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add/remove button missing in add/remove programs - what to do?

For some programs one has to uninstall the old version as is the case with Java Runtime Environment (see CASEScontact.org advisory CT110115)

Here we explain how registry entries can be changed to be able to uninstall unnecessary programs even if the change/remove buttons have disappeared from Add Remove Programs.

ProblemUser wants to remove some programs from the computer.Going to the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel, the Change/Remove button that usually appears for each program that was installed is missing. Put differently,change/remove buttons have disappeared from Add Remove Programs.
What must be done to get these buttons back in order to uninstall the programs that one no longer needs?

how can this be fixed?

This problem may occur if the uninstaller for a program incorrectly removes registry entries that are used by Windows and the Add/Remove Programs tool.

For this tip, you will be working in your Registry Editor, so before you begin, make sure you’re comfortable using it. The Registry Editor is not a tool to just play around with. However, following the steps below it will be fine. Moreover, first do it for one pgrogram only and check if it works, before doing it for many more - better safe than sorry.

Add/remove button missing in add/remove programs
1	Go to Start, Run and type regedit into the box.Click OK and the Registry Editor will open for you.
2	Then navigate to this location:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Now look for the program name you want to remove from your PC
3	In the right pane (right window), double click the NoRemove choice (REG_DWORD)- set the value to 0 (zero).If it happens to be set to 1, the Remove button will not be available.
4	Back in the right pane, double click the NoModify option (REG_DWORD):- set it to 0 (zero).If this happens to be set to 1, the Change button will not be available.
5	Once you changed those two values for one program, click OK and close everything else out.
6	top bar, click File - Exit
7	Thereafter go back to the Control Panel and look through your list of programs. The one program were you changed the values should have again the Change/Remove buttonsOne can now remove that unnecessary program from the computer.

Now, after having finished the above for one program, one can go through the above procedure again but this time do it for several of the programs one wishes to remove or get the Windows Add/Remove Program buttons back.

Thereafter go back to the Control Panel and look through your list of programs. All of the Change/Remove buttons should be back for you and you can then continue removing all those unnecessary programs from your computer. No more missing buttons.

Download Add - Remove Pro

This is a quick and reliable alternative to standard Windows Add/Remove Program. It’s a fast, secure, and convenient way to remove unneeded applications and improve your computer efficiency. The program can also remove system and hidden applications, programs that could not be removed by Add/Remove Program. The user interface is easy-to-use, modern, and multilingual (more than 15 languages supported).change/remove buttons have disappeared from Add Remove Programs

Things to consider - more help

removing Java Runtime Environment from computer causes problems - how to check - KISS - keep it simple stupid

if add/remove button for Java or any other program in Control Panel’s Add/Remove Programs is missing - check here on how to get it back and FIXED - quick: - CyTRAP Labs tip - What is causing missing change/remove program buttons in Windows?

There is no key in the Registry Editor under HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/ Uninstall that relates to Java or another program- check here on how to get it FIXED - quick: - CyTRAP Labs tip - how to re-install a program such as Java Runtime Environment if no key in Registry Editor - relates to Java or that particular program?

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add file, better PC maintenance, better protection, better security for your PC, free software, free tool, freeware, housecleaning for your PC, Java Runtime Environment, remove file, Windows

Windows Vista and Windows XP are used on most computers. We all know that unless we do some housecleaning, however, these operating systems will start to work slower and slower.
Here we have a tool that helps you do your houseclaining chores faster while keeping your notebook smoothly. This post explains why you should install the nCleaner on your PC, what it does and how it makes your life easier.

We need a tool to fix things in Windows or Windows Vista. One tool I have been using is nCleaner

This tool requires less than 1MB on your hardrive but gives you an advanced system and application cleaner.

Like your apartment that needs cleaning, so does your PC or notebook. Care starts with maintenance and cleanup.

Help that makes you get done with your cleaning chores faster using nCleaner such as:

finding junk left behind by programs the you may have uninstalled,

reg (registry) cleaner,

free space shredder,

tweak manager,

startup manager, and

many more

Just remember, the tool can be used freely for non-commercial use …. not otherwise because as it says:

You are NOT allowed to use nCleaner for any commercial purposes. You are not allowed to use nCleaner to get any kind of profit. If you want to license nCleaner for any commercial purpose please contact us.

Download the program here: nCleaner

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better security for your PC, free software, free tool, housecleaning for your PC, nCleaner, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Windows Vista has a firewall included but it will not stop E.T from reporting home to Redmond. The question you must ask is “Would you let a fox guard your hen house?”
This post explains why you should install the Online-Armor firewall including the pros and cons of doing so, step-by-step.

