How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up?

axb006 · 03-18-2007, 05:44 AM

I downloaded Windows Installer Clean-Up and when I open it, I see files for just about all my apps. Are they just install files that I don't need and can delete?

I deleted something once from Windows Installer Clean-up (can't remember what) and I recall that app not working right thereafter....

**Go The Power** · 03-19-2007, 03:56 AM

Could you please post the web site where you go the program for?
And windows has already got a clean up tool installed, to access it, click on Start
>All programs
>>Accessories
>>>System Tools
Then click on Disk clean up

axb006 · 03-19-2007, 04:52 AM

I got it directly from MS as a free update some time ago. It's here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

This application is supposed to get rid of files that are missed by disc clean up. Are you saying that's not true?

**Go The Power** · 03-19-2007, 04:55 AM

No not at all i was just wondering because i have not heard of it

**OldGrayGary** · 03-20-2007, 06:45 PM

Hi axb006

The MS Installer Cleanup Utility is to help with problematic, incomplete uninstalls. Your first step for removing a program would be to use the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel, or invoke your unwanted software's uninstaller from it's uninstaller's shortcut in its program menus. DiskCleanup is more of a tool to help with clearing up temp files and logs that are piling up.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[P.S. ... fairly detailed instructions for the MS installer cleanup utility are available on the same webpage you downloaded the utility from --- if you've lost that link, here it is --- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 ]

**Chode** · 03-20-2007, 10:00 PM

If you are being prompted to reload some feature of your already installed software, or you get an error message when you insert the installation CD, you may need to run the cleanup tool. For example, if MS Office insists you need to install some feature and then fails to detect the file path correctly, you may need to run the Cleanup Tool to remove the software and the Windows Installer entries in the Registry prior to reloading the software. This is certainly NOT a tool for routine maintenance. When you run the tool, you should specify the program you want to remove. Be carefull. Read all about it and download it from: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

axb006 · 03-23-2007, 07:36 PM

So I should only be using the installer clean-up after I uninstall an app or when I have a bad install?

**OldGrayGary** · 03-24-2007, 02:37 AM

Hi again

Yes - pretty much, the MS utility is best for those times either an install or uninstall won't complete because of leftover Registry entries from a previous install or version. The utility helps because it cleans up those older entries.

. . . Gary

03-18-2007, 05:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 139 OS: xp	How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? I downloaded Windows Installer Clean-Up and when I open it, I see files for just about all my apps. Are they just install files that I don't need and can delete? I deleted something once from Windows Installer Clean-up (can't remember what) and I recall that app not working right thereafter....

03-19-2007, 03:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,929 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? Could you please post the web site where you go the program for? And windows has already got a clean up tool installed, to access it, click on Start >All programs >>Accessories >>>System Tools Then click on Disk clean up __________________

03-19-2007, 04:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 139 OS: xp	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? I got it directly from MS as a free update some time ago. It's here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 This application is supposed to get rid of files that are missed by disc clean up. Are you saying that's not true? Last edited by axb006; 03-19-2007 at 04:54 AM.

03-19-2007, 04:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,929 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? No not at all i was just wondering because i have not heard of it __________________

03-20-2007, 06:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,232 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? Hi axb006 The MS Installer Cleanup Utility is to help with problematic, incomplete uninstalls. Your first step for removing a program would be to use the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel, or invoke your unwanted software's uninstaller from it's uninstaller's shortcut in its program menus. DiskCleanup is more of a tool to help with clearing up temp files and logs that are piling up. Best of luck . . . Gary [P.S. ... fairly detailed instructions for the MS installer cleanup utility are available on the same webpage you downloaded the utility from --- if you've lost that link, here it is --- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 ] __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary; 03-20-2007 at 06:46 PM.

03-20-2007, 10:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chode TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? If you are being prompted to reload some feature of your already installed software, or you get an error message when you insert the installation CD, you may need to run the cleanup tool. For example, if MS Office insists you need to install some feature and then fails to detect the file path correctly, you may need to run the Cleanup Tool to remove the software and the Windows Installer entries in the Registry prior to reloading the software. This is certainly NOT a tool for routine maintenance. When you run the tool, you should specify the program you want to remove. Be carefull. Read all about it and download it from: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 __________________ Sweet!

03-23-2007, 07:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 139 OS: xp	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? So I should only be using the installer clean-up after I uninstall an app or when I have a bad install?

03-24-2007, 02:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,232 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: How Do I Use Windows Installer Clean-Up? Hi again Yes - pretty much, the MS utility is best for those times either an install or uninstall won't complete because of leftover Registry entries from a previous install or version. The utility helps because it cleans up those older entries. . . . Gary __________________