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Question

Programs Missing from Programs an Features in Control Panel

Aug 25, 2014 8:35AM PDT

On Windows 8.1, when I open Programs and Features in Control Panel, it does not show all of my installed programs. I am trying to remove some programs and they are not listed.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
TRUE!!!
Aug 25, 2014 8:39AM PDT

Since that arrived in 1995, listing in Programs and Features is still voluntary. You have a great question and my return question is as follows.

Q. Is it time for Microsoft to be more draconian and not allow apps to install that don't show up in this panel?
Bob

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There are big commercial apps
Aug 25, 2014 8:48AM PDT

These are apps that should be listed and are on others computers -- items like iTunes, Adobe reader, Adobe AIR, etc.

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And still they can go missing. Why?
Aug 25, 2014 9:00AM PDT

Well I guess you need to know a little more.

That area is just a list. It is not tied to the installed app in any way. This rather loose association means that for a long list of causes the add/remove item can go missing yet the app is still there and working.

There's really nothing new going on here (since 1995) so do you want to know how I deal with this?

And what's your thought on my question? Is it time for Microsoft to be more draconian about this?
Bob

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yes and yes
Aug 25, 2014 9:07AM PDT

I would be interested to hear what you do about there. There are a significant number missing and most have no-way to cleanly and easily uninstall otherwise.

I do think it might be good to "force" applications to behave in areas such as this. I use Windows every day, but I am a perfect example of a guy who just wants the apps to work well so I don't need to worry about the real technology behind them.

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That's something I don't know either.
Aug 25, 2014 9:10AM PDT

You are asking to cleanly and easily uninstall which I have to write, I don't know either.

But I do use tools like REVO UNINSTALLER as well as MANUAL UNINSTALL METHODS which vary on the title in question.

-> Thanks for your answer about Microsoft and getting more Draconian about apps. I'm sure some authors will revolt but I hear you.
Bob

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I use Revo uninstaller too, but you should check for malware
Aug 25, 2014 9:30AM PDT

I'd get hold of Malwarebytes and check for malware because things like iTunes and Adobe definitely should show up in Programs & Features. I hope you have a good antivirus program and are keeping it up to date.

When you've gotten your system back like you want it, I urge you to get yourself an external hard drive and a good 3rd party backup program. You can set it up to do everything automagically at the time and frequency of your choice. 1 TB external hard drives are about $60 these days and a really good FREE backup program is the Easeus Todo Backup Free. That can save you a lot of time and frustration the next time something like this happens. Sooner or later it happens to all computers for one reason or another.

When you've gotten your system back like you want it, I urge you to get yourself an external hard drive and a good 3rd party backup program. You can set it up to do everything automagically at the time and frequency of your choice. 1 TB external hard drives are about $60 these days and a really good FREE backup program is the Easeus Todo Backup Free. That can save you a lot of time and frustration the next time something like this happens. Sooner or later it happens to all computers for one reason or another.

Good luck.

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Revo, etc
Aug 25, 2014 12:02PM PDT

Revo (free version) does not find these programs either. I have run Malware tools -- Malwarebytes, Ad-Aware and Spybot. I am going to run Malware Bytes again to see if if cleaned everything the first time.

I do have a couple of 1T drives that I use to keep my data backed up. I will check the program you mentioned since I don't use one.

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Then title by title
Aug 25, 2014 12:06PM PDT

For what Revo won't do, I'm on google. For example.

MANUALLY UNINSTALL ITUNES

That finds that one. The more manual uninstalls you do, the more you see what's up.
Bob