Microsoft KB Archive/310587

= Error Message When You Remove a Program Using the Add/Remove Programs Tool =

Article ID: 310587

Article Last Modified on 12/1/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

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This article was previously published under Q310587



IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



SYMPTOMS
When you view the list of installed programs in the Add/Remove Programs tool, you may see one or more programs listed that have already been removed from your computer. Alternatively, when you remove a program using the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

An error occurred while trying to remove. Uninstallation has been canceled



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if you have manually deleted a program that is listed in the Install/Uninstall list in the Add/Remove Programs tool.



RESOLUTION
To remove a program from the Install/Uninstall list, use one of the following methods.

Method One
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Delete the appropriate key under the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Method Two
Use TweakUI PowerToy to remove the program from the list of installed software. To do so, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double- click TweakUI.
 * 2) Click the Add\Remove tab, click the program that you want to remove, and then click Remove.
 * 3) Click OK, and then close Control Panel.



MORE INFORMATION
The Microsoft Windows PowerToys are a suite of tools, including TweakUI, that is available for free download from the Microsoft Web site. Microsoft Microsoft Platforms Support Desktop (MPSD) Technical Support does not support the installation or usage of PowerToys or any of their components.

Keywords: kbenv kberrmsg kbfaq kbprb KB310587

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