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Windows cannot find uninstall.exe file.

Anonymous
2020-03-22T06:25:55+00:00

I am trying to uninstall a program called Steam (an online launcher for PC games) but when I tried to uinstall it from the Apps list under Windows Settings, an error message pops up saying that the uninstall.exe could not be found.

So I tried a couple of different solutions, but with one of them, I seem to have made a mistake.  When I was under Control Panel --> Programs --> Programs and Features and then tried uninstalling Steam from there, it said it appeared to have been already uninstalled or partially uninstalled, and asked me if I'd like to remove it from Programs and Features.  So I did that.  Now, it won't even appear on the list of programs under Apps under Windows Settings.

How can I find a way to uninstall Steam completely?  I appreciate any help with this.

PS:  I saw someone elsewhere, suggest to another person with a somewhat different technical problem with uninstalling a program, to try using a free software called Perfect Uninstaller but after I downloaded and installed it, not even that program lists Steam as one of the programs I can uninstall.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T06:33:30+00:00

    Hi and thanks for your question. My name is Tim and I'm an independent Microsoft Adviser. Let's see if we can solve the problem together.

    With the information provided, I would assume the uninstall process has worked to an extent, but there are ways to manually remove steam. You'll need to be comfortable with Regedit but the process is outlined here:

    Exit Steam if it is still running even after the uninstall.

    Navigate to your Steam directory. (Typically C:\Program Files\Steam or C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam

    If you wish to save your game files for a future installation of Steam, copy your steamapps folder outside of your Steam directory.

    Delete all of the contents of your Steam directory.

    Go to Start > Run and type in regedit.

    • For 32-bit operating systems:

    In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve.

    Right-click on Valve and select Delete.

    • For 64-bit operating systems:

    In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Valve.

    Right-click on Valve and select Delete.

    In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam.

    Right-click on Valve select Delete.

    Close your Registry Editor.

    Source: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php...

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T07:22:33+00:00

    Following your instructions, I have resolved my technical problem.  Thank you so much, for your prompt response.

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