How to uninstall and install software

How to uninstall and install software

Document number: 69004

Removing a program then reinstalling it will often correct problems that generate error messages. It is best to remove the program and then reinstall. Reinstalling but skipping the step of first uninstalling or removing the program is usually of no value at all in correcting error situations. Removing unnecessary programs can also help you recover precious space on your hard disk. NOTE: Reinstallation instructions below are limited to supported packages. See the document 70004 — Where to find software application packages....

**If you have any doubt about whether it is safe to uninstall or install a program, or which program may be causing the problem contact Technical Support Operations before proceeding.**

Do not try to delete programs by simply deleting the program folder and its contents. In most cases the program made registry changes when it was installed. Failure to remove those registry entries cleanly will often cause error messages. While you can work around some of those error messages some may require a rebuild of your machine.

To properly uninstall a program try the following steps:

Uninstall using the program's own uninstall utility.

Go to the program folder for that software and see if there is an uninstall utility.
Slect Start then Programs.
Find your software.
See if there is a subfolder with an uninstall utility for that software.
If there is an uninstall utility then activate it and follow the instructions provided by the program provider.

If you need assistance locating the program folder or uninstalling the program contact Technical Support Operations
If there is no uninstall utility in the program folder then try to uninstall through the Windows Control Panel Add/remove Program utility.

To see if the program can be uninstalled through Windows Add/remove program utility:

Close all open programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Lotus Notes etc should all be closed before you begin.)
Select Start menu, then Settings, then Control Panel.
Click on Add/Remove Programs.
Click on the Change or Remove Programs icon on the left hand panel to open it.
Scroll down the list of programs. If you see the target program in the list click on the program name to highlight it.
Click on the Remove button and follow the prompts. Note: You may need to wait for a few minutes for WinINSTALL to launch into the uninstallation process, although it may appear that nothing is happening. When the process is complete, a message appears.

If neither of these work and the program is not supported (if it is not in the Software Library it is probably not supported) you can try the removal procedures in 19036 — Remove "rogue" software, parasites, spyware, adware etc. If you need assistance uninstalling the program contact Technical Support Operations

Once WinInstall finishes the program should be properly removed from your machine. Some folders may remain if they contain data files or files the uninstaller did not recognize. You should review those files and decide whether you want to keep, move or delete any files left in the folder after the uninstall process. If you are re-installing the program to the same folders then you should temporarily move the files before proceeding.

After a program has been uninstalled you may wish to reinstall it. The best practice is to run an error checking program, and a defragmentation program before reinstalling. To get more information on error checking see document 69029 — How to check disk for bad sectors and other errors. To get more information on defragmentation see document 10031 — How to defragment your drive. You may omit those steps if you wish but you give up a step that might help overcome earlier problems.

Reinstalling an application using the Software Library:

Follow these steps to find the entry in the Software Library:

Open Lotus Notes, then open the Software Library by clicking the bookmark link.

If you don't have the Software Library bookmark see document 16250 — How to add the Software Library database link to Lotus Notes for instructions on installing the Software library bookmark.

Click the Standard Software Package Installs icon.
Click By Package Name. This view will probably already be showing as it is the default view.
Scroll until you see the entry for your program and double click on it to open it.
Print out the instructions for installing the program so you can follow the instructions after restarting your machine.
Follow the instructions on the page to install the application.

If there is not a selection appropriate for your machine contact Technical Support Operations .

When the installation process is complete (it may take a while), the application should run properly on your machine.

If you have problems installing (1) make sure you are mapped to the P: drive 55142 — How to tell if your P: drive is properly mapped and accessible (2) see Eureka! document 69087 — How to install the newer version of Microsoft Installer.

When you complete the uninstall and reinstall process your computer and the application should run as designed. If you have problems please contact Technical Support Operations for further assistance.

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