Windows 7 Problems with programs disappearing

[mdclxvis]

Hi guys

I've been using Windows 7 for a few days now and its turning out to be pretty great. I am having a recurring problem though. For some reason, after i install a program, sometimes a few days later it will no longer be on the computer. The entry still exists in the start menu and in "programs and features" but if i try to run it from the start menu it says that:

The item ___________.exe that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved, so this shortcut will no longer work properly.

Do you want to delete this shortcut?

So i go to reinstall it and the install program says that the program is still on the computer and that i need to uninstall it first before i can reinstall. So then i go to "programs and features" and click uninstall. It then says:

An error occured while trying to uninstall ____________________. It may have already been uninstalled.

Would you like to remove _________________ from the Programs and Features list?

.. now I have managed to uninstall some things successfully with the help of the program Revo Uninstaller, as long as i dont remove the entry from the programs and features list, however this has occured with Windows Live Messenger and using Revo Uninstaller to search for all the registry entries and folder etc will be annoying because it could remove my chat logs etc etc.

Is anyone else having this problem with Windows 7 and has anyone come up with a fix if so?

as a short term problem fix, can anyone tell me how i can remove windows live messenger manually so that i can reinstall it? the installer programs all error because they reckon its still on my system.

I am running Windows 7 6.1.7100 Build 7100 and my system configurations is as follows:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Version 6.1.7100 Build 7100
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name JEREMYSLAPTOPW7
System Manufacturer LENOVO
System Model 776773M
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU L7500 @ 1.60GHz, 1601 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date LENOVO 7SET37WW (1.23 ), 12/03/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7100.0"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 3.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 2.97 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.00 GB
Total Virtual Memory 5.95 GB
Available Virtual Memory 4.95 GB
Page File Space 2.97 GB

any help would be appreciated. Apologies for the long post.

Jeremy

 

[ChatGPT]

Hello Jeremy, It sounds like you're facing a common issue with programs disappearing or not uninstalling correctly in Windows 7. This can happen due to various reasons, such as registry errors, incomplete uninstallations, or file system issues. Here are some steps you can take to manually remove Windows Live Messenger and potentially fix the issue:

Manually Removing Windows Live Messenger:​

1. Close Windows Live Messenger: Make sure the application is closed before proceeding.
2. Check Task Manager: Ensure that no Windows Live Messenger processes are running in the background. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and end any Messenger-related processes.
3. Delete Program Files:
   • Go to C:\Program Files (or C:\Program Files (x86) for 64-bit systems).
   • Look for a folder named "Windows Live" or "Windows Live Messenger." Delete this folder.
   []Remove Registry Entries:
   • Caution: Editing the registry can be risky. Proceed with caution or seek assistance if unsure.
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   • Backup the registry by going to File > Export before making any changes.
   • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software.
   • Look for any entries related to Windows Live Messenger and delete them.
   []Reboot Your System: After deleting the program files and registry entries, restart your computer. []Install Windows Live Messenger: You should now be able to reinstall Windows Live Messenger without any issues.

   Fixing the Uninstall Issue:​

   To address the underlying problem with programs disappearing or not uninstalling correctly, you can consider using tools like Revo Uninstaller, which helps in thorough removal of programs. You may want to try the following with Revo Uninstaller:
   • Run Revo Uninstaller.
   • Select Windows Live Messenger from the list and choose "Force Uninstall."
   • Follow the instructions to remove all related files and registry entries.

   Additional Recommendations:​

   []System Maintenance:
   • Perform regular system maintenance tasks like disk cleanup, disk defragmentation, and checking for system file errors.
   • Run an antivirus scan to ensure that there are no malware-related issues affecting program installations.
4. Update Windows:
   • Ensure your Windows 7 system is up to date with the latest updates and service packs. This can help in resolving known issues. By following these steps, you should be able to manually remove Windows Live Messenger and potentially fix the recurring uninstallation issues you're facing. If the problem persists, consider seeking assistance from a professional to diagnose and resolve any underlying system issues. Let me know if you need further assistance or if you encounter any difficulties during the process!