Solved Is there a way to delete a game provider Brink?

[Pilot232]

Hi all,

I have a new HP Destop with Windows 7, which included HP/WildTangent games console. I decided to remove this via Programs and Features which seemed to work OK, but when I opened up the Windows 7 Games Explorer, there are still 5 icons listed as Game Providers that I cant remove, which relate to WildTangent.

I have contacted HP about this, & they have been really helpful with step by step instructions, but I have just realised that all they have done is use Brinks excellent tutorial "how to delete a game in the Windows 7 games explorer folder"!

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/42496-games-explorer-folder-delete-game.html

Is there anyway that I can do away with the middle man (HP), & ask BRINK, or anyone else that may know, is there a way of deleting these 5 "Game Provider" icons?



The only real purpose that these icons have I guess, is to check updates for the latest games on offer.

Many thanks for your time.

Ian.

 

[Everlong]

Have you tried right clicking on each one and clicking "hide this game provider"? Once all of them are hidden, the "game provider" group heading will also disappear and just leave all your games listed.

 

[HughShaw]

^ Yup, that's what I did. Very simple.

On another note, it would be funny if HP just copy and pasted the information.

 

[Brink]

Hello Ian, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Were you able to remove them using the tutorial?

 

[Pilot232]

Hi again,

Thank you for the prompt replies!

In all honesty, I have always been cautious about touching the registry on my previous computers, & even more so with this being a new machine! Furthermore, if I follow HP`s advice (BRINKS advice, but with his name replaced by Gaven, lol), then is this going to make matters worse, as it not an actual game, but 5 icons which are updaters?

I have also found a HP Games folder which relates to WildTangent files, so I guess I shall use the "hide game providers" advice for the time being, & see if any fixes appear at a later date.

Thanks again for your help.

Ian.

 

[TGSoldier]

Reason numbr one why I always format any machine from HP , Dell etc.. Always come bloated with unnecessary software.

If you go to Windows Features and uncheck the "Games" folder, what happens?

 

[Pilot232]

Reason numbr one why I always format any machine from HP , Dell etc.. Always come bloated with unnecessary software.

If you go to Windows Features and uncheck the "Games" folder, what happens?

Hi TGSoldier,

When I uncheck the "Games Folder", & then click on Games in the Start Menu, the same 5 icons appear as game providers, but all of the Microsoft games disappear.

Many thanks,

Ian.

 

[Pilot232]

Reason numbr one why I always format any machine from HP , Dell etc.. Always come bloated with unnecessary software.

If you go to Windows Features and uncheck the "Games" folder, what happens?

Hi TGSoldier,

When I uncheck the "Games Folder", & then click on Games in the Start Menu, the same 5 icons appear as game providers, but all of the Microsoft games disappear.

Many thanks,

Ian.

Hi yet again,

Since re-checking the "Games Folder", & then click on Games in the Start Menu, the same 5 icons appear as game providers, along with all of the the Microsoft games as before, but now with a new Microsoft game provider icon? So it seems you have made matters worse now, or better, lol.



It is interesting actually, because thinking about it now, this icon was there prior to uninstalling the HP/WildTangent games console, & it certainly was not hidden, as I have clicked the "Unhide all items" button a couple of times since then?

Thanks again.

Ian.

 

[Brink]

Ian,

You can hide them if you like, but it will not hurt anything to delete them using that tutorial if you do not want them there anymore. It is only bloatware added by HP and not part of Windows 7.

 

[Pilot232]

Ian,

You can hide them if you like, but it will not hurt anything to delete them using that tutorial if you do not want them there anymore. It is only bloatware added by HP and not part of Windows 7.

Hi Brink,

Many thanks for your reply, it`s good to know that removing the icons won`t do any damage.

Thanks again,

Ian.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[Monkey]

Another option for eliminating WildTangent

If you want to use the hidden WildTangent uninstaller, it can be found here:

C:\Program Files (x86)\HP Games\uninstall.exe

That is, if you're running an HP machine (they buddied up with WildTangent for some reason and these things come standard on all HP W7 installs.)

If not, you may have to dig for it, but I'm willing to bet it's buried in the "Program Files (x86)" folder.

I ran a search via Windows Explorer (not to be confused with Internet Explorer) and found 3 locations for WildTangent related files, this being one of them. The others are benign or can be removed using the Program Uninstall feature found in the Control Panel.

It's a little easier/safer than digging around in your registry and it definitely did the job in getting rid of the game providers.

Brink's tutorial is the way to go if you're looking to remove the other Windows 7 games, though.


Good luck with your removal!

-Monkey