posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 12:03 AM by Saravana

Uninstalling software without using Add Remove Programs...

Did you come across a situation where you need to uninstall a software without using Add Remove Program tool. I came across that situation last week when i tried to uninstall Nov CTP of VS.NET 2005. Uninstallation of VS.NET 2005 went through smoothly, but when i tried to install newer build of VS.NET 2005. It gave an error saying

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 ***: Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue.

When I checked add remove programs, .NET framework 2.0 was not included in that list. Then i checked .NET framework folder (C:\window\microsoft.net\framework\...), .NET Framework 2.0 folder was  there.. It didnt uninstall properly. But this product is not listed in Add Remove Program.. To continue my installation, i need to unistall it...

Then I searched in google for sometime.. then i found the following ways to uninstall it any software without using add remove programs..

There are two ways to uninstall the software without using add remove programs.

1. Using Installer Folder

  • Go to Installer folder. (Windows Start --> Run --> Installer or directly c:\windows\installer). This is the folder where are all installer presents.
  • This folder doesnt give any information about the installer. Include comments and Author column in this folder.. (right click column header and choose required columns)
  • Comments column will give information regarding that installer..
  • Right click the installer and choose uninstall...

 

2. Using Registry Key (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion)

  • Go to registry and open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion key
  • Under this section, all the installed software information will be there..
  •  For.NET Framework 2.0, go to that section under which installstring or installpath key will be there..
  • It will point to the folder where installer for that software is there.. You can uninstall using that

 

I went with first option to unistall the .NET Framework 2.0 Nov CTP...

 

 

 

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