Number 256 - September 2004

Remove "Any" Software
from Fred Langa's June 3rd, 2004 column
This question targets one piece of software, but the answer's general, and can work on any software that just won't uninstall properly.    Dear Fred, Add/Remove doesn't want to remove Spybot. It's listed there as 1.1 but the program itself says it's 1.2. How do I get rid of it so I can download and install the 1.3 version? Thanks. --Chris Aichelman    Sometimes, old software won't uninstall properly. Other times, it does uninstall, but the "Add/Remove Software" list doesn't refresh: the software shows as installed, when it's not. Both problems aren't that hard to fix.    If you've been unable to uninstall via Control Panel's "Add/Remove Software " list, or via the program's own Uninstall applet, start by making a backup or ( even better) an image of your hard drive.    Next, do a full search of your hard drive for any files or folders relating to the software in question: For example~ search for anything containing the program's name or the owners/publisher's name. In the case of Spybot~ it's easy: A search for any file or folder with "Spybot" in its name will turn up Spybot's folders and main files.    When you've found where the target files/folders are located, delete them all.    Next, use your Registry tool (eg Regedit) and search the Registry for any entries relating to the software in question. Again, you usually can find these by searching for anything containing the program's name and/or the owners/publisher's name. Delete any entries relating to the target software.    Reboot, so any in-use files will be released. Watch for any error messages at reboot: If they	occur, they may contain clues as to the names and locations of any scattered files or settings you may have missed in the previous steps. Delete any such files you find this way, and/or change the affected settings (eg via Start/Run/MSCONFIG) that refer to the deleted files .    If you're being extremely thorough, do a second search of the drive and Registry to make sure that you really got everything the first time, Run your favorite Registry-checker-- jv16, WinDoctor, or whatnot ( htt :/I'IN\IW. 00 le.com/search? =re is +check+re air) to detect and repair any entries orphaned by your manual deletions.    The software should now be fully gone, but it's possible that there'll still be a ghost entry listed under Control Panel's "Add/Remove Software " list. If this happens, navigate to this Registry key:    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall    (Ed Note: Above is all one line with no breaks)    You can remove any item listed in the "Add/Remove" tool on Control Panel simply by deleting the appropriate sub key in the above. In the sub keys. "DisplayName" is the name you see listed in the Add/Remove Programs tool. and "UninstallString" is where the uninstall program is supposed to reside.    If you delete something this way, make a note to see where the Uninstall program is supposed to be: Check to make sure you deleted that file/folder, too.    When you're done, your system should be free of the files you were trying to delete, as well as any references to those files. This way, you should be able to remove even the most stubborn, deep-rooted software!
Number 256 - September 2004