True uninstalls

Windows 8 seems to have a problem with uninstalling software. I've had three separate issues where I've needed to reinstall a piece of software and the uninstall process wasn't thorough so I can't reinstall the software. First time with FEAR, I wanted to reinstall in compatibility mode to see if I could get the game to run, then with Miroslav Philharmonik, when I accidentally deleted a registry entry, and now with Clive Barker's Jericho. These installs don't work in compatibility mode or in normal mode after being uninstalled. Is there a way to truly uninstall programs?

First, if you uninstall something, so you can reinstall it, always do a PC restart before reinstalling. If not, many times, left overs or the problem that caused the reinstall is still there.

Second, I use Revo Uninstaller Pro to uninstall programs. The Revo Uninstaller will set a system restore, then run the program's uninstaller, then scan the registry for left over items and finally scan the hard drive for left over files and give you the option to remove them. Then restart the PC and you will have a "clean" point to reinstall.

The Revo Uninstaller (free version) will only work on 32 bit programs. The Pro (Paid version) will also work on 64 bit programs.
Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

I have used "Your Uninstaller" over the years. It always seemed to work well. It is compatible with 8. As I recall, it does not work beyond the level of the Windows/App uninstaller unless it is installed when the program you want to uninstall is installed. My link may show only Mac compatibility since I am on a Mac now, but it probably will show Win8 compatibility instead for you.

Is there anything I can do for the programs that are already messed up?

I also did a restart after the uninstall and install attempts for FEAR and it didn't help

I was able to find and remove files and reg entries for Jericho and Philharmonik, but I can't do a search for FEAR because the original directory is gone. I tried to recreate it with no luck.

Windows 8 has nothing to do with uninstalling the 3rd party software but rather the Uninstaller Package that came bundled with that software & depending on how well the Uninstaller Package is written to successfully perform a clean uninstall so if you want to blame, blame those companies that sell you the game packs and also not to mention when you start deleting registry entry.

Having said that, can you do a system restore before you installed those games ? that way, you can get rid of all the registry entries that were put in there by the installer.

It's probably because the software is older so the uninstaller isn't working well with the OS. I've had these programs on previous versions of windows with no issues whatsoever.

Just did a system restore, I can't believe I didn't think of that in the first place. Hopefully it works!

ok, did a system restore and it gave me an error saying that it could not access a file, probably due to an anti-virus program. I disabled avast shields permanently and quit out of spybot and disabled the startup entry and tried again. Same error.
Error code is 0x80070005

EDIT: I did some research and found this to be a common problem, fixed by uninstalling all antivirus software and doing the system restore. Uninstalled avast, spybot, and malwarebytes, no luck. Then I tried it in safemode. No luck. Same error.

Usually, if a program is messed up and will not install, reinstalling the program will correct that and then you can uninstall.

I can uninstall programs fine, it's just that I can't reinstall them afterwards because traces are left behind. I finally got Jericho to reinstall thanks to Revo uninstaller, but no luck with FEAR or system restore as of yet.

Hi there
I don't like ANY of these so called "Uninstallers" -- If Windows uninstall or the programs uninstall doesn't work properly then there's something mega wrong.

In any case if before installing something take a backup image --and the software doesn't perform as you wanted it to then simply restore your image.

Using 3rd party backup / restore programs - backup process shouldn't take more than around 15-20 mins on a USB3 ext disk - same time to restore.

It's always good to have backup so doing it before installing stuff is a good way of ensuring you do make backups.

Another way ithat's often useful is to install on a Virtual Machine --it it doesn't work or uninstall properly just delete the VM, if it's OK then install on your real machine.

Cheers
jimbo