I recently noticed that I can't uninstall most of the programs listed
in the
Add/Remove Programs list in the control panel. I can't uninstall them
because the Remove button does not appear for those programs.

However, the Remove button only appears for the programs that I know
I have installed in the last week.

I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
exhibit
any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
kept a
careful watch on running processes. I can't find anything suspicioius.
My
virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
computer
clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
still appears to be running effectively.

Any help is appreciated.

On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I recently noticed that I can't uninstall most of the programs listed
> in the
> Add/Remove Programs list in the control panel. I can't uninstall them
> because the Remove button does not appear for those programs.
>
> However, the Remove button only appears for the programs that I know
> I have installed in the last week.
>
> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
> exhibit
> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
> kept a
> careful watch on running processes. I can't find anything suspicioius.
> My
> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
> computer
> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
> still appears to be running effectively.
>
> Any help is appreciated.


One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.

"MikeU" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> I recently noticed that I can't uninstall most of the programs listed
>> in the
>> Add/Remove Programs list in the control panel. I can't uninstall them
>> because the Remove button does not appear for those programs.
>>
>> However, the Remove button only appears for the programs that I know
>> I have installed in the last week.
>>
>> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
>> exhibit
>> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
>> kept a
>> careful watch on running processes. I can't find anything suspicioius.
>> My
>> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
>> computer
>> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
>> still appears to be running effectively.
>>
>> Any help is appreciated.
>
>
> One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
> a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.

Do the programs have an uninstaller in the directory folder they were installed to?

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Are all the programs that DO have the Change/Remove button available, listed in the
Registry Editor (Start> Run> Regedit) under the key named below?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall


Do the programs that do NOT have the button avaiable appear in that Registry key?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"MikeU" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> I recently noticed that I can't uninstall most of the programs listed
>> in the
>> Add/Remove Programs list in the control panel. I can't uninstall them
>> because the Remove button does not appear for those programs.
>>
>> However, the Remove button only appears for the programs that I know
>> I have installed in the last week.
>>
>> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
>> exhibit
>> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
>> kept a
>> careful watch on running processes. I can't find anything suspicioius.
>> My
>> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
>> computer
>> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
>> still appears to be running effectively.
>>
>> Any help is appreciated.
>
>
> One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
> a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.
>

On Jun 17, 11:28 pm, "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote:
> "MikeU" <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> I recently noticed that Ican'tuninstallmost of theprogramslisted
> >> in the
> >>Add/RemoveProgramslist in the control panel. Ican'tuninstallthem
> >> because theRemovebutton does not appear for thoseprograms.
>
> >> However, theRemovebutton only appears for theprogramsthat I know
> >> I have installed in the last week.
>
> >> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
> >> exhibit
> >> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
> >> kept a
> >> careful watch on running processes. Ican'tfind anything suspicioius.
> >> My
> >> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
> >> computer
> >> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
> >> still appears to be running effectively.
>
> >> Any help is appreciated.
>
> > One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
> > a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.
>
> Do theprogramshave an uninstaller in the directory folder they were installed to?
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I'll have to check that later, since I don't have the laptop right
now.
However, most of the applications used to have a Change/Remove
or Remove button associated with them. I have tried running one
of the uninstallers in the program directory and it failed, reporting
that the application couldn't be uninstalled because it wasn't
installed.

On Jun 17, 11:42 pm, "glee" <gle...@spamindspring.com> wrote:
> Are all theprogramsthat DO have the Change/Removebutton available, listed in the
> Registry Editor (Start> Run> Regedit) under the key named below?
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
>
> Do theprogramsthat do NOT have the button avaiable appear in that Registry key?
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+http://dts-l.org/http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> "MikeU" <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
>
> > On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> I recently noticed that Ican'tuninstallmost of theprogramslisted
> >> in the
> >>Add/RemoveProgramslist in the control panel. Ican'tuninstallthem
> >> because theRemovebutton does not appear for thoseprograms.
>
> >> However, theRemovebutton only appears for theprogramsthat I know
> >> I have installed in the last week.
>
> >> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
> >> exhibit
> >> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
> >> kept a
> >> careful watch on running processes. Ican'tfind anything suspicioius.
> >> My
> >> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
> >> computer
> >> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
> >> still appears to be running effectively.
>
> >> Any help is appreciated.
>
> > One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
> > a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I looked at that part of the Registry after I posted my help request
and here's
what I found.

All the programs with Change/Remove or Remove buttons are listed in
the Registry.
All these programs have been recently upgraded or installed in the
last week.

None of the programs without Change/Remove or Remove buttons are
listed in
the Registry. However, most of them used to have at least a Remove
button.
All of these programs have been installed on my system for a long
time.

I was able to restore the Change/Remove and Remove buttons for two
programs
(OpenOffice.org and AVG) by reinstalling the software. These programs
are now
listed in the Registry.

I can see the noModify and noRemove keys values that tell me which
apps
should have Change and Remove buttons.

Add or Remove Programs may be listing those without buttons from entries here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products

AFAIK, they must be listed here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
in order for the Change/Remove button to be shown.

Reinstalling the program should reinstate the button and whatever entries are
missing from the Registry, allowing uninstall to work again.

