# removing uninstalled programmes in XP **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223 "2003-03-05T12:37:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/1 "2003-03-05T12:37:46Z")
After installing some software which caused big problems I had to uninstall lots of them (wasn’t sure which ones were causing problems - I suspect it was actually a MS critical update) and roll back the registry a couple of days. Now when I go to Uninstall Programmes lots of the old uninstalled programmes are now listed (cause I rolled back?). But when I try and uninstall them it says it cannot because they do not exist (like… duh… you were the one that unnistalled them) any ideas. Sorry for such a technical question. On that note, is there a tecnical board somewhere that might be best for questions like this. I use [macfixit.com](http://macfixit.com) for my mac (I’m multicomptutolingual) but no idea the best place to go for PCs ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/2 "2003-03-05T13:27:07Z")
[url=“[http://www.akadia.com/services/remove\_invalid\_entries.html](http://www.akadia.com/services/remove_invalid_entries.html)”]Here is a page detailing how to do it on Win2K - it will be the same on XP. Usual disclaimers apply; back up your registry first etc… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/3 "2003-03-05T13:28:40Z")
[here](http://www.akadia.com/services/remove_invalid_entries.html) ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/4 "2003-03-05T13:41:41Z")
thanks mangetout ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/5 "2003-03-05T16:22:36Z")
**smb1001** , as much as everyone loves Google, there are still a lot of people that don’t know about [http://groups.google.com](http://groups.google.com), which is _the_ USENET archive to search. Almost everything has been asked there, and it’s a constant resource for all those crappy XP things that used to be so easy on previous Windows. On the other hand, I _don’t_ actually post there for technical questions, 'cos God knows I’ve already got enough spam :). That’s when I come here to the SDMB and post questions just like you did. Any they’re almost always welcome. ---
**Author:** ![cletus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/6 "2003-04-12T18:30:50Z")
There is another great website, [www.annoyances.org](http://www.annoyances.org) , which I reference often. They have answers to questions you haven’t even thought of regarding all versions of Windows. Hope that helps. "[Annoyances.org](http://Annoyances.org) is the most complete collection of information assembled for and by actual users of Microsoft Windows. Explore this free web resource by selecting one of the destinations on your left, or use search to find a specific solution. " ---
**Author:** ![jbird3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jbird3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbird3000)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-uninstalled-programmes-in-xp/159223/7 "2003-04-12T18:53:22Z")
I’ve used [RegCleaner](http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10115517.html?tag=lst-0-1) and it’s done the trick.