How to Manually Remove Programs from the Add/Remove Programs List

This article applies to Windows 2000. Support for Windows 2000 ends on July 13, 2010. The Windows 2000 End-of-Support Solution Center is a starting point for planning your migration strategy from Windows 2000. For more information see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy.

Summary

This article describes how to manually remove items from the Add/Remove Programs tool if the item is still displayed after you try to remove the item from Add/Remove Programs.

More Information

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows
Programs that are compatible with Windows may have an uninstallation program or feature. The Add/Remove programs tool lists all of the Windows-compatible programs that have an uninstall program or feature. You may need to manually remove the program from the Add/Remove Programs list if you uninstall a program and the registry key that is used to display the program name is not removed correctly:

Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then press ENTER.

Locate and click the following registry key:

After you click the Uninstall registry key, click Export Registry File on the Registry menu.

In the Export Registry File dialog box, click Desktop in the Save in box, type uninstall in the File name box, and then click Save.

Each key under Uninstall represents a program that appears in Add/Remove Programs. To determine which program that each key represents, click the key, and then view the following values:

DisplayName — the value data for the DisplayName key is the name that is listed in Add/Remove Programs

UninstallString — the value data for the UninstallString key is the program that is used to uninstall the program

After you identify the registry key that represents the program that is still in Add/Remove Programs, right-click the key, and then click Delete.

After you delete the key, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

In Add/Remove Programs, verify that the program for which you deleted the registry key is not listed.

Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows 10

There are different ways to remove apps and programs, so if you can’t find the one you’re looking for, you can try another location. Note that some apps and programs are built into Windows and can’t be uninstalled. You can try to repair a program first, if it’s just not running correctly.

Uninstall from the Start menu

Select Start and look for the app or program in the list shown.

Press and hold (or right-click) on the app, then select Uninstall.

Uninstall from the Settings page

Select Start , then select Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Or just click the shortcut link at the bottom of this article.

Select the app you want to remove, and then select Uninstall.

Uninstall from the Control Panel (for programs)

In the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel and select it from the results.

Select Programs > Programs and Features.

Press and hold (or right-click) on the program you want to remove and select Uninstall or Uninstall/ Change. Then follow the directions on the screen.

If you get an error message when you’re uninstalling, try the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter.

If you’re trying to remove malware, see Stay protected with Windows Security to find out how to run a scan. Or if you use another antivirus software program, check their virus protection options.

How to Completely Remove Programs from Windows

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Do you uninstall software programs regularly? Are you sure you can completely remove them? As we know, when we install a piece of

software, it installs several files on the system, if you can’t remove them completely, they will make your computer run slowly or bring some

unexpected threads. In this article, we will talk about how to completely remove programs from Windows.

Step 1: Use Control Panel to uninstall a program

Click the Start button and go to the Control Panel, then click Uninstall a program. But in this way, you can only delete the main program file.

Step 2: Check the program files and AppData folders

1. Press Win + S, and type %programfiles% into the search box.

2. Check whether there are any folders that have the name of the uninstalled software. If yes, delete such folders.

3. Input %appdata% into Search. You will be taken to the AppData folder. And then repeat the item 2.

Step 3: Clean up registries

Please be noted that this step requires carefulness and make sure you delete the correct files only. If you delete something by mistake, it will

cause unexpected errors for windows. So, I strongly recommend you to use a reliable tool like Wise Registry Cleaner, which can help you

remove all the leftover keys and entries with one click, what’s more, it has free version.

After the above three steps, you can remove the unwanted program completely. However, if you are looking for an easier method that requires

no computer knowledge, you can have a try on Wise Program Uninstaller, which can force uninstall and remove any stubborn software easily.

After launching it, you will find it lists all installed applications in your system clearly.

Have you faced some stubborn, tough, abnormal and non-standard programs? If yes, you can use the “Forced Uninstall” feature.

After uninstallation, Wise Program Uninstaller will start to scan the related leftovers such as files, folders and registry entries. After that you

can remove them completely.

Any suggestions on how to delete unwanted programs, drop a commend below.

Remove software leftovers on Windows 10 [COMPLETE GUIDE]

• As PC users, we install and uninstall programs all the time. And the Control Panel should normally suffice for the latter.
• But what if it doesn’t? Here are the most commonly used methods for completely removing software leftovers.
• To avoid PC performance issues you might also want to delete junk files that clutter your disk.
• Explore our Removal Guides for more useful tools, and recommendations to keep your PC clean and snappy.

1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance

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It’s a common practice for all computer users to install software programs regularly. As you know, whenever you install a piece of software, it creates files on the hard drive and usually adds registry entries to work efficiently.

As long as you are using the program and don’t forget about it, it’s perfectly fine.

Now, the problem comes when you opt to uninstall it because the program might not completely remove itself from your PC. That’s where software leftovers come into play.

To remove a program in Windows, we normally uninstall it from the Control Panel. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always completely eliminate it. As a result, your system continues to accumulate unused files that take up space.

Entries for the old programs can also remain in the Registry, which cuts back on the performance of your machine. These leftovers may not pose a major threat. But they tend to slow down your PC, so there is no point in keeping them.

Fortunately, there are various methods that can help you get rid of these leftovers.

In this guide, we are going to discuss the most commonly used methods for completely removing software leftovers.

