All Installed Programs May Not Be Displayed in the Add/Remove Programs Tool (240348)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q240348
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

You may notice that all of the programs that are installed on your computer may not be displayed in the Add/Remove Programs tool.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if a program's DisplayName or uninstall key name is longer than 63 characters.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

  3. Click the folder of the program that has more than 63 characters in the title, right-click DisplayName, and then click Modify.
  4. In the Value data box, type a name with less than 63 characters, and then click OK.
  5. If the program's uninstall key name is longer than 63 characters, shorten it also. For example, the following key name is too long:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
    1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234

  6. Quit Registry Editor.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB240348
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