Can't remove programs from add/remove programs

[andre79]

I have uninstalled some programs awhile ago but i still see them in the add/remove programs dialog, and i can't uninstall them from there cause it says it's missing an uninstalltion file. is there a way i can remove them from the registry and if so what folder would it be in?

[ErnieK]

Andre
You could re-install the programs and then un-install again, this would be the safest way, or do the following.

Backup the registry before doing the following

After backing up the reg go to edit/find. Now type in the name of the programs (exactly as they show in Add/Remove) Now click on find. When you find one, be careful, right click on it and delete. Now go back to Find Next. Repeat until the registry has been searched.

Remember working in the registry can jigger your computer so please be aware that these are only suggestions and I take no responsibility for your actions.

Once you have finished in the registry check the programs folder and remove any other folders that might be left over.

[Budfred]

Sometimes Add/Remove Programs won't remove the listing even though the program is actually gone. You can try running a Registry Cleaner to see if it will eliminate them completely, but if the uninstall worked there may be nothing left to eliminate. I believe you may be able to simply remove the listing in Add/Remove Programs, but I am not sure how that works, it may be with a Right Click. Make sure the program has really been completely removed from the drive by checking in Win Explorer...

[norealm]

This is also worth taking a look at (but if you follow ErnieK's suggestion you will be deleting this anyway, but still good info):

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=247501

[pentachris]

TweakUI will remove items from your add/remove programs list without all that icky registry editing.

[shanmuga]

TweakUI will remove items from your add/remove programs list without all that icky registry editing.

It applies only for win9x. Windows XP and 2000 TweakUI does not have a section for removing items from the Add/Remove Programs dialog. To remove items, you must use regedit.Open regedit navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall. There will be a bunch of directories underneath the Uninstall directory. Right click on the one(s) that you wish to delete, and hit "Delete".

Detailed info
MSKB 247501
MSKB 141697

[pentachris]

I did not know that. I'm still running 98. Thanks!

[pave_spectre]

For XP TweakXP can remove programs from the Add/Remove programs list.

[shanmuga]

When we say TweakUI or TweakXP removes items from the add/remove programs list or by microsoft advised method of deleting the appropriate directory in the uninstall section of the registry, am I right in thinking that all they do is just eliminate the program's entry from appearing in the add/remove programs list? That will not eliminate the other entries strewn around the registry like a properly functioning uninstaller does.
All the other entries in the registry may be removed by running a reliable reg cleaner like jv16 power tools or by manually searching and eliminating the relevant keys from the registry as suggested by ErnieK.

[pave_spectre]

Originally posted by shanmuga
am I right in thinking that all they do is just eliminate the program's entry from appearing in the add/remove programs list? That will not eliminate the other entries strewn around the registry like a properly functioning uninstaller does.

I would agree but how many 'properly functioning' unistallers dont leave a little something strewn about the registry.

I have only used that particular function of Tweak UI/XP when the uninstaller itself has failed to remove the add/remove entry, and for all I know a registry cleaner can take care of that entry as well as all the rest.