Add/Remove programs invalid entry removal
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256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
SUMMARY
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The following steps remove only the registry entries related to a program as it appears in the Add/Remove Programs tool. To completely remove a program that was not completely removed by clicking the Change/Remove button in the Add/Remove Programs tool, you need to clean up the physical directory structure on disk and in the registry as well. Use extreme caution when you perform either of these tasks.
Below you will be instructed to double-click an entry in the registry. That is because we want to expand that part of the tree. When you see the plus next to an item, it means that portion of the tree is closed and you cannot see the contents inside it. The entry will look like the picture below
When you double-click the entry, the entry will expand showing the contents underneath it and there will be a minus to the left of it such as the picture below
To remove a program reference viewable in the Add/Remove Programs tool:
- Access REGEDIT (The page will open in a separate window)
- Double-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Double-click Software
- Double-click Microsoft
- Double-click Windows
- Double-click CurrentVersion
- Double-click Uninstall
- Locate the key to be deleted by locating the key name created by the program. If the name of the key is not apparent, browse through each key and note the value for DisplayName. this is the viewable string in the Add/Remove Programs tool
- Highlight the key
- Click on File
- Click on Export
- Choose a location externally from the system (To a memory stick, floppy, CD or other external device)
- Delete the registry key and its values. Do not delete the entire Uninstall key.
- Quit the Registry Editor.
- Verify that the reference in the Add/Remove Programs tool is no longer visible.
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition