How to Remove Software

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I was in the midst of installing Adobe Photoshop CS into a friends computer when about halfway the computer FROZE. The only way to get things going again was to Shut Down and Restart. Then when I went to Control Panel to REMOVE the partial installation I could NOT get it to Remove. Made several attempts without success. There was a pop up window that would appear but unfortunately I do NOT have a Screen shot, but I tried the suggestions therein without any success.

Is there a method to REMOVE reluctant programs such as this???

Thanx a lot for any suggestions.

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You could install the program and then un-install it. You may need to do a Repair.

cheers, Paul

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You could install the program and then un-install it. You may need to do a Repair.

cheers, Paul

That’s basically my problem — It won’t Uninstall or Repair.

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You could INSTALL the program and THEN un-install it.

It might seem a bit counter-intuitive but a failed install leaves a bunch of temp files and no uninstall hooks behind, so installing again cleans up the temp files and puts the proper hooks in for uninstalling.

Also a system restore would do the trick though it may leave behind some residual files from the install that would need manual deletion.

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It might seem a bit counter-intuitive but a failed install leaves a bunch of temp files and no uninstall hooks behind, so installing again cleans up the temp files and puts the proper hooks in for uninstalling.

Also a system restore would do the trick though it may leave behind some residual files from the install that would need manual deletion.

The first thing I did, as always, before installing any software, was to set up a NEW System Restore point. When I had trouble trying to Install and Remove/Uninstall, I went back and tried the System Restore function, and would NOT work either. In fact I tried two or three different Restore points with no success. I also ran CCleaner. Same difference. It appears that my buddy has a deep problem that I am not able to dig out. I’m not about to do a reinstall of his WinXP. His email and browser seems to be working so I think I’ll just leave it at that.

Thanx mucho for all the suggestions.

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You can remove the item from Add/Remove by tweaking the registry or using a tool to do it for you.
A search for “remove item from add/remove” provides lots of options.

cheers, Paul

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You can remove the item from Add/Remove by tweaking the registry or using a tool to do it for you.
A search for “remove item from add/remove” provides lots of options.

cheers, Paul

Your suggestion “tweaking” the registry is a bit of a misnomer in my book. I stay away from any Registry tweaking other than to use CCleaner.

But Thanx anyway.

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Try a free or commercial uninstall program, such as RevoUninstaller or Absolute Uninstaller. Most such products do a better job of uninstalling than Windows Control Panel. Good luck.

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You haven’t said if you tried to install it again from scratch. As Byron said, although counter-intuitive an over-the-top install often cleans out a broken install. If it does install this time, I would recommend another uninstall/install cycle to make sure things are fine.

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You can also use the Microsoft Removal Tool to remove all references to the installed program. Go to this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

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I have also had similar issues in the past, and when all else fails I simply delete the folder(s) that were part of the failed install to the Recycle Bin (just in case you need to restore them, then reboot and run a good registry cleaner and have it remove any entries related to the software you were trying to install when the system froze.

As far as Microsoft’s Removal Tool, on my Win XP SP3 Pro system I get the error “There is no script engine for file extension *.vbs*” so that the program won’t even try and install.

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“There is no script engine for file extension *.vbs*”

You have a problem with your system. To get around it open a Command Prompt, change to the directory where you have the program and type:
cscript nameofprogram.vbs.

cheers, Paul

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Thanx to ALL. Tomorrow I’ll be at my buddy’s place and will try either the Revo Uninstaller OR the Absolute Uninstaller.

Will POST the results in a day or two.

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