How to uninstall an app in Windows when its uninstaller is missing?

Question

I am trying to install a newer version of Lego Mindstorm, and it's trying to uninstall the older version and it fails. I tried to uninstall it manually and noticed it's not listed Under "Programs and Features" in Windows 10. The program launches fine. I am unable to find the original installer to install it again and get the uninstaller back.

I have Revo Uninstaller, but it shows programs only if they appear in Windows Program applet.

I renamed the folder, but the installer still finds the older version, so I am guessing it's reading the registry. Apart from me trying to find that registry key and renaming it, how can I forcibly uninstall it?

Solution 1

I was able to find the installer on the web.

Solution 2

You don't see that listed in Program & Features as its entry is missing from

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

or

HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

This is what I do when nobody is rushing me :)

• Remove every entry for the software from Windows installer by searching the following registry keys

  HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Installer

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-21-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxx

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\

• Remove files associated with it from disk from the following locations

  C:\Program Files\

  C:\Program Files(x86)\

  C:\ProgramData\

  %APPDATA%

  %LOCALAPPDATA%

Restart the computer and installation of another version should be fine

You can also use Windows installer Cleanup Utility to remove the software entry from Windows installer.

Don't forget to run the software as an administrator and remove files from disk if you want a cleaner setup as the tool doesn't remove them.

Disclaimer : Windows installer cleanup utility is a Microsoft tool. MajorGeeks is just a trusted download source I use and I am not associated with them

Comments

[Rohit Gupta]

I don't see any way other than fiddling with the registry. If you are not comfortable with that then simply delete the folder and run some registry fixing tool such as "Registry First Aid"

[Ramhound]

Have you tried to just delete the program directory and install the current version?

[Tony_Henrich]

@Rohit I can do the registry thing by using SysInternal's ProcessMonitor to know which key is being read. Looking for a cleaner solution

[Tony_Henrich]

@Ramhound I mentioned I renamed the folder. It has the same effect of the installer not finding the folder.

[AStopher]

The OP specifically said they don't have access to it.