Still an Urgent Problem

[Rebecca]

Greetings! I am using Windows Vista Home Premium. I recently downloaded an
upgrade that requires me to uninstall a previous version of the program. When
I go to "Control Panel" and click on "Uninstall or Change a Program," I get
this message, which I didn't see a month or so ago:

"Your system administrator has disabled Programs and Features."

Thus, I can't uninstall the program and install the upgrade, which is an
urgent matter. Can any of the Vista experts help me with this problem? Thank
you.

Rebecca

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

locate the app on your pc - ie: C:/Program Files/Your app Folder/yourapp.exe

right click the exe file select properties, a dialog will open select
"Compatibility" tab,

under "Privilege Level" click "Show settings for all users" button

confirm by clicking continue

in the next dialog goto "Privilege Level", tick the check box - Run this
program as an administrator, click apply then ok, then ok.

open control panel, then Programs and Features, scroll down to the app you
want to uninstall, click it to highlight it, right click it to display
uninstall option and uninstall it.

regards

 

[Rebecca]

Dear Anthony, if I may,

I think I misled you with a poorly written explanation.

The problem is not with the specific program I just downloaded. It is with
the entire VISTA Control Panel. Namely, when I go to Control Panel / click on
"Uninstall or Change a Program," I get this message:

"Your system administrator has disabled Programs and Features."

That is, nothing appears in the window, other than the message above. I also
get many such messages -- "Your system administrator has disabled ..." -- for
other items in the Control Panel.

I hope this is a better explanation, and I hope Windows 7 solves some of
these extremely frustrating situations. This is an urgent problem, and I've
searched the Internet, called Microsoft (they said talk to the notebook
maker) but so far no luck. This is clearly a VISTA problem, not a hardware
problem.

Rebecca

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

ok

goto Start/start search

type MMC

confirm continue, the mmc window opens select file from the menu then select
open
this will open the administrative template folder.

if this folder is empty use the drop down and navigate to
Drive:/windows/system32

locate gpedit.msc

once open expand User configuration then locate and expand Administrative
Templates then expand Control Panel

select Add or Remove Programs - note the state - if they are marked as
disabled then double click on the setting and select Not configured option

regards

 

[Rebecca]

Thanks, Anthony, but I am using VISTA Home Premium which does not include the
gpedit.msc program. Only God knows why Microsoft does this, and I have to be
very careful not to criticize Microsoft in any way in this discussion group,
but it is extremely frustrating to have to struggle with all these VISTA
issues which arise periodically.

Regards,

Rebecca

 

[Rebecca]

No, I don't work for the company, heaven forbid. But many of the experts in
this discussion group are MS MVPs, and they don't appreciate negative
comments about their benefactor ("rants" as the complaints are labeled). So I
guess I let the cat out of the bag. I have nothing but utter contempt for
VISTA, and I am not the only one. I suppose I will have to wait for 7 to come
out late this year. It can't be any worse. There is always the Mac option.

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

sorry for time dif - i'm in australia

goto Start/start search - and type control.exe, once listed in menu right
click and select run as administrator - let me know if control panel items
are listed

regards

 

[Rebecca]

Dear Anthony,

All the icons are listed, but when I click on the "Program and Features"
icon, I get the ominous message: "Your system administrator has disabiled
Programs and Features." I ran a virus check and it came up clean. Thus, I am
unable to uninstall a program from the Control Panel (I didn't try to
uninstall from the program's folder because I want to resolve this problem
first).

Regards,

Rebecca

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

try this microsoft windows uninstall utility, once installed right click an
select run as administrator, this tool will allow you to uninstall the
programs you require.

i will also look into your problem further to locate a fix for you and
others with this problem.

link > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/290301

regards

 

[Rebecca]

Thanks Anthony, I will give it the old college try. I deeply appreciate your
kind help.

 

[Anthony Baratta]

Your very welcome

regards

Thanks Anthony, I will give it the old college try. I deeply appreciate your
kind help.

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

as a matter of interest once the control panel window is open are you able
to access user accounts?

regards

 

[Rebecca]

Hi, Anthony,

Yes, and when I see "Choose the account you would like to change," I can see
my name, as the Administrator, and Guest (Guest account is off).

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

ok - at least you can access the account settings

open User accounts dialog, locate "Turn User Account Control on or off"

click continue, uncheck "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your
computer" then click ok

Note: this might require restart

once pc reboots, open control panel and try to access Programs and Features
to see is you have access.

let me know what happens

regards

 

[Rebecca]

Hi, Anthony,

No, I still get that dadgum message. I guess VISTA has a built-in expiration
date, and it's telling me it's time to upgrade to 7, which will hopefully fix
some of these bugs and annoyances. I am at a loss as to what to do, other
than reinstall VISTA, which will take the whole weekend. This should not be.

 

[Anthony Baratta]

hi

Thankyou for your patience

Did that windows uninstaller work for you?

i found this tool on the net, people with vista home have had the same problem
as you have, they installed this tool and it repaired there system

all i can suggest is give it a go!

let me know if it worked for you

link > http://smitfraudfix-pro.com/index.html


regards

 

[Rebecca]

Hi, Anthony,

I'll give it a try. It doesn't mention on the website where the program is
downloadable that it is designed to fix a VISTA problem (it mentions OFFICE
products). But what the heck! A drowning person will grasp at straws. Thank
you very much for all of your help.

 

[Rebecca]

Hi, Anthony,

Well, I purchased, downloaded, installed, and scanned my computer, but the
only big change is that I am now out 50 bucks. That didn't work. I also
downloaded and installed VISTA SP2. Still I get the same message. I have run
several anti-virus programs, so that doesn't seem to be the problem.

I guess it's time to throw in the towel, and go with Mac. I've done this,
asked that, searched the internet, called Microsoft (they couldn't help, and
told me to call my notebook maker, who in turn told me to call Microsoft
because it's a software problem.

I can no longer tolerate using defective, inferior software such as VISTA,
and I'm sure 7 will be little different.

But thanks, Anthony, you did all you could to help, and I appreciate it very
much.