Removing a Program that isnt there???
- Thread starter JamesBart
- Start date
Starman*
New Member
Some small programs may be standalone exe files or a group of files that just don't need to register in Windows. They would not appear in Add/Remove Programs.
I usually check the folder the program is in (c:\program files\whatever). If it's just a few files you can probably delete them and the folder. Some programs may have an uninstall exe which is labelled something like uninst.exe or uninstXXX.exe where X is a character such as 0. Double-click or Run the exe. I use something like CCleaner/Issues after to see if there are any registry items outstanding.
Never had any problems to date.
Starman*
I usually check the folder the program is in (c:\program files\whatever). If it's just a few files you can probably delete them and the folder. Some programs may have an uninstall exe which is labelled something like uninst.exe or uninstXXX.exe where X is a character such as 0. Double-click or Run the exe. I use something like CCleaner/Issues after to see if there are any registry items outstanding.
Never had any problems to date.
Starman*
If the program you are referring to has a desktop icon simply right click on that to look at the "target" and "startin" boxes to locate the main file(s). You then drag that folder into the recycly bin when browsing with Windows Explorer. Then simply right click on the icon and choose delete or drag that in to the recycle bin as well. Empty the recycle bin after to see it off the drive totally. A good and free registry tool, RegCleaner, can be found at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads15.html
Starman*
New Member
Another area you may need to clean out is the c:\documents and settings\your user name\application data\"whatever" folder or the c:\documents and settings\your user name\local settings\application data\"whatever" folder. Typically used for storage of custom settings.
Even when you uninstall some "proper" programs that can be removed with Add/Remove programs, the custom settings may still be left in place and have to be manually deleted.
Starman*
Even when you uninstall some "proper" programs that can be removed with Add/Remove programs, the custom settings may still be left in place and have to be manually deleted.
Starman*
You would be surprised to see the volume of install logs and other leftover text files after removing several programs over a period of time. The type of program here does point to a direct startup seen with the icon without necessarily having created new values in the system registry. But the use of a good RegCleaner can also get rid of other "orphaned" registry values that could be lingering around. Some of those will often load drivers that no longer have a host program installed. RegCleaner is the name of a free utlitiy among several others found at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads15.html
Starman*
New Member
Like PC Eye I also use RegCleaner (occasionally in my case). No doubt the prog removes a huge amount of redundant stuff especially the HKEY_USERS and it does create a backup. I have had bad experience letting it do a registry clean on auto. I now do that by manually selecting items to delete. How about your experience PC Eye?
CCleaner is good at picking redundant registry items from programs just uninstalled but does not get the HKEY_USERS stuff that builds over time.
Starman*
CCleaner is good at picking redundant registry items from programs just uninstalled but does not get the HKEY_USERS stuff that builds over time.
Starman*
Starman* said:
Well coming from the old dos days I still manage to do things manually. If I determine where a program created values in the reg I go right in and delete them with the registry editer. But that's not for everyone though. You make one mistake in there and a few bad things will seen after! RegCleaner may not be the only good cleaner but it is easier for many people to work with. For a look at an effective registry editing guide for both troubleshooting and modifications there http://www.winguides.com/registry/ offers a free downloadable guide as well as online links for things like this. But the "word of caution" is also posted there too.