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WINDOWS CONTROL PANEL ICONS

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8 replies

by stever

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I uninstalled a program from a pc (Uninstaller) but it left an icon in control panel. I have searched through several Windows books, the Windows help, and the registry. But I cannot delete this icon. My question is how can I get rid of this pain?

8 replies

by syscokid

Look in your windows\system32 folder for a file with a name like Uninstaller with a .cpl extension. Change the name to end with .cp_ instead, and then check Control Panel.

by stever

Thanks, the file in question was in the system directory. You gave me the info I apparently had lost my mind on. hope the tech points help you. Thanks again

by tomsal

I've had similar problems with various products.

Usually I find its one of two things:

(A) - I used the wrong uninstall method. This is usually when I rush and don't think through so I'll use the "Add/Remove" programs button when the software had its own uninstall option if I had only spent the time to go through the "Start" - > "Programs" method to find where it says "Uninstall". Even after some of these "program uninstalls" you'll need to delete the empty folder from within Windows Explorer and restart the computer.

(2) The second reason this happens, I find, is that the software uninstall was either corrupted to begin with or I just missed an option I should of check off during the uninstall process. (I.E. "Check here if you want to remove all icons associated with this product"). Either way the only "trick" to dealing with this dilema is re-installing the program and then re-boot and then uninstall again using the program's uninstall method..just be careful to pay attention if there are any uninstall options.

Hope some of this info helps at all.

-Tom

by tomsal

oops forget I was using letters instead of numbers. Consider the (2) to be (B). ;)

by stever

I tried to reinstall then ran it's uninstall again and I also tried the same thing using add remove program. It didn't work. But, Thanks.

by mm212

As was answered above, look for a .cpl file that would correspond to the program. They can be a bit cryptic. As an example, the Add/Remove Programs control panel applet is named appwiz.cpl.

If you can't find a .cpl file, look in your system.ini file. Many times programs will add a control panel icon by referencing it in this file.

by stever

The first answer was correct for my problem. But had to check Thanks for taking time to help though.

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