How do I remove registry entires using .INI file?

CCleaner for Windows
1

I've been using Ccleaner for a while, and I've always wondered why I was still able to clean programs on my Windows XP desktop that haven't been installed in years. I realized there were still traces of these programs in the registry, but I can't find them in the registry and I can't figure out how to get rid of them.

I read this thread while searching around...

I have the .INI file now, but I can't figure out how to find these items in my registry. The file produced on my computer appeared to have a different format for the entries than the one in the screenshot, I'll post them later when I'm using that computer. I can't remember exactly what they said, but like I said, I'll post that later.

I know this isn't a Piriform/Ccleaner-specific issue, but I figured since I found this information here and it's because of Ccleaner, this would be the best place to post it. That being said, I appreciate any input! Thanks!

2

It wouldn't be CCleaner that you'd need to use to remove left-overs from long uninstalled software in the registry such as registry settings, etc. You'd need to manually edit the registry yourself using the tool built into Windows called RegEdit.

If you're not familiar with manually editing the registry it's best left alone since there's a chance of damaging the registry and possibly making Windows unbootable. If you do decide to edit the registry the best advice I can give is make a System Restore Point before beginning, that way you can undo any possible damage without having to reinstall/restore Windows.

3
7 hours ago, Andavari said: 
<div class="ipsQuote_contents">
	<p>
		It wouldn't be CCleaner that you'd need to use to remove left-overs from long uninstalled software in the registry such as registry settings, etc. You'd need to manually edit the registry yourself using the tool built into Windows called <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/141377/differences-between-regedit-exe-and-regedt32-exe" rel="external nofollow">RegEdit</a>.
	</p>

	<p>
		If you're not <a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Regedit" rel="external nofollow">familiar with manually editing the registry</a> it's best left alone since there's a chance of damaging the registry and possibly making Windows unbootable. If you do decide to edit the registry the best advice I can give is make a <a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?q=how+to+create+a+system+restore+point" rel="external nofollow">System Restore Point</a> before beginning, that way you can undo any possible damage without having to reinstall/restore Windows.
	</p>
</div>

I realize that isn't something you can do using Ccleaner. I'm somewhat familiar with editing the registry, I know my way around and know what not to touch.

What I am asking is how to search for the program entries in RegEdit using the .INI file that Ccleaner creates with registry entries. Like I said, I will post a screenshot at some point today when I get a chance.

4

Okay, these are the entries shown on the file. I apologize for taking so long to post this, but I've been busy the past few days.

Are the registry entries just further down in the document? Because I don't see anything else for Firefox/Thunderbird or Chrome (all previously installed programs).

IMG_1099 (640x480).jpg

5

You don't see any registry paths because they are using "Special" detection and key, nobody outside of Piriform will know what those are.

Note that Mozilla isn't just in the registry most of what it stores traditionally is in files on your hard disk, so if you are seeing left-overs in CCleaner it can also be from the physical files still stored on your hard disk in the Application Data ("AppData") folders on your system - CCleaner detects those too!

You might have a much easier time finding what's in the registry using something like NirSoft RegScanner (freeware), which can list everything via the search in one window, and you can double click the results to open the exact paths directly in RegEdit. Note that some anti-virus products will falsely detect RegScanner.

6
9 hours ago, Andavari said: 
<div class="ipsQuote_contents">
	<p>
		You don't see any registry paths because they are using "Special" detection and key, nobody outside of Piriform will know what those are.
	</p>

	<p>
		Note that Mozilla isn't just in the registry most of what it stores traditionally is in files on your hard disk, so if you are seeing left-overs in CCleaner it can also be from the physical files still stored on your hard disk in the Application Data ("AppData") folders on your system - CCleaner detects those too!
	</p>

	<p>
		You might have a much easier time finding what's in the registry using something like NirSoft <a href="http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/regscanner.html" rel="external nofollow">RegScanner</a> (freeware), which can list everything via the search in one window, and you can double click the results to open the exact paths directly in RegEdit. Note that some anti-virus products will falsely detect RegScanner.
	</p>
</div>

I'll go through the App Data folder when I get a chance.

I installed RegScanner already, great tool. I'll see what I can do to clean up this computer.

Thanks!