November 8, 2008

Removing programs hidden from Add/Remove Programs

Q:
I want to go through and remove some of the programs I know I have on my computer, but when I go to my Add/Remove Programs list, I can't find them. How can I get rid of them?

A:
That isn't uncommon. Some programs just like to be a little stubborn. Most Windows components can be uninstalled by going to the Add/Remove Windows Components section in the Control Panel. But, what about the ones you can't find? You know they're on your computer somewhere, but how can you get rid of them if you can't find them? Well, it's actually not too hard to bring these out of their hiding. Let's learn how!

Bring up the Windows Explorer (one way to do this is to right click on the Start button and select Explore).

Find your way to C:\Windows\Inf. (Double click on the My Computer icon on your desktop, double click on the C: drive and then go from there).

Make a copy of the "Sysoc.inf" file. (Click the file and hit Ctrl + C then Ctrl + V).

Next, right click "Sysoc.inf" and choose Open with, then Notepad.

Type Ctrl + H to bring up the Replace box.

Replace cialis buy cialis online ,hide, (comma hide comma) with ,, (comma comma).

Then hit the Replace All button.

Save the file.

Now, when you go to Start, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, you will see stuff that wasn't there before. Some of the items will be in subfolders, like "Games," which is under "Accessories." Double click to open any folder. Just uncheck the items you want to remove. There you have it. No more hidden programs!

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