Three ways to hide personal files from strangers on your computer. Manually removing a program entry from the list in the Add or Remove Programs window How to hide installed programs in Windows 7

06.05.2015 10847

In all versions of Windows, software removal is performed through the standard Control Panel applet "Programs and Features". If the program was installed in "for all users", every user can uninstall it. But it may happen that you will need to protect the program from deletion. The easiest way to protect yourself is hide it from the list of installed applications.

Of course, an experienced user will immediately understand what's going on here, but "teapot" The absence of a program in the list of installed applications will certainly be puzzling. To hide an entry, a small edit of the registry will be enough. Open Registry Editor and expand the following branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Uninstal

In the catalog Uninstal you will see many subsections, each of which will correspond to some kind of software component. With some exceptions, the names of these subsections have the same names as those registered in the program's Control Panel applet. Let's say you need to hide a record about Mozilla Firefox. Find the catalog Mozilla Firefox and create a new one inside it DWORD parameter with name and value 1 .

There is another way. Find the string parameter in the application directory DisplayName and rename it to QuietDisplayName. The result will be the same. Without closing the Registry Editor, press F5 to refresh the applet list "Programs and Features" and make sure the application has been hidden.

This applies to cases where you installed the program yourself. If you need to hide the entry of an application installed with ordinary user rights, you need to edit the indicated parameters from this thread:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Uninstall

If you use 64-bit system, and the application whose entry you want to hide is 32-bit, then all manipulations must be performed in this registry section:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Wow6432Node/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Uninstall

Sometimes this happens: a program has already been removed from the computer, but it still appears in the “programs and features” list. How this problem can be solved will be discussed in this article.

How can this happen? Yes, it’s very simple, first of all, this can happen as a result of incorrect uninstallation of the program. Therefore, before proceeding directly to solving this problem, it is necessary to once again remind you how to properly remove programs.

I think that all users who have some experience with computers already know that you cannot simply delete the folder in which the program is located. You need to approach solving this kind of problem wisely, that is, you need to correctly uninstall the program.

This site has an article that describes how to correctly remove installed programs, as well as what will happen if you do it incorrectly. If you are a novice user and are not yet very well versed in this issue, then I recommend reading this article, here it is: “”. If you do not have Windows 7, but for example XP, then do not rush to get upset, since this information is relevant for all versions of Windows.

However, no matter how hard we try to do everything correctly, at one “wonderful” moment, some program may “refuse” to be uninstalled according to the rules. And in the end we get the following picture: the files themselves belonging to this program have already been deleted from the hard drive, but it is still displayed in the list of installed programs.

In this situation, a small registry edit will help us.

How to remove a program from the registry

As an example, we will use the program that was described in the previous article, that is, PDF Creator.

1) We go into the system registry, to do this, press Win + R, then write “regedit”, and click Ok.

2) In the registry we go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

3) Right-click on the Uninstall section, select Find, enter the name of the problematic program, and click “find next.”

4) To make sure that you have found exactly the program you need, look at the value of the DispiayName parameter (located on the right side). If the name of your problematic program is listed there, then this is exactly what you need.

5) Right-click on the found key (on the left side of the Registry Editor), and click delete. After which a window will pop up where you will need to confirm your intention to delete this section.

After the work has been done, go to the control panel - programs and components. If the name of your problematic program disappears from this list, then you did everything correctly.

Sometimes incomplete or incorrect removal of a program leads to the fact that the program is not physically on the computer, but it appears in the list of the Add or Remove Programs window and does not want to be removed. It can be removed manually using the registry.

Remove a program entry from the list in the Add or Remove Programs window.
1. Click the "Start" button and select " Execute";
2. In the "Open" field, enter the command regedit or regedt32 and click "OK";
3. In the "Registry Editor" window on the left side, open the registry subkeys one by one using the " icon + ":
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\ Uninstall

4. In the left part of the window, left-click on the section " Uninstall" and select from the "File" menu, the command " Export...";
5. In the "Export Registry File" window, in the " Folder" select " Desktop";
6. In the File Name field, enter repair_uninstall and click the "Save" button;

7. To determine which subsection is responsible for our program, alternately on the left side of the window " Registry Editor", left-click on the name of the subsections;
8. Options will be displayed on the right side of the window, find the options:
- "DisplayName" is the name used to display the program in the list of the Add or Remove Programs window;
- "UninstallString" is the name of the program that removes this program;

