Removing a program that isn't listed as installed.

  • Thread starter Thread starter swalker
  • Start date Start date
S

swalker

How do I uninstall a program that Vista doesn't recognize as being
installed at all.

I have been moving all my old programs to a new Vista machine
including one from back during Win95 that failed to install correctly.
I tried a couple of things and somehow got it installed twice while
using comparability mode.

It wasn't working properly so I uninstalled it. Actually I uninstalled
one of the 2 instances of it.

The 2nd installation isn't listed in the programs when I go to the
Uninstall Programs menu. The program actually works, at least part of
it and the program is listed under the Start menu/All Programs.

What do I do now?
 
If you are lucky, look inside the folder it was installed in and see if
there is a uninst.exe file, if so double click it.
 
How do I uninstall a program that Vista doesn't recognize as being
installed at all.

I have been moving all my old programs to a new Vista machine
including one from back during Win95 that failed to install correctly.
I tried a couple of things and somehow got it installed twice while
using comparability mode.

It wasn't working properly so I uninstalled it. Actually I uninstalled
one of the 2 instances of it.

The 2nd installation isn't listed in the programs when I go to the
Uninstall Programs menu. The program actually works, at least part of
it and the program is listed under the Start menu/All Programs.

What do I do now?
I am uncomfortable with just deleting something. I did look in the
registry and found 3 instances of occurrence.

I also looked in the root directory in Program Files and couldn't find
a program to un install the program

Would using a restore point help?
 
Hi,

A restore point might, however it may restore to a point that other programs
you installed will be missing as well. By this I mean if you installed the
program in question on lets say Friday the 15th. and also install other
programs plus any Windows Updates etc, they will be gone as well. If the
program in question is the only thing that you changed then you will be OK.
In the future I would suggest even though Vista is good about creating
restore points, I make a habit of creating my own before any install. If the
program works as I Expected then I create yet another and make a note that
it works and all is well.
 
Hi,

A restore point might, however it may restore to a point that other programs
you installed will be missing as well. By this I mean if you installed the
program in question on lets say Friday the 15th. and also install other
programs plus any Windows Updates etc, they will be gone as well. If the
program in question is the only thing that you changed then you will be OK.
In the future I would suggest even though Vista is good about creating
restore points, I make a habit of creating my own before any install. If the
program works as I Expected then I create yet another and make a note that
it works and all is well.


I did a restore and that got rid of the problem program.

Now to try again to install it. I had it running on another Vista
machine and it ran on my XP machine with no problems.

Thanks for the help!
 
Hi,

You might try installing under the compatibility mode and choose WinXP


My last attempt was using XP. For the life eof me I can't remember
what options I chose in compatability mode when I installed it on the
other Vista notebook.
 
Back
Top