Removing Registry entries

[adamnichols45]

I would like to make sure that i have removed all traces of a program-

Including the registery entries and anything else that the program might have left!

How can i do this 100% please guys?

Im sure there are some experts who could shed some light on this?

[LifeinAsia]

How can i do this 100% please guys?

A) If you want a 100% guarantee, reformat the drive and re-install Windows.

If you can live with less than 100%, you could try:
B) Depending on which flavor of Windows you're using, for a 99.9% guarantee, you can use System Restore. Assuming that you have a Restore Point prior to when you installed the software.

C) For probably a 99.9% guarantee, you can restore a Registry backup made prior to installing the software.

Both B & C will wipe out other Registry changes besides just what's related to the program. Then again, so will A. :)

[eelixduppy]

You can make a backup of the registry as is right now, and then take out the keys manually.

This can prove to be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and it can also be tedious.

How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 [support.microsoft.com]

[adamnichols45]

Thanks - I was wondering on the restore point.

I think this is the way togo.

Cheers will report on progress.

[gamiziuk]

I use a program called "EasyCleaner" (Freeware) which checks the Windows Registry for dead entries and purges them. It does a couple other things to clean up the 'puter.

[TXGodzilla]

You can make a backup of the registry as is right now, and then take out the keys manually.

Just a reminder, that is not always an effective way to clean software entries from the registry. Many programs use modules made by a third party. Those third party entries and other hidden license control entries are not always obvious when editing the registry.