Member Avatar for Kalthanis

Well, I installed Microsoft Office, but whenever I try to run the computer in normal mode, it freezes. So, I have to try and uninstall it in safe mode but it says you can't. So, I need help.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jkbnsdkjbn

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Short summary and tested options based on the thread: the Office install on XP appears to leave Windows unusable in normal boot while Safe Mode blocks the normal uninstaller. ’s suggestion to watch CPU/processes is a useful diagnostic step. ’s note about the Windows Installer cleanup tool is historically accurate, and ’s Safe‑Mode / Windows‑Installer approach is a valid workaround — both of those routes are discussed below with safer, more current alternatives and precautions.

Try a rollback first: use System Restore to return the machine to a restore point created before Office was installed (Safe Mode provides the simplest access to the System Restore wizard on XP). This is the least invasive way to undo the installation and preserve user files while removing the problematic install. (learn.microsoft.com)

If no suitable restore point exists, attempt a clean boot in normal mode so Windows runs with only Microsoft services and no third‑party startup items; if the system stays responsive, Add/Remove Programs can often complete the uninstall. If the normal uninstaller still fails, use Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter (the supported replacement for older cleanup utilities) to remove the broken installer entries. Back up the registry or create a full image before making changes. (support.microsoft.com)

Advanced option for when the installer is present but the GUI won’t run: locate the Office product’s Windows‑Installer product code (listed under the Uninstall registry key) and invoke the Windows Installer engine to remove it from the command line. Example (replace {PRODUCT‑GUID} with the actual GUID found in the registry):

msiexec /x {PRODUCT-GUID}

This method requires administrator rights and care; documentation for msiexec and the Uninstall registry layout explains the syntax and where product codes live. If registry edits are needed to enable services in Safe Mode (as described) or to remove keys, export the affected keys first and keep an image backup. (learn.microsoft.com)

Final note: do not repeat the exact registry commands posted earlier without a full registry backup and an offline image. If these steps still fail, a restore from a known good image or a repair/reinstall of XP (after backing up data) is the safest recovery path.

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Member Avatar for nanosani

Can you provide us with some more on your problem.

Delete microsoft office from your startup and then try again.

Member Avatar for Kalthanis

Its not even in my startup...

Whenever I turn on my computer, I log on, and it runs fine for about 10 seconds.
But whenever I hover my mouse over the taskbar, I have that hourglass thing, and I can't click anything. Thats all I can say really.

Member Avatar for nanosani

See if your processor usage is fine ... if its upto 100 % .. see which process is taking the processor ... if its explorer.exe ... end process and then start a new task "explorer"...

Member Avatar for Kalthanis

Thats not working. It never used to be like this, only when I installed Office.

Member Avatar for nanosani

Thats not working. It never used to be like this, only when I installed Office.

Whats not working ?? is your cpu usage normal ??

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Kalthanis, download and use the Windows Installer cleanup utility

See if the uninstall works OK after that. Download it on another PC and save it to CD if necessary, and install/run it in Safe mode on yours.

Member Avatar for shanefever

To make Windows Installer work under safe mode, you need to create a registry entry for every type of safe mode you are logged in to.

1.Safe Mode.
Type this in a command prompt:
REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"
and then “net start msiserver”

This will start the Windows Installer Service in safe mode.

2.Safe Mode with Networking
REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"
and followed by “net start msiserver “

This will start the Windows Installer Service in safe mode with Networking.

Member Avatar for jkbnsdkjbn

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"

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