21/05/2018
How to Completely Uninstall / Remove a Software Program in Windows without using 3rd Party Software?
PART 3 - Remove Software Keys from Windows Registry:
Follow this step only if you are comfortable with Windows Registry and if you have used Registry Editor in past.
When you uninstall a software program, many times its entry in Windows Registry is not deleted by the uninstaller. Which might increase Windows Registry size.
To completely uninstall the software, you'll also need to delete its key from Windows Registry.
1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following keys one by one:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software
64-bit system users will also need to check following extra key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node
Once you go to the above mentioned keys, look for a key with the name of your uninstalled software. If you find a key, delete it.
If you get an error while deleting a Registry key such as "Cannot delete key: Error while deleting key", you'll need to take ownership of the key.
NOTE: Make sure to take a backup before deleting anything from Windows Registry so that you can restore it later if something goes wrong. To take backup, right-click on the key which you are going to delete and select "Export". It'll save a .REG file containing the backup of that key.
NOTE2: Expert users can also find all occurrence of the key with the name of uninstalled software using "Ctrl+F" and delete them. You'll have to be very cautious for it. Delete the key only if you are absolutely sure that the key was created by the uninstalled software.
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