Uninstall Icon Missing from Programs List

Question

I cannot unistall any programs due to the uninstall icon missing.    It is not visible with the Views and Organize icons at the top of the list of Programs

Answer 1

You might want to try these instructions which are useful for uninstalling things that don't have an uninstaller in Programs & Features. Or just manage your Startup so the Sony Care program doesn't run. There is no reason to have it running in the background anyway.

Start regedit elevated.

Start>Search box>type: regedit

When regedit appears above, right-click it and choose "Run as administrator". Provide the password/OK to the UAC prompt and regedit will open elevated. Now do the same thing to open an elevated command prompt:

Start>Search box>type:cmd

When cmd appears above, right-click it and choose "Run as administrator". Etc. Now you will have an elevated command prompt.

In regedit, navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Current Version>Uninstall

Find the program's entry and its Uninstall string. Double-click it to get its value, select it and copy the value (Ctrl-C). Now bring cmd to the fore and paste the value in there (Ctrl-V). Hit [enter] to start the uninstallation process.

Start Orb>Search box>type: msconfig and when it appears in the Results box above, right-click and choose "Run as Administrator".

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. Then see what is on the Startup tab. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Usually this will be blocked by Windows Defender and you'll need to allow it so you can then tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes. Use Services instead and do not stop any services unless you really, really know what you're doing.

The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

How to perform a clean boot in Windows Vista or Windows 7 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

---

MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Answer 2

Malkeleah -  After much searching,  my problem was that not all programs in Windows can be uninstalled.    I was trying to unistall Sony Vaio Care because it had been freezing and I wanted to reinstall.     It can't be uninstalled.    The uninstall icon only appears on items that can be uninstalled.

Thanks again for your help.    I voted for you and now realize why you have all those medals!

Answer 3

Oh. Well, since you posted in an XP forum I naturally assumed that's what you are using. Probably some good ideas here:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=Uninstall+option+missing+vista+Programs+%26+Features&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=d059ab474882bfe2

---

MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Answer 4

Malkeleah - Thanks for the reply.   I forgot to mention i have Vista Home Premium.     The procedure you mentioned does not work in Vista.   Thanks!

Answer 5

Some applications in Add/Remove Programs list are missing Change and Remove buttons - http://www.winxptutor.com/arpbuttons.htm

---

MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!