How to erase all mention of something in the registry (Adobe)

Mzima · 24 May 2010

OK I am getting the setup has performed an error and cannot continue error when trying to install Adobe CS4. I have tried everything. From the CS4 clean script to manually deleting entries from my registry.

And none of it has done any good.

So now I know what I must do: find a program that will 100% wipe out any mention of certain keywords from the registry.

I don't care how potentially dangerous this is; I will back everything up. I don't want registry cleaners like CCleaner or uninstallers like Revo. They don't do any good.

What I need is a program that will just take my registry by its small and sweaties and give em a vigorous shake to expel everything Adobe.

Anyone?

logicearth · 24 May 2010

It won't work. Even if you manage to wipe everything Adobe from the computer. It still will not install completely. I assume you are getting some error like "Language pack could not be installed". One way to fix this problem is to format completely and reinstall Windows then installing CS4 as the first thing you do. Or install it somewhere else, another computer or even a virtual machine and copy over the program directories.

Bill2 · 24 May 2010

I dont know whether your plan will work. But you can search the registry by keyword (such as "Adobe") using this tool, then delete the entries you want to. See if it works for you. Make sure you back up before deleting anything!

Download Registry Scan Tool 0.1 Free - An applicaiton that can scan your registry for cetain key values. - Softpedia

richc46 · 24 May 2010

The only answer that I know, which is not practical or maybe even possible is a System Restore from before Adobe.

Mzima · 25 May 2010

Some intriguing solutions offered here.

Of particular interest is installing it on another computer and copying the program directories back over to my computer. Will this actually work? I think I'll give it a try later.

Anyway, I certainly don't want to have to reinstall Windows to fix this (although I may have to). Though it's been a year since the last reinstall and it's probably due. (sigh)

By the way, why doesn't the Adobe Clean Script do what it's supposed to do?

WindowsStar · 25 May 2010

Here is a great registry scanner: RegScanner Tool: Alternative to RegEdit find/search of Windows

logicearth · 25 May 2010

Mzima said:

By the way, why doesn't the Adobe Clean Script do what it's supposed to do?

It is doing what it is suppose to be doing. But the problem you are having cannot be fixed using it.

glenns · 25 May 2010

Mzima said:

. Though it's been a year since the last reinstall and it's probably due. (sigh)
?

Apologies if this veers a little off topic, but does the OS really need to be reinstalled every so often? (Sorry I am a noob!)

ryo · 25 May 2010

glenns said:

Mzima said:

. Though it's been a year since the last reinstall and it's probably due. (sigh)
?

Apologies if this veers a little off topic, but does the OS really need to be reinstalled every so often? (Sorry I am a noob!)

i though not..
my OS i've been used 4 year's..but the effect is when you use for install other program or application, that's make write more registry on your system, so it's become slow and your perfomance become slow too.

Vector90Ash · 25 May 2010

Just one reason why I hate Adobe stuff - it pokes itself into everywhere - unneccessarily so - and takes over!
Like the way Acrobat 7 prevents you from saving customisations to MS Office (toolbar buttons etc) WHY?WHY?WHY?