How do I remove a program from the registry?

[Guest Gary]

If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do a

full backup first.

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

On Sat, 31 May 2008 09:40:02 -0700, Gary

<Gary@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do a

> full backup first.

 

 

Entries for a program can be all over the registry--sometimes in

hundreds of different places.

 

Trying to remove them manually is a prescription for disaster.

 

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Shenan Stanley]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

Gary wrote:

> If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work?

> I'll do a full backup first.

 

What is it you are actually trying to accomplish?

 

--

Shenan Stanley

MS-MVP

--

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Guest Unknown]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

Yes, that removes it from the registry.

"Gary" <Gary@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:2DE9CCB6-8103-4E02-8642-4C028CDA1484@microsoft.com...

> If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do a

> full backup first.

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

 

"Gary" <Gary@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:2DE9CCB6-8103-4E02-8642-4C028CDA1484@microsoft.com...

> If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do a

> full backup first.

 

This is likely to fail. It's also not a good idea to start a new

thread on an existing post - check the many answers you

have received there.

[Guest Unknown]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

Why do you say 'likely to fail'? I've done this many times.

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:eNgvNV0wIHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>

> "Gary" <Gary@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:2DE9CCB6-8103-4E02-8642-4C028CDA1484@microsoft.com...

>> If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do

>> a

>> full backup first.

>

> This is likely to fail. It's also not a good idea to start a new

> thread on an existing post - check the many answers you

> have received there.

>

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

 

"Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

news:BNg0k.6786$nW2.4888@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com...

> Why do you say 'likely to fail'? I've done this many times.

 

Because, as Ken Blake has already pointed out, installation

details can be kept in lots of places in the registry. Unless

you know which key is checked by the program, you're in

for an up-hill battle. For example: I have spent hours trying

to convince a PC that a certain HP printer drive was no

longer installed. I succeeded after deleting each and every

reference to Hewlett Packard (and to HP), and there were

lots of them! In the process I crippled the driver for the

other HP printer that the client had . . .

 

The OP should use the supplier's removal program, for

which I gave him a link.

[Guest Unknown]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

Tis unfortunate but Ken exaggerates too much. That simply is not fact.

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:ekse8K1wIHA.2188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>

> "Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

> news:BNg0k.6786$nW2.4888@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com...

>> Why do you say 'likely to fail'? I've done this many times.

>

> Because, as Ken Blake has already pointed out, installation

> details can be kept in lots of places in the registry. Unless

> you know which key is checked by the program, you're in

> for an up-hill battle. For example: I have spent hours trying

> to convince a PC that a certain HP printer drive was no

> longer installed. I succeeded after deleting each and every

> reference to Hewlett Packard (and to HP), and there were

> lots of them! In the process I crippled the driver for the

> other HP printer that the client had . . .

>

> The OP should use the supplier's removal program, for

> which I gave him a link.

>

[Guest Donald L McDaniel]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

On Sat, 31 May 2008 10:02:05 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"

<kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

>On Sat, 31 May 2008 09:40:02 -0700, Gary

><Gary@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>

>> If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do a

>> full backup first.

 

Sometimes this will work. Many times it won't. Depends on how

"complicated" the program is and whether it leaves hard-to-search-for

keys or not. Simple programs usually may be uninstalled this way.

Low-level utilities almost always are not removable by first deleting

the program's folders, then using the Registry Editor to remove its

keys.

>

>

>Entries for a program can be all over the registry--sometimes in

>hundreds of different places.

 

And many times without leaving any references to the actual program,

its files and folders, or its OTHER registry keys.

>Trying to remove them manually is a prescription for disaster.

 

Agreed.

Example: Try removing a version of Norton AV sometime by searching for

keys from within Registry Editor. You will be doomed to failure, for

sure.

 

Many times, files/folders/keys necessary for a program's removal will

still be locked by the OS, since references to them would still in be

user memory. This is why some uninstallers require you to reboot

after the uninstallation, to remove these locked files/folders/keys.

It is always a good idea to remove programs from memory before

attempting their uninstallation, if possible.

 

Use a good-quality XP-compatible Registry cleaner instead.

 

Many will allow one to remove such programs when they are not

removable using "Add/Remove Programs" or their registered

uninstallers.

 

Some are free, some cost a nominal fee. And some work better than

others. I've found that "JV16 Tools 2008" (not a free tool) is an

excellent tool which almost always succeeds in removing such

unremovable programs with little or no trouble.

 

 

Donald L McDaniel

Please reply to the original newsgroup and thread.