If you had a Registry backup from when the buttons were still there, you could try
modifying the Uninstall key with added info from the backup, or if this was a very
recent occurrence, you could try System Restore to when the entries were still
available. I think it is probably too late for that now.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"MikeU" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Jun 17, 11:42 pm, "glee" <gle...@spamindspring.com> wrote:
>> Are all theprogramsthat DO have the Change/Removebutton available, listed in the
>> Registry Editor (Start> Run> Regedit) under the key named below?
>>
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
>>
>> Do theprogramsthat do NOT have the button avaiable appear in that Registry key?
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+http://dts-l.org/http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>> "MikeU" <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >> I recently noticed that Ican'tuninstallmost of theprogramslisted
>> >> in the
>> >>Add/RemoveProgramslist in the control panel. Ican'tuninstallthem
>> >> because theRemovebutton does not appear for thoseprograms.
>>
>> >> However, theRemovebutton only appears for theprogramsthat I know
>> >> I have installed in the last week.
>>
>> >> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
>> >> exhibit
>> >> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
>> >> kept a
>> >> careful watch on running processes. Ican'tfind anything suspicioius.
>> >> My
>> >> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
>> >> computer
>> >> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
>> >> still appears to be running effectively.
>>
>> >> Any help is appreciated.
>>
>> > One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
>> > a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.- Hide quoted
>> > text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> I looked at that part of the Registry after I posted my help request
> and here's
> what I found.
>
> All the programs with Change/Remove or Remove buttons are listed in
> the Registry.
> All these programs have been recently upgraded or installed in the
> last week.
>
> None of the programs without Change/Remove or Remove buttons are
> listed in
> the Registry. However, most of them used to have at least a Remove
> button.
> All of these programs have been installed on my system for a long
> time.
>
> I was able to restore the Change/Remove and Remove buttons for two
> programs
> (OpenOffice.org and AVG) by reinstalling the software. These programs
> are now
> listed in the Registry.
>
> I can see the noModify and noRemove keys values that tell me which
> apps
> should have Change and Remove buttons.
>
>

"MikeU" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Jun 17, 11:28 pm, "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote:
>> "MikeU" <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >> I recently noticed that Ican'tuninstallmost of theprogramslisted
>> >> in the
>> >>Add/RemoveProgramslist in the control panel. Ican'tuninstallthem
>> >> because theRemovebutton does not appear for thoseprograms.
>>
>> >> However, theRemovebutton only appears for theprogramsthat I know
>> >> I have installed in the last week.
>>
>> >> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
>> >> exhibit
>> >> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
>> >> kept a
>> >> careful watch on running processes. Ican'tfind anything suspicioius.
>> >> My
>> >> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
>> >> computer
>> >> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
>> >> still appears to be running effectively.
>>
>> >> Any help is appreciated.
>>
>> > One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
>> > a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.
>>
>> Do theprogramshave an uninstaller in the directory folder they were installed
>> to?
>>
>> --
>>
>> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
>> Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>>
>> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> I'll have to check that later, since I don't have the laptop right
> now.
> However, most of the applications used to have a Change/Remove
> or Remove button associated with them. I have tried running one
> of the uninstallers in the program directory and it failed, reporting
> that the application couldn't be uninstalled because it wasn't
> installed.

After reading back on your first post, I don't see mention on if you clicked on any
entry listed in Add/Remove Programs that didn't show a Remove button. I have a few
as well and clicking on them produces the Remove button. Have you clicked on any?


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

On Jun 18, 9:26 pm, "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote:
> "MikeU" <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 17, 11:28 pm, "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote:
> >> "MikeU" <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> >> > On Jun 17, 11:10 pm, MikeU <urruti...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> I recently noticed that Ican'tuninstallmost of theprogramslisted
> >> >> in the
> >> >>Add/RemoveProgramslist in the control panel. Ican'tuninstallthem
> >> >> because theRemovebutton does not appear for thoseprograms.
>
> >> >> However, theRemovebutton only appears for theprogramsthat I know
> >> >> I have installed in the last week.
>
> >> >> I could have been infected with a virus, but my computer doesn't
> >> >> exhibit
> >> >> any signs. It doesn't run any slower, or behave any differently. I've
> >> >> kept a
> >> >> careful watch on running processes. Ican'tfind anything suspicioius.
> >> >> My
> >> >> virus scanner has the most recent virus definitions. It scans my
> >> >> computer
> >> >> clean. Two separate ad/spy ware checkers also check clean. My firewall
> >> >> still appears to be running effectively.
>
> >> >> Any help is appreciated.
>
> >> > One more thing, I'm running Windows XP SP2 with 512 MB RAM on
> >> > a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. All Windows updates are current.
>
> >> Do theprogramshave an uninstaller in the directory folder they were installed
> >> to?
>
> >> --
>
> >> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> >> Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> >> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375-Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > I'll have to check that later, since I don't have the laptop right
> > now.
> > However, most of the applications used to have a Change/Remove
> > orRemovebutton associated with them. I have tried running one
> > of the uninstallers in the program directory and it failed, reporting
> > that the application couldn't be uninstalled because it wasn't
> > installed.
>
> After reading back on your first post, I don't see mention on if you clicked on any
> entry listed inAdd/RemoveProgramsthat didn't show aRemovebutton. I have a few
> as well and clicking on them produces theRemovebutton. Have you clicked on any?
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yes, I clicked on them. I can see Size and Used, but no buttons of any
kind.