How to Fully Uninstall Software
Removing a Program from the Computer Is Not as Easy as It Seems
Microsoft Windows (XP) "Add/Remove" or "Uninstall a Program" (Vista) often does not remove all traces of a program from your PC, which can cause problems later.
Updated versions of software sometimes but not always automatically remove older versions. In some cases the user may be told to manually uninstall the older version. Often the recommendation is to use the Add/Remove or Uninstall a Program feature in Windows. The problem with this approach is almost all software buries numerous, sometimes in the hundreds, of “keys” (tiny bits of instructions about the program) in the Windows Registry. These remnants, if left behind by the uninstall process, may later come back to haunt the user, particularly if the program is one of the anti-virus checkers. If nothing else, they clutter up the Registry, constantly increasing its size and slowing down operations.
First Steps
Before editing the Registry check whether there is special uninstall software associated with the application. If there is, it should be in the folder (directory) containing the program file itself. If not, check with tech support at the software maker’s site. A typical term is “clean uninstall.” If this doesn’t help, email the company, asking how to do a full uninstall. The answer may be quite extensive, such as Zone Labs or Symantec’s directions for manually getting rid of firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spam software. This could require booting into Safe Mode, finding and deleting specific folders and files, as well as locating and deleting Registry entries, and other steps.
Removal Options
If none of the above works or is available, there are three options (simply deleted the program folder through Windows Explorer or My Computer is NOT an advisable option):
1. Purchase commercial registry cleaner software. Some experts believe these programs can do more harm than good.
2. Rely on the Windows Add/Delete/Uninstall method found in the Control Panel. This may leave Registry values affecting the new version.
3. Live dangerously and delete the relevant Registry Keys. This is a step to take only if Tech Support cannot solve problems created by an updated program.
The third choice can be done safely. Be aware, though, changes to the Registry can be dangerous and cause the PC to malfunction. Before embarking on this process, create a restore point using System Restore. Then make a backup of the Registry. The Registry is accessed by selecting Start/Run and typing REGEDIT (case is not significant). On the File drop-down menu select “Export,” name the export file something memorable and save it on the desktop. There is a further safety step possible if one wishes to go the extra mile in safety. Each Registry Key being deleted also can be exported by right clicking on it and saving it with a specific file name. Individual Keys will be very small files; the full Registry backup can run into a very large, multi-megabyte file.
Taking the Plunge
Once confident everything possible has been done to safeguard the Registry, within the Regedit program, click on Edit/Find, and leave the three boxes (Keys, Values, and Data) checked but not the “Match Whole String Only.” Type in the name of the software, for example, “Zone Alarm” without the quotes in the search box and click “Find Next.” Right click each key found that relates to the software being uninstalled and choose”Delete.” Press F3 for “Find Again” and continue in this way, deleting each applicable Registry key. There may be quite a few. However, do not rush this task since it is easy to delete the wrong key.
Once finished, keep fingers crossed and restart the computer. If there is a problem, go back to the last good restore point and proceed from there. To restore the backup of the Registry, go to Start/Run, type REGEDIT in the box and choose “Import” from the file menu.
While this process can be scary at the first, sometimes it may be the only solution to get things working right again on the PC.
