Issue
Uninstalling software from a Windows PC may leave behind residual registry entries, configuration files, and folders. These remnants can interfere with future reinstallation attempts or cause system clutter.
Product Line
Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet, TAC INET,T AC Vista
Environment
All supported Windows Clients and Server
Cause
The default Windows uninstaller may not remove all components of an application. This behavior is partly intentional, as Windows preserves settings and data to facilitate smoother reinstallation. For example, uninstalling SQL Server may leave behind database folders to prevent accidental data loss.
This becomes problematic when software is removed due to installation errors or corruption, where a full cleanup is necessary before reinstalling
Resolution
To ensure complete removal of software components, including registry entries and leftover files, use specialized cleanup tools:
- Revo Uninstaller: Thoroughly removes software, including registry entries and associated files.
- CCleaner: Cleans up temporary files, residual registry entries, and system clutter.
Recommended Cleanup Steps:
- Uninstall the software using Revo Uninstaller to ensure deep removal.
- Run CCleaner to clean up temporary files and registry remnants.
- Manually delete leftover folders, such as:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum
After completing these steps, you should be able to reinstall the application without issues.
Note
This guidance applies to all supported versions of Windows, including Windows 11 (25H2, 24H2, 23H2), Windows 10 (22H2 until October 2025), and Windows Server 2025 LTSC.