9. After making sure that the selected subsection relates to our program, on the left side of the window " Registry Editor" right click on this subkey and select menu item " Delete";
10. When asked to confirm deletion, click the " Yes";
11. Close the "Registry Editor" window;

Examination.
1. Click the "Start" button;
2. If the menu is non-classic (wide), then select " Control Panel" and open "";
If the classic (narrow) menu, then select " Settings", then item " Control Panel"and open" Installation and removal of programms";

3. Make sure that the desired program has been removed and is no longer displayed in the list of the “Add or Remove Programs” window;
4. If everything is correct, then delete the file repair_uninstall.reg, which was previously saved to the desktop.

Users need to hide applications on their phone or tablet for two reasons. The first is the desire to keep your personal life, secret correspondence or photo gallery secret. The second is a large number of rarely used icons on the application bar, making it difficult to find the ones you need. How can you hide icons on Android?

How to hide application icons using standard Android tools

Developers offer applications for masking unused icons, and Android versions 4.0 and higher have a built-in function for removing unnecessary icons. To hide icons, follow the instructions below.

Application panel

Application panel - a menu that contains icons of installed programs and games. The icon hiding feature is available on Android 4.0 and above. Instructions:

1. Go to the application panel. On a smartphone, the icon is located in the bottom panel of the main screen and looks like a circle or square with 6-9 squares inside. When you open the panel, you will see icons of installed programs.
2. At the top you will see the Apps and Widgets tabs. Go to the applications tab.
3. Find the button that opens the advanced options menu on your phone. In new smartphone models it is located in the upper right corner of the screen, in previous models it is located in the lower right or left. Tap the button and select Hide Apps.
4. Check the icons you want to hide. The number of selected icons is shown at the top of the display.
5. Click the "Done" button at the top right of the display - the icon will disappear from the application tray.

Remember! Program icons do not fit on the display and can take up two or three pages. While hiding icons, scroll the list of icons to the right or up to see them all.

To show previously hidden icons, follow the same steps and uncheck selected applications by tapping each one.

How to hide icons using the app drawer (gallery)

Step 6 - You can hide multiple icons if needed Step 5 - Make sure apps are hidden Step 4 - Highlight unused icons
Step 3 – Select “Hide/Show apps” Step 2 – Select the options menu Step 1 – Click on the app drawer icon

Phone settings

The second way to hide applications is to use the standard settings. Suitable only for pre-installed programs that the system does not allow to remove. The function is available on Android version 4.0 and higher. Instructions:

1. Go to your phone settings, go to the “General” tab and select “Applications”.
2. Scroll to the All tab.
3. Select the application you want to hide and tap the appropriate option.
4. Click the Off button on the right side and confirm your selection in the dialog box.
5. Repeat for other applications.

To return disabled applications to the list, go to the application settings again, select the “Off” tab, open the disabled applications one by one and click “Enable” for each. The icons will appear in the application drawer.

How to remove icons through settings (gallery)

Step 6 - If necessary, return the icon to the menu Step 5 - Make sure the application is hidden Step 4 - Confirm the action
Step 3 - Disable the application Step 2 - Go to the All tab Step 1 - Select Application Settings

How to hide icons through launchers

Launchers such as Apex or Nova allow you to hide icons for programs you rarely use.

A launcher is a program that visually and functionally changes the Android interface.

The method is suitable for versions of Android that support installing a launcher (usually starting from version 4.0).

Apex Launcher

1. Install the launcher and open Apex Settings.
2. Select "App Menu Settings" and then "Hidden Apps."
3. Check the boxes next to the programs you want to hide and click “Save”. Checked icons will not appear in the Apex menu.

By default, the launcher icon is hidden. You can add it to the application bar by unchecking the box.

To return hidden icons, repeat the previous steps and uncheck the programs. Additionally, uninstalling Apex will automatically return the menu to its default appearance, which will cause hidden icons to start showing up.

How to hide icons using Apex Launcher (gallery)

Step 4 – Check the required apps Step 3 – Select “Hidden Apps” Step 2 – Tap on “App Menu Settings”
Step 1 - Select Apex Settings

Nova Launcher

The Nova Launcher application is available on the Play Store. By installing the paid version of Prime, you can hide app icons. Instructions:

1. Open the application drawer, select Nova Settings.
2. Open the “Application Menu” in the list and in the “Groups in the Application List” tab, select “Hide Applications”.
3. Mark the necessary programs and exit the menu with the “Back” button. Changes are saved automatically.

