How To Remove A Broken Program From the Programs and Features List In Windows 7?

Microsoft makes a tool available for fixing program installation and uninstallation issues. It's available from

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/windows-fix-problems-that-block-programs-being-installed-or-removed

Edit: Microsoft seems to be trying to get rid of these "diagcab" utilities, but the replacement available from the link above does not function correctly. The original utility is available from this third-party site:

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/microsoft_program_install_and_uninstall_troubleshooter.html

Because this is a third-party site, I recommend confirming that the file is signed by Microsoft Corporation on the Digital Signatures tab of the file properties before running it.

It depends on how the program is detecting that it is already installed.

The programs showing in the Programs and Features list are generated from the registry keys under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

The program may be looking elsewhere in the registry, or looking for a file on disk, in order to determine if it is already installed.

You can use Process Monitor (ProcMon) from Sysinternals to see which files and reg keys it is poking at when it refuses to cooperate with you.

Here are two cases with a little different solution each:

1. The program (in the form of file or folder) you are trying to uninstall came with your computer upon purchase.

2. The program (file or folder) you are trying to uninstall was either you installed , installed without you knowledge by someone else.

Your strategy in both cases is:

• Reinstall the same software to make it in complete shape (a missing or corrupt file in the program won't let you uninstall).
• Reboot your computer.
• Uninstall the program.
• Reboot again.

Solution to case 1:

1. Open Start → Help & Support.
2. Type software and hardware reinstallation and select software program re-installation".
3. Follow the wizard's instructions.
4. Reboot your computer.
5. Open Start → Control Panel → Programs & Features
6. Locate the program you want to uninstall and right-click it with your mouse.
7. Select Uninstall.
8. Reboot your computer again.

Solution to case 2:

1. Visit a search engine (e.g., Google).
2. Locate the company's website where you can download exactly the same software.
3. Download and reinstall the software.
4. Reboot your computer.
5. Open Start → Control Panel → Programs & Features
6. Locate the program you want to uninstall and right-click it with your mouse.
7. Select Uninstall.
8. Reboot your computer again.