Using Microsoft Fix It

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 19, 2018)

Have you ever installed a program and then, at some future point, unsuccessfully tried to remove it? You are not alone—it is a fact that sometimes things can get "gunked up" in your system so much that Windows refuses to allow a program to be uninstalled. This can be very frustrating.

The problem is actually caused by errant or corrupted information stored in the Registry. (The Windows Registry is the central repository of information related to what is on your system and how each of those elements should behave.) Recognizing this problem, Microsoft decided to make available a nifty little program that can automatically repair the corrupted or problem areas for you. It is called Microsoft Fix It.

To use the program, you first need to download it from this Microsoft website:

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall

Once installed, run the program and you are led through a series of steps that can help track down and fix the problems. It does this by identifying all the programs on your system and then letting you choose what you want removed. The tool is particularly good for things like outdated Java updates that are notorious for refusing to uninstall.

 This tip (9958) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Quickly Inserting a New Worksheet

Want a quick way to insert a worksheet? There's nothing faster than using the handy shortcut.

Discover More

Rounding to Even and Odd Values

Want to round values so they are always even or odd? You can do it quickly and easily by using the EVEN and ODD worksheet ...

Discover More

Changing Your System Date and Time

Need to change the date and time maintained by Windows? It's easy to do using the steps in this tip.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

AutoHotKeys

AutoHotKeys is a great multi-purpose utility that covers the spectrum from allowing you to define shortcut keys for ...

Discover More

Commands for Better Dictation

The Dictation feature in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update provides a quick way to enter text without typing. Knowing ...

Discover More

Process Explorer

Process Explorer is a very well built utility that does a lot, from helping you with performance analysis to finding the ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is one less than 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.