Windows 10: Strange behavior. Everything in Program Files got uninstalled somehow, but none in Program...

I was uninstalling certain programs from my computer recently to clean up my computer. It was only a handful of programs like maybe between 5-8 programs. After that, I cannot many of my other programs.


When opening their shortcuts, it says "The item 'ProgramName.exe' that this shortcut refers to has been change or moved, so this shortcut will no longer work properly. Do you want to delete this shortcut?". The first time this happened was with firefox. So I installed it again on my pc. But it did not happen with Chrome. Later I opened another application and I was greeted with the same message. But I cannot reinstall that software because I got the software from school.


Now I'm a little scared. I started opening other programs. Some opens. Some dont. I checked my Program Files directory. It is empty except for some default windows programs folders. There are some other folders left but the program in them are gone. For example, 7zip and Android for Android Studio folders are there, but no program or program files other than some empty folders. I checked the Program Filesx86 folder. It looks fine with all the programs intact. The programs that do open were from Program Files x86 and programs that dont open were from just Program Files because they just vanished.


I do not know why or how all of my other programs got uninstalled. Please help me recover all of my programs back. If this is a bug with Windows, I would like to report it. Is there a log where I could show what I have uninstalled and the list of programs I had before? Could anyone help me get all the details to report it?

:)

 

can't uninstall program

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community. I appreciate your effort in resolving this issue.

- Did you try un-installing the program from programs and features?

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps.

Repairing or removing programs

To uninstall programs, go to Settings.

• On the Start menu, then select Settings.
• Select System > Apps & features.
• Select the program, then select Uninstall. Some apps that are built in to Windows can’t be uninstalled.
  
• Follow the directions on the screen.

If you are still unable to uninstall the program, follow the steps below.

• In Search, enter Control Panel and select Control Panel.
• Select Programs > Programs and Features, then select the program.
• Select the program, then select Uninstall. Some apps that are built in to Windows can’t be uninstalled.
  
• Follow the directions on the screen.

Let us know the status.

Regards,

Guru Kiran

 

Uninstall or change a program (Some installed apps not listed) !


Hi guys and thanks for your replies.
As you suggested Irene I have them listed in "All apps" but it's still not normal not having them listed in windows 10 uninstall app!
And Roy Computer>C>Users>yourname>appdata>local has all the apps that are currently in " Uninstall or change a program" but
the apps that are not there are not in this folder either!
Anyway I find this to be a strange behavior on windows 10 (never had this with any other version). Is this a bug? anyone else have this problem?

 

Strange Vista Ultimate Add/Remove Programs

Yea, the programs work... everything is just listed over and over... I used CCleaner and it worked just fine... thanks!