Well a lot of mechanisms in Linux work by dropping files in a certain path (SysV init scripts, udev files, plugins). So leaving files around could have a little

Well a lot of mechanisms in Linux work by dropping files in a certain path (SysV init scripts, udev files, plugins). So leaving files around could have a little impact, such as runaway error messages, or a slight slowdown at bootup. Then again, it's still much less than in Windows. And it's more transparent, resolving the problem is generally a matter of removing the file, instead of going into the registry jungle "trying random stuff from the internet until it works".