Currently Installed Programs Not Showing Up

Question

I'm having an issue on my Desktop PC running Windows 8.1 that is not allowing all of my programs to show up when I go to uninstall programs from the Control Panel. I should have anywhere from 45-60 programs but it's only showing 12. I've attached a picture to show exactly what I'm seeing.

I've never had this issue before and not sure what's causing it. I've also noticed that I have a new icon showing up in the taskbar called "Search Protect" I have no idea if this is at all related to my issue but something definitely isn't right. Of the 12 programs it shows listed in my installed programs, one of them is Microsoft Office and the other 11 are Microsoft Visual. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi JewDaddyV1,

I understand that this issue has started recently on the computer. It would be great if you can answer these questions for a better understanding.

1. What are the recent changes that you have made to the computer prior to this issue?
2. Are you able to find and access the programs that are not shown in “Programs and Features” from the location “C:/Program Files” or by searching for them from the Start Screen?
3. Do you suspect any virus or other malicious software activity on the computer?

I would suggest you to check if you are able to find and access these programs from “C:/Program Files” or you may just search for the programs. To search for the installed programs, press “Windows Logo”

• “Q” keys on the keyboard and then type the name of the programs that are missing from “Programs and Features” one by one and check if you are able to access them without any issues.

The new icon “Search Protect” that is shown on your taskbar seem to be from Conduit. The “Search Protect” could be a malware or a browser hijacker program. These kind of programs get installed automatically when you install a freeware on the computer. To remove this malware from the computer, you may please try the suggestions given in this thread link: search protect conduit

I would also suggest you to boot the computer in Safe Mode with Networking and then perform a complete security scan using Microsoft Safety Scanner and let us know that scan results. Please try these suggestions:

Boot the computer in Safe Mode with Networking and Perform a Complete Security Scan

In Windows, we can start the computer in different advanced troubleshooting modes to find and fix problems on the PC. One of such troubleshooting mode is Safe Mode with Networking. Here we start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, including the network drivers. Please refer to the steps in this article to boot the computer in safe mode with networking:

***Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)***

After booting the computer in Safe Mode with Networking, let us download the Microsoft Safety Scanner and perform a complete security scan on the computer.

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner and check if there are any infections on the computer.

You can download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner from this link:

***Download Microsoft Safety Scanner***

Important: When running a scan using an anti-virus program, any data files that are infected may be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Please get back to us with the updates. We’ll be glad to assist you further.

Answer 2

Thank you for your help Rajesh. Here are answers to your questions and the results of what I've done so far.

1. The two main changes I can think of before this problem started was installing AVG Tune Up 2014 which helps optimize my pc's performance, and also the Search Protect showing up in the taskbar. Other than that, I can think of anything else.
2. Yes
3. Possibly, but my AVG and Microsoft Safety Scanner found no viruses after doing a complete scan with both.

I was able to find the programs in question as you mentioned and they are accessible through the program files folder. I was also able to completely remove Search Protect from my PC.

As you suggested, I booted my PC up in safe mode and ran the Microsoft Safety Scanner through a complete scan and no viruses were found. I still can only see the same programs listed in the control panel that I have a screenshot of. Still not sure what's going on or what to try next but I would appreciate anymore help you can provide. Thanks again.

Answer 3

Hi,

Uninstall the AVG Tune Up 2014 and check if it helps in getting the issue resolved.

a: Press Windows key + X

b: Then click Programs and Features

c: right click on AVG Tuneup and select Uninstall

Answer 4

Hi JewDaddy,

I have exactly the same problem and my Program and features dialog box shows only Microsoft apps. I have done some research and it "may" be caused by a couple of recent Windows updates (Windows Malicious Software Removal tool - KB890830; Security Update -KB2993651); but I am not completely sure whether those have something to do with it. The Security Update was automatically installed up to three times within the last month on my computer. I have not recently installed any new software that may have caused this, my antivirus and malware programs did not detect anything, and the only relevant event that has occurred on my system was those Windows Updates. 

I guess that the best solution would be to find a safe way to uninstall safely those updates, if possible.