Win2K "secret weapon" removal tool

6. Residual Program Removal Tool

The normal deletion program can use the “Add Application” button in the Windows Control Panel, but in special cases, it cannot complete the deletion task. The "Residual Program Removal Tool" is not exactly the same as the former. The main difference is that the former is suitable for deleting completely installed programs; the latter is used for deleting, not being installed, interrupted, neither can be used, and A program that remains in the system. In the windows system, the part responsible for installing the application is called Windows Installer. When installing the application, the Windows Installer is responsible for completing a series of installation-related tasks, including writing the installation information to a file named msicu.log and adding the relevant key values ​​to the registry.

Installation may fail or cause problems for the following reasons:

1. The registry is corrupted. 2. Inadvertently changed the registry settings.

3. An instance of multiple programs is installed at the same time. 4. The installation process is forcibly interrupted, such as power

power off.

After the above problem occurs, you can't use the "Add Application" button in the Control Panel. You must use this removal tool to remove (safely) the contents of the original installation and the key values ​​that have been written to the registry on your computer. Achieve the purpose of cleaning up files and registry garbage, or laying the foundation for re-installation. The basis for deletion is the log file that was created during the installation process. If you want to view the file, you must change the hidden properties of the file and folder. The location of the file can use the folder search tool. The following is the reference location indicated in the help file: $#@60;winnt_OS_drive$#@62;:Documents And Settings$#@60;local_user$#@62;Local SettingsTemp directory, this location may be different for your machine.

The Residual Program Removal Tool has a GUI interface (ie for Windows) version and a command line interface version. The GUI version is very simple to use, with a single delete function. To open the GUI version, you can: "Start - $#@62; Run - $#@62; Browse", then find: "c: Progream FilesSupport Toolsmsicuu .exe”Open. The content that can be deleted is simply listed in the interface. Select an item and click “Remove” to delete it.

The command line version of this tool is named Msizap.exe.

Msizap.exe must be logged in with the administrator's password before it can be used, and the log file msicu.log is also required. . The command line version is much more flexible in terms of flexibility than the GUI version.

Msizap.exe Complete Syntax:

msizap [*] [F] [R] [P] [A] [T product code] [!] [? ]

Parameters and Description:

* : Remove all the installation folders and the corresponding key values ​​in the registry, adjust the dynamic link library and stop all installation services.

F : Remove all installation folders

U : Remove %USERPROFILE%msi, AppDataMicrosoftInstaller folder

R : Remove only the registry corresponding to all installers Key value.

P : Remove In-Progress (I didn't verify this item.)

N : Remove the uninstall button on the Windows Installer in the registry (ie remove the reverse The key value of the installation function).

V : Stop the installation service

T : Remove all product code information.

A : After a specified item is deleted, adjust all the auxiliary controls correctly.

! : Forced with “yes” as a reminder for the response.

? : Display detailed help information.

From my experience, after using the residual program, it is very convenient to use the GUI interface deletion tool. Tools like Norton, the methods used to deal with such problems are similar. All log files are created at the time of installation, and are left as a basis for deletion or uninstallation. So, if the log file disappears, these tools will be invalid.