Uninstall Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pseu
  • Start date Start date
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Pseu

Hello,

I want to uninstall Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157) but it does
not appear in Add/Remove, how do I completely remove it?

I shall thank everybody in advance for any help.

Regards,

Pseu
 
Pseu said:
Hello,

I want to uninstall Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157) but it does
not appear in Add/Remove, how do I completely remove it?

I shall thank everybody in advance for any help.

Regards,

Pseu
Click to expand...


One option would be to install Windows Search again to see if an entry is added
to the list in Add or Remove Programs.

You could also look in your C:\Windows folder for a folder named
$NtUninstallKB940157$. Open this folder and look for a folder named spuninst.
Within the spuninst folder you should find a file named spuninst.exe. Running
this file should manually uninstall Windows Search. Note: You need to have
configured Windows to display hidden file and folders through the Folder Options
applet in Control Panel in order to see the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Hello Nepatsfan,

The folder named $NtUninstallKB940157$ is not present in C:\WINDOWS. After
checking C:\WINDOWS, I reinstalled Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP
(KB940157) and rebooted. Unfortunately, it still does not show in Add/Remove
or in C:\WINDOWS. Windows Search 4.0 still functions okay. Do you have any
other suggestions?

Regards,

Pseu.
 
First off, in Control Panel -> Folder Options, is "Show hidden files and
folders" selected in the Advanced settings box on the View page?

If it is and you still can't find the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder, let's see if
the following helps.

Go to Start and click on Run.
In the Run box, enter regedit.exe.
In the Registry editor, click on the + signs in the left hand pane to navigate
to the following registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP3\KB940157

Right click on this key and select Delete from the menu.

Do the same for this key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\KB940157

Once you deleted these two keys, close the registry editor. Next, reinstall
Windows Search 4.0. Check in Add or Remove programs to see if it is now listed.
If not, look for the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder in C:\Windows.

Note: It's a good idea to create a restore point before editing the registry.
System Restore can be launched from the Start menu through All Programs ->
Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.

Note: Post back if you're not comfortable editing the registry.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
In Add/Remove Programs do you have to go to the top and put a check in to
show updates in order for Windows Search 4.0 to show in Add/Remove Programs?
 
Hi Nepatsfan,

When I followed your instructions clearly for a second time everything
worked, thank you.

Regards,

Pseu
 
You're welcome. Thanks for letting us know you were able to uninstall Windows
Search.

Nepatsfan
 
Many thanks! I have found that Windows Search takes forever to index and
really slows down my PC. I'm perfectly happy with Google Search and so don't
need it anyway. I followed your instructions and uninstalled Search. I
appreciate that there are helpful people like yourself to bail out us
dummies. Happy New Year!
 
Nepatsfan:
I would like to uninstall Windows Search 4.0 also, and it does show up in
the Add/Remove programs. However, when I attempt to remove it I get an
intimidating note that says other programs on my computer may depend on
Windows Search and may not work properly if Windows Search is removed." Is
this true or can I remove it without any concern that other programs will be
damaged. (e-mail address removed).
gwoodall
 
Hey (know this is old) followed your tutorial to get rid of this
-pain-in-the-&^%@#$- software from MS - downloaded it thinking it was good -
made my laptop take another 5 mins logging in & booting - im happy with the
one that comes with my computer (classic-looking one) and my computer runs &
boots fine now! Good karma at you!!! Cheers!!!
 
Thank You.

Nepatsfan said:
First off, in Control Panel -> Folder Options, is "Show hidden files and
folders" selected in the Advanced settings box on the View page?

If it is and you still can't find the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder, let's see if
the following helps.

Go to Start and click on Run.
In the Run box, enter regedit.exe.
In the Registry editor, click on the + signs in the left hand pane to navigate
to the following registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP3\KB940157

Right click on this key and select Delete from the menu.

Do the same for this key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\KB940157

Once you deleted these two keys, close the registry editor. Next, reinstall
Windows Search 4.0. Check in Add or Remove programs to see if it is now listed.
If not, look for the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder in C:\Windows.

Note: It's a good idea to create a restore point before editing the registry.
System Restore can be launched from the Start menu through All Programs ->
Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.

Note: Post back if you're not comfortable editing the registry.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
Click to expand...
 
Here's my case. I have WDS 4.0 in the 'Add/Remove programs' list. I have the
$NtUninstallKB940157$ folder in Windows, but I can't open it to check if
spuninst.exe is there, 'cause I don't have administrative rights.

Strange here is that I click 'Remove' in 'Add/Remove programs' and get a
warning saying something like this (original language is Brazilian
Portuguese):

Uninstallation error
Error when trying to remove Windows Search 4.0. It maybe already
uninstalled. Do you want to remove Windows Search 4.0 from the 'Add/Remove
programs' list?

Any idea?
 
"Paultx", alias "Nexx", wrote Tue 26 May "Thanks a lot!!!! You steps worked great!".

So, please "PA Bear [MS MVP]", could you post, here on the MS Newsgroup (so that it gets propagated into the other images of the thread), a more precise link to (or at least a copy of) the solution? TIA,

Versailles, Mon 10 Aug 2009 18:48:45 +0200


----- Thread ("links are clickable in OE) -----
Newsgroup: news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
More persistent Image: http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/d09371562abae89a


----- Intermediate Message ("links are clickable in OE) -----
From: "Nexx" <[email protected]>
Message: news://msnews.microsoft.com/[email protected]
Sent: Tue 26 May 2009 00:26:00 GMT
Subject: Re: Uninstall Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157)

Thanks a lot!!!! You steps worked great!


----- Parent Message ("links are clickable in OE) -----
From: "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
Message: news://msnews.microsoft.com/[email protected]
Sent: Fri 22 May 2009 03:12:13 GMT
Subject: Re: Uninstall Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157)

Post here instead, please: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsdesktopsearchhelp/threads
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


----- Parent Message ("links are clickable in OE) -----
From: "Paultx" <[email protected]>
Message: news://msnews.microsoft.com/[email protected]
Sent: Thu 21 May 2009 18:06:09 GMT
Subject: Re: Uninstall Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157)

Here's my case. I have WDS 4.0 in the 'Add/Remove programs' list. I have the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder in Windows, but I can't open it to check if spuninst.exe is there, 'cause I don't have administrative rights.

Strange here is that I click 'Remove' in 'Add/Remove programs' and get a warning saying something like this (original language is Brazilian Portuguese):

Uninstallation error
Error when trying to remove Windows Search 4.0. It maybe already uninstalled. Do you want to remove Windows Search 4.0 from the 'Add/Remove programs' list?

Any idea?
 
Hi Nepatsfan.. good day.

I am on the same issue.. couldn't run the win search 4.0 indexing in
Outlook 2007 or in the desktop..

I want to remove the Windows Search 4.0 but couldnt..

I followed your instructions and stoped on the follwoing:

1- I couldnt find this after reinstalling the windows search 2.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\KB940157
2- I cannot find :
$NtUninstallKB940157$ folder in C:\Windows.

I reinstalled again the windows search 4.0 again but same things ..

if you want i can send you a couple of screen shots of some strange errors I
have regarding the windows search.

hence,
*I have win XP Pro.
*Hidden Files are viewed.
*I tried before and after the reinstalling d win search.

this issue appeared when i updated the latest windows live essential.--(has
a problem..i couldnt save the email or password for the nex log in to the
messenger)

in outlook search indexing - search ooptions .. cannot check or select..
error message says "a problem was encountered while trying to change which
data files to index..)

thanks and regards,
 
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