Forum Discussion
Unexplained disappearance of uninstallers from C:\Windows\Installer
Hello,
I’m reaching out here after several unsuccessful searches on this issue.
For about three years, I’ve been regularly noticing on several Windows computers in my organization (around 600 machines) the unexplained disappearance of uninstallers located in C:\Windows\Installer.
This affects around twenty random machines per year, involving various software such as Google Chrome, Zoom, PDFsam, Anaconda, Thunderbird, and others.
For example, today two PCs can no longer update Google Chrome because the original uninstaller executable has vanished. As a result, the program cannot be updated, repaired, or uninstalled normally.
The only workaround I’ve found so far is to manually remove all related registry keys and folders using a tool like Revo Uninstaller, then perform a clean reinstallation.
I haven’t found any trace of errors in the antivirus logs or the Windows Event Viewer.
I also don’t use any specific tools or GPO that could be cleaning these files automatically.
Has anyone encountered this issue before?
Could it be caused by a specific service, scheduled task, or any automatic cleanup feature in Windows?
Or is there a known way to prevent uninstallers from disappearing?
Thanks in advance for any insights or suggestions.
2 Replies
Microsoft has acknowledged certain issues with Windows Installer or cleanup behaviors, especially with third-party uninstallers or cleanup tools.
Thank you for your reply.
Could you clarify which official Microsoft source or document acknowledges this issue with Windows Installer or cleanup behaviors?
Is there a specific KB article, support bulletin, or direct communication from Microsoft that describes the disappearance of uninstallers in C:\Windows\Installer?
If so, could you please share the reference or a link?
Additionally, do you know if Microsoft has identified any particular services, scheduled tasks, or automated features (like Windows automatic cleanup or third-party tools) as potential causes?
Thanks in advance for any further information.
