Vista Tutorial - Uninstall or Change a Program

**Brink**

How to Uninstall or Change a Program in Vista

Information

This will show you how to use Programs and Features to uninstall programs or to change the program's configuration by adding or removing certain options. This was called Add and Remove Programs in XP.

NOTE

If the program that you want to uninstall is not listed, then it may not have been written for this version of Windows. To uninstall the program, check the information that came with the program and see if it has a uninstall EXE program for it in it's C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) folder.

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Click on the Control Panel button.

3. In Classic view, click on the Programs and Features icon. (See screenshot below)

4. Highlight a listed program to see the available option on the toolbar for it. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: The options will be either Uninstall, Change, Repair, or a combination of these. A program may not have all the options available for it.
A) If mouse is set to single click, then hover the pointer over the listed program.

B) If mouse is set to double click, then left click once on the listed program.
NOTE: For how, see: How to Open a Item with a Single Click

5. Click the option you want to do on the toolbar, or right click on the listed program to select the option. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: See an explanation of each option, if available for the program, in steps 6 to 8 below.

6. To Uninstall a Program -
NOTE: Uninstall will run the selected program's uninstall program to uninstall the selected program. If you check the In the future, do not show me this dialog box option in the confirmation prompt, it will disable the confirmation prompt and will not be seen again until restored. See: How to Restore the Uninstall Confirmation Prompt in Vista Programs and Features
A) Click on Uninstall or Uninstall/Change.

B) Click on Yes. (See sceenshot below)

7. To Change a Program -
NOTE: The Change option is used for software that can be installed in modules and/or have different setups, such as a productivity suite where you can install applications independently. Should you decide to add or remove components at a later time, the Change install comes in handy.
A) Click on Change.

B) Make any changes in the installation setup program.

8. To Repair a Program -
NOTE: Repair is usually used when you want corrupted files and settings replaced with original ones from the selected program's installation program. Sometimes the entire program is just reinstalled with all files overwritten and settings returned to default for the selected program.
A) Click on Repair.

9. If prompted, click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

10. Close Programs and Features when done.
NOTE: Some programs will require a restart afterwards.

That's it,
Shawn

AshleyR · 02-09-2008

Hi there. I am unable to uninstall the Epson printer software from my computer which has Windows Vista Home Premium. I was instructed by the Epson technical support team to try and uninstall it in the "SAFE MODE" which I tried to no avail. I wish to uninstall the software in order to download the new drivers that are on the Epson website. Hence can someone please help me? Thanks

AshleyR

**Brink** · 02-09-2008

Hi AshleyR,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Usually when you install the new version of a driver it will automatically replace the old version for you. Is the software you want to uninstall listed in Programs & Features?

Shawn

AshleyR · 02-09-2008

Hi Shawn, thanks for your swift response. I am very familiar with uninstalling software and did exactly as you have explained. This is the full context of my problem. I purchased a new Epson DX4400 All-in-one Printer and followed the step by step guide in installing the software with the CD provided. However, I was unable to print anything. I finally contacted technical support at Epson who carried out a few tests. They wanted me to copy a document which came out fine, in fact the copied document looked better than the original. This confirmed that the machine was in working order, but could not print anything as yet.

Then they said that this model of printer was manufactured before Vista was introduced and wanted me to uninstall the software and download the new drivers from their website. This is when the problem began as I was unable to uninstall the software.

I contacted them once again and then they wanted me to uninistall the software by going into the SAFE MODE of the computer. I tried this method as well but no joy. This is when I contacted yourselves.

However, after all this ding dong battle with the software, I managed to finally uninstall the software [as if a miracle was performed] and now I will go to their website and download the updated drivers for this AIO printer. Hopefully it will work alright [fingers crossed].

I will drop you a line if I am successful. Meantime, thanks for your prompt response. So if anyone buys a Epson DX4400 AIO printer beware!!!

Regards

AshleyR

**Brink** · 02-09-2008

AshleyR,

Glad to hear that you got the software uninstalled. Was it in Device Manager that you uninstalled it from?

Shawn

AshleyR · 02-09-2008

Thanks. I uninstalled it from the usual place; not thru the device manager.

Regards

AshleyR

william gunkel · 04-06-2008

I would like some help in removing all of this junk that came with my computer. If I remove just the icons will that help? I would like to remove any programs as well, I am refering to Easy Internet, Try AOL, MSM, High-Speed Services, Vonage etc. Also please give me your take on Rhapsody and ReelPlayer. Thank You. William

**Brink** · 04-06-2008

Hi William,

If you click on any of the listed program icons in Programs and Features to uninstall it, it will uninstall the program from the whole computer, not just the icon. If this is what you meant?

I'm afraid that I never used Rhapsody or Reelplayer, so I can't offer much of an opinion on them. You might post a question about them in the Software forum to see what others say about it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

McGrady · 05-14-2008

I recommend using RevoUninstaller to uninstall apps. It removes everything, even from the registry.

Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Uninstall, Remove Programs, Solve uninstalling problems

antonyua · 12-05-2008

I want to Uninstall All The Programs That Came With windows vista Like Internet Explorer, Windows mail .. and some others From where i can find them ???