How to remove old Sun Java ghost installs?

[mgr]

All,

 

I'm looking for a way to remove some old "ghost" Sun Java entries in the CCleaner Uninstall tool. They are J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 2 and Update 4.

 

So far, they cannot be removed by CCleaner or Add / Remove. I was able to edit the names in CC to add the suffix "obsolete" on the end, and these edited names show up in Add / Remove. Here's what I've tried so far:

 

1. Remove via CC uninstall "delete" - CC says it can't remove an MSI installer

2. Run CC "uninstall" - CC prompts for the original file installation, which is now long gone

3. Run Add / Remove - A/R lists them but shows no size, no info, and has no links to "change / remove"

4. Remove the entries from the registry - a registry search draws a blank on "update 2," "update 4" or "obsolete" text

5. Find them on the hard drive - a full search for the text above draws a blank on anything remotely Java related.

6. Reinstall the programs so I can delete them - I can't find the old versions anywhere

7. Try other programs - my other programs (Spybot, RegSupreme Pro, etc.) don't show the old versions, just the latest Java install (6.0 Update 3)

 

This is very vexing. They're not creating any issues, but I find them annoying and I don't like it when I can't maintain control of my own machine. I also know that if CC can edit the names, they have to be somewhere.

 

Any help or direction would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks,

mgr

[CeeCee]

So they probably are just leftover registry entries. You can remove them with this program: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download460.html

 

Go to 'Uninstall menu', select those Java entries and hit "Remove selected". By default, backup is made.

[YoKenny]

Even if you do un-install the old Sun Java applications then you have to use Windows Explorer to navigate to C:\Program Files\Java then manually delete the old Folders.

 

I prefer RegSeeker as it is a safe registry cleaner:

http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

[mgr]

Thanks for the tip. That's a blast from the past (I've used JV programs for years, up to RSP which I use now) but I gave it a try in the spirit of troubleshooting. It also failed to find those entries, as does all my other software except CC.

 

I suspect they're not in the registry (I tried searching as noted above). Question is, where are they?

 

mgr

[JDPower]

Try the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the Java entries:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

 

I prefer RegSeeker as it is a safe registry cleaner

'Regseeker' and 'safe' are not two words I'd put together.

[mgr]

Sorry, some replies crossed while I was responding. My original was for CeeCee. YoKenny, I'll try your RegSeeker next. I've already cleaned those Java folders a long time ago.

 

mgr

[CeeCee]

'Regseeker' and 'safe' are not two words I'd put together.

That's right. RegSeeker isn't very safe. You have to be very careful on what you decide to delete with it. Anyway it's a good cleaner, it founds very well correct invalid entries.

[JDPower]

Anyway it's a good cleaner, it founds very well correct invalid entries.

Oh I agree, I use it myself occasionally, just not very safe unless you're absolutely sure of what you're doing.

[hazelnut]

May be helpful for some people to see which version they are using, and also to see if javascript is working

 

http://www.javatester.org/version.html

[Andavari]

May be helpful for some people to see which version they are using, and also to see if javascript is working

 

http://www.javatester.org/version.html

Sun also has a Verify Java Installation page at:

http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

[mgr]

All,

 

The problems are eliminated!!

 

Thanks, JDPower, for providing the solution that worked (Installer Cleanup Utility).

 

I'm still puzzled why I couldn't find the entries in the registry, and none of the registry cleaners found them, either, but it's a moot point now. I've retested Java and it works fine, so no residual issues (so far).

 

Thanks to all for the timely & helpful responses.

 

mgr