Windows 10: FSX will not install, repair or remove

After upgrading to 10, I started having problems with Microsoft Flight Simulator, with it periodically failing. Having a number of scenery addons installed, through the control panel I uninstalled all that I could find listed there. After that I found that the program folder still contained a number of files, which I then deleted.

Now, trying to re-install it, the first option I get is to repair or remove. If I select repair, it advises that it has to be installed in order to repair. If I select remove, I get the error 0x80040702 - Unable to open gameuxinstallhelper.dll. I downloaded this file and copied it to Windows/System 32 and Windows/SysWow64. Now selecting uninstall, I get the error 1605 - Only valid for programs that are installed.

So obviously, on one hand, it will not just start the installation process as it is finding something that is re-directing it to the repair/remove message. On the other hand, both the repair and remove options are not finding whatever it needs to tell it that files or settings still exist to tell it something still exists that is stopping the install process.

Can someone tell me what the install is looking at, that it will not start the installation, but instead giving me the repair/remove option that I can delete so it will install?

:)

 

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Installation

Have you had FSX installed previously on this machine? If so, you may want to physically check whether everything has been removed when you last deleted FSX (i.e. via your Search bar, typing in FSX).

As well, when you insert Disk 1, is there an option to Uninstall or Repair the program?

 

Microsoft FSX

I installed FSX standard on a windows 10 PC. I had to uninstall it and I removed the registry entries. When I tried to reinstall it, I get the options to repair or remove the program. Neither of which I can do as I have uninstalled the program.

I tried downloading Microsoft installer V4.5 but it wont run(error 0x8009602)

I tried Microsoft program install and uninstall but FSX is not in the list and the product code on the FSX box is too short to satisfy the program

Any help or suggestions appreciated

 

Hi, Have you searched for a cleanup tool or uninstaller specific to this?

Otherwise- use a restore point created before you uninstalled it, then uninstall it using Revo uninstaller or Geek uninstaller, which scan for leftovers.

With a partly uninstalled program, I would normally try to point Revo uninstaller at any remaining exe files, and force uninstall using that. As you have deleted a folder, you may not now have any unless you can retrieve the folder from the Recycle bin. However, larger programs may also create folders elsewhere- an relatively easy way to find these is to use e.g. Ultrasearch (free), let it index (pretty quick) then see if you can find related folders by trying some suitable (instant) searches.

If you can find some exe's you can use the force uninstall method.

Another approach again using Revo is to see if it's still listed as an installed program (although I think you'd be very lucky). If so, you could then uninstall it with a scan for leftovers.

Beyond that, lacking exe's or a restore point, you're down to trying to remove entries from the registry.
Whichever approach you use, back up before you do.
Regscanner (free) is a convenient way to search the complete registry for all matching entries found.

If you wanted to try to find what the installer is detecting, you could try Syinternals procmon, capture events. However this could be rather drawn out.

 

Recycle bin empty, have used "Advanced Uninstaller", have scanned with Windows File Scanner and just about tried everything that I have found doing a Google Search. I think I am down to removing whatever Registry Key that is being used to identify FSX as being installed, if someone can just tell me what that key is that will allow me to install it over whatever is still there.

 

Hello,see my first suggestion.

I have searched for that for you and found it easily (assuming it's the right one):
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answer...simulator.html

Here's what I searched for:
microsoft flight simulator uninstall tool

 

I had already found this and tried it for an hour. When the software list appears, there is nothing for fsx so I selected the option the none after which it asked for the 35 character product key (as I found from searches was provided in the setup.ini file on the dvd. I entered that and it gave an error that this was invalid (even though I did a copy/paste on it, and also entered it manually. Again, I have most likely tried everything to find on Google and expect that someone, somewhere should know the exact registry key that is preventing the install, that I can remove?

 

I think you'll have to find it. Good luck!

 

Use the free Revo Uninstaller. If FSX is not in the uninstall list, choose Hunter Mode. Also, choose Advanced mode and select all the entries for the program in the Registry to remove them.

 

From years ago, I forgot that I already had Revo Uninstaller PRO. I tried this removing everything it found in the Registry with no luck. Along the way, my 1605 error turned to a 1628. After days of Google searching, including Microsoft answers site (trying about 7 options they provided, below these options a comment was made regarding the 3 "idriver" files under Windows/Common files/installshield....... I had found a mention to make sure under the properties/compatibility tab, that the "Run as Administrator" was checked. However, until the comment I mentioned above, no one had said to remove the check under "Run this file under the compatibility for". Mine had been checked for XP. I unchecked this and wow, the installation went great. The start of the installation showed "uninstalling", so it looks like the fsx install problem was only the InstallShield wizard and nothing to do with what was left from the FSX uninstall? Hope this can help someone.