Quicken uninstall problem - help !!!

[Grimmbro]

I believe that I must have had a "stupid" moment when I did this and now I need help getting out of it.

I installed Quicken 2006 on an external hard drive. A day or so later, I changed my mind and decided that I did not want it there. So, instead of uninstalling it from the external hard drive I simply accessed the hard drive and deleted all the folders on it leaving it empty/blank. (this was the only thing on it so it was easy to delete everything). Then, I decided that I wanted to install it on my internal "D" HD drive. However, when I insert the Quicken installation disc and try to load it I get a fatal error message or something similar and it won't let me do it. I have tried to use the repair, modify and remove options that are offered when the Quicken Disc activates but none seem to want to let me do anything. After making any of these selections, I click NEXT and get a message that my "installation" was interrupted and can't proceed or something very similar.
Any suggestions ??

[rjfvillarosa]

Have you tried disconnecting the external drive and doing a registry clean?
Does it show up in add/remove programs?

[Grimmbro]

I do not know how to do a registry clean. Any instructions would be hugely appreciated. I normally don't have this drive connected. And, Quicken DOES appear in the add/remove programs list. I tried that with the drive connected and it would not let me remove it.

[Grimmbro]

Amazingly, I also see Quicken folders on my C drive - and I did not tell it to install there in the first place

[pam123]

I don't know if this will work for you but it's worth a try : https://quicken.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/quicken.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=4108

If it doesn't work then try the windows uninstaller as suggested and be careful with it : http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

All programs have paths and many must install, at least in part, on the C drive.
Now you know that you don't remove programs by deleting.

[Grimmbro]

Thanks pam123 - I tried the Quicken QcleanUI tool and it did not help. I am interested in the post by rjfvillarosa and hope to learn what a registry clean does and how it works.

[rjfvillarosa]

Please follow what Pam has said closely, just because you told it to install on the external drive doesn't mean to say the whole program installed there, probably just some data files it needed to run.
Programs always install to the Programs folder on your OS's drive, what you have deleted is probably the uninstall information along with some simple data files.


edit...You posted while I was typing a reply.
Download and install CCleaner, this is a registry and system file cleaning tool.
Download it from the filehippo link here: http://www.ccleaner.com/download/

[Grimmbro]

I looked at the windows uninstaller that you suggested and it seems as though it has to do with Microsoft programs only - and it looks a bit intimidating. Since I am a newb I am worried that I could make matters worse by using this incorrectly so I will save it as a last resort consideration

[Grimmbro]

I read a bit more about the Windows uninstaller and again it seems to me that it will work to help a program that was installed using the MS installer. I seem to recall that Quicken installed using a Quicken installer (not the usual install wizard interface that I am used to seeing which I think is the MS installer). Does this makes sense ?

[pam123]

Almost.
The Windows installer functions whether you see it or not, which is why the Quicken uninstall tells you to try Windows Add/Remove first.
That uninstaller program exist to give stubborn files the boot ( It's often the only thing that will budge iTunes ).
This is a good registry cleaner : http://www.ccleaner.com/

[Grimmbro]

Well, I tried the Windows uninstaller and it worked. Once again - thanks to you all for the great advice. i have learned my lesson - NEVER DELETE A PROGRAM'S FILES - uninstall them !!!