TonyKlein

Yes, but by just deleting the Program Files folder you're removing only the tip of a potentially large iceberg. Tons of registry keys and values will be left behind, cluttering the Registry. If the uninstall string is corrupted, by far the best option is installing the application on top of itself. That will restore missing registry keys, including that uninstall string, allowing you to get rid of the program the correct way. I'd try that first. You can always go nuking folders and registry keys manually should it still be necessary...

And we also need to know whether something DOES happen when the poster tries to uninstall the application through Add/Remove Programs. This is because if it won't work that way either it is likely not a CCleaner issue. Either way, a few additional details would be nice.

Thanks DJ, that clarifies a few things!

You're right, it isn't very reliable: see screenshot (I ran AAW as recently as yesterday). It looks more like the date I actually first installed it...

Well, it IS a commercial product: they're charging $49.95 per year for protection of up to 3 PCs, which does seem cheap at first glance. However I'm not impressed by the little I've seen of MS's AV so far. I upload a lot of (potential) nasties to be scanned at VirusTotal, a site using a large number of dfferent AV engines, and MS AV's detection rate really is pretty dismal compared to most of the established products. Personally, I'd go for either ESET's Nod32 or Kaspersky as a resident AV. Complement that with a good firewall, SpyBot S&D's Teatimer and Ad-Aware for scanning on demand, and you'll be better off. Just my 2 cts...

Also, what is the exact name of the files/folder/application in question?

You're very welcome. Next time it happens, here's what to do: Look for the pertinent entry in your Winapp.ini (or Winapp2.ini) In this case here's (part of) the one in question: [Google Earth] LangSecRef=3021 Detect=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Google Earth Plus And as you might expect, the 'detect' line is the one to watch here; it's what CCleaner looks for when you launch it so see whether or not to display the application

You want to get rid of the following subkeys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Google Earth HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Google Earth Plus That should do the trick Once you're there you want to remove the following subkey as well, if still present: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Google Earth Plus

As I said, there really is NO need to create a dummy index.dat file, nor to copy it anywhere. All you need to do the job in Windows 98 are these two lines, preferably in your autoexec.bat, and the TIF folder wil be deleted in its entirety on boot, including the index.dat file. without the need of any further user action. Smartdrv Deltree /Y C:\Windows\Tempor~1 On reboot there will be a brand new Temporary Internet Files folder containing a gleaming new index.dat file... I really believe in keeping it simple if at all possible...

I think CCleaner just uses the uninstall string proper to the application in question, just like "Add and Remove Programs" does. What happens if you try uninstalling that application the 'usual' way?

... or even better: open your Autoexec.bat file in Notepad, and add these lines just before the last one: @Echo Off Smartdrv Deltree /Y C:\Windows\Tempor~1 Save in File. Youtr TIF folder will be deleted at every bootup (and, I repeat, automatically recreated, including a brand new index.dat file) You could add lines to delete your History and/or Cookies folders as well, if you wish NOTE: if your TIF folder is located elsewwhere (In Local Settings for example), of course be sure to adapt the path!

No need to create a dummy OR to copy index.dat back: remember: it will be recreated as soon as you reboot back into Windows/restart IE. This alone suffices: smartdrv DELTREE /Y C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 The TIF folder including index.dat will be recreated automatically. And DjLizard is right of course: Killbox will use wininit.ini in Windows 98.

whoops, dupe due to board hiccups...

It did cross my mind, and it may indeed be the reason why the option hasn't been added so far... That would be a good idea, I think! What about a new section in CC ("On Demand") where entries need checking manually each time you want to run that option, and where the check mark disappears as soon as that run has completed?

Not yet, and I would second that. That feature's the only remaining reason I'm still running CleanMgr.exe on a regular basis

Truly honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Eldmannen!

An "Open in RegEdit" option for the Uninstall entries (Tools > Uninstall) would be nice. The way it is the information is just a bit basic. For example, I had two Uninstall entries called "Snagit 8", and I had to use Regedit to see what subkey contained the corrupted uninstall string.

Not familar with ClipMagic myself, but, in CCleaner, do you happen to have the "Clipboard" check box ticked in the Windows > System section? If so, try UNchecking it. I can see where that might produce a conflict.

If you're interested in my personal opinion, don't bother/mess with them. It really is MUCH safer to leave your dlls alone, as almost all software available for this purpose is really not very good in telling whether a particular dll is indeed 'unneccesary' or 'duplicate'. However, if I have to mention one, it would be FindOrphans: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,10205,00.asp Read the article in its entirety; it is very informative. But be warned, even with FindOrphans you'll be the one that has to make the final decision. Just my 2 cts tho...

Ah, but those details are exactly what we need in order for this to be a successful "bug report". It is not necessarily weird. What Ad-Watch does is tell you when a registry value in a particular key it monitors changes. When you run it it will also tell you whether anuthing has changed there since the last time it checked. I decided to switch it on, and I got 4 popups, one of which I'm attaching. It's a startup entry pertaining to Roxio Drag - to Disc, an application I installed after Ad-Watch was last launched. As you can see it has added a string value to the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key, one of the many keys that Microsoft checks at boot for applications that it needs to launch. You'll find applications listed in that key in Msconfig > Startup Programs Once you get such a popup, you are given the opportunity to deny or allow it. I see that Ad-Watch also allows you to create custom rules, so I'm quite confident it is a little more configurable that I first gave it credit for. Have a look at those options! Now as for those popups for software you haven't installed any longer, those could well be orphaned values in such a Registry key left over by a less than complete uninstall of the software in question, unfortunately quite a common occurrence... Anyway, as you see it's important to know what such an alert really means. It's only then you can take steps, either to remove the orohaned registry references, or, if that doesn't apply, create a rule that allows Ad-Watch to always allow that registry change.

I just came across this article by DjLizard, and in this case it could indeed be a Permissions issue as well. Have a look.

I checked a few of my backups, and I see that I have a couple that have 'returned' as well. This is usually because applications you still have installed restore the registry keys, either at boot, or when launched. It is nothing to worry about

LOL! I've only been here for a short while, but I nevertheless do realize I'm playing with fire here...

... also, and I never thought I'd be hearing myself say this, Eldmannen in a way may have a point here. CCleaner at least allows you to decide what MRUs to 'clean', and you can even fine-tune that by editing the Winapp(2).ini manually if it should be required. Personally, I use GhostSecurity RegDefend for kernel level Registry monitoring, and it lets me create an Application override group that does allow CCLeaner to modify a registry value it is protecting. To give you an example, here are my RegDefend rules that allow CCLeaner to do what it needs to do on my machine, without RegDefend crying foul Adwatch unfortunately isn't quite as versatile, at least if I understand you correctly... What exactly is it preventing CCleaner from doing? Is is because it wants to delete the index.dat on reboot using PendingFileRenameOperations?

I can already see we're not likely to be agreeing on this... LOL! Have you already posted at the Lavasoft board with the exact same question? And if so, what did they say? Also, what is the exact registry key/value in question? There may be a workaround.