Install/Uninstall Problems With Vista
Information
Note
INSTALL/UNINSTALL DEBRIS
The Vista Installer is a fragile application that can be damaged or blocked by Windows Updates, failed installations, antiviral software, or other cosmic influences. This can lead to inability to install almost anything and any number of error messages. The Windows Uninstall program is less than optimum at removing all parts of any program and frequently leaves remnant files, folders and registry entries of the "uninstalled" program on your computer. The more the debris from failed or broken installations and from incomplete uninstallations mounts up, the worse your system works.
Some software companies provide a proprietary uninstall tool on their support websites (i.e. AdobeFlash, Norton, McAfee) which can help with this process, but often even these special uninstaller tools leave remnants of the program on your computer that can block or degrade the installation of new or update programs. With a manual uninstall, any proprietary removal tool involving the program in question should be used before taking other manual steps. If you will be using Smarty Uninstaller you will likely not need to use these special tools. See links below.
Fix Can't Install Adobe Flash Active-x
Adobe Flash Removal Tool
Adobe Creative Suite Removal Tool
Norton Removal Tool
McAfee Removal Tool
Nero Clean Tools
NOTE: If you are looking for a non time-consuming and non labor-intense solution to install/uninstall debris buildup causing installation problems, you may want to skip directly to METHOD TWO below.
METHOD ONE 
SEMI-MANUAL REMOVAL OF DEBRIS
Manual removal of program remnants can clean most of the debris left over after Windows Uninstall has tried to uninstall a program. While this can be a time-consuming and labor-intense job, it is one way to clean your system of uninstall debris so you can proceed with installation of your program. First, uninstall your GenericProgram using Programs & Features in the Control Panel. Then use the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility as directed below.
METHOD TWO
SMARTY UNINSTALLER & OTHERS
In my opinion, Smarty Uninstaller does the best job of uninstalling programs, even tough ones like McAfee and Norton. Scanning your computer, Smarty UI identifies all the programs on your computer, listing those that have their own uninstaller program and those that are only remnants of a broken program install or incomplete uninstall.
Once the scan is complete, highlight the program or remnant of interest and select to use the program's uninstaller. When the program’s uninstaller is finished, Smarty UI identifies any program remnants and will then uninstall the remnants from files, folders, and registry entries.
For Smarty UI (free trial period, cheap to buy) see the link below. Others have reported good results with other uninstaller programs, such as Revo Uninstaller (free) and CCleaner (free), see Related Links above.
Smarty Uninstaller Download
After running Smarty UI, it’s recommended to run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to finish off the uninstallation (see METHOD ONE, Step 1 above). Once the debris of failed installs/uninstalls is completely removed, you should be able to do a clean install of the new or update program without problems.
REPAIR VISTA OPTIONS
If you've cleared your computer of all install/uninstall debris and you're still having problems, go to this tutorial which will take you stepwise through your Repair Vista Options (see Related Links above). The last tutorial in the list of repair options involves a Clean Install of Vista.
Some people have upgraded from XP to Vista over an XP install and portions of XP may be jamming up the Vista OS. This last tutorial on the list in Repair Vista Options shows you how to do a clean upgrade install, with a primary Vista install from XP, and then doing a secondary clean Vista install from your primary Vista install, eliminating all traces of XP that can interfere with your Vista OS.
Install/Uninstall Problems With Vista
InformationCommonly, third-party program installation/uninstallation difficulties with Vista revolve around one or both of the following problems. Remnants of failed installs/uninstalls block proper installation processes and eventual program functioning, and corrupted system files cause Vista OS dysfunction requiring minor or major elements of Vista repair. This tutorial will help you remove install/uninstall debris and decide if you need to proceed to Repair Vista Options.
NoteGeneral computer maintenance is important to a smoothly running system, including the installation process. Routinely schedule and run your antiviral and anti-malware software. Schedule Disk Defragmenter to run routinely as well. Running Disk Cleanup can help empty your Temporary Files folder which is used by installation processes, and remove unnecessary files from your system. Because the Disk Cleanup process is incomplete, and in the additional interests of privacy and security, it is recommended to routinely run a good File Shredder program to completely shred, eliminate, and make unrecoverable the unnecessary file debris on your computer. See Related Links.
INSTALL/UNINSTALL DEBRIS
The Vista Installer is a fragile application that can be damaged or blocked by Windows Updates, failed installations, antiviral software, or other cosmic influences. This can lead to inability to install almost anything and any number of error messages. The Windows Uninstall program is less than optimum at removing all parts of any program and frequently leaves remnant files, folders and registry entries of the "uninstalled" program on your computer. The more the debris from failed or broken installations and from incomplete uninstallations mounts up, the worse your system works.
Some software companies provide a proprietary uninstall tool on their support websites (i.e. AdobeFlash, Norton, McAfee) which can help with this process, but often even these special uninstaller tools leave remnants of the program on your computer that can block or degrade the installation of new or update programs. With a manual uninstall, any proprietary removal tool involving the program in question should be used before taking other manual steps. If you will be using Smarty Uninstaller you will likely not need to use these special tools. See links below.
Fix Can't Install Adobe Flash Active-x
Adobe Flash Removal Tool
Adobe Creative Suite Removal Tool
Norton Removal Tool
McAfee Removal Tool
Nero Clean Tools
NOTE: If you are looking for a non time-consuming and non labor-intense solution to install/uninstall debris buildup causing installation problems, you may want to skip directly to METHOD TWO below.
