Member Avatar for Member #161929

hey nothing urgent
more of just a minor annoyance

i was just wondering if theres any way to remove entries off the add remove programs list without actually removing the program itself, mainly in cases where the program does not exist anymore. I'm somewhat obsessive when it comes to keeping my computer in order and recently it seems like when i remove some programs without going through the add/remove program list, the entries often just stay on the list. So if anyone could help, that'd be cool and save me from getting annoyed every time i open the window =]

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by hbk619

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Quick recap: had orphaned Add/Remove entries (Adobe trials). fixed it with a registry tweak and mentioned TweakUI — both valid. Below are additional, non‑registry options that safely remove stubborn entries or clean up leftover installers, plus short, practical steps you can follow now.

If the stale entries are Adobe products (CS2/CS3/CSx), run Adobe’s official cleaner first. It’s designed to remove old Creative Suite/Creative Cloud traces and repair broken installs so the Control Panel list updates correctly. Run the tool as administrator, pick the product type to remove, and reboot when finished. ()

For MSI/Windows‑Installer leftovers use Microsoft’s automated troubleshooter to repair corrupted installer data or remove entries that won’t uninstall. If the troubleshooter cannot list the program it will ask for the product code (GUID). One reliable way to remove an MSI directly is with msiexec:

msiexec /x {PRODUCT-GUID}

Get the ProductCode from the original MSI (Orca from the Windows SDK can show the ProductCode) or from a vendor-supplied MSI, then run the msiexec command elevated. Avoid querying Win32_Product/WMIC casually — that WMI class can trigger repair checks for every MSI package and cause side effects. (support.microsoft.com)

If you prefer a GUI “force uninstall” and cleanup, use a reputable uninstaller that supports forced removal and leftover scans (for example Revo). Before any forced removal or registry edit, create a System Restore point and export the registry key(s) you plan to change so you can revert if needed. Also note: Microsoft retired the old Windows Installer Cleanup tool and recommends the troubleshooter as the safer replacement. (revouninstaller.com)

Short troubleshooting checklist

  • Run Adobe Cleaner for Adobe trials. ()
  • Try Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. (support.microsoft.com)
  • If needed, extract ProductCode and run msiexec /x {GUID} (admin). (learn.microsoft.com)
  • If forced removal is needed, use a trusted uninstaller and always backup/restore point first. (revouninstaller.com)

These steps complement the registry/TweakUI approaches already mentioned in the thread while reducing manual registry edits and focusing vendor or Microsoft‑approved cleanup methods.

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All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for dcc

If you are this obsessive you should be removing programs that are in the add/remove list from there and then you shouldn't have these problems.

You might try going to start> search> for files or folders, enter the program that you that you are trying to delete and go from there. Be careful what you delete.

Member Avatar for hbk619

if the entry is still on the list, wouldn't there be a change/remove option still?

Member Avatar for Member #161929

ha, true... i guess I have just gotten in the habit of going through the uninstallers instead of using add/remove programs. So maybe i can prevent this later on...

but anyway, the programs still have a change/remove button, but the setup either crashes or won't load. i think I've managed to remove all but these:

  1. Dreamweaver CS3 trial (two entries... weird)
  2. Photoshop CS3 trial
  3. Photoshop CS2 trial

and possibly a few others... kinda funny how all of them are adobe trials...

Well, i know that in order for their setups to run (and crash) they have to have files located somewhere (possibly the temp folder?)
Do you think if i could locate and delete these files that it would help?

Member Avatar for Dr Windows (XP)

If you want to remove your program from the list Add/Rem, just go to the regedit and look for HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall.
just look for the name of the soft you want to hide. Create a new DWORD on the right tab named "SystemComponent" and set it to 1 if you want to hide it and of course to 0 if you want to show it. Bye

Member Avatar for Member #161929

problem solved =]

thank you

Member Avatar for jbennet

You can download TweakUI from Microsoft Site. It allows you to easialy remove entries for programs that no longer exist

Member Avatar for Member #161929

o man....

i already had TweakUI... dang it

Member Avatar for hbk619

hehe, that things pretty good :)

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