Computer question: Removing software

[Holly_Hobby]

Since removing software leaves behind stuff in the registry, can software be deleted directly from the registry instead of using the add/remove software tool?

It just took 4 days to clean up my desktop from software I don't want and left a bunch of stuff in the registry I had to manually delete. Not to mention all of the software I never use and never will.

Thanks....

[provis99]

1. use Revo Uninstaller

It's free, you can download it from download.com, and it will completely wipe out references in the registry, as well as delete leftover files and folders. A good, free product that I use alot.

[Holly_Hobby]

3. Thank you so much! n/t

[Holly_Hobby]

12. I wish I had come here and asked this question 4 days ago....

I just installed and used Revo and WoW. Quick, easy, fast. Thanks again.

[juno jones]

13. Thanks

And to think I hadn't even been thinking 'Damn I need an uninstaller to add to my "swiss-army-knife" of free utility programs/toys', then I stumbled in here. I'll be trying it out. Got a few of those loose ends, especially on our older computer. :)

[Canuckistanian]

I sure recommend it

I use it all the time.

[LakeSamish706]

2. And the direct answer to your question is NO.. You don't want to use ...

Regedt to remove programs directly.... By attempting this, you would have to know exactly where all pointers to the software are in the registry and I certainly would not recommend it.

[Holly_Hobby]

4. Ok...I won't, I just thought it would be a lot simpler. Thanks. n/t

[Mari333]

7. I used regedit tonight to remove a malware exe that was otherwise

impossible to remove. i had the specific name, pav.exe and it worked well. otherwise i wouldnt have used it, and I agree. i was following advice from Ohio State U website and it turned out to be good advice.
there are no current tools to remove this new malware at this time. pav.exe. nasty stuff.

[csziggy]

5. Technically yes, you can manually remove all the traces in the registry

Theoretically at least. But it is better to use Add & Remove or if the program provides it the appropriate uninstall applet.

A program, such as Norton Antivirus, that leaves lots of traces behind once it is properly uninstalled is a poorly written piece of crap that does not meet the standards for good software.

If you must manually uninstall, check to see if the program left a log of its installation. That would help you hunt down all the bits. But those logs are usually hidden better than the bits of the program.

[Holly_Hobby]

6. Norton is one of them giving me fits. Thanks.

I'm no registry expert, and I'd probably delete something that runs Start Up or something equally as important.

[LakeSamish706]

8. You might want to check the Symantic web site for a tool to remove your ...

Norton software..... They had many problems with some versions leaving stuff behind that they had to write separate routines to remove.... Been there and done that, and not at all fun.

[Holly_Hobby]

10. Thanks for the tip

I stopped using Norton and went to AVG free, which I like much better. I will look for the tool....

[csziggy]

9. Go to the Symantec site and look for a removal tool for your version

As LakeSamish706 recommends. It works very well.

Or download AVG free version. I'm not sure it will remove Norton but it cleared out the version of Panda AV that I had. http://free.avg.com/

[Holly_Hobby]

11. I've been using AVG free since March...I like it much better

than Norton. Thanks for your reply.

[juno jones]

16. Also check out Major Geeks.com

www.majorgeeks.com

They have some free tools to remove specific programs and registry entries.

And they have an extesive forum. I've learned alot being walked thru various virus/trojan removals by the people at their forums.

[Holly_Hobby]

17. Thanks for the tip! n/t

[slackmaster]

15. NAV is a bitch and a half to remove

There is a freeware application that does a pretty good job.

[slackmaster]

14. I have on many occasions cleaned up a Registry manually

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is reinstall your OS from scratch.