Won't uninstall add/remove in safe mode.

Hi
I tried to uninstall a program in my wifes lap top while in safe mode and got a window that said something about not being able to find a install or uninstall program and that it could be because I was trying to uninstall in safe mode.

Windows media edition.

Then today I tried to do a uninstall on a friends PC with the same message.

Windows XP pro.

Now I have been going through malware removal schooling (as some of you know) and we always ask that you boot into safe mode to remove programs...yet when I tried to remove in safe mode it would not let me.

I'm a little confused about this

Am I missing something here??

Geri

See attachment for window message.

 

Morning Geri

Perhaps I am missing something, but you know of course that if it is a program that requires the Windows installer that the windows installer is not available in safe mode.

Most but not all other installers will work in safe mode.

Have you considered the Microsoft Installer cleanup utility, especially if it will not uninstall at all?
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/9/d/e9d80355-7ab4-45b8-80e8-983a48d5e1bd/msicuu2.exe

Also look in Program Files for a proprietary uninstall like for an Uninstall.exe bat etc or an Unwise.exe or bat etc.

As you may have noticed I am a little fanatical about computer cleanup.

Here is the proceedure I use even after a normal uninstall.

Before uninstall I look at the entry in Program Files..

I look for the company name and program name which can be the same or different.

Say Program Files entry is \Program Files\Acme\Warfare

Then after normal uninstall I will use windows search (show hidden system read only) to find Acme and Warfare and delete the left overs and there are usually plenty.

Then I do a registry search for the same entries and delete them also again usually plenty still left.

Then I usually do a general registry clean with something like RegSeeker.

Hope this helps.


Mike

 

Hi Steve

Things will delete with out the message.

As have I, But here is the speech (Canned) for HJT from Geekstogo and this is why I'm confused. If you can't uninstall in safe mode then it can cause confusion to someone with no computer experience.

Reboot into safe mode.
Restart your computer and as soon as it starts booting up again continuously tap F8. A menu should come up where you will be given the option to enter Safe Mode.

Please go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and remove the following (if present):

Programs to delete go here

Please note any other programs that you don't recognize in that list in your next response

Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and go to "Explore "), please delete these folders (if present):

Folders to delete go here

Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and go to "Explore "), please delete these files (if present):

Files to delete go here

After that, Reboot.

Hi Mike
After a uninstall from add/remove I use the search, for names also, I use RegCleaner though, I have had regseeker remove things that that I did not want removed and had to reinstall from the back up.

Geri

 

OK Geri

But since the Windows installer will not run in safe mode then any program installed with it can not be unistalled in safe mode!

Should read
Please go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and remove the following (if present) "Unless it is a Windows installer program which will need a normal mode uninstall ":

There are many other Installers and most of them will uninstall in safe mode.

RegSeeker allows you to select several catagories of selection and allows selection of only the items you wish to remove. But I like and use RegCleaner also.

Mike

 

Hi Mike

LOL I'll have to keep this in mind

Thanks
Geri

 

Hee

You will usually only hit this issue installing normal legit programs.

I doubt many Malware writers use Malware.msi to install their babies anyway.LOL

Good luck my friend,
Mike