Programs and Features - Remove Uninstall Entry

How to Remove an Uninstall Entry in Programs and Features for Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8


information   Information
In Programs and Features there is a list of programs on your computer that have a uninstall program for it. If the program uninstall entry is invalid or you simply want to remove it from the list, then this will show you how to remove the uninstall entry using your choice of three methods.
Note   Note
The first two options use a 3rd party program, and the third method is through the registry. Just pick the method that you are most comfortable doing.

EXAMPLE: Program and Features
NOTE:
Open the Control Panel (Classic View in Vista) or (Icons View Windows 7/8), and click on the Programs and Features icon.
Programs_Features.jpg





OPTION ONE
Remove Uninstall Entry using "CCleaner" Program

1. If you have not already, download and install the latest version of the CCleaner.​
2. Click on the CCleaner shortcut icon either on your desktop or in the Start Menu to run the program. (see screenshot below)​
CCleaner_Icon.jpg

3. Click on the Tools button on the left. (see screenshot below step 5)​
4. Select the uninstall entry and click the Delete Entry button to remove it from the Programs and Features uninstall list.​
5. Click on the X in the upper right corner to close CCleaner when done.​
CCleaner.jpg





OPTION TWO
Remove Uninstall Entry in Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.​
2. If prompted by UAC, click on the Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7/8).​
3. Do step 4 and/or 5 below depending on if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows installed.​
4. To do in 32 Bit and 64 Bit Windows
A) In regedit, go to: (See top screenshot below step 11)​
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall


5. To do Only in 64 Bit Windows
A) In regedit, go to: (See bottom screenshot below step 11)​
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

warning   Warning
To be safe you should make a Back Up of this key, just in case you delete something you did not want to.
warning   Warning

  • In the left pane, right click on Uninstall and click Export.
  • In the Export Registry File dialog box, click Desktop in the Save in box and type Uninstall Backup in the File name box, then click Save.
  • To Undo Changes you made to this Uninstall key and restore it back to as it is now, right click on Uninstall Backup.reg and click Merge. Click Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. Click on Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​
7. In the left pane, each subkey, folder with {long number} or program name, under Uninstall represents a program that appears in the Programs and Features uninstall list.​
8. Click on a subkey, folder with {long number} or program name, under Uninstall to determine which program that key represents.​
NOTE: In the right pane of the subkey:​
DisplayName = Shows the name listed in Programs and Features.​
UninstallString = Shows the full path of the program that is used to uninstall the program.​
9. To Remove the Uninstall Entry
A) Right click on the subkey, folder with {long number} or program name in the left pane, for the program you want to remove from the uninstall list and click Delete.​
B) Click on YES to confirm the delete.​

10. Open Programs and Features and confirm that the uninstall entry is gone, then you can delete the Uninstall Backup.reg (on desktop) file if you like.​
NOTE: See the Example at the top of this tutorial.​
11. Close regedit.​
NOTE: The top screenshot is for the 32 bit Vista and 64 bit Vista, and the bottom screenshot is for only the 64 bit Vista.​
32Bit_Reg.jpg
64Bit_Reg.jpg

That's it,
Shawn



 

Attachments

  • thumb_Program_Features.png
    thumb_Program_Features.png
    11.8 KB · Views: 421
Last edited by a moderator:
Awesome tutorial, very helpful. Never used CCleaner before reading this, while CCleaner was unable to delete the entry I was trying to remove I found a work around. I had an entry named "Search" which was being very difficult. Obviously too many entires in registry named "search" to do a registry search, and the entry wasn't in the default key. Windows Install Cleanup saw the key but was unsuccessful in removing it. I used CCleaner to rename it to "findmenow"(which was successful) then searched the registry for "findmenow". Done in 2 minutes what was taking me hours looking through different entries in the registry. Excellent recommendation on CCleaner. Much appreciated.
 

My Computer

Hi Punktdawg,

Welcome to Vista Forums. :party:

I'm glad you like and found this tutorial helpful. Thank you for sharing your workaround for solving your problem. Some of these programs can be messy when it comes to uninstalling them due to shotty programming.

