Uninstalling a program on a Windows computer is a routine task that most of us perform without much thought. However, it is not uncommon to delete an essential program accidentally, leading to frustration and a significant loss of time.
Fortunately, Windows has a system in place that keeps track of recently uninstalled programs, allowing you to restore them with ease. In this article, we will explain all methods of finding uninstalled programs’ history on Windows and learn how to recover deleted programs like a pro.
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Find Uninstalled Programs using Event Viewer
Are you having trouble finding uninstalled programs on your computer? Fortunately, there is a built-in tool in Windows called Event Viewer that can help you track down the information you need. With this, you can see a log of all the events that have occurred on your computer, including uninstallations.
Following are the steps that you must follow:
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Open the Event Viewer by typing in “eventvwr.msc” in the Run Command box.
Open the Event Viewer -
Here, click on “Windows Logs” in the left panel and select “Application.”
Windows Logs in Event Viewer -
Click on “Filter Current Log” in the right panel.
Filter logs in Event Viewer -
Expand the drop-down menu in front of “Event Sources” and check “MsiInstaller.”
Note: Do not type MsiInstaller; only select it from the list.
View events for MsiIInstaller -
In the “All Event IDs” section, type in “1034” and then click Ok.
Enter event ID All logged events for uninstalled apps and programs will now be filtered and presented in the Event Viewer.
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Click on each event and you shall find the name of the app/program in the details window below.
Find the name of the uninstalled app using Event Viewer
From the filtered logs inside the Event Viewer, you can find out which programs were uninstalled, who uninstalled them, and when they were removed. You can then use this information to reinstall the same apps and programs if needed.
Find and Recover Uninstalled Programs using Third-Party Software
It is possible to find and recover uninstalled apps and programs on a Windows PC through third-party apps. Such software does not recover the app itself, but its individual files that had been removed. If you can recover all of the files associated with an app, the app will be automatically restored.
It is important to note that the ability to recover uninstalled programs is not guaranteed and can vary depending on several factors, such as how long ago the program was uninstalled and whether the files associated with it have been overwritten.
Editor’s note: There is no native method available inside the Windows operating system to recover deleted and uninstalled apps and programs like there is a Recycle Bin for files and folders. Therefore, we must resort to third-party tools to do that for us.
One useful app for this purpose is called “Recuva” by CCleaner. It is available in both free and paid versions, but you need the paid version of the app to perform successful recovery.
Here are the steps to use Recuva to search for uninstalled programs on Windows:
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Download and install Recuva from the official website.
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Run the tool and choose the location on your computer where the uninstalled program was installed.
If you don’t remember the exact location, select “All Local Disks” and check all the files.
Select all files -
Click “Scan” to start the scanning process.
Scan for the deleted files Recuva will now search for deleted files and display them in a list.
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Click “Switch to advanced mode.”
Switch to Advance mode -
Select the file(s) you want to recover and click “Recover“. Then choose a location to save the recovered file(s).
It is better to recover all the files in the same location where they were originally deleted from, restoring the uninstalled app.
Recover the selected file
Once the data is recovered, check to see if the uninstalled application is restored. If it hasn’t, you may want to try the recovery method discussed below.
There are also other paid tools and software for recovering deleted apps and programs, like EaseUS, 7DataRecovery, etc. that can be used to recover uninstalled programs.
Recover Uninstalled Programs using System Restore
In Microsoft Windows, there exists a helpful feature known as System Restore. This tool enables users to revert to a previously saved point on their computer, restoring system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings.
As such, it can serve as a valuable resource for recovering from system malfunctions or other issues. Additionally, System Restore can also be used to recover uninstalled programs.
When a restore point is created, the Windows OS automatically generates a backup of your computer’s system files, applications, and settings whenever you install a new app, driver, or Windows update.
To restore your computer using a System Restore, follow these steps:
Note: These steps will only work if you have configured Backup and Restore on your computer.
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Open the System Properties applet by typing in “sysdm.cpl” in the Run Command box.
Open the System Properties applet -
Switch to the “System Protection” tab and click “System Restore.”
Open the System Restoration wizard -
Click Next, and then select a restore point to restore the PC, and click Next again.
Make sure to restore to a time when the app/program was still available on your computer.
Select a restore point -
Click Finish.
The computer will now restart and the restore point will be applied.
When the restore point has been applied successfully, you will find that the uninstalled program will also be available on your computer. Of course, any other changes made during this time will also be reverted.
You can also use our top picks for disk imaging and backup software or use a system image to restore your PC to an earlier state.
Final Words
Losing track of uninstalled programs on Windows can be a real headache, and accidentally deleting them can put you in a difficult situation. However, with the help of the methods we have discussed, you can recover your uninstalled program history and avoid any further complications.
With these methods at your disposal, you are assured that you will never have to suffer the consequences of accidental deletions again. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to back up your important files regularly and be cautious when uninstalling programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the common reasons for the accidental deletion of uninstalled programs?
Accidental deletion of uninstalled programs on Windows can happen due to various reasons. Some common reasons are:
– Forgetting the importance of the program and uninstalling it.
– Human error, such as accidentally clicking on “delete” instead of “cancel.”
– Software monitoring that automatically uninstalls programs that are not frequently used.
– Malware or viruses infected the computer and deleted important programs and files without the user’s knowledge.
– Issues during the repairing process of an app that led to accidental removal.
What steps should be taken immediately after realizing a program has been accidentally deleted?
Here are the steps you should take immediately after realizing an uninstalled program has been accidentally deleted:
– Try to restore the deleted program from a backup, if you have one.
– Use a data recovery tool to recover the deleted program files, if you don’t have a backup.
– Install and run reliable antivirus software to scan your system for any malware or viruses that may have caused the deletion.
– Be cautious when downloading files from the internet in the future, and only download from trusted sources.
– Always keep an updated copy of your important data, including the programs you use frequently, in a separate location or cloud storage.
Can we find uninstalled programs from Recycle Bin?
No, it is not possible to find uninstalled programs in the Recycle Bin on Windows. When a program is uninstalled, its files and folders are usually removed from the system, including any associated data in the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin only contains files and folders that have been deleted by the user manually.
Where do uninstalled apps and programs go?
Unlike the simple files and folders, the uninstalled apps and programs, and their files, are permanently deleted from the computer. They do not end up in the Recycle Bin, nor is there another hidden folder where they could be found and restored from.
