Abstract: A facility for permitting self-deletion of application programs from a computer's mass-storage device is disclosed. The facility includes a component that tracks new files added in the course of program installation, as well as any modifications to permanent (e.g., system) files. An associated deletion component, actuable by a user, removes the added files from mass storage and reverses changes made to the permanent files. In one embodiment, the two components of the invention are associated with individual application programs; in another embodiment, the components are permanent features of the operating system or graphical user interface, and the tracking component maintains separate information for all application programs as these are installed.