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Thanks for the great tutorial, I was unable to do Method 1 nor 2, becouse of the difgital signs (certificates) -I can't install any program with "unknown certificate" (another headache)-, but Using the Registry was a great help indeed.
Thank you so much.
 

My Computer

You're welcome Arboleya, and welcome to Vista Forums. :party:

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
I have Vista ultimate 32 bit SP1 and there is no such path in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

perhaps something has changed with sp1?
 

My Computer

Hello Unbreakable, and welcome to Vista Forums.

No, nothing has changed. I have simply forgot to include the 32 bit Vista location. :o

It is included now. ;)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall


Thank you,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
very helpful! thx for all the efort and all the forum!
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    e6300
    Motherboard
    asus p5l 1394
    Memory
    4.oo GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    asus EAH 4650
    Sound Card
    audigy soundblaster
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG L1919s
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital - WDC WD800AAJS-00WAA0 (74 GB)
    Western Digital - WDC WD1600JS-00NCB1 (149 GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
You're welcome Giksy, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi All,

I cant seem to remove a software even after the suggestions made above. My OS is Vista Home Premium 32bit.The uninstaller for the software was probably corrupt and now whenever I start my laptop the installer runs and tries to install the program and then after 5 mints or so fails and prompts to cancel the installation ( as it could not find the required information ). Its becoming quite irritating now and none of the tricks seem to work. I tried re-installing but it didn't work.Further, the folder for the software is still intact in the C/ drive but with only one or two sub folders. Deleting them does not work, running all kinds of registry cleaners does not work either. Am I left with the only option to FORMAT?? Please help.
 

My Computer

Hello Andy, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Doing a system restore using a restore point dates before you installed the program, if available, should be able to help remove the program for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hate to create a Lazarus thread, but i have numerous entries in my "Programs and Features" that aren't listed in the registry location you specify. I cannot remove these with CCleaner due to that odious "cannot delete msi installer". All of these are for simple items which didn't even need an installer to start with, much less an msi; some merely added a folder with a dozen files to an existing program (if I want to "uninstall" I merely delete that folder). In some cases I've moved the software in question so the uninstaller is useless now anyway. I just want to clean up my Programs and Features. Where else might this data be stored in Vista 32 Home Premium SP2?

I'm not trying to uninstall the programs, just remove a couple of dozen unnecessary entries in Programs and Features.
 

My Computer

Hello jgf,

You might also check the registry location below to see if any may be listed.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Thanks. Only three entries at that location, but I've made note of it. Was referred to a third location, where I found about half the items I wanted to remove: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products (This is something I've always hated about the registry; logically you'd think all these entries would be in one place.)
 

My Computer

Hi, Shawn. Sorry to bother you, on a thread, that's been silent for so long, but I need some help on this subject too, and if you could help me with it, it would be so wonderful of you to do so.
My problem is, well, I tried all of your methods, but for cccleaner, there's just a pop-up, about some msi installer. So it doesn't work, your method one, has expired, if I am correct,- well the program just isn't available anymore- that's what I saw. And i tried everything else people, and you have posted on this thread. But nothing is working. I do the method 2 stuff, but I can't find the program! It's just not there, I don't know why, I've done the thing, using 6432 node instead of going straight to microsoft/window/ etc. But the program doesn't appear there. It's just not under any uninstall. The program I'm trying to hide, is Dawngate, if that means anything. (dawngate- the game, by ea). I have tried to use, the run/gpedit.msc/ but I don't know what the canonical names are, and I don't understand what the examples mean either. I have tried to type in the program, -Dawngate- but it doesn't work.

Thanks, very much. Please help if you can.
- Nanomech3000
 

My Computer

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi, thanks it is a pretty nice place.
Oh, Sorry. I meant to ask, how could I hide the program dawngate from showing up in the control panel, add/remove programs list. Sorry about the misunderstanding. Thanks for those tips though.
 

My Computer

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Untitled4.jpgUntitled.jpguntitled2.jpgUntitled3.jpg
Left to right- 1: when trying to delete entry, when selected on Dawngate.
2: the program, Dawngate
3: I believe that this is regedit, when using the path, of localmachine/software/6423node/microsoft/windows/currentuser/uninstall
4: is the same as three, but not expanding 6432node.
 

My Computer

Back
Top