Find what programs were uninstalled from Win Vista

Question

I've got a Vista machine, and I just uninstalled a bunch of programs that someone had installed and wasn't supposed to. My supervisor now wants me to send a list of these programs to the people who have used the computer just for safe keeping.

Is there any way I can find the names of the programs I just uninstalled?

Answer 1

I don't think there's an easy way of doing this.

One way could be to:

1. Create a restore point now.
2. Make a note of what programs are installed.
3. Roll back to a previous restore point - one before you did your mass uninstall.
4. Make a note of what programs are installed.
5. Compare the two lists to see which ones are now gone.
6. Restore your newly created restore point.

You should now have a list of uninstalled programs and a machine back in the state you want it.

Answer 2

Only if they've left some trace of themselves on the system. Although they shouldn't, it's not uncommon.

• Look at the \Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories
• Run regedit and look through the registry

Specifically;

  HKEY_Current_User\Software
  HKEY_Local_Machine\Software