========================================================

[Guest Donald L McDaniel]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

On Sat, 31 May 2008 15:21:54 -0500, "Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom>

wrote:

>Tis unfortunate but Ken exaggerates too much. That simply is not fact.

>"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>news:ekse8K1wIHA.2188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

>> news:BNg0k.6786$nW2.4888@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com...

>>> Why do you say 'likely to fail'? I've done this many times.

>>

>> Because, as Ken Blake has already pointed out, installation

>> details can be kept in lots of places in the registry. Unless

>> you know which key is checked by the program, you're in

>> for an up-hill battle. For example: I have spent hours trying

>> to convince a PC that a certain HP printer drive was no

>> longer installed. I succeeded after deleting each and every

>> reference to Hewlett Packard (and to HP), and there were

>> lots of them! In the process I crippled the driver for the

>> other HP printer that the client had . . .

>>

>> The OP should use the supplier's removal program, for

>> which I gave him a link.

 

Whenever possible, of course. Many times it just isn't possible.

For instance, for a few years, it was not possible to uninstall

WindowBlinds (from Stardock.com) using its safe uninstaller, since the

uninstaller was placed in the WRONG FOLDER, and it could not be found

by the OS. Also, sometimes the uninstaller may become "broken", and

for that reason, would be unusable.

>>

>

 

Sorry, bud, but Ken's advice is in no way "exaggeration". It is

"gospel truth", as many have found.

 

Vista's uninstallation routines are much improved, but developers

STILL put keys and files all over the place, where they cannot be

found by Registry Editor, no matter HOW HARD you try.

 

XP's uninstallation routines were not exactly the best, either.

 

An OS can't always do everything one wants, no matter how strongly he

desires it. PERIOD.

 

If a programmer doesn't use "standard" installation practices, the OS

cannot make up for his faulty code.

 

 

Donald L McDaniel

Please reply to the original newsgroup and thread.

========================================================

[Guest ANONYMOUS]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

You can try this MS tool. I have found it very useful:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

 

Once you have used it, you will need to delete all the folders which are

likely to be on the HD. Read the instructions first.

 

hth

 

 

Gary wrote:

>If I run regedit and delete the program folder would that work? I'll do a

>full backup first.

>

>

[Guest Bill in Co.]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

It all depends. For a small program, it is possible, in some instances.

But for a larger program, forget it - it's hopeless. As in: it's a

Herculean Task. (and a really clear example of this would be Offfice -

LOL)

 

Unknown wrote:

> Tis unfortunate but Ken exaggerates too much. That simply is not fact.

> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> news:ekse8K1wIHA.2188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

>> news:BNg0k.6786$nW2.4888@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com...

>>> Why do you say 'likely to fail'? I've done this many times.

>>

>> Because, as Ken Blake has already pointed out, installation

>> details can be kept in lots of places in the registry. Unless

>> you know which key is checked by the program, you're in

>> for an up-hill battle. For example: I have spent hours trying

>> to convince a PC that a certain HP printer drive was no

>> longer installed. I succeeded after deleting each and every

>> reference to Hewlett Packard (and to HP), and there were

>> lots of them! In the process I crippled the driver for the

>> other HP printer that the client had . . .

>>

>> The OP should use the supplier's removal program, for

>> which I gave him a link.

[Guest Nonny]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

On Sat, 31 May 2008 16:31:26 -0600, "Bill in Co."

<not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>It all depends. For a small program, it is possible, in some instances.

 

Is that your "definitive" answer for small programs? I notice you do

a lot of fence straddling.

[Guest Bill in Co.]

Re: How do I remove a program from the registry?

 

Nonny wrote:

> On Sat, 31 May 2008 16:31:26 -0600, "Bill in Co."

> <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>

>> It all depends. For a small program, it is possible, in some instances.

>

> Is that your "definitive" answer for small programs? I notice you do

> a lot of fence straddling.

 

I don't straddle fences, but, I do try to cover most bases, based on my

experiences.

 

What I'm saying is: you can successfully do it for some programs, but you

cannot for others. (There is NO way you could do it for Office - for an

obvious case).

 

Just as I have also talked about using the "right tool" for the "right job",

when comparing the efficacies and advantages of using, say, ERUNT , vs

System Restore, for restoration.

 

So, is there a one sentence, simple-minded, answer, that definitely defines

either? Nope. No way.

 

It comes from experience. And, (bottom line), it ain't usually answered

properly in one simple sentence (with few exceptions).