Delete Software Not Listed Under Add/ Remove Program in Windows XP

Windows XP doesn't let you add or remove all the programs it installs by default. Multimedia applications, the XP messenger, games, accessories, and accessibility options do not show up in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box. What if you want to get rid of them? Learn how to make Windows treat these applications just like it treats all the others after the jump.

Steps

Method-1

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.

Method-2

1. Right click the Program's shortcut, then click on "Properties" to gain the target path, where the application folder is located. Delete the folder.
2. Go to Start → Run. Type msconfig, click OK button or press Enter. Go to "Startup" tab and make sure that program is not listed or checked there. If so, uncheck it.
3. Remove the program listing from registry by below steps
   1. Go to Start → Run. Type regedit and click OK button or press Enter.
   • To remove items that were in the Start menu, Programs, Startup folder, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Microsoft → Shared Tools → MSConfig → startupfolder. You'll find a subkey for each disabled item.
   • To remove items loaded from the registry, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Microsoft → Shared Tools → MSConfig → startupreg. Again, you'll find a subkey for each disabled item.
   • To remove program entry from registry, navigate to this key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT → Applications. If the program is listed, right click, delete.
4. Go to Windows Explorer → Tools → Folder Options, then go to "File Types" tab. If the program file type is listed, either use Change or Delete.

Tips

• Use Method-2, when there is no sysoc.inf file in C:\Windows\Inf folder.

Warnings

• Always backup your computer before doing any major change…installs or uninstall.
• Be very careful when playing with registry and system files.
• You cannot reinstall a program with the Add/Remove Programs Tool
  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q304745

Related Articles

• Uninstall Using Revo Uninstaller
• Disable/Enable the Windows XP Welcome Screen
• Delete Undeletable Files in Windows
• Remove Windows Messenger on Windows XP

See also

• Uninstall Windows XP and Revert to a Previous Operating System
• Install the Recovery Console in Windows 2000 or XP
• Use Windows XP
• Remove Windows Messenger on Windows XP
• Restore Recycle Bin in Windows XP Pro
• Perform a Backup on Windows XP
• Change the Default Photo Display Program in Windows XP
• Un Hide Folders and Files on XP
• Make a Hidden Icon on Windows XP
• Disable File Indexing on Windows XP

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