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

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On Sat, 31 May 2008 10:02:05 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
<kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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