Remove Software Not Listed Under Add/ Remove Program

It may happen many a times that you install a program and it doesn't show up under Add/ Remove Program in Windows XP. This problem can occur if the program you installed creates a registry key name that is longer than 60 characters in length. Add/Remove Programs only lists program names it locates up to the point it encounters this situation. Follow the steps given to solve the problem:

1. Go to C:\Windows\Inf folder. In the right pane, scroll down to sysoc.inf. Open it with notepad. It will look like…
[Components]
NtComponents=ntoc.dll,NtOcSetupProc,,4
Pinball=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,pinball.inf,HIDE,7

2. The word "HIDE" in an entry hides that application from your Add/Remove Programs dialog box. To add Pinball to the Add/Remove menu, delete the word HIDE from its entry. Leave the commas that surround it.



3. Save the file. Check for the new entries in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box after you restart your computer.

Alternate Method (when the programs are not in sysoc.inf file)

1. Right click the Program's shortcut/ Properties to gain the target path where the application folder is located. Delete the folder.

2. Go to Start/Run/Msconfig/Startup and make sure it is not listed or checked there. If so, uncheck it.

3. Remove the program listing from registry by going here: Start/Run/Regedit

For items that were in the Start menu, Programs, Startup folder:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupfolder. You'll find a subkey for each disabled item.

For items loaded from the Registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. Again, you'll find a subkey for each disabled item.

Again while in Regedit, navigate to this key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications. If the program is listed, right click, delete.

4. Go to Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/File Types. If the program file type is listed, either use Change or Delete.

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