The present invention is embodied in a system and method for managing software packages that are to be installed on a computer by automatically de-installing previously installed software based on user defined preferences to prevent trial, demo or unwanted software and its components from being unnecessarily kept on the user's computer. The present invention includes a de-install module that is associated with the process of installing software on the computer. The de-install module includes a time module that allows the user to choose the time period to keep the software package on the computer before the software is uninstalled.