http://www.icq.com/help/view_faq.php?faq_id=4633

"How do I uninstall ICQ 5?

To uninstall ICQ 5, click Start -> Programs -> ICQ 5 -> Uninstall ICQ 5
and follow the instructions."

The Gateway help web pages have a small "tutorial" with illustrations of
the above process.
http://support.gateway.com/s/tutorials/Tu_841412.shtml

"Uninstalling ICQ"

The bigger question might be how ICQ came to be on your computer.  If it
suddenly appeared on your computer, and you have not installed any new
software lately, then someone else installed it on your computer.

If it is the latter case, round up the "usual suspects" and make sure they
know you don't want them to do this anymore.  It is your computer, and you
deserve it to be as you want it.

Even though by itself ICQ is a relatively "safe" program to use, it, as
other messaging type programs, have certain security and/or privacy issues
that need to be taken into account.

If you do not use it, I would probably advise uninstalling it.

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Personal experience of ICQ.

Did some research on the ICQ website: http://www.icq.com/

Google search on: ICQ uninstall
://www.google.com/search?q=ICQ+uninstall

Looking Forward, denco-ga  - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by petitegazelle-ga on 22 Dec 2005 05:37 PST

What am I missing if I uninstall ICQ LIte?  Can I no longer use instant messaging?

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Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 22 Dec 2005 12:17 PST

Howdy petitegazelle-ga,

If you are using ICQ Lite for instant messaging, then do not uninstall it.

If you do not currently use ICQ Lite, then you will not be missing anything
at all if you uninstall it.  If you are using another program for instant
messaging, such as AOL's "Instant Messenger" then uninstalling ICQ Lite will
not prevent you from the continued use of that instant messaging program,
unless it depends on ICQ Lite being installed.

If you are not using instant messaging at all, but think you might sometime
in the future, you can just leave ICQ Lite installed if you want to, or you
can uninstall it for the time being, and can always download it, or another
instant messaging program at that time.

Looking Forward, denco-ga  - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by petitegazelle-ga on 24 Dec 2005 18:34 PST

Please!  I want to uninstall ICQ Lite.  Please tell me how.  I have
clicked on Programs then ICQ Lite then uninstall and the message I get
is that I can't because it'seady running???

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Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 24 Dec 2005 22:25 PST

Howdy petitegazelle-ga,

Go to Start, Programs, ICQ, and click on the main ICQ icon.

Then, follow the instructions that are on this ICQ web page.
http://www.icq.com/icqtour/icqlite/icqmenu.html

You will want to go to the ICQ Main Menu, then click on "Shut Down" and
then try to go through the "Uninstall" process again.

Looking Forward, denco-ga  - Google Answers Researcher