I have completely uninstalled iTunes and QuickTime from my PC (OS = XP Home) and deleted all files and folders associated with Apple, iTunes or QuickTime that were not removed during the normal uninstall procedure.

Also, I have repeatedly cleaned my registry using Registry Mechanic. However, more than 100 registry keys for iTunes and QuickTime stubbornly remain. However hard I try to remove them, always they are still there on the next scan. Manual removal using regedit also fails, resulting in the message: "Cannot delete ****: error while deleting key".

I don't understand how a program that has been completely deleted can still leave registry traces. The offending keys are in the Custom Controls section.

N.B. The keys are listed in the attached file.

Please advise me:
- Why do these keys remain in the registry?
- How can I remove them (assuming I need to)?

Many thanks in advance.

Robster the Lobster

This post has been edited by Robster the Lobster: Jul 2 2008, 06:02 PM

first off, don't use a registry cleaner. As you have discovered, its not always dependable.

This is the standard method of removing the software and allowing it to be reinstalled.




I'd highly recommend that you do nothing further with your registry. Those remaining registry entries are not going to hurt anything and very unlikely to cause any issues.

Thanks for the reply. I already have Windows Install Clean Up on my PC and use it regularly. Anyway, I found out how to delete the superfluous registry keys manually by raising their permissions to 'full control'.