Uninstall programs

[Mr-H]

Trying to remove some programs, especially some Epson which are no longer required. However, I get a message which says "InstallShield (R) Setup Launcher has stopped working". What is this, what does the message mean, and how can I delete these programs please. Anyone help? Thanks

[bookbinder]

Do you have Windows Vista Home Premium? If yes, I can quote the uninstall programs instructions from a very useful book, "Windows Vista for Dummies".

[Mr-H]

Yes I do

[bookbinder]

This is what the book says:
Removing or changing programs.
To remove or change settings on a troublesome program, follow these steps:
1. Choose the Control Panel from the Start menu and choose Programs and Features from the