Windows XP reinstall/other apps question

For some unknown reason, my Inspiron 5100 hung up while loading Windows XP the other day.  I was unable to Alt/Ctrl/Del, so I did a cold boot and began getting 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt - windows\system32\config\system'.  After much analysis and research, I tried to run Recovery from the Install CD that came with the laptop.  I had some major problems with an 'invalid administrator password/password not correct' error and could not continue.  I did more research, tried the things suggested and finally, at my wit's end, I tried and successfully reinstalled Windows XP.  I did not format my hard drive before hand because I really didn't want to lose some of the files on it.  I have installed all drivers and essential software and am once again happy (for the time being anyway) :womanhappy:

 

My question is this:  all of the software apps that were previously installed are still listed in the Program Files folder but are not listed in the list of apps under 'Add/Remove Programs'.  My best guess is that's because the registry files were rebuilt and no longer point to these files...?  Can I delete the apps (unless there is an Uninstall program in the folder for that app) that I no longer want without problem?  For those that I still want, will a reinstall take care of this?  Or is there a quick and dirty way to get these 'activated' without reinstalling?

 

I appreciate any help on this! 

 

Angie