Member Avatar for atky2004

I've done a system restore due to my p.c running very slow as of late.

I then wanted to get rid of some program and games that I didn't want. I've gone through the control panel etc. I get to the point where nothing will uninstall, each one is saying there is no uninstall files.

One said something about the system core, could anyone please help me with this.

Thanks in advance.

Atky

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by sittas87

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Short diagnosis and what likely happened: doing a System Restore can roll back the Windows registry and system files to an earlier snapshot while leaving program files or shortcuts behind. That mismatch is exactly why Control Panel can report “no uninstall files” — the uninstall entry or the uninstaller itself was removed by the rollback while remnants stayed on disk. (techtarget.com)
(See a plain explanation of System Restore and how it can remove programs installed after a restore point: https://www.techtarget.com/searchwindowsserver/definition/System-Restore) ((techtarget.com))

Practical next steps (safe, in order): run Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter first — it attempts to repair broken uninstall registry keys and can often remove or clean entries that Control Panel can’t. If the target program isn’t listed the tool will ask for a product ID or let you pick “Not listed.” (support.microsoft.com)
(Download and info: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d) ((support.microsoft.com))

If that doesn’t work, use a registry-aware uninstaller viewer (it shows uninstall strings and lets you remove dead entries) or a forced-uninstall tool: NirSoft’s UninstallView can show the uninstall command and product GUIDs so you can see which entries are “orphaned,” and tools like Revo Uninstaller can run the original uninstaller (if present) then scan for and remove leftovers safely (they back up what they change). (nirsoft.net)
(UninstallView: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/uninstall_view.html) ((nirsoft.net))
(Revo manual/example: https://www.revouninstaller.com/online-manual/uninstaller/) ((revouninstaller.com))

Advanced option (MSI installers only): if you can obtain the product GUID you can uninstall with msiexec, for example:

msiexec /x {PRODUCT-GUID}

Only use this for MSI-based installers and with the correct GUID — msiexec documentation and switches are on Microsoft Docs. (learn.microsoft.com)
(https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/msiexec) ((learn.microsoft.com))

Safety notes and final tips: always create a new restore point or full backup and export any registry keys before you edit/delete them (Regedit Export), and avoid deleting registry entries unless you have a verified backup. If an uninstall still fails, reinstall the same version over the top and then run its uninstaller — that often restores the missing uninstaller files. If malware is suspected, run a full AV scan first. For registry backup and .reg guidance see Microsoft’s instructions. (support.microsoft.com)
(Registry export/import guidance: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-add-modify-or-delete-registry-subkeys-and-values-by-using-a-reg-file-9c7f37cf-a5e9-e1cd-c4fa-2a26218a1a23) ((support.microsoft.com))

Notes on earlier replies: was right that a missing uninstaller normally means the uninstall file/entry is gone; ’s suggestion to check program folders is reasonable as a quick check. For a modern, safer workflow prefer the Microsoft troubleshooter + a registry-aware viewer (UninstallView) or a reputable uninstaller (Revo) rather than old utilities that are no longer maintained.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for tayspen

That usally means that they cant find the unistaller. Which means that the file has moved. In HJT there is an unistall manager, which gives you the option of removing dead items.

Its under the Misc. tools section.

-T

Member Avatar for netto2004

That usally means that they cant find the unistaller. Which means that the file has moved. In HJT there is an unistall manager, which gives you the option of removing dead items.

Its under the Misc. tools section.

-T

What is HJT ?

Member Avatar for gerbil

I am not sure how a Sys Rest would interact with pgms installed after a used restore point, because of the dating of files.
Try going to the pgm folders and dclicking the uninstaller exe.
Add/Rmv Pgms uninstalls by using the pgms own uninstaller files.

Member Avatar for sittas87

He probably deleted files on a previous occasion without realizing that its worth to mention.
And its only after the system restore that he tried to uninstall some programs due to performance issues only to realise than that it coulnt uninstall. Im sure if he tried uninstalling those programs on a earlier stage the results wouldve been the same.

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