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

Steps

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,,4Pinball=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.

Warnings

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

Sources and Citations

• http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com - original source, shared with permission.

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