When you encounter a situation where you cannot uninstall a Windows program using the regular

Microsoft “Add/Remove Programs” option at the control panel, this probably also means

your Windows system has a bit of a mess. Well, at least in regards to that program you can’t remove.

Having this situation you want to have a backup of the system, done when the system was in a good state.

But not always you have a usable backup.

Here are some additional options that allow you do deal with the problematic program

with a reduced risk and therefor reduced need to recover using a backup.

Firstly, Windows XP includes a built in utility that allows backup and recovery of the critical

system files and Windows registry.

You should use it before you try and remove the “bad” program.

You run it using “Start->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Restore”

Then you can both select to create a “Restore Point” that you can reverse to if you need.

You can also view which other restore points have been done in the past, either by you or by

other programs that automatically triggered that operation prior to commencing their own installation.

The restore point does not take more than few minutes and small amount of disk space.

NOTE: Do NOT exercise repetitive massive use of switching restore points. This could lead to more issues.

You should use it only when you have a problem that cannot be solved easily.

Then you want to recover to the most recent date where you assume the system was working fine.

Here are several ways to take care of the misbehaving program that fail to uninstall:

1. Disable the program startup using its own menus and options.

2. Disable the program startup using the “Start->Control Panel->Administrator Tools->Services”

You have to select the service that seem to be related to the “bad” program and set its startup to

“disabled”. You should also stop it.

3. Disable the program as you try to find it in the “msconfig” utility (Start->Run->

then type “msconfig” and press enter. Try and locate the program within the different tabs.

4. You can try and rename the folder where the program resides. That’s usually at

“C:\Program Files\”.

There are more ways we would discuss future threads, but the above options refer to the more

easy options.

P.S. If you really want to save money and time and get a reliable backup, here is a download

link for a free trial of “Acronis True Image Home” program.

I have been using it for years at home and for small businesses.

It will do full backups as well as automatic daily backups.

It allows restore of your PC even if it was completely destroyed, within 1 mouse click.

If your data and time are worth more than $50, don’t think twice!

Get this tool here: Acronis True Image Home

There is also a Free trial for it here

Yours,

Jack.

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Ever tried to uninstall a misbehaving program and failed?
Thought about buying such a tool?

Here is a free Microsoft tool not many know about that can

help you and you can try it before buying such a tool:

It’s called “Windows Installer Clean Up Utility”

Here is How to use it Information:
Information about Solution for Computer Fix for programs that won’t uninstall

Here is where you can Download the tool:
Computer Fix Tool for programs that won’t uninstall

I have used this tool several times and had no issues.

But READ CAREFULLY THE warning notes in the information page before you use it.

It says there you may need to re-install programs associated to the one’s you are trying to uninstall.Microsoft say “We recommend that you do not use this utility with 2007 Office system products”.

My recommendation is to use this tool for non-Microsoft products as well as for programs that are not
bundled with other programs and only when the regular Microsoft “Remove Programs” option does not work for you.

Also, since you get into situations where the regular Windows “Remove Program” fails,
your system is probably a bit messed already, then you better have a backup image of your system
done or at least XP Recovery Checkpoint done, BEFORE you try to Uninstall anything.

More on this in future threads.

Yours,

Jack.

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