whats the best way to remove a program that doesn't have an uninstall option?

[shiato storm]

I'm using a program at work that doesn't want to work, typically its one of those ones that works one day and then not the next. so i've been trying to uninstall it and then reinstall a fresh. thing is a simple deletion of the program folder etc won't get rid of it as when I go to reinstall it helpfully tells me I already have the program...so, how can I remove all traces of a program including things like registration details so I can start from scratch and have the computer think its from scratch also...?

[Nick F]

You will have to edit your registry and delete all traces of the program, make sure you make a backup though just incase anything happens.

[Timmy!!!]

Or you can use System Mechanic Professional 5. This program is great and it includes an uninstallation program that looks for all files that relate to the exe you choose and deletes them. Once this is done simply run the registry cleaner and all traces of the program will be removed Nice and simple!

link:http://www.iolo.com/sm/5pro/index.cfm

If you dont want to buy it just use the demo then uninstall it.

[Nox]

the key you want to delete is probably in HKLM/software/microsoft/windows/currentversion/uninstall

once thats deleted, it should let you reinstall, with a bit of luck. you can also do an uninstall by copying the contents of the 'uninstall string' into the run box, it may have one there, just not in add remove progs. I would probably try this is the string is there rather than deleting the key right away.

and back up your registry before messing around in there (tm)

Nox

[suryad]

Try CrapCleaner it gets rid of junk from the registry as well...I use it in conjunction with sys mech 5 as well