Remove invalid entries from Programs and Features

In rebuilding my DAVW, I have to download and install (usually with major authentication hoops included) to get all my paid for music/video apps back in the box. This is a long and tedious process. What I've been working on recently is getting my Native Instruments (NI) libraries downloaded, authenticated and ready to rock. What I've been doing is queueing up a bunch to download each night and then check/verify them the next day. This worked up to a few days ago when overnight the auto installer-verifier Native Instruments supplied -- Native Access (aka NINA) -- did a major pants-crap that has rendered it seemingly stinky useless. It appears to download the libraries and install them but 1) NINA keeps saying they need to be installed and, more importantly, 2) the modules don't show up in their appropriate NI apps. Since I get no love from NI about this problem (hear the crickets chirping while await ANY sort of response to my support ticket?) I'm trying the tactic of completely removing the apps that are currently caught in the infinite NINA loop.

My immediate problem is removing entries from Programs and Features that imply the software module has been installed when, in fact, it hasn't. I look here for a tutorial that might tell me how to do it but, if it exists, I missed it. Does anyone know of a good way to remove the invalid entries from Programs and Features?

Have you tried one of the uninistaller apps? For example I use CCleaner which has the ability to delete entries from the Installed Apps list in Windows 11.
There are other such uninistaller apps which I assume also have this functionality.

It is also possible to do this in the Windows Registry for anyone who is comfortable doing it this way and knows what they're doing.

Hello,

I haven't tested this in W11 yet, but you could try option two below to remove the app's uninstall entry in Programs and Features. It should be the same process in W11.

CCleaner can do it as well...

I haven't used CCleaner in years and don't, as a rule, use registry 'cleaners' -- that said, further work on my original problem statement leads me to wonder if judicious use might help get NINA back into clean clothes (or am I pushing the metaphor too far?).

In another thread (older thread on registry cleaning) here, I saw GHOT talking about Wise and Revo -- should I look into them as potential tools to help accomplish this?

Yes, I have backed up the registry, did a restore point and used Macrium.

obieephyhm said:

I haven't used CCleaner in years and don't, as a rule, use registry 'cleaners' -- that said, further work on my original problem statement leads me to wonder if judicious use might help get NINA back into clean clothes (or am I pushing the metaphor too far?).

In another thread (older thread on registry cleaning) here, I saw GHOT talking about Wise and Revo -- should I look into them as potential tools to help accomplish this?

Yes, I have backed up the registry, did a restore point and used Macrium.

Click to expand...

I see nothing in REVO that will help clean Programs & Features.
REVO will open the registry entry for a Programs & Features listing.
I think that CCleaner would be a lot easier and safer.


When you highlight an entry in CCleaner, the compatible operations are then highlighted at the far right.

@obieephyhm

@Brink 's method (post #3), works as well.
It doesn't uninstall the program, it just removes the entry in Programs & Features.

[Tested on the program: Anyburn, just now]
Even after reboot the program still functions and the Programs & Features entry is gone.
Deleted this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\AnyBurn

Re-install (over top of existing program), puts the Programs & Features entry back where it belongs.
It puts the previously deleted Anyburn registry entry back as well.






My Labrador Retriever has tested and approved this.

In CCleaner the actual registry cleaner is separate from what Ghot demonstrates in his screenshot.