How to clean registry so that past installations not detected?

Mankal3 · 04-14-2008, 10:23 AM

I've downloaded a trial program a year ago and now am considering purchasing it and wanted to check out the trial program again, but the computer "knows" I tried the trial before and wont let me run it, even if I redownload it. How to I clean that part of the regisrty out. I only use CCleaner currently. Thanks

DutchBBQ · 04-14-2008, 10:50 AM

May be this registry cleaning utility can help you?:

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner: Safely scan and repair registry problems - Spyware FREE.

I'm using it for about 3 months without any problem (running XP Pro)

ctal · 04-14-2008, 08:27 PM

The following assumes you are using Windows XP.

Although it's probably a registry entry that needs to be deleted, I would first check under:

c:\documents & settings\("your user name" and also "all users")\application data

If you see a folder corresponding to the program, delete it to the recycle bin and see if that does the trick.

If not, edit the registry. First make sure you have a good recent system restore point, or drive image, that you can restore to. If you don't, after you open regedit as described below, export the registry to a file (that you can recover from if something goes wrong), using the "export" function under the registry editor's file menu.

To open the registry editor, under the start button, click "run" then enter "regedit" and hit ok. In the registry editor, in the column on the left, navigate to HKEY Local Machine\Software. If you see an entry under that (expanding the plus sign if necessary) that corresponds to the particular program, highlight it and then go to the edit menu at the top and select "delete." If you don't see such an entry, look for it under HKEY Current User\Software.

When finished, close the registry editor (there is no "save" or "save as" function).

Regards,
-- Al

Mankal3 · 04-15-2008, 07:58 AM

Thanks Al

ctal · 04-15-2008, 09:45 AM

You're welcome!

Actually, note that XP also has an "application data" folder within "local settings" within "c:\documents & settings\("your user name"), as well as the "application data" folder that is directly within "c:\documents & settings\("your user name") (if you can follow that!). You'll want to look there too, if necessary.

Regards,

-- Al

04-14-2008, 10:23 AM	#1
Mankal3 Here's Looking at You Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 787	How to clean registry so that past installations not detected? I've downloaded a trial program a year ago and now am considering purchasing it and wanted to check out the trial program again, but the computer "knows" I tried the trial before and wont let me run it, even if I redownload it. How to I clean that part of the regisrty out. I only use CCleaner currently. Thanks __________________ Antec PlusView 1000AMG Case Antec TrueBlue 480 PSU-ASUS P4P800-D BIOS is still 1005-Intel P4 3.0@ 3.25 (1:1)-Zalman CNPS7000Al-Cu-Mushkin PC3500 RAM 1GB Level II-PNY 6800GT-Lite-on DVD burner-ASUS 52X48X52 CD-RW-Maxtor 7200rpm 8MB 80GB X2-WinXP SP2 AND WAITING FOR NEHALEM to upgrade
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04-14-2008, 10:50 AM	#2
DutchBBQ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 256	Re: How to clean registry so that past installations not detected? May be this registry cleaning utility can help you?: Eusing Free Registry Cleaner: Safely scan and repair registry problems - Spyware FREE. I'm using it for about 3 months without any problem (running XP Pro)
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04-14-2008, 08:27 PM	#3
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,297	Re: How to clean registry so that past installations not detected? The following assumes you are using Windows XP. Although it's probably a registry entry that needs to be deleted, I would first check under: c:\documents & settings\("your user name" and also "all users")\application data If you see a folder corresponding to the program, delete it to the recycle bin and see if that does the trick. If not, edit the registry. First make sure you have a good recent system restore point, or drive image, that you can restore to. If you don't, after you open regedit as described below, export the registry to a file (that you can recover from if something goes wrong), using the "export" function under the registry editor's file menu. To open the registry editor, under the start button, click "run" then enter "regedit" and hit ok. In the registry editor, in the column on the left, navigate to HKEY Local Machine\Software. If you see an entry under that (expanding the plus sign if necessary) that corresponds to the particular program, highlight it and then go to the edit menu at the top and select "delete." If you don't see such an entry, look for it under HKEY Current User\Software. When finished, close the registry editor (there is no "save" or "save as" function). Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
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04-15-2008, 07:58 AM	#4
Mankal3 Here's Looking at You Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 787	Re: How to clean registry so that past installations not detected? Thanks Al __________________ Antec PlusView 1000AMG Case Antec TrueBlue 480 PSU-ASUS P4P800-D BIOS is still 1005-Intel P4 3.0@ 3.25 (1:1)-Zalman CNPS7000Al-Cu-Mushkin PC3500 RAM 1GB Level II-PNY 6800GT-Lite-on DVD burner-ASUS 52X48X52 CD-RW-Maxtor 7200rpm 8MB 80GB X2-WinXP SP2 AND WAITING FOR NEHALEM to upgrade
(Offline)

04-15-2008, 09:45 AM	#5
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,297	Re: How to clean registry so that past installations not detected? You're welcome! Actually, note that XP also has an "application data" folder within "local settings" within "c:\documents & settings\("your user name"), as well as the "application data" folder that is directly within "c:\documents & settings\("your user name") (if you can follow that!). You'll want to look there too, if necessary. Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

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