Before running either of these tools, however, be sure to download and install the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility (support.microsoft.com/kb/290301). Once the products are removed, you should reboot your computer and re-try the installation of the newer versions.
Q: I tried to remove Symantec’s Norton 2009 from my computer, and while the uninstallation seemed to work, there are remnants of the program still on my computer. How can I get rid of everything related to Symantec?
A: Symantec, like Adobe, has no doubt heard complaints like yours before, and it too has released separate, downloadable Removal Tools for a number of its products (service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039). Just select the removal tool for the product you own, run it, and afterwards you should be left with a clean system. The removal tool may restart your PC several times before the removal is complete.
Q: I allowed Windows to install a suggested update to my computer. After the installation, my Microsoft Word started stalling and freezing. How can I remove the update? I can’t find it in the Uninstall area of Control Panel.
A: Every required and recommended update is logged by Windows. But you’re right: It’s just not easy to find out how to uninstall those updates.
To do so, open the Windows Control Panel and go to Add/Remove Program (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista). From the XP Add/Remove Programs window, select the check box labeled “Show updates.” In Vista, click the View Installed Updates link. In both cases, you will then see the updates that have been applied both to Windows and to various other applications on your system. You can sort the list by the date installed to see the most recently installed items first.
From that point, uninstalling an update is a simple affair. Just select the update and then click Remove, as usual.
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