METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING SOFTWARE INVOLVING SHARED FILES

A method and system for maintaining the integrity of shared files when products are removed and restored. At least two programs, a first program and a second program, within the data processing system share a data structure. A profile is created for the data structure that is shared by the first and second programs. The first program is removed from the data processing system. The shared data structure altered using the profile such that the second program remains on the data processing system unaffected by the alteration of the shared data structure, wherein programs within the data processing system are efficiently maintained.