How can I completely remove programs on Windows 10?

1. Use third-party software to remove software leftovers

Revo Uninstaller Pro

Revo Uninstaller Pro is a premium program that delivers all the features you need to effectively remove software leftovers. The Uninstaller tool lists all the installed programs and components for all users and current accounts.

With a context menu and a choice of view, you can see all the information in one place. This includes registry entries, program properties, and links to the manufacturer’s website.

Revo Uninstaller Pro uses advanced algorithms that are fast, precise, and effective in searching for leftovers of Windows services, file extensions, drivers, program settings, and more. And for your convenience, a portable version is available.

Revo Uninstaller

IObit Uninstaller

IObit Uninstaller is a fast cleaner for your computer that works its magic on any unwanted programs, Windows apps, and plug-ins. It provides a simplified uninstall and auto leftover scan to ensure thorough removal.

Below you can read the most important features of this software:

• Removes unwanted programs to free up disk space and boost the PC’s overall performance
• Detect all malicious programs including adware in real time, and it allows you to get rid of them easily
• Automatically remove all remnants of programs
• Removes stubborn leftover files that cannot be deleted by other uninstallers
• Updates all your software
• Monitors all system changes while a program is being installed

IObit Uninstaller

2. Manually remove the software leftovers

This method is convenient as it doesn’t involve installations of third-party applications. Basically, you are manually cleaning entries from the Registry.

Nonetheless, care should be taken. A small mistake here might adversely affect the functioning of your machine.

Note: It’s important to do a backup before deleting anything from the Windows registry so that if something goes wrong, you can restore the system to its earlier state.

To do a backup, right-click on the key you want to delete and select Export. It will save a REG file with the backup of that key.

2.1 Uninstall software using Control Panel

1. Open Control Panel
2. Double-click on Programs
3. Choose the program you want to uninstall and click on the Uninstall button. This will remove the program.

2.2 Delete the remaining files and folders

Even though you have successfully uninstalled the program, some file fragments may be left in a few system folders.

To remove them, you’ll need to check the program files and app data. Check the following folders for leftovers.

• %programfiles%
• %appdata%

Run a System Scan to discover potential errors

Just type the above text one at a time in the search box and press enter. This will open the folders directly. If you find any folder with the name of the program you just uninstalled, delete it.

2.3 Remove software keys from the Windows Registry

1. Open the Start menu, type regedit in the search box and press ENTER. It will launch the Registry Editor.
2. Type the following keys one by one:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE
   • HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTSoftware
3. Look for a key with the name of the program you just removed. If you find a key, delete it. You can also use CTRL+F to search for such keys.

You will need to be very careful when performing this procedure. When you uninstall a software program, in most cases, the uninstaller does not remove the program from the Windows Registry.

This increases the Windows Registry size. To completely remove the software, you need to remove its key from the Windows Registry.

2.4 Empty Temp Folder

The final step is to clean the Temp folder. This is the folder that contains all the temporary files and cleaning it is safe. To empty the folder, open the Start menu and type the following commands one by one:

• %temp%
• temp

This will open the Temp folders. You can now empty them. If the system displays an error message when deleting some files, leave them. The files might be in use by Windows services or some running software.

After following all the steps above, you will be able to completely uninstall a program without leaving a trace on your machine.

3. Use Absolute Uninstaller (Freeware)

Absolute Uninstaller is an enhanced tool for Windows that you can use to remove all the software leftovers. Consequently, the program can wipe off all the junk files in seconds after uninstalling the software.

Absolute Uninstaller offers a more user-friendly way to remove software leftovers and improve your computer efficiency. What’s more, Absolute Uninstaller supports batch uninstall. This means you can even remove multiple applications in just a single click.

It also allows you to make backups so you will never lose important programs in case of mistakes.

GlarySoft also has a very useful Registry repair tool to scan computers, clean registry junks, and fix registry errors.

It performs comprehensive and deep analysis for Windows Registry. It also repairs invalid entries or references that cause computer freezing, system crashes, instability, blue screen, and PC slowdowns.

4. Use GeekUninstaller (Free version)

GeekUninstaller takes care of stubborn programs very well and can even uninstall programs that other programs can’t. Since the tool is portable, you can download it on a USB to help fix buggy PC’s on the go.

The tool performs deep scanning and removes all the junk files and other software leftovers. It also features an efficient user interface and instant startup. GeekUninstaller offers both clean uninstall and forced uninstall.

Compared to the manual methods, third-party programs are easier, faster, and safer to use. They also come with a friendly interface that allows you to see even the registry entries as well as the link to the manufacturer’s website.

1. Download this PC Repair Tool rated Great on TrustPilot.com (download starts on this page).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues with Patented Technologies (Exclusive Discount for our readers).

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Have you used any of the methods described above? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments section below. Also, leave there any questions you may have and we’ll surely take a look.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove registry entries from uninstalled programs?

Use a third-party uninstaller from the list above to remove leftovers, including registry entries left behind by programs. You can also use these tools to monitor changes in the Windows registry.

How do you delete registry keys that cannot be deleted?

There are a few easy steps you can follow that fix errors while deleting registry keys.

Where are my leftover files after uninstall?

The leftover files might be in the installation path, Documents, or AppData folders. To auto-delete leftovers, use the best uninstaller software.