How to Uninstall Programs Using Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

Windows Installer CleanUp Utility (MSICUU2.exe) is a Microsoft tool that removes leftover registry entries and installation data for programs that refuse to uninstall normally. It is especially useful when a program is stuck in a half-installed state, when the standard uninstaller fails, or when you see errors like “Another version of this product is already installed.” This guide walks you through downloading, running, and using the utility safely, along with what to do if things go wrong.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC (Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11)
• Administrator account access (you’ll need to confirm UAC prompts)
• The Windows Installer CleanUp Utility (MSICUU2.exe) – download from Microsoft’s official download center (search for “Windows Installer CleanUp Utility”)
• A backup of your registry (optional but recommended – see Tips)

Step-by-Step

1. Download the utility. Go to Microsoft’s Download Center and search for “Windows Installer CleanUp Utility.” Download MSICUU2.exe (the 32-bit version works on both 32- and 64-bit Windows). Save it to your Desktop or Downloads folder.
2. Run the utility. Double-click MSICUU2.exe. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click “Yes” to allow it to run with administrator privileges.
3. Accept the license agreement. The first time you run it, you’ll see a Microsoft Software License Terms dialog. Read the terms, then click “I Agree” to continue.
4. View the list of installed products. The main window shows a list of all programs that have Windows Installer (MSI) entries on your system. Scroll through the list to find the program you want to remove.
5. Select the program. Click once on the program name to highlight it. If you’re unsure which entry corresponds to the problem program, check the “Version” and “Product ID” columns – they often include the program’s name and version.
6. Click “Remove.” With the program selected, click the “Remove” button. A confirmation dialog appears asking if you really want to remove the Windows Installer information for this program.
7. Confirm the removal. Click “Yes” in the confirmation dialog. The utility will delete the registry entries and installation data for that program. This usually takes a few seconds.
8. Exit the utility. After the removal is complete, click “Exit” to close the utility.
9. Restart your computer. Restarting ensures that any remaining file locks are released and the system is clean.
10. Try uninstalling the program again. After the restart, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features (or Settings > Apps on Windows 10/11) and attempt to uninstall the program normally. It should now either uninstall successfully or show as not installed.

Common Mistakes

• Removing the wrong entry. The list includes all MSI products, not just the one you’re having trouble with. Removing the wrong entry can break other software. Double-check the product name and version before clicking Remove.
• Not running as administrator. If you don’t run the utility as administrator, it may not have permission to modify the registry, and the removal may fail silently.
• Using it on programs that are not MSI-based. This utility only works with Windows Installer (MSI) installations. Programs installed via other installers (e.g., NSIS, Inno Setup) won’t appear in the list, and using this utility on them won’t help.
• Skipping the restart. Not restarting after removal can leave registry keys in memory, causing the same uninstall errors to persist.
• Removing entries for programs that are still installed. If you remove the MSI entry for a program that is still fully installed, you may lose the ability to uninstall or repair it later. Only use this for programs that are stuck or partially installed.

Tips

• Back up your registry first. Before running the utility, open Registry Editor (regedit.exe), go to File > Export, and save a backup of the entire registry. If something goes wrong, you can restore it.
• Use it as a last resort. Try the normal uninstaller first, then try the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter, and only then use this utility.
• Write down the product name. Note the exact name and version of the program you’re removing so you can verify it after removal.
• Close all other programs. Close any running applications, especially the one you’re trying to uninstall, before running the utility.
• Check for leftover files. After using the utility, you may still have leftover folders in Program Files or AppData. Delete those manually if they remain.

Troubleshooting

• The utility doesn’t show my program. This means the program is not MSI-based. Try the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter, or use the program’s own uninstaller. If the program is not listed, you can’t use this utility to remove it.
• I get “Access denied” when removing. Make sure you’re running the utility as administrator. Right-click MSICUU2.exe and select “Run as administrator.”
• The removal succeeds but the program still appears in Add/Remove Programs. This can happen if the uninstall registry key still exists. Open Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. Find the entry for the program (look for the DisplayName value) and delete the entire key. Be careful – only delete the key for the program you’re removing.
• After removal, I get a Windows Installer error when starting other programs. This usually means you removed the wrong entry. Restore your registry backup, or use System Restore to a point before you ran the utility.
• The utility crashes or doesn’t start. Try downloading the utility again, or run it in compatibility mode (right-click > Properties > Compatibility > Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 7).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows Installer CleanUp Utility safe to use?

Yes, when used correctly. It only removes Windows Installer registry entries for the specific program you select. However, it can cause problems if you remove an entry for a program that is still installed, so always back up your registry first.

Will this uninstall the program completely?

No. The utility only removes the installation metadata (registry entries) that Windows uses to manage the program. It does not delete the program’s files. After using it, you may need to manually delete leftover files and folders.

Can I use this on Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Yes, the utility works on Windows 7 through Windows 11, though Microsoft no longer actively supports it. It still functions for cleaning up stuck MSI entries.

What should I do if the utility removes the wrong program?

If you accidentally remove the wrong entry, immediately restore your registry backup or use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state. Then reinstall the affected program.

Why is my program not listed in the utility?

The utility only lists programs installed via Windows Installer (MSI). Programs installed with other installer technologies (like NSIS or Inno Setup) won’t appear. Use the program’s own uninstaller or a third-party uninstaller tool for those.

Is there an alternative to this utility?

Yes, the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter can fix many uninstall problems automatically. Third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller can also remove leftover files and registry entries more thoroughly.

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