RealPlayer loads you up with spyware/adware cookies, too.  That said, there are some sites that say they require RealPlayer.  I am willing to do without such offerings, but maybe you are not.  

If you uninstall it, even though there will be files and folders everywhere, at least it will no longer keep trying to "phone home" or constantly nag you to purchase the "upgrade."  If you choose to uninstall, you can use Windows Search for "RealPlayer" files and folders and delete them.  A good registry cleaner could then find the broken links and orphaned entries throughout the registry.

If you can put up with the "nag" windows and don't mind it phoning home all the time, then maybe you want to keep it as you may run into certain sites that want it.  You could be sure that all the file types that WILL play with Media Player are set up to default to Media Player (if that's what you want - RealPlayer tries to set itself up as the default media player).  

AnnaSummers

============================================================
From: Robert Citkowitz <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 2006/09/26 Tue PM 01:16:51 EDT
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Real Player
Many thanks for your comprehensive reply, Anna.
I've already got Real Player, and it's nagging me to update it. What's the lesser evil, updating or trying to uninstall (I also have Media Player and Dell/Musicmatch)?
Since I already have it, would I be losing any services the others don't provide by uninstalling?
Rob

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Computer9 
Real Player puts a great deal of stuff all over your machine and 
registry.  Even if you uninstall it, it doesn't all come out.  It's 
getting nearly as bad as Symantec for invasiveness and tenacity. 
Before you install something new on your PC...

                         PCSOFT's List Owner's:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>