The last couple of weeks we brought you:

CyTRAP Labs quicktip - checking your Windows Vista firewall settings

CyTRAP Labs quicktip - replacing Window Vista firewall - what one should avoid

These posts gave you some tips regarding your Windows Vista firewall as well as which ropes to skip when trying to install a new firewall. Today I explain a few things you may want to consider when installing your firewall.
what not to do

Before you turn off the Windows Vista firewall you need to make sure that you have installed the latest version of Windows Vista on your PC. For instance, I purchased another PC last week from Toshiba and, unfortunately, the latest Windows Vista with SP1 was not installed. In turn, I downloaded the SP 1 fix from here:

check if update is needed SP1 for Windows Vista - March 2008

It will take some time to download this program and make sure that:

- before downloading - please turn off power saving on your notebook - because it will interrupt the download and you will have to start again (imagine you have 40 megabytes and must start anew… tedious).

Once you have updated your Windows Vista you can go ahead and install a firewall. This procedure prevents you from having to uninstall your firewall after having downloaded and installed SP 1 - happened to me - because the firewall had problems to work properly.

FACTS ABOUT Online-Armor

We chose Online-Armor for now because it runs smooth, does not take too many system resources and has a user-interface that makes it easy for you to teach the firewall what you want it to do. Again remember these things and be cautious:

a) your software-based firewall learns - it is wise to be careful and restrictive with telling the firewall to establish a rule…. let it ask you each time so you know which program wants to send infos out from your PC and why

b) if in doubt say no when asked, do it step-by-step and do not rush your decision when the firewall asks you to make a decision

Our choice, including details and where to download it for your PC is listed below.

cost	free
software	Online Armor 3.0.0.190 or later
release date	2008-08
platforms	Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
author	Tall Emu - Sydney, Australia
languages	English, German, French AND many more
size of download	12.7 MBs, depending on version downloaded
download	free Online Armor firewall - latest version download
more information	FAQ and more Info about free Online Armor firewall

Make sure you uninstall the firewall that was pre-installed on your PC, such as Norton or McAfee.

Yes your new PC has a firewall pre-installed from some software vendor, before activating it might be wise to get rid of it unless it is better than Online-Armor, which will not be the case for 95% of them.

No, nearly all of the firewalls that were pre-installed on your new PC by the manufacturer are not as good as Online-Armor according to various benchmark tests including our own. Most importantly, they require more system resources and, thereby, slow down your PC in those cases were you run several programs at once (e.g., Word, Thunderbird, Firefox, etc.) Worst is that they do many things without asking you first for permission. Big brother watching you….

We advice you to uninstall such programs before installing Online-Armor.

Installing the firewall

As the screeshot below shows, the Online Armor firewall makes it easy for you to follow instructions and install the package. The Safety Check Wizard guides you through the set-up.

Just make sure you have 10 minutes, uninterrupted please…. focus on this job and do it carefully and wisely. Mistakes made will haunt you… Do not rush through it.

The screen below shows what the answers will likely be if you have a new PC and Windows Vista SP 1 installed.

Does not mean you did anything wrong nor that something is amiss, instead you will have to instruct the firewall and tell it what you want it to do in case …. some program like Microsoft Office wants to execute something.

When you proceed from the above screen, Online-Armor than guides you through some question and answer routines. For instance, your hardware manufacturer has set up some programs to start automatically. I had one program called desktop SMS start each time I booted the PC even though I did not want it to.

I instructed Online-Armor not to permit it being started, tested the SMS program once or twice and than just uninstalled it. However, until I did that Online Armor prevented the program to be launched automatically during the boot up of the system.

The above screen makes it easy for you to tell the program what you want it to do. In many cases, you want the firewall to stop certain programs from starting up when you boot the system. They slow down the boot process and use up system resources. So what you do not need for sure each time you start a work session should not be launched that simple.

Incidentally, the above indicates that today’s firewalls are far more than just firewalls but act as intrusion detection systems and help you to take charge over which programs may start and which ones may not on your notebook without your explicit consent.

So take back control with Online Armor, it works (no we neither have shares in the company nor any other business relationship with them )

EVALUATION SHEET ABOUT Online-Armor

advantages

Online Armor is a software-based firewall solution with a low requirement of resources and it has worked on some of our machines for years.The user-interface makes it easy to install and work with the tool - for novice as well as expert users alike.

disadvantages

Windows Vista may release an update that may require you to re-install the firewall. So install SP1 first and than you should be fine. Once you have let the program establish a rule based on your decision, it is not that easy to change your mind. This needs to be improved to make this program even better - screen that would allow to remove rule check mark and put one at - ask me each time the program starts…

If you prefer other choices, we have another one here:PC Tools Firewall Plus

The above choice is fine as well we just prefer Online-Armor which we think works a bit faster and has a slightly better user interface.

Get some test results here:

firewall challenge

The above lists one set of tests that might be helpful to you including links to those firewalls that cost. Nevertheless, Online-Armor is in the top 3 in these tests and ours and comes free.

For Windows XP users, see our free firewall choices here:

CT210001: Update 4 - Martina Hingis: Princess of the WTA & Angelina Jolie ==> they are already inside - best ways for using a firewall to protect your PC

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