Programs Missing From Control Panel Programs List

[shak]

Is there any way to bring back programs that have disappeared from the programs list in the control panel?

One day I realized most of my programs had disappeared from the list (roughly 10 or so remaining from the usual 50-60). This occurred after I had downloaded something. I ran Norton, Advanced System Care, Malwarebytes & CCleaner. As I recall one of them mentioned a virus in the registry. After checking google I looked under the following registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall, and true enough the same programs that had disappeared did not appear here.

When it happened (a few months ago) I tried system restores as far back as possible to no avail. I've now realized its a hassle trying to uninstall programs not on the list (programs don't appear on Revo uninstaller or such programs either), so is there a way I can fix this (without any reinstalling of windows)

Im not 100% sure the virus caused this, but im guessing this is what happened. Any help would be appreciated! Also Im not so computer-savvy and first post on these (or any) forums

Cheers
Shak

 

[wanchoo]

Welcome to the Seven Forums, shak.

You mean that the installed programs are not appearing in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features. Try to reinstall one of the missing programs without uninstalling it and tell us if it reappears in the Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features list.

I strongly recommend that you also run sfc in the elevated mode. Read at http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html.

 

[shak]

Hey thanks for the prompt reply

Yes I am referring to Control Panel/Programs/Programs & Features. Yes subsequent programs that I install since the problem appear normally in the control panel

I will try this scan thing and see what happens

 

[shak]

No findings on the scan. "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations". Any other ideas?

 

[wanchoo]

If sfc has not found anything wrong then your system files are likely to be OK. Which A-V Program are you using. As you suspected a virus you must have carried out a comprehensive scan. What was the result?

I also suggest that you run the free version of MalwareBytes Antimalware (mbam). If that also doesn't detect anything then most likely all is well with your computer.

No findings on the scan. "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations". Any other ideas?

 

[shak]

I have Norton Internet Security. As i mentioned already, I had run Norton, mbam and Advanced System Care at the time this problem occurred. Looking back at the logs this was the virus that was detected C:\Windows\system32\ati2sgav.exe and removed (which may or may not have been the cause of my problem)

There are no problems with my computer aside from the issue that it is difficult for me to uninstall or just know what programs I have installed

 

[souvikmajumder]

hey, is the problem solved..?? i am facing exactly the same problem since yesterday. i have also started a new thread. lets see if anything turns up.

 

[shak]

nope sorry never got solved. just living with it atm. quite disappointed with the help i got on here

 

[Jacee]

@ shak ... locate your version of C:\Windows\system32\ati2sgav.exe
Upload it to Jotti's malware scan and have it scanned.

Verify where it is located on your hard drive, as this will ensure it is not spyware or adware simply placed elsewhere on your computer, and using the same name ati2sgav.exe in an attempt to fool you.... it could be corrupt (if you use utorrent.com) or a "Virtumonde" file. Either way, it needs to be fixed.

 

[shak]

sorry not sure i get what you mean. that file was deleted when i did my malware scan. this is what the log said at the time:

Registry Values Detected: 1
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run|ati2sgav (Trojan.Agent) -> Data: "C:\Windows\system32\ati2sgav.exe" -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

 

[hdas2012]

How to know all installed software in Windows

There is a workaround to know whether a program has been installed in your PC or not. Just follow this link to know more with souce code an example.

Get all Installed software in CSV

 

[Layback Bear]

Advance System Care has caused all kinds of problems with many computers. Removing it may or may not help because it is almost impossible to find and fix the problems it causes.

 

[ouhac]

I have the same problem, occurred after a f-upped uninstall of a incompatible driver+software of PCTV card. It was not listed, but there was an uninstaller.exe -> the driver was only intended for vista -> i thought it would be also compatible then for W7, my mistake :/ . After viewing to uninstall other junk, many programs disappeared in 'program & features'.

 

[Gamz0]

Hi I found this post when I had the same problem with programs missing

I looked in ccleaner and found that the programs were showing in ccleaners uninstall facility, hopefully this will work for you

 

[Layback Bear]

Welcome to our forum Gamz0.
Thanks for the pointer.

 

[7932]

Same problem since yesterday, cc cleaner only lists about 1/3 programs that are missing from add/remove panel. Running few scans everything seem to be ok. Looking for solution...

 

[Herdies]

Same problem

I'm having the same problem it's really annoying as I want to uninstall vlc and reinstall it and this is the only thing holding me up. all the remaining programs still visible in the add/remove tool seem to be Microsoft or windows programs. I can't believe there still is no solution to this. wow

 

[sidney1994]

No Solution?!!!

I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to post that the issue still exists. My uninstall list took a big hit several months ago and I've never been able to figure it out. Even other programs (I tried Revo Uninstaller) show the same reduced list of programs. I am currently needing to uninstall and re-install Quicken, but there is no uninstall available anywhere on my machine. If a solution is ever found, I'd love to know what it is. Maybe I just need a new computer.

 

[7932]

In the end I had to reinstall Windows but Im still puzzled what was a cause of that and have failed so far to find solution to that problem

 

[Layback Bear]

If you have ever had any product by IObit's a Clean Install is a good idea.