Windows 7 Uninstalling Windows Mobile Device Center

[niglch]

My friend was having trouble getting WMDC to work on his Mac, so I installed it on my PC (running win7 x64 pro) and let him use it to get what he needed done. Of course, no longer needing the program, I uninstalled it. However, I still noticed a process running at startup under the description of Windows Mobile Device Center (wmdcBase.exe). When I went into the system configuration, I noticed two windows mobile startup programs were still listed and enabled:

Windows Mobile Device Center | Unknown | %windir%\WindowsMobile\wmdc.exe | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Microsoft(r) Windows Mobile Device Center | Microsoft Corporation | %WINDIR%\WindowsMobile\wmdcBase.exe | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

I do not understand why these starup entries are still present on the list. I uninstalled the software yet it's still running/trying to run on startup. Of course I can't seem to find any way to remove the entries completely to get rid of the unnecessary clutter. It's no wonder Windows machines tend to get slow over time. MS really needs to come up with a better software management system. I'm sick of programs spreading stuff all over my computer (not to mention the registry) and just leaving it over after uninstalling.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you've encountered a common issue where remnants of software still persist even after uninstallation. In the case of Windows Mobile Device Center, here's how you can address the situation:

Removing Lingering Startup Entries:​

To remove the lingering startup entries for Windows Mobile Device Center, follow these steps:

1. Registry Editor:
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   • Navigate to the following registry keys:
     • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
     • Look for entries related to Windows Mobile Device Center and delete them if found.
2. System Configuration (msconfig):
   • Press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
   • Go to the Startup tab and uncheck any entries related to Windows Mobile Device Center.

     Cleaning up Remnants After Uninstallation:​

     If you want to clean up any remaining traces of the Windows Mobile Device Center, you can consider using third-party tools designed for this purpose, such as CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller. These tools can help you scan for and remove leftover registry entries and files associated with uninstalled programs.

     Preventing Startup Clutter:​

     To prevent unnecessary clutter in the future, be cautious when installing software. Some tips to minimize clutter:
     • Check Startup Entries: Regularly review and disable unnecessary startup programs using tools like Task Manager or msconfig.
     • Use Reputable Uninstallers: Consider using reputable uninstaller programs that can thoroughly clean up after software removal.
     • Manual Cleanup: After uninstalling a program, manually check for any leftover files and registry entries to delete them.

     Microsoft's Software Management:​

     Microsoft has introduced features like the Microsoft Store for apps, and Windows Package Manager (winget) for easier software management, aiming to streamline the installation and removal process. By following these steps and being proactive in managing your system, you can keep your Windows machine optimized and clutter-free. If you encounter any difficulties during the cleanup process, feel free to ask for more assistance!