METHOD ONE Manual removal of program remnants can clean most of the debris left over after Windows Uninstall has tried to uninstall a program. While this can be a time-consuming and labor-intense job, it is one way to clean your system of uninstall debris so you can proceed with installation of your program. First, uninstall your GenericProgram using Programs & Features in the Control Panel. Then use the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility as directed below.
1. Download the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility to your desktop and install in order to further remove GenericProgram software.
o Go to the page Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.
o Scroll down the page and click on Download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility package.
o Click on Save and choose to save it on your Desktop. Double-click on the msicuu2.exe file and follow the install instructions.
o Click on Start -> All programs -> Windows Install Clean Up.
o Select GenericProgram or any entry having to do with GenericProgram.
o Click on Remove.
2. Disable Startup Applications and pertinent Services using msconfig. This will prevent unnecessary interference from loaded applications and services.
o Click on Start -> Type msconfig in the Start Search field and press Enter.
o Select the Startup tab.
o Click the Disable All button.
o Click the Services tab.
o Click the Manufacturer title bar and scroll down and uncheck all GenericProgram and GenericProgram related services.
o Click the Apply, then the OK buttons and choose to restart when prompted. If you get a message that "the program maybe blocked", choose Allow. To reverse this go back to msconfig, click Enable All and Restart (this can be done once good installation is complete).
3. Delete these files and folders from your hard drive.
NOTE: While deleting these files and folders you may receive a message that a "file is in use". Simply drag that file to your desktop and it can be deleted later after restarting your computer. Also note that "Username" refers to the names of all the Users who log on to Vista or are listed under C:\Users, including the various Administrator Users, All Users, Default, and Default User.
C:\Program Files\GenericProgram
C:\Program Files\Common Files\GenericProgram
C:\Users\Username\App Data\Local\GenericProgram
C:\Users\Username\App Data\Roaming\GenericProgram
Click on Start -> Search -> Advanced Search. Location select C drive, any date, any size, and check "include non-indexed, hidden and system files". In the Search box, enter the name of the GenericProgram to do your search. You may have to run multiple searches if your program involves more than one element or name (i.e. Roxio/Sonic. iTunes/QuickTime). Select from your Search Results those files that pertain to your GenericProgram and delete them.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
WARNING: The next step involves editing your system registry. It is strongly recommended that you export your registry before attempting any registry editing. Editing your registry incorrectly can cause irreparable system damage. If needed, you can import the saved exported registry file to return your registry to its original form.
5. Remove these keys from the Registry after exporting and saving the Registry.
Export a Copy of Your Registry
o Click on Start -> Type regedit in the Start Search field and press Enter.
o Locate and left click File in the upper left hand corner of the Registry Editor.
o Click Export (Export Range "All" should be selected).
o Create a Folder on your system drive named Registry Exports, and Save your exported registry file (i.e. RegistryExport001.reg) to this folder. Your registry is now backed up.
Registry Edit Instructions: Click on Start -> Type regedit in the Start Search field and press Enter.
A. HKEY_CURRENT_USER: Follow these steps.
o Click on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder to open it.
o Open the Software folder.
o Right click on GenericProgram and click Delete.
o Right-click on any GenericProgram-related folder (i.e. Roxio/Sonic or iTunes/QuickTime) and click Delete.
o Close the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.
B. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE: Perform in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE the same folder deletions as you did in (A) above. Close HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE then close the Registry.
6. Empty the Recycle Bin.
7. Restart your computer, then install/reinstall/update your GenericProgram.
8. Go back to msconfig enable your startup programs and services, restart your computer.
METHOD TWO In my opinion, Smarty Uninstaller does the best job of uninstalling programs, even tough ones like McAfee and Norton. Scanning your computer, Smarty UI identifies all the programs on your computer, listing those that have their own uninstaller program and those that are only remnants of a broken program install or incomplete uninstall.
Once the scan is complete, highlight the program or remnant of interest and select to use the program's uninstaller. When the program’s uninstaller is finished, Smarty UI identifies any program remnants and will then uninstall the remnants from files, folders, and registry entries.
For Smarty UI (free trial period, cheap to buy) see the link below. Others have reported good results with other uninstaller programs, such as Revo Uninstaller (free) and CCleaner (free), see Related Links above.
Smarty Uninstaller Download
After running Smarty UI, it’s recommended to run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to finish off the uninstallation (see METHOD ONE, Step 1 above). Once the debris of failed installs/uninstalls is completely removed, you should be able to do a clean install of the new or update program without problems.
REPAIR VISTA OPTIONS
If you've cleared your computer of all install/uninstall debris and you're still having problems, go to this tutorial which will take you stepwise through your Repair Vista Options (see Related Links above). The last tutorial in the list of repair options involves a Clean Install of Vista.
Some people have upgraded from XP to Vista over an XP install and portions of XP may be jamming up the Vista OS. This last tutorial on the list in Repair Vista Options shows you how to do a clean upgrade install, with a primary Vista install from XP, and then doing a secondary clean Vista install from your primary Vista install, eliminating all traces of XP that can interfere with your Vista OS.
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Hi I am a newbie on your forums , your tips are great by the way .just a small prob I have, I tried to download that prog Smarty UI and it was blocked twice by MC Afee telling me it had stopped a Trojan /Backdoor something or other just thought I would let you know.