Control Panel programs

I've recently removed several progrmas from my machine using the proper method....either by uninstalling using the supplied exe file or by using the control panel. However some of the programs are still listed in the control panel and I can't remove them from the list.
If i try to remove them i get a message saying "Could not execute main : The system could not find the file specified ". This seems to me as though it's been uninstalled incorrectly - but I know it was.
how do i remove programs from the control panel list that aren't on my machine anymore??
thanks
David

 

Install Move-on-boot. It will give you a new right click option when used on files, to delete on the next boot. Use it to tag the file and reboot. Move-on-Boot won't delete a folder, but it will ANY file, so use it for files within a folder and delete the folder normally after reboot.

If you are happy using regedit, can delete from there.
Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
Locate the file you want to delete, right click and delete.

 

As an alternate, if you're uncomfortable using Regedit, there is an excellent and safe free program called RegCleaner that will allow you to edit the install/uninstall list and will also make a backup of any changes so you can be somewhat safe from any mis-cues. It has other powers as well and has been widely tested and acclaimed for efficacy and safety.

http://www.worldstart.com/weekly-download/archives/reg-cleaner4.3.htm

 

When you say that you want to remove them from the Control Panel, do you mean from Add/Remove or do you want to remove Control Panel applets that the programs left behind?

If all you want to do is remove entries in Add/Remove for programs that no longer exist, try these Add/Remove substitutes that allow you to either uninstall programs or remove entries from the list:

http://users.adelphia.net/~abraxas/dl/Unclean.zip (UnClean)
http://freehost14.websamba.com/nirs...s/myuninst.html (My Uninstaller)http://superwin.swmirror.com/adrmpro2.exe (Add-Remove Pro)

And RegCleaner has an Uninstall Menu option:

http://www.compunerdsmedia.com/RegCleaner.exe

If you use SpybotS&D, you can use the Uninstall Info tool under Tools, too.

 

thanks folks......i use reg cleaner and did a clean all option....that seemed to do the trick
thanks again!!
Dave

 

Hello goldienite,

Move-on-boot is a nice piece of software, but I'm curious as to how it would be used in this situation. What file would you use it on?

Regards - Charles