How do I "do a search" for a registry file?

[xerxiux_X]

Hello:
   OK so there are literally thousands of files in the registry. I uninstalled a program, and tried installing a newer better verion, but it wouldn't "let" me. Someone wrote me and said, "Do a search for whatever files your 1st install might have left behind of if the programs website might have implanted files in your computer that you don't even know about.

So in Windows 7, how can I make a search in the registry for anything with the names.
Newtek or Lightwave? Win7 isn't like WinXP where they had an actual "search" thing to click on. I have a registry cleaner, but when it does it's "work" it comes back with 2363 files that might be causing problems. Frankly I spent an hour looking through them, and didn't get 1/2 way through, so there has to be another/better way? NO?

How can I make sure every file from Newtek or Lightwave is out of my computer? 
 Before I try another install?

xerxiux_X
[email protected]

[Geek-9pm]

Bad idea. Try  some other method.
Let the professional developers search the registry. It can takes hours, even days.

Instead, this is the safe and sane way to install dubious software.
Have a full backup no more that a week old.
Make an entry in the system restore thing for today.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001334.htm
Reset  the  PC.
Check the download file for malware.
Install the program with nothing else running.
If you can not remove the program the normal way, use a third party program to find all references, including the registry.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000568.htm
If that fails, do a system restore.
If that fails, go for the backup.

Please look at the links above. 

And notice the warning: modifying the registry

[BC_Programmer]

Win7 isn't like WinXP where they had an actual "search" thing to click on.

What are you talking about? Registry Editor is nearly exactly the same in both versions. Edit->Find.

Newtek or Lightwave

Lightwave also requires a security dongle to install, as I recall. In fact the version you are likely using, based on the previous thread, requires it as well.

Since you aren't aware of this, the only supposition I Can come to is that you are using a pirated copy. Which is supported by the previous thread you opened on this exact thing.

[patio]

Topic Closed.