Windows XP "Add/Remove Programs" is retarded.
 

Is there any way to get rid of the icons for programs that have already been uninstalled? This has always bugged me. Sometimes when you use a program's uninstaller, the icon for the program will remain in the Windows Add/Remove programs list. Then, when you tell it to get rid of it, SOMETIMES it says "Cannot find program. Do you want to remove it from the list?" Other times, however, it says "Unable to locate the program. Uninstallation will not continue." And it STAYS THERE.

Is there a way to fix it? Anyone? Do I have to REinstall the program then uninstall through Windows? Bah.

its always best to remove the program via the windows add/remove, if ya dont want to run into these problems in the future. Even once it is removed from the sys via the add/remove i go the the drive folder/programs folder and remove the remaining folder of it to get rid of it all. The rest may be stored in the registry and getting a reg cleaner may help get rid of whats left over. (i dont have a reg cleaner or i would tell ya if it works or not, if anyone can link up a good one, free one maybe that would be great)

here is a reg hack that seems to work. It could be a lot of work tho if the list os large
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?...pic=17025&st=0

remember to BU the reg first
kevin

You can remove them using something like jv powertools (or just about any regcleaner/editor). Also, tweak-xp might work.

tweakui


(filler text)

MS's tweak UI is pretty good. Norton Utilities has a part that will remove the unused shortcuts and other system utilities will also do it.

I use X-Setup... Contains many more tweaks and stuff too....
http://www.x-setup.net/

registry mechanic is a nice automated registry cleaning tool but it costs. norton also has a good one, but again, it costs. is there a free one floating around out there?

Does registry mechanic work well? I'm willing to shell out the cash, but playing with the registry is always borderline dangerous.