How to Delete a Program Not Listed in Add/Remove

Not all programs use the same installers. Some programs use the standard Windows installer, but others will create their own. Some manufacturers do not want to make it easy for the consumer to remove their software. Many gaming companies create their own uninstallers. It is always a good idea to look in their installation folder for a uninstall.exe or unwise.exe file before doing the steps in this article. These particular .exe files will uninstall the program for you and save you the time spent doing the rest of the uninstall processes.

Instructions

Windows Vista and Windows 7

1. Step1

   Right-click the application's shortcut. Select "Properties" from the drop-down menu.

2. Step2

   Write down the path name in the Target text box. This is where the program's executable file is. Go to the folder that contains the executable file and delete the folder. Now the main data is gone, and you will want to check if it is still in your Windows startup.

3. Step3

   Click on the "Start" button on your taskbar. Type "msconfig" in the Start Search box.

4. Step4

   Click the "Startup" tab. Locate an entry that has your problematic program in it. Uncheck the box next to the program name.

5. Step5

   Click the "OK" button. This will stop the program from starting every time Windows starts. Now you must remove entries in the registry.

6. Step6

   Click on the "Start" button on your taskbar. Type "regedit." The Registry Editor will open.

7. Step7

   Follow the following path: "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications an". Look for a folder that contains the name of the program you are removing.

8. Step8

   Right-click the folder and select the "Delete" option. Close the Registry Editor and reboot your computer.

   
   

Windows XP

9. Step1

   Go to your C:\Windows\Inf folder. In the Inf folder locate a file called sysoc.inf.

10. Step2

    Right-click the sysoc.inf file. Select the "Open With" option, and then select the "Notepad" option.

11. Step3

    Locate the name of the program you want to remove in the document. In the string that defines the program there will be the word "HIDE."

12. Step4

    Delete the word "HIDE" (not the commas around it) from the entry.

13. Step5

    Save the file. Reboot your computer. Go back into the Add/Remove programs section and you will see that the program is now present and can be removed.