Old Programs Still Showing

[CTskifreak]

I was wondering if there was a way to get rid of check boxes that no longer apply to my computer. For instance, I had Google Earth, but I uninstalled it. However, it is still there under the applications tab. Is there a way to fix this??

 

Thanks,

 

AJ

[TonyKlein]

It's because the programs were incompletely uninstalled, leaving orphaned keys behind in tne system registy, prompting CCleaner to think you still have them...

 

The solution is in your winapp.ini and winapp2.ini files.

 

Let's take the case of Google Earth. In your winapp.ini file you'll find the following entry:

 

[Google Earth]

LangSecRef=3021

Detect=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Google Earth Plus

Default=True

FileKey1=%userprofile%\Application Data\Google\GoogleEarth|dbcache.dat

FileKey2=%userprofile%\Application Data\Google\GoogleEarth|dbcache.dat.index

RegKey1=HKCU\Software\Google\Google Earth Plus\Search

 

Now the data in the 'Detect' line is the one that matters. Here, CCleaner still finds a Google Earth registry key:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Google Earth Plus

 

As long as it detects the presence of that key it will display the Google Earth check box.

 

By deleting that Google Earth subkey from the registry you solve the issue.

 

NOTE: it is VITAL to back up the Registry before digging in and editing it as irreparable damage to your installation of Windows could conceivably result if you accidentally nuke the wrong key.

 

I suggest creating a System Restore Point beforehand.

[hazelnut]

Great explanation Tony

[TonyKlein]

Thank you, Hazelnut.

[CTskifreak]

Thank you..I knew there was a fix somehow.

 

AJ