Windows Installer won't Uninstall programs

Question

windows installer won't uninstall programs.  It just sits there and says 'preparing to uninstall".  The little spinning wheel just spins forever.  I have to go to task manager to stop it from running.  When I go back into Control Panel and try to uninstall again, then windows says it is 'being used by another program which is installing'.  Help!

Answer 1

Try this Program:

http://www.revouninstaller.com/

“Revo Uninstaller helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs installed on your computer even if you have problems uninstalling and cannot uninstall them from "Windows Add or Remove Programs" control panel applet.

Revo Uninstaller is a much faster and more powerful alternative to "Windows Add or Remove Programs" applet!

With its advanced and fast algorithm, Revo Uninstaller analyzes an application's data before uninstall and scans after you uninstall an application. After the program's regular uninstaller runs, you can remove additional unnecessary files, folders and registry keys that are usually left”

Then do a bit of Maintenance on your System:

·                         Go to your Laptop/Computer Manufacturer's website > Drivers and Downloads Section > Key in your Model number > Look for latest Vista Drivers for it > Download/install them.

[http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/83ec0ffe-ee04-4d53-8b87-25d1f05c954e1033.mspx](http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/83ec0ffe-ee04-4d53-8b87-25d1f05c954e1033.mspx)

“**Optimise Windows for better Performance”**   

[http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1264bc24-72a8-48aa-84e3-a355327139d91033.mspx](http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1264bc24-72a8-48aa-84e3-a355327139d91033.mspx)

“**Delete files using Disk Cleanup”**

The More Options tab is available when you choose to clean files from all users on the computer. This tab includes two additional ways to free even more
 disk space:

Programs and Features: Uninstall unwanted Programs.

System restore and Shadow Copies: Delete all but the most recent Restore Point

 Above is what you should do as part of normal Computer maintenance.

Besides using an anti-virus, also scan for Malware/spyware:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Malwarebytes is as the name says, a Malware Remover!

Download the Free Version from the link above.

Download, install, update and scan once a fortnight..

How to use Malwarebytes after it is installed and Updated:

1. Open Malwarebytes > Click on the Update Tab  across the top> get the latest updates.

2. On the Scanner tab, make sure the the Perform quick scan option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer

3. MBAM will now start scanning your computer for malware. This process can take quite a while.

4. When the scan is finished a message box will appear

5. You should click on the OK button to close the message box and continue with the Malware****removal process.

6. You will now be back at the main Scanner screen. At this point you should click on the Show Results button.

7. A screen displaying all the malware that the program found will be shown

8. You should now click on the Remove Selected button to remove all the listed malware. MBAM will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the programs quarantine. When removing the files, MBAM may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow it to do so. Once your computer has rebooted, and you are logged in, please continue with the rest of the steps.

9. When MBAM has finished removing the malware, it will open the scan log and display it in Notepad. Review the log as desired, and then close the Notepad window.

10. You can now exit the MBAM program.

Run the Vista System File Checker Tool:  

[http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2231/vista\_run\_system\_file\_checker/](http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2231/vista_run_system_file_checker/)  

1. Open a Command Window in Administrator mode:

\* click
**Start**  

\* click **All Programs**, then
**Accessories**  

\* right click on the **Command Prompt**option,  

\* on the drop down menu which appears, click on the **Run as Administrator**option.

\* If you haven’t disabled User Account Control (and you shouldn’t!) you will be asked for authorisation. Click the Continue button if you are the administrator
 or insert the administrator password.

2. Start the System File Checker

\* In the Command Prompt window, type:
**sfc /scannow**,  

\* press Enter.  

\* You’ll see “the system scan will begin”.

The scan may take some time and windows will repair/replace any corrupt or missing files. You will be asked to insert your Vista DVD if it’s needed.

Close the Command Prompt Window when the job is finished.

One caveat: you need a Windows DVD to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs.

[http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928228](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928228)

“How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista”

Cheers.

* * *

Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner