Windows 7 How to Completely Remove Residual Programs from Hidden Icons in Windows

[iflog]

I downloaded a couple programs which I didnt want any longer so I removed them properly. When I look at my show hidden icons, customise, the programs are still listed there. I even ran a CCleaners registry fix and went into the registry myself to remove any left over bits and confirmed there is nothing left. Yet when I look at show hidden icons they are still there. How can I remove them totally?

 

[iflog]

Judging by the zero response it is either impossible or nobody has had this question posed to them before.

 

[Jimbo22]

Sorry no one has replied. I'll take a crack at it. How did you remove the apps in question? Try using Revo uninstaller and see if that helps.

http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

 

[iflog]

Thank you for the reply. I used the uninstall that came with the program. After that I tried CCleaner to remove anything that may have been left in the registry. I even went into the registry and hit "find" and removed anything else myself. There is no trace of the program anywhere but in the "show hidden icons".

 

[Elmer]

Where are these hidden icons appearing? (we're like buses. You don't see one for ages, then two come along!!).

 

[iflog]

Taskbar - show hidden icons - customize

 

[Elmer]

Old icons will live quite happily in the tray area forever without affecting anything.

CCleaner gives you an option to clear the System tray:

Link Removed due to 404 Error

You can also do it manually with a registry hack by saving this code as a reg file and merging it into your registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify]
"IconStream"=-
"PastIconsStream"=-

With the manual method you have to stop and re-start explorer.exe which can be done through the Task Manager (R-click taskbar for an open option) or re-starting the PC. Be aware that both methods restore default settings to all the notification area icons so your display preferences will need to be re-set (Remember to un-tick the CCleaner method after it has run!).

Footnote In my experience, on Windows 7 the CCleaner method of clearing the notification area is a bit hit or miss. The manual method however, works every time.

 

[Jimbo22]

Sometimes you might have to go to the apps website and download an uninstaller tool from them....Like I just did with Avast Anti virus which will completely remove it.....so they say.

 

[iflog]

It looks like CCleaner got rid of one but there is still another in there. Its listed under Java(TM) Platform SE binary.

 

[Elmer]

Did you try the manual method to remove the old icons?

 

[Super Sarge]

Are you talking about icons in the system tray, if so go to CC cleaner and under advanced check tray notifications cache then run cleaner

 

[iflog]

Did that Sarge...Got rid of one but not the other.