Remove unwanted visualization

[kulstad]

I have downloaded and installed a few visual plug-ins that I no longer want. I want to remove them, but they do not appear in my Add/Remove Programs list, and there is no "REMOVE PLUGIN" option that I can find in WinAmp.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[DJ Egg]

This is very much a FAQ !

1. First of all, goto Windows Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs
Check to see whether the particular plug-in you want to uninstall is in the list.
If so, use this option first, then proceed to step 3.
However, plug-ins will rarely feature in the list.
eg. Media Juice Player Components and WildTangent games are two exceptions.

2. Goto "Winamp Prefs (Ctrl + P) -> vis plug-ins"
Make a list of the ones you no longer want.
It's the actual filename you need to make a note of, eg. "vis_tripout.dll".
Make sure none of the ones you want to get rid off are selected as the current default.
The same applies to any other plugin categories, eg. DSP/FX -> select "None".

3. Close Winamp

4. Open the folder "C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins" (by default)

5. Remove the DLL's you made a list of in step 1 *

There will probably be a few text files (*.txt) or subfolders with roughly the same name as each respective DLL. These can be removed too.
Just in case, backup everything first before fully deleting . . . the Recycle Bin is an ideal place for this.

It would also be wise to open the "plugin.ini" file (with Notepad), also in the \plugins subdir, and remove all references to any uninstalled plugins.
(make sure Winamp is not running at the time)
Some plugins also leave an entry in the "winamp.ini" file (main Winamp dir).
After editing said ini file/s, save & exit.

6. Re-open Winamp

7. Goto : Prefs -> Plugins : Click "Flush Plug-in name cache" button.
(This refreshes the list of currently installed plugins in winamp.pic file)

If you're fully happy and everything is working as you intend it to be . . . empty the Recycle Bin . . . and voila !

This is the 1 and only way to "uninstall" any unwanted Winamp plug-ins.

The same method applies to skins aswell.
Exit Winamp, goto your Winamp skins dir & remove whichever ones you no longer want.
No further actions are required regarding the removal of skins, tho' first make sure that any you want to get rid of aren't selected as the current default.


* If in step 5 you can't see any DLL files in the Winamp\Plugins dir, goto:
Windows Folder Options -> View tab
Under the "Hidden Files" section
Checkmark: Show Hidden Files and Folders (Show All Files, under some OS's)

DLL files are classed as hidden files by Windows, and Micro$oft hides these files by default to prevent newbies from accidently deleting them.

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DJ - Egg
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^/^
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