Delete Registry Key

Question

Hi Experts

I have an application which was not properly uninstalled on few servers. To install an upgraded version of this application i need to delete the below registry keys of previous versions residing in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\11111111111111111111
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\22222222222222222222
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\22222222222222222222

How do i delete this registry keys using PowerShell. For example i have the folder 11111111111111111111 under Products.
i want to delete this folder 11111111111111111111 and all subfolders inside it. experts help me with the syntax.

Answer 1

Powershell doesn't limit you to just using cmdlet's, it can also run executables. Use reg.exe. It's simple.

reg.exe delete HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\11111111111111111111 /f

The cmdlet version:

Remove-Item Registry::HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\11111111111111111111 -Recurse  -Force  

Answer 2

Try this:

Remove-Item HKLM:\Installer\Products\11111111111111111111

Answer 3

Hi @Glenn Maxwell ,

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT is a merge of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/sysinfo/hkey-classes-root-key?redirectedfrom=MSDN

Check HKLM and HKCU for the registry key you want to delete.

This should help to get started with the PowerShell script
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/remove-itemproperty?view=powershell-7.1#example-3--remove-a-registry-value-by-using-the-pipeline

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten

Answer 4

Hello,

You can also try using Revo uninstaller, it will remove registry keys associated with programs that have been corrupted or partially installed/uninstalled.

-Miguel
http://www.falconitservices.com