After Java is uninstalled, Java icon is still visible in the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel.
CAUSE
When Java 1.4.x is uninstalled or after performing an upgrade against older versions of Java, registry entries are sometimes not removed from the registry by the uninstaller program.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/ Windows/CurrentVersion/Uninstall/(<Java 2 clsid key>)
Since these registry keys are not removed from the Windows registry, Java icon is still visible in the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel.
SOLUTION
Users can delete stale registry keys, which include their Value Names and Value Data.
Here is how you can remove stale Java registry entries.
Run the Windows Registry Editor by clicking Start->Run and entering the program name regedit in the Open edit field.
Under this Uninstall node, you will find many registry entry names enclosed in curly braces. e.g.
{B7915B05-FC28-11D6-9D24-00010240CE95}
You can find registry keys for older versions of Java through a search for key values. The registry key will have a Value Name - DisplayName that has Value Data
Java 2. e.g. Java 2 SDK, SE v1.4.1_02. The following image displays a registry entry for Java 2 SDK, SE v1.4.1_02.
Delete the registry entry found for Java, by right clicking on the registry key name, and selecting Delete.
Click Yes in the Confirm Key Delete message box.
You can find the uninstall folder for Java in C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information folder. You can also delete the uninstall folder. This folder name has the following format:
C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{<Java 2 clsid key>}, where the <Java 2 clsid key> has the same value as the registry key found in step #4.
The C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information folder is a hidden folder. To view this folder in Windows Explorer, you can select the Show hidden files and folders option in the Folder Options screen, accessed by clicking on Tools from any Windows Explorer program.
The Folder Options screen is accessed by selecting the Tools->Folder Options menu inside Windows Explorer. Here is an example of a typical Folder Option configuration screen:
After you edit your windows registry, restart the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel. The entry for Java should no longer appear in Add or Remove Programs.
Warning Incorrectly editing your registry may severely damage your system. At the very least, you should back up any valued data on the computer before making changes to the registry. You can use the File->Export functionality of the registry editor to save the registry key before deleting. Then, in case you deleted the wrong registry key, you can restore the registry from your saved backup file, by using the File->Import functionality in the Windows Registry Editor.
Note:
If the normal uninstallation process (as mentioned above) fails, then please try Microsoft Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. This tool will ensure that all irrelevant Java registries are removed. Detailed information and download is available at:
Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
Removal instructions:
Download the Microsoft Installer Clean Up utility file and save it on your desktop
Double click on executable file. The installation process will start. Follow the instructions accordingly
Once installation process is over, go to Start -> All Programs -> Run Windows Install Clean Up utility
This will launch the Windows Installer Clean Up utility dialog box
Under the Installed products list, select the desired Java version that you want to remove
Click Remove and Exit
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