Can't Remove Program from Add/Remove Programs

[rjbinney]

I have a program ("APowersoft Online") in my Add/Remove Programs that won't go away. When I click uninstall, I get the error message:
File "C:\Users\RJB\AppData\Local\Apowersoft\Apowersoft Online Launcher\unins000.dat" does not exist. Cannot uninstall.

I have tried through Control Panel=>Add/Remove Programs, CCleaner's Uninstall, and Windows 10's squishy "Apps & features" feature.

I have tried going to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall, but no APowersoft anything appears there.

I have also tried in Safe Mode.

What's Next?

[patio]

https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/32049-removing-windows-apps-sometimes-leaves-orphan-icons-startmenu.html

[BC_Programmer]

The Registry Key where it is listed may be in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall rather than the usual place.

[rjbinney]

Thanks. To clarify, Patio, it's not that it's trapped in my Start Menu, it's trapped in my "Add/Remove Programs" list in Control Panel.

BC, I scoured the section of the registry you suggested - a treasure trove! - but, alas, no evidence of "Apowersoft Online Launcher."

Interestingly, I found a whole lot of sketchy uninstall software on the web that addresses this specific application... But I'm not about to add sketchy software in an attempt to remove sketchy software. Am I?

I did a search in my registry and found two entries: "Apowersoft Online Launcher_RASAPI32" and "Apowersoft Online Launcher_RASMANCS", both at the branch

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Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing
(oddly enough, entries for other uninstalled software there). (Export attached - Tracing.zip).

I also found a key at

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Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\dam\UserSettings\S-1-5-21-3516115422-391001653-599890878-1002
called
\Device\HarddiskVolume4\Users\RJB\AppData\Local\Apowersoft\Apowersoft Online Launcher\Apowersoft Online Launcher.exe and one called
\Device\HarddiskVolume4\Users\RJB\AppData\Local\Apowersoft\Apowersoft Online Launcher\unins000.exe (which is the "missing" executable)
I found the same two keys at

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Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\dam\UserSettings\S-1-5-21-3516115422-391001653-599890878-1002
(subtle difference in location - "CurrentControlSet" vs. "ControlSet001".


There is a whole "apowersoft-launcher" branch at

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Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3516115422-391001653-599890878-1002\Software\Classes\apowersoft-launcher\shell\open\commandbut it seems to be empty.

At

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Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3516115422-391001653-599890878-1002\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCacheThere are entries
C:\Users\RJB\AppData\Local\Apowersoft\Apowersoft Online Launcher\Apowersoft Online Launcher.exe.ApplicationCompany and
C:\Users\Robert J. Binney\AppData\Local\Apowersoft\Apowersoft Online Launcher\Apowersoft Online Launcher.exe.FriendlyAppName

At

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Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3516115422-391001653-599890878-1002\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.mp4\OpenWithListThere are multiple entries, including one called "g" (there is "(Default)", followed by  "a" through "g", culminating in "MRUList") The value for "g" string (ha ha) is "Apowersoft Online Launcher.exe".


Last, but not least (this is what editors call "Burying the lede") there is a branch called

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Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3516115422-391001653-599890878-1002\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{20BF67A8-D81A-4489-8225-FABAA0896E2D}_is1That seems dedicated to Apowersoft Online Launcher (attached - Is This It.zip)


I feel like if I delete this last branch and reboot, everything should be Fonzie.

But even though I have a snazzy Restore Point created, I think I will wait until I hear yall's feedback.

Thanks


[attachment deleted by admin to conserve space]

[BC_Programmer]

Yes, I'd say delete that key you listed at the end. I'd guess it is actually in your HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKEY_CURRENT_USER is basically a  shortcut for your user key under HKEY_USERS). Looks like if an install is able to complete without ever receiving admin rights (eg installing to %APPDATA%) it would register itself there instead.

[rjbinney]

Seems to have done the trick.

What's the emoji for head slap!?!?

Thanks for your help, folks.