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Removing a program from the Add/Remove programs can be done by accessing your Control Panel.

I have a program called PC Forest StartMan 1.3.96. I installed it and then deleted it, but it stays in my list of programs when i go to uninstall. Do you know the registry setting to get rid of this or how else can I get it off the list of programs installed in the "add/delete programs" from my control panel?

This has actually gotten better over time. In older versions of Windows you were kinda screwed in this situation. Yes, there were ways to grovel around in the registry, but ultimately the lesson learned was: use control panel to uninstall programs and don't just delete them from your hard drive.

However if you're running Windows XP, things get better.

If you're running Windows XP, just use control panel to try and uninstall it anyway. If Control Panel finds that the files aren't there, it will ask if you want to remove it from the list.

Answer yes, and it should be gone.

Article C2196 - October 6, 2004

Leo Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed. After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

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32 Comments

If you want to remove a deleted program from add/remove program list .. just do this...
1. press windows+R
2. type regedit
3. expand the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
4. then the find the Installer title and expand it
5. next the Products title
- in the list of products. search the title of the program you want to remove * you can verify that program by their productname
6. after you have found the programs just delete it in the products list.. XD

Posted by: Mr.Carrot at September 20, 2009 10:36 PM

i downloaded the ALPHA ANTIVIRUS accidently and now im unable to remove. it says the removal feature is disable. what can i do?

Posted by: tmvr at November 14, 2009 12:04 AM

I downloaded software over the internet called Whitesmoke. I have tried to get rid of it using the uninstall from the control panel but I get an error message and it says it can't find the file. Even after I type the file string from my computer. How can I get rid of this software?


Posted by: Denny A at November 4, 2010 6:51 PM


hi sorry to bug you but after going back through my add/remove program the file i am trying to remove is still showing up it is called chief Viagra Online
architect it takes up 3.5g and i have never used it there is no option to remove it only a change option i did the stips you said and removed the key and sub keys but it still remains

Posted by: roland at July 5, 2011 12:54 PM

i cant remove the bonjour program associated with itunes, it says that 'the feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unvailable' what do I do? Thank you

Posted by: Colin S at August 15, 2011 7:05 PM
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