Cannot remove program from add/Remove?

Question

My daughter allowed a download of wild tangent. I tried to remove it through the control panel, but we are still getting an error message when we turn on the machine saying the startup program is still looking for a wild tangent program, so I think something is still in the register. Can you direct me to how I find it? The register is long and difficult to navigate. Thank you.

Answer

This question was answered on February 1, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

Error Message When You Remove a Program Using the Add/Remove Programs Tool

SYMPTOMS

When you view the list of installed programs in the Add/Remove Programs tool, you may see one or more programs listed that have already been removed from your computer. Alternatively, when you remove a program using the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

An error occurred while trying to remove Program_name. Uninstallation has been canceled

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you have manually deleted a program that is listed in the Install/Uninstall list in the Add/Remove Programs tool.

RESOLUTION

To remove a program from the Install/Uninstall list, use one of the following methods.

Method One

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Delete the appropriate key under the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Method Two

Use TweakUI PowerToy to remove the program from the list of installed software. To do so, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double- click TweakUI.

2. Click the Add\Remove tab, click the program that you want to remove, and then click Remove.

3. Click OK, and then close Control Panel.

MORE INFORMATION

The Microsoft Windows PowerToys are a suite of tools, including TweakUI, that is available for free download from the Microsoft Web site. Microsoft Microsoft Platforms Support Desktop (MPSD) Technical Support does not support the installation or usage of PowerToys or any of their components.

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Author

Posted by Eramilde of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on February 1, 2005