Cannot uninstall programs via "Add or Remove Programs"

Anonymous
2021-09-01T07:27:51+00:00

I'm trying to go through my Windows 10 PC and clean out old programs that I no longer use, but there are a few programs such as this video game that I cannot uninstall via Windows' "Add or Remove Programs" menu.

When selecting "Uninstall", I'm given an error message such as this:

I believe I have actually already uninstalled this program (and others giving me this issue) via its (their) uninstaller.exe, and then deleted the entire folder. However, it still shows up under "Apps and features" in the "Add or Remove Programs" menu.

Is there a way I can force Windows to remove this as an installed program, as it's not actually still installed?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. _AW_ 64,056 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-09-01T09:04:00+00:00

    Just exit out of the troubleshooter. I suggest downloading a small portable program, Geek Uninstaller Free, to remove the uninstall entry and any traces of the program that may remain.

    https://geekuninstaller.com/

    Direct zip download:

    https://geekuninstaller.com/geek.zip

    Just unzip the program, run geek.exe as administrator, right click on the program to be removed and uninstall. Just follow the prompts to perform a Force Removal if necessary.

    12 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. _AW_ 64,056 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-09-01T07:43:07+00:00

    Download the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter

    https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/E/9/7E9188C0-2511-4B01-8B4E-0A641EC2F600/MicrosoftProgram_Install_and_Uninstall.meta.diagcab

    Double click on MicrosoftProgram_Install_and_Uninstall.meta.diagcab to run it and follow the prompts.

    Select the problematic program, then Yes, try uninstall

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-09-01T08:06:51+00:00

    None of the problematic programs I am attempting to uninstall appear on the list I am given. When I select "not listed", I am given this prompt:

    I have no idea what Product Code refers to.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-09-03T19:51:48+00:00

    This works! Thanks, _AW_.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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