How do I clear program list of removed programs and Hotfix entries and realphebetize?

[msnews.microsoft.com]

I have removed a bunch of old software but when I click Start Programs it is still showing? If I then click it on the list, it says that it has been removed. How do I get it off the list? Similarly, how do I get all the Hotfix updates off the Program list? And how do I make this list go in alphabetical order?

Very many thanks!
Linnane

--

 

[Eric McG]

You can delete any item in the Programs listing by right-clicking on the item
and selecting "Delete".

You can sort the list by right-clicking on ANY item and then select "Sort by
Name".

--
Hope this helps..Reply in newsgroup only.
Eric McGillicudy

I have removed a bunch of old software but when I click Start Programs it is
still showing? If I then click it on the list, it says that it has been
removed. How do I get it off the list? Similarly, how do I get all the Hotfix
updates off the Program list? And how do I make this list go in alphabetical
order?

Very many thanks!
Linnane

--

 

[msnews.microsoft.com]

Thank you for answering, Eric. I think I haven't been clear. I understand that I can delete and realphabetize in Windows Explorer C:\Programs , but it is in Control Panel Add/Remove Program List that the deleted programs still show up even though they no longer exist, and it is also in Control Panel Add/Remove Program List that they are not alphebetized. And lastly, it is in Control Panel Add/Remove Programs List where all these Windows 2000 Hotfix entries clutter up the program List. The Hotfix thingys do not show up in Windows Expolorer C:\Programs at all.

Any further ideas for tidying up the Control Panel Add/Remove Program List?

Thanks a lot.
Linnane

You can delete any item in the Programs listing by right-clicking on the item
and selecting "Delete".

You can sort the list by right-clicking on ANY item and then select "Sort by
Name".

--
Hope this helps..Reply in newsgroup only.
Eric McGillicudy

I have removed a bunch of old software but when I click Start Programs it is
still showing? If I then click it on the list, it says that it has been
removed. How do I get it off the list? Similarly, how do I get all the Hotfix
updates off the Program list? And how do I make this list go in alphabetical
order?

Very many thanks!
Linnane

--

 

[Eric McG]

Removal is done by tweaking the Registry. See this article for the details:

How to Manually Remove Programs from the Add/Remove Programs List
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/247501

To change the sort order of the Add/Remove items, click on the drop-down list
located in the upper right-hand corner of the window.
--
Hope this helps..Reply in newsgroup only.
Eric McGillicudy

Thank you for answering, Eric. I think I haven't been clear. I understand that
I can delete and realphabetize in Windows Explorer C:\Programs , but it is in
Control Panel Add/Remove Program List that the deleted programs still show up
even though they no longer exist, and it is also in Control Panel Add/Remove
Program List that they are not alphebetized. And lastly, it is in Control Panel
Add/Remove Programs List where all these Windows 2000 Hotfix entries clutter up
the program List. The Hotfix thingys do not show up in Windows Expolorer
C:\Programs at all.

Any further ideas for tidying up the Control Panel Add/Remove Program List?

Thanks a lot.
Linnane

You can delete any item in the Programs listing by right-clicking on the item
and selecting "Delete".

You can sort the list by right-clicking on ANY item and then select "Sort by
Name".

--
Hope this helps..Reply in newsgroup only.
Eric McGillicudy

I have removed a bunch of old software but when I click Start Programs it is
still showing? If I then click it on the list, it says that it has been
removed. How do I get it off the list? Similarly, how do I get all the
Hotfix
updates off the Program list? And how do I make this list go in alphabetical
order?

Very many thanks!
Linnane

--

 

[John John]

How did you uninstall these old programs? The "Hotfix thingys" are not
in C:\Programs they are in the Winnt folder. The Control Panel
Add/Remove program entries are stored in the registry but I'm not sure
that you should be going there removing thing if you don't know what
you're doing. In any case the key is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Use this information at your own risk!

John

 

[Eric McG]

The MSKB article that I cited for the OP gives amble warning regarding the
Registry and it also gives detailed instructions on how to create a backup of
the Uninstall key prior to editing.

What could go wrong?

You gotta have faith...even a turtle has to stick its neck out to get anywhere.

 

[msnews.microsoft.com]

I uninstalled them by going into Windows Explorer and deleting them I guess... Usually, I used the Control Panel Add/Remove... but it has so much junk on it, half of it isn't really there. So I go to C:\Programs and double click the uninstall file in the program subfolder some times.

I guess it's pretty obvious that I one of those dangerous types that just tries stuff till it works... I can see you all rolling your eyes! But I've only crashed twice in six years, so that's not too bad Thanks for your faith Eric! If my next post is about crash recovery then you will know I messed up!

I appreciate both of you guys' comments - and thanks for the warning. I may call in the Marines for this one.

Linnane

How did you uninstall these old programs? The "Hotfix thingys" are not
in C:\Programs they are in the Winnt folder. The Control Panel
Add/Remove program entries are stored in the registry but I'm not sure
that you should be going there removing thing if you don't know what
you're doing. In any case the key is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Use this information at your own risk!

John

 

[John John]

Yes, you did the right thing by providing a link to the article with
detailed instructions. I was too lazy to search the KB so I just posted
the key along with the warning. I agree with you that "even a turtle
has to stick its neck out to get anywhere".

John