92. How Do I Remove An Orphaned Entry In The Add/Remove Program Window

When you install an application in Windows XP the software also adds an uninstall option. This is usually stored in the Add/Remove programs section of the Control Panel. When you want to remove the application you simply go to Add/Remove programs, click on the application you want to remove and away it goes. Sometimes, however, although the application disappears, the entry still remains in the Add/Remove list. Here is how you remove it.

Before making any changes to the registry it is recommended that you make a backup copy of your registry either from within the registry Editor (see 662. How do I backup the Registry in Windows XP ).

Click the Start button.
On the Start menu click Run.
In the Run dialogue box type: regedit and then click OK.
The Registry window will now open.
Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
Now scroll down the list until you see the Display Name of the application you want to remove.
Click on the Display name.
A list should now appear in the Right Hand pane of the registry window.
Look down the list for the option uninstallstring.
Right click on the Uninstallstring option and, from the drop down menu select Delete to delete the entry.
Finally Exit from the registry.