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I recently installed a program and then realisd days later that i didnt need it any more. I uninstalled the program and deleted all files assoc. with the program. I wasnt sure if i had completely wiped the program so i checked the add/remove programs list in the control panel. It turns out i found the setup for the program to have it installed. The icon was similar to this:
I wasnt able to delete the program from the list using the add/remove button. How can i remove the install setup wizard for the program? appreciate all help.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by dos_centavos

Dani AI

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— the leftover "setup" entry you see in Add/Remove Programs is almost always just a registry entry pointing at a missing or broken uninstaller. was right that the uninstall record can be flawed; here are practical, low-risk steps to remove that orphaned entry cleanly (no blanket registry cleaners needed).

Make a System Restore point or export the registry before editing. Run RegEdit and look for the program under these keys:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

Search each key for the DisplayName that matches the item you see in Add/Remove. When you find it, right-click the key and choose Export (creates a .reg backup). If the entry clearly matches the removed program, delete that whole key and reboot. That removes the Add/Remove entry without guessing which registry values to change.

If the key contains an UninstallString with msiexec and a GUID (looks like {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}), you can remove the product via:
msiexec /x {PRODUCT-GUID}

If you prefer not to delete the key, create a DWORD named SystemComponent and set it to 1 to hide the entry from Add/Remove (safer for uncertain keys). Avoid deleting keys you do not recognize — Windows components also use the same locations.

For a non-manual option, use a small portable uninstaller (for example, Geek Uninstaller or Revo Uninstaller Free) that can remove leftover Add/Remove records and leftover files. After any change, check Program Files, ProgramData (or Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data on XP) and Services/Scheduled Tasks for leftovers. Editing the registry carries risk—back up first and only remove keys that match the program name or path.

Member Avatar for dos_centavos

I recently installed a program and then realisd days later that i didnt need it any more. I uninstalled the program and deleted all files assoc. with the program. I wasnt sure if i had completely wiped the program so i checked the add/remove programs list in the control panel. It turns out i found the setup for the program to have it installed. The icon was similar to this:
I wasnt able to delete the program from the list using the add/remove button. How can i remove the install setup wizard for the program? appreciate all help.

You can re-install the program then use add / remove programs to uninstall it.
If the program still remains in the add / remove programs list then follow the instructions located here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314481

Given your description of what has happened I would surmise that the uninstall shield for the program is flawed. The only way to ensure that all traces of the program are removed is to review the .inf file that was used to install the program. Of course deciphering the .inf and manually deleting everything (registry entries included can be PITA - and I don't mean the bread) Of course you can always use some registry cleaning software to clean up the registry after you have deleted everything.

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