Windows Vista Forums

Uninstalling / Registry
  1. #1


    Josh Guest

    Uninstalling / Registry

    Why is it that when you use Windows uninstaller is basically uninstall very
    little? Folders remain ... files remain ... the registry is full of entries
    relative to the program removed ... ??

    Is it important to remove those entries from the registry? If so, can
    someone recommend a straight forward program that will do that without
    making a mess of things?




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    JamesJ Guest

    Re: Uninstalling / Registry

    I use Registry Finder by AceLogix.
    You can search the registry for a string and the program
    lists the found entries. It also backs up the deleted entries as .reg files
    so you can restore them if need be.
    Don't forget to backup the registry.

    James

    "Josh" <s_w_a_k@hotmail.com> wrote in message
    news:usw9V1HeHHA.928@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
    > Why is it that when you use Windows uninstaller is basically uninstall
    > very little? Folders remain ... files remain ... the registry is full of
    > entries relative to the program removed ... ??
    >
    > Is it important to remove those entries from the registry? If so, can
    > someone recommend a straight forward program that will do that without
    > making a mess of things?



      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Universe_JDJ Guest

    Re: Uninstalling / Registry

    On Apr 7, 4:56 am, "Josh" <s_w_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
    > Why is it that when you use Windows uninstaller is basically uninstall very
    > little? Folders remain ... files remain ... the registry is full of entries
    > relative to the program removed ... ??
    >
    > Is it important to remove those entries from the registry? If so, can
    > someone recommend a straight forward program that will do that without
    > making a mess of things?


    You could also try something like Your Uninstaller!. It runs the
    normal uninstaller, then runs it own registry scan to pick up anything
    left over.


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    Rock Guest

    Re: Uninstalling / Registry

    "Josh" <s_w_a_k@hotmail.com> wrote
    > Why is it that when you use Windows uninstaller is basically uninstall
    > very little? Folders remain ... files remain ... the registry is full of
    > entries relative to the program removed ... ??
    >
    > Is it important to remove those entries from the registry? If so, can
    > someone recommend a straight forward program that will do that without
    > making a mess of things?


    This has always been an issue. It's a function of the uninstall routine
    which is written by the software author. As a general rule unused or
    orphaned entries in the registry are not a problem. There is no advantage
    to using of of the so called registry cleaners to remove these. Only remove
    such entries if you know they are causing a problem. Registry cleaners are
    a snake oil remedy that cause more problems than they solve.

    --
    Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    Guest

    Re: Uninstalling / Registry

    In addition to to what Rock said uninstallers ogter err on the side of
    safety, may try to preserve your settings while uninstalled in case you
    reinstall it.

    The old MS setup program MS Acme wrote a file called MSCREATE.DIR to every
    folder it created (the folder may have already existed). At uninstall it
    would only remove folders that had this file and was the only file.

    In short lazyness, don't give a stuff, or trying not to destroy your data.
    "Josh" <s_w_a_k@hotmail.com> wrote in message
    news:usw9V1HeHHA.928@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
    > Why is it that when you use Windows uninstaller is basically uninstall
    > very little? Folders remain ... files remain ... the registry is full of
    > entries relative to the program removed ... ??
    >
    > Is it important to remove those entries from the registry? If so, can
    > someone recommend a straight forward program that will do that without
    > making a mess of things?



      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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