PrintThis document pertains to HP and Compaq PCs with Windows 7.
Removing software with the Uninstall a Program feature
To remove programs and software components in Windows 7 from your computer hard disk drive:
- Click Start
, and then click Control Panel
. - Under Programs , click Uninstall a program .The Uninstall or change a program window opens.
- Select the program you want to remove.
- Click Uninstall or Uninstall/Change at the top of the program list.
- Read and respond to any messages that might open while the software is being removed from your computer.
Removing software not listed in the Uninstall a Program window
Some Windows 7 programs are not listed in the Uninstall a Program window. If the program you want to uninstall is not listed in the Uninstall a Program window, use the Turning a Windows feature on or off
option on the left side of the Programs window.
Click expandable (+) headings to expand the information.
- Click Start
, Control Panel
, Programs
, and then click Turn Windows features on or off
.If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- To turn a Windows feature on, select the checkbox next to it, and then click OK .To turn a Windows feature off, remove the selection, and click OK .
Uninstalling a program in the Registry Editor
Use the following steps only if you cannot find the software listed in the Uninstall a Program window or in the Windows Features window.
CAUTION:The following procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Incorrectly editing the registry could cause Windows to not start. Create a backup of the registry before carefully following the steps.
- If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.The Registry Editor opens.
- Back up the registry. For more information, see Backing up the Windows registry .
- Once the registry has been backed up, click the plus sign next to the following key names in the left pane of the Registry Editor:
- HKEY LOCAL MACHINE
- SOFTWARE
- MICROSOFT
- WINDOWS
- CURRENT VERSION
- UNINSTALL
- Select the key name under Uninstall that matches the software name that you want to uninstall.
- With the software name selected, double-click UninstallString in the right pane.
- Select the entire text in the Value data field.
- Right-click the highlighted text and select Copy .
- Click Cancel , and then close the Registry Editor window.
- Click Start
.
- In the Search field, right-click and select Paste .The UninstallString value data you copied previously is pasted into the field.
- Press the Enter key.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the software.
