# How do I remove old drivers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 29, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-old-drivers/257358 "2004-07-29T00:37:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-old-drivers/257358/1 "2004-07-29T00:37:35Z")
When I upgraded to Windows XP a couple of years ago, I tried downloading Roxio Easy CD Creator but it wasn’t compatible so I had to remove it. Ever since then when I start up my computer I get the following message on my task bar: Devices or applications disabled ‘CD Recording Software’ will cause Windows to become unstable. Windows has prevented these devices from loading. Click here for more dtails. When I click on the bubble, I get this: CD Recording Software Roxio, Inc. * * * Issue Description: A CD-recording driver is installed that might cause stability problems, including problems shutting down and problems using a CD/DVD drive. This driver will be disabled. This driver might have been installed by Easy CD Creator, Windows Media Player or RealJukebox. You might not be able to record CDs until you obtain compatible drivers. Roxio, Inc. provides an update for Easy CD Creator users at the Easy CD Creator Updates Web site. For Windows Media Player users, see the Microsoft Web site at [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/roxio.asp](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/roxio.asp). For RealJukebox users, see the RealNetworks Web site at [http://switchboard.real.com/rj2/?cd=xpfix](http://switchboard.real.com/rj2/?cd=xpfix). Contact Information: Roxio Support Web site (English): [http://www.roxio.com/support](http://www.roxio.com/support) Roxio Support Web site (Japan): [http://www.roxio.co.jp/support](http://www.roxio.co.jp/support) Telephone: (408) 945-8600 (North America only) * * * Note:This information is subject to change. Last Updated: Friday, November 9, 2001 © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of use. I tried typing “Roxio” “CD Recording Software” and Easy CD creator" in the XPs search results box but nothing came up. Any suggestions? I figure while I’m there I can remove other old drivers for old programs or devices I no longer have. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-old-drivers/257358/2 "2004-07-29T00:56:49Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#): > > I tried typing “Roxio” “CD Recording Software” and Easy CD creator" in the XPs search results box but nothing came up. Any suggestions? I figure while I’m there I can remove other old drivers for old programs or devices I no longer have. [Complete removal directions (XP only)](http://www.the-predator.com/dell/ecd6.html#45-0-9) ---
**Author:** ![Alien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/57b2e6/32.png) [@Alien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alien)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-old-drivers/257358/3 "2004-07-29T01:02:59Z")
It didn’t uninstall successfully, not surprisingly. You have probably made sure that there isn’t anything else to remove by Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel, right? You need a step by step to manually remove files and entries in the Registry. Go to Google or the creators website, you should easily find what you’re looking for. On second thought, why don’t I do it for you, [a Google search](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=easy+cd+creator+remove+manually) and [one solution](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315345) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-old-drivers/257358/4 "2004-07-29T01:37:13Z")
Either way, be sure to export your registry settings BEFORE you start monkeying around with it. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-old-drivers/257358/5 "2004-07-29T01:44:51Z")
Yippee! I did it! Thanks guys.