Instructions for hiding applications through Nova Launcher (gallery)

Step 3 - Select the hide feature Step 2 - Select the applications menu Step 1- Select Nova Settings from the application drawer

How to hide icons from strangers with Hide it Pro

The Hide it Pro program allows you to protect the user’s private “mobile” life from interference by strangers. In the menu it is displayed as an Audio Manager program so that uninvited guests do not recognize the true functionality. When you open the application, you will see sound settings - alarm volume, ringer volume, notification volume. To get to the secret part of the program, press and hold the logo. The program will prompt you to choose a locking method - a numeric password or an alphabetic one. Instructions for further actions:

1. Provide your email address to recover your password. You can skip this step.
2. After entering your email, a menu with sound settings will open. Click on the logo again and sign in using the password you created. You will be taken to the main menu of the program.
3. Select the Hide Apps icon. To the warning about the need for root rights for the program to work correctly, answer “OK”.
4. Go to the “All applications” tab, select the item you want to hide, and confirm the action.

In addition to icons, using the program you can hide private pictures or videos, as well as set passwords for opening applications.

Attention! If you do not have Root rights on the system, Hide it Pro will not work.

How to Hide Apps Using Hide it Pro (Gallery)

Step 6 - Confirm that you have root rights Step 5 - Select Hide Apps Step 4 - Set a login password
Step 3 - Select Password Type

The security of your data is the main concern for many users. Private information needs to be protected, but how can you do this if you don’t want to lock your entire phone? A great way is to hide the application icon. If the shortcut is not visible, then no one will be able to launch this program. In this regard, many users are interested in how to hide an application on Android. This is quite easy to do using standard functions or third-party software.

When will you need to hide shortcuts?

Every user has some private data on their phone. These could be personal photographs, any documents or accounts on social networks or banks. Of course, you can, but you will have to enter it every time, which is very inconvenient. In this regard, some users prefer to simply hide the shortcuts so that scammers or very curious friends cannot get to your private data.

Removing the shortcut from the desktop

If you just need to hide some icon from the page on the main screen, you don’t have to install anything or go into the phone settings. All manipulations are performed directly on the desktop. To hide an application on Android, follow these steps:

After these steps, you will clear the screen page of this shortcut, but keep in mind that the icon will not disappear anywhere in the list of all programs.

Hide completely

But how to hide an application even from the general list of programs? This can also be done using standard settings in Android versions 4 and higher. Some phone manufacturers do not provide this feature. To hide applications, use the following instructions:

Hidden applications will be displayed in the same list, with a check mark next to them. Finding hidden shortcuts will not be possible until you return them back.

How to hide pre-installed programs

The above method allows you to hide any applications. If you have problems with standard software, you can try an alternative option. Users will have to go into the settings of this app and then disable it. Don't know how to find a specific application page on your phone? Follow a few simple steps:

This method allows you to hide the application icon of most standard Google services such as “Press”, “Movies”, “Maps” and more. Now you know how to hide pre-installed and downloaded applications on Android. But if the standard phone functions do not work for some reason, you can try to perform these manipulations using third-party applications.

File managers and specialized programs

If you couldn't find the application menu or its specific settings, you can use AppMng 3. This is a functional program that is distributed free of charge on Google Play. With its help, you can clear the cache, view the memory status, or hide programs. To do this you need:

The program will automatically redirect you to the settings page. This is very convenient and will save your time. In the second tab you can find a list of hidden programs.

No less effective is specialized software called AppHider. It will also help remove the program from the list of watched ones, but to use it you will need to open Root rights. You can find AppHider in the official Play Market store. The main advantage of this program is that the user can set a password to unlock the visibility list. Thanks to this, even advanced users will not be able to restore the hidden application.

To hide the desired icon, follow these steps:

1. Run the program and then give it superuser rights.
   
   
2. Click on the “+” icon to add the program to hidden ones.
   
3. Select the required application (or several) from the general list.
   
4. When prompted to set a password, click Set it to select a password.
   
5. Enter the number combination and then click Continue.
   
6. Confirm your recovery mailbox address.
   

Now, to make the program visible again, you will have to enter the PIN code. This software will provide a high level of security for your data.