How to uninstall an app in Windows when its uninstaller is missing?

You don't see that listed in Program & Features as its entry is missing from

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

or

HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

This is what I do when nobody is rushing me :)

  • Remove every entry for the software from Windows installer by searching the following registry keys

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Installer

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-21-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxx

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\

  • Remove files associated with it from disk from the following locations

    C:\Program Files\

    C:\Program Files(x86)\

    C:\ProgramData\

    %APPDATA%

    %LOCALAPPDATA%

Restart the computer and installation of another version should be fine

You can also use Windows installer Cleanup Utility to remove the software entry from Windows installer.

Don't forget to run the software as an administrator and remove files from disk if you want a cleaner setup as the tool doesn't remove them.

Disclaimer : Windows installer cleanup utility is a Microsoft tool. MajorGeeks is just a trusted download source I use and I am not associated with them


I was able to find the installer on the web.