Installed programs not showing in Add or Remove Programs list

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Guest

I just re-installed my Windows XP Pro in order to completely clean off my laptop and start fresh. I assumed all of the installed programs would be removed. I was wrong. They are still listed (and working) in Program Files. However, when I attempt to locate them and remove them from Add/Remove Programs... they are not there. How can I uninstall these programs

Thanks
Donal
 
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Hi Donald,

The easiest way to really clean the machine would be to
re-install Windows XP again, but this time select the
option to reformat the drive before installation. In
order to get this option, you will need to boot from the
Windows XP CD. This will remove all programs and data
files (and the old operating system) from the machine.


I hope this helps,

Jay
-----Original Message-----
I just re-installed my Windows XP Pro in order to
Click to expand...
completely clean off my laptop and start fresh. I
assumed all of the installed programs would be removed.
I was wrong. They are still listed (and working) in
Program Files. However, when I attempt to locate them
and remove them from Add/Remove Programs... they are not
there. How can I uninstall these programs?
 
Just tried to reinstall XP Pro. No luck. This disk is
not a bootable disk. It came with the Dell laptop that I
have. There is no option to completely wipe the disk.
The other software (Macromedia Fireworks, Homesite, Music
Converters, etc.) is still on my computer... it is still
in Program Files... but it is NOT in the "Add or Remove
Programs" list. I want to do a clean uninstall of the
programs... I know I could simply delete them from
Program Files, but that would leave a lot of trash lying
around. I've deleted the programs that provided
uninstall software, but not all of them do. Could use
more advice?

Thanks for your help!
Donald
 
in a worst case scenerio, you could delete the programs from your program files, and run regedit to manually clean your registry. go through to the software folders and delete instances of the programs . this might not be the best idea though

you could also use an application like system mechanic to clean your registry after deleting

i have a dell laptop, and the cd i got was bootable, although it looks different form other win xp cds. did you go into your bios and change the boot order? it will boot from the hard drive before a cd normally, you have to change that. if you start slamming the f2 key as soon as your computer turns on, you should get to bios. there is an option to change the boot order in there, switch it around and you should be able to boot from the cd.
 
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