APPLICATION PROGRAM EVANESCENCE ON A COMPUTING DEVICE

摘要

Application programs are automatically uninstalled from a computing device based upon contextual information that is inconsistent with their continued availability. Programs are purchased for a limited context where, once the context is no longer valid, the application program is automatically uninstalled. Alternatively, or in addition, context under which an application program is automatically uninstalled is user-specified when the application is initially purchased or installed, or at a subsequent time. Subsequently, users are notified when an application is uninstalled, or is about to be uninstalled. Such a notification provides the user with an opportunity to override the automatic uninstallation or, alternatively, or in addition, provides the user with access to alternative, or supplemental, application programs. Information associated with automatic application uninstallation is retained in an application manifest generated by the application author, or by processes executing on the computing device, and is stored as part of the application, or separately.