How to Delete Unwanted Programs

When you install programs in Windows XP, the operating system adds the program to the list of installed programs in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box. You can then use Add/Remove Programs to delete the program later. In some cases, a program that is installed will not be displayed in the Add/Remove Programs dialog. In that case, you can still delete unwanted programs by adding the program to the Add/Remove Programs display manually.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "Notepad". This opens Notepad.

2. Click "File" in the Notepad menu bar and click "Open" in the context menu. This
   opens a Finder window.

3. Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\INF\SYSOC.INF in the finder window, click to select it,
   then click the "Open" button.

4. Locate the entry for the program you want to delete. The entry will have the
   word "hide" in it. Remove the word hide but not the comma. For example, to cause "Games" to show in Add/Remove Programs, do the following:

   Start with: Games=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,games.inf,HIDE,7

   Change to: Games=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,games.inf,,7

5. Click "File" in the Notepad menu bar and click "Save" in the context menu. Close the Notepad window.

6. Click "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Add or Remove Programs". The program whose entry you modified will now be listed and you will be able to remove it.

Tips & Warnings

• The directions provided apply only to Windows XP. Different directions apply to other operating systems such as Windows Vista or Mac OS X.

References

• Article on removing programs on the Software Tips and Tricks website