removing msn explorer

the watchman

Windows xp sp3.

Hi all,
I wanted to remove MSN Explorer. I followed these instructions:
Windows XP
Step One: Exit all programs that are running.
Step Two: Click Start, then click Control Panel.
Step Three: Click Add or Remove Programs.
Step Four: Click Add/Remove Windows Components.
Step Five: Clear the MSN Explorer check box, click Next, then click Finish.
Step Six: Click Change or Remove Programs, click MSN Internet Software, MSN, or MSN Internet Access, then click Remove.
Last Step: If you are prompted to confirm that you want to remove the program, click OK.



I was ok until step 6. It won't let me do it. It keeps assuming I want to create an internet connection and dialog box asks me to connect to the web to continue with the wizard.


Would welcome any thoughts please.

Thanks for reading.

Zith

Does an entry exist in the normal Change/Remove Programs list for MSN anything? Usually I find steps 1-5 are all that is needed and there is no actual program entry for any other MSN application.

the watchman

Thanks for replying.
Yes an entry exists in the normal add/remove list and I get exactly the same result. See screenshot:

Torqay

Are you comfy with editing the registry?

The usual warning first: Do this at your own peril. Backup the registry or at least the key in question first.

Now on to the solution to fix Error 235:

Click Start/Run, type in "regedit" without quotes to open the Registry Editor

Expand: HKey_Local_Machine/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Internet Settings/5.0/User Agent

Inside the User Agent Folder is a folder named "Post Platform" Delete this folder and click Yes to the pop-up. Close the Registry Editor.

Now you should be able to uninstall MSN.

the watchman

Hi Torqay. I have never messed with the registry but perhaps it is high time I had a go. When I've a clear head I will attempt to follow your instructions. I will have to learn how to back up the reg first.
I will come back and let you know how I get on.
Thanks for your time.

Torqay

the watchman wrote: »

I will have to learn how to back up the reg first.

No arcane science, right-click the key "User Agent", select Export. You will be prompted with a new dialog, give it a name and save it. Something goes badly wrong, you can easily import the key again.



Then delete the subfolder "Post Platform" and try removing MSN again. You may have to restart the system before the changes take effect though.

the watchman

Todays the day!
I just backed up the registry. Its in a file sitting on my desktop. It didn't look like your example. I clicked computer and export so it backed up 'all' the registry files. As I didn't realize your above instructions were 'back up' instructions I followed these:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/backupxpreg.htm

now to remove 'platform etc....

the watchman

Just removed the Platform folder. Great instructions thank you. Now on to get rid of the annoying MSN......

the watchman

MSN successfully removed.

I have a couple of hotmail accounts and when I sign out of one to sign into another I get presented with that 'beautyoftheweb' page which I was rather hoping would not happen anymore however it still comes up and wants me to ugrade to IE 8 telling me my security score is low now. I guess thats because I removed the MSN software. I never use IE only Firefox so I guess I will still have to live with that.

In the past I have seen in Windows Task Manager that the MSN was using a big chunk of my 'very small' memory (God know why) so now thats gone it should improve things as well.

I guess its good to keep that registry back up file for a while.
I didnt seem to need to restart my computer at any stage either.

I think I'm all done. Is there anything that I may of overlooked...

the watchman

...and just as a final after thought I've noticed two different ways to restore the registry.
One is showing the use of the back up file I created on my desktop:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/restorekeyxp.htm

and the other way is this:

"To restore the registry

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Click Options, and then click Print to print these instructions. (If you are using the Help and Support Center, click Print above the topic area.) They will not be available after you shut down your computer in step 2.
3. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
4. In the list, click Restart, and then click OK.
5. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.
6. Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.
7. Use the arrow keys to highlight an operating system, and then press ENTER."......

which I got from windows Help and Support. No mentioned of my back up file

Torqay

The other method doesn't restore the registry selictively to the point you had it backed up. You'd use this, in case your system doesn't start properly anymore, then restoring the registry to LKGF may (or may not) solve the issue.

The problem with the full backup you have created: you will get the whole shebang back, including MSN, which you have sucessfully removed. Had you backed up UserAgent key only, you could have just imported this key again.

If you have access to another machine with the same OS, you might just backup the UserAgent key there, copy the reg file onto a USB stick or email it to yourself and then import it again.

the watchman

Well I have learn't a lot. Tinkering with the registry for the first time wasn't so bad but I'm guessing that it was one of the easiest problems to deal with.

Thanks again Torqay I appreciate your help and instructions, I will feel more confident next time. Your on my Christmas card list now:)