How to remove (uninstall) NI software completely?

[querty999]

Is there a way remove every bit of NI software from a computer?

The Windows uninstall application apparently leaves NI artifacts behind. Even though no NI software remains in the list of installed programs the next time I try to install NI software the NI installer recognizes that some pieces are already there. I get messages saying a newer version is already installed. Then the installation fails.

Will I have to reinstall the entire system to clean it up?

thanks

[RobertoBozzolo]

The procedure to completely remove NI software from the system is described in this post.

[querty999]

Roberto,

I read the procedure. It's pretty complicated and hasn't been updated to address Windows 7 specifically.

Since I have a deep and abiding fear of the registry I may prefer to format the drive and start over. Even though it means reinstalling a ton of other stuff I don't want NI ghosts haunting me in the future.

Thanks for confirming my suspicion of how messy the process is.

PS: Shouldn't professional software clean up after itself?  In most neighborhoods people are required to remove any poop their pet leaves on someone's lawn.

[RobertoBozzolo]

I must admit that I never had to uninstall completely NI software from my system so I have no experience on this. I have found this knowledgebase entry that appears more up to date than that old forum post: maybe it can be of help for your situation: http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/AC6ED75D3D93375686256E8E00245F0D

[querty999]

Roberto,

Thank you. You have helped me many times, always with well considered responses.

I tried the Windows Add/Remove Program utility as shown in the last link you provided. It doesn't seem to clean up all traces of NI software however. Subsequent installations seem to recognize that NI software has been installed previously.

david