Can't uninstall programs using Add/Remove Programs

[MikeU]

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.

 

[MikeU]

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.

 

[Brian A.]

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

 

[glee]

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?

 

[MikeU]

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.

 

[MikeU]

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







- 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.

 

[glee]

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.

 

[Brian A.]

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

 

[MikeU]

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.