About 2/3 of Programs in add/remove Programs dissapeared

Jitter · Jun 10, 2004, 07:32 AM

Just recently I noticed that at least 2/3 of my installed programs are missing from the add/remove programs list from control panel. I am not sure how long they have been missing but it prob hasnt been more than a week. I clean/optimize/defrag my registry fairly often and have been doing so for probably at least 2 years. I mainly have been using system mechanic, but i also tried tweak XP, registry mechanic, and regseeker. I never really had a problem w. those deleting "important" things so i am not sure what happened. I did heavy spyware and virus checks so i dont think thats the problem. Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Kevin

Jitter · Jun 10, 2004, 07:41 AM

I guess it would help to say I am using Win XP pro :-)

PangingJr · Jun 10, 2004, 09:23 AM

What program did you use to clean your registry?

Suggestion..

1) Check in its Undo files for the following registry key...
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Cur rentVersion\Uninstall"
if there's any entry under the key belong to the missing programs then import the entries back to your registry..

2) Use the System Restore if you have it enabled.

3) Re-install every programs that missing from the Add/Remove..

4) just leave it. when you like to remove any program,
go to the program's start menu shortcuts or run its uninstaller program directly,
usually you should find one in the program installed folder..
or some programs may have intentionally put it in \WINDOWS..

5) if this prob was caused by one of the program's uninstaller (on the previously removed programs) or caused by your registry cleaner program which may have removed wrong entries then no. 3 would be the easiest/best way to fix this...

6) Not sure, never heard of any virus and other scumwares that may have caused this..
but scan your system again just in case.

-----------------------------------

More..

7) Open the Run box type CMD and hit enter..
at prompt type in below command line and hit enter..
regsvr32 C:\WINDOWS\system32\appwiz.cpl

8) Open the Registry Editor and locate...
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uni nstall
see if the programs that missingin the Add/Remove is atill listing under this key...
if so, pls let me know i might have a fix for this..

malkor · Jun 10, 2004, 12:12 PM

Dumb question, but have you scrolled all the way down in the Add/Remove control panel? I have seen it happen on WinXP, where there are a few entires at the top, then a huge blank space and all the rest are way at the bottom and you need to scroll all the way down to find them.

Also, I don't really recommend using multiple registry cleaners at the same time. Find one, maybe two, that you trust and like and stick with them.

PangingJr · Jun 10, 2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by malkor
Dumb question, but have you scrolled all the way down in the Add/Remove control panel? I have seen it happen on WinXP, where there are a few entires at the top, then a huge blank space and all the rest are way at the bottom and you need to scroll all the way down to find them.

that may be becos of some reg cleaner program or an uninstaller program that left a blank entry or a bad entry in the registry..

Quote:

8) Open the Registry Editor and locate...
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uni nstall
see if the programs that missingin the Add/Remove is atill listing under this key...
if so, pls let me know i might have a fix for this..

Jitter · Jun 10, 2004, 03:02 PM

Thanks for the info, ill prob just leave it be as it is. All the programs work and Im sure at least most of them have an uninstaller in their directory, but my hard drive is not the most organized so its going to be tough to find everything

I dont want to do a system restore because I am not sure when the prob started, and also I did a lot of tweaks recently and dont want to have to redo all that. Unfortunately i didnt back up the registry before tweak XP pro because i never had a problem w/ reg cleaners before, and i have a feeling the reg cleaner in that program is the problem. I dont normally use a bunch of reg cleaners i was just trying a few to see what i liked best.

thanks for the help

Kevin

PangingJr · Jun 10, 2004, 04:56 PM

You're welcome

Jun 10, 2004, 07:32 AM	#1
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 533 Rep Power: 0	About 2/3 of Programs in add/remove Programs dissapeared Just recently I noticed that at least 2/3 of my installed programs are missing from the add/remove programs list from control panel. I am not sure how long they have been missing but it prob hasnt been more than a week. I clean/optimize/defrag my registry fairly often and have been doing so for probably at least 2 years. I mainly have been using system mechanic, but i also tried tweak XP, registry mechanic, and regseeker. I never really had a problem w. those deleting "important" things so i am not sure what happened. I did heavy spyware and virus checks so i dont think thats the problem. Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Kevin

Jun 10, 2004, 07:41 AM	Thread Starter #2
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 533 Rep Power: 0	I guess it would help to say I am using Win XP pro :-) __________________ Sony Vaio PCV-RX670 P4 1.8ghz XP Pro SP2 1 GB PC2100 RAM ATI All in Wonder 9700 pro Audigy 2 ZS Aquamark ~29,500 3dMark03 ~ 5,000

Jun 10, 2004, 09:23 AM	#3
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 69	What program did you use to clean your registry? Suggestion.. 1) Check in its Undo files for the following registry key... "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Cur rentVersion\Uninstall" if there's any entry under the key belong to the missing programs then import the entries back to your registry.. 2) Use the System Restore if you have it enabled. 3) Re-install every programs that missing from the Add/Remove.. 4) just leave it. when you like to remove any program, go to the program's start menu shortcuts or run its uninstaller program directly, usually you should find one in the program installed folder.. or some programs may have intentionally put it in \WINDOWS.. 5) if this prob was caused by one of the program's uninstaller (on the previously removed programs) or caused by your registry cleaner program which may have removed wrong entries then no. 3 would be the easiest/best way to fix this... 6) Not sure, never heard of any virus and other scumwares that may have caused this.. but scan your system again just in case. ----------------------------------- More.. 7) Open the Run box type CMD and hit enter.. at prompt type in below command line and hit enter.. regsvr32 C:\WINDOWS\system32\appwiz.cpl 8) Open the Registry Editor and locate... HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uni nstall see if the programs that missingin the Add/Remove is atill listing under this key... if so, pls let me know i might have a fix for this.. Last edited by Net; Jun 10, 2004 at 12:13 PM.

Jun 10, 2004, 12:12 PM	#4
malkor DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 123 Rep Power: 0	Dumb question, but have you scrolled all the way down in the Add/Remove control panel? I have seen it happen on WinXP, where there are a few entires at the top, then a huge blank space and all the rest are way at the bottom and you need to scroll all the way down to find them. Also, I don't really recommend using multiple registry cleaners at the same time. Find one, maybe two, that you trust and like and stick with them.

Jun 10, 2004, 03:02 PM	Thread Starter #6
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 533 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the info, ill prob just leave it be as it is. All the programs work and Im sure at least most of them have an uninstaller in their directory, but my hard drive is not the most organized so its going to be tough to find everything I dont want to do a system restore because I am not sure when the prob started, and also I did a lot of tweaks recently and dont want to have to redo all that. Unfortunately i didnt back up the registry before tweak XP pro because i never had a problem w/ reg cleaners before, and i have a feeling the reg cleaner in that program is the problem. I dont normally use a bunch of reg cleaners i was just trying a few to see what i liked best. thanks for the help Kevin

Jun 10, 2004, 04:56 PM	#7
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 69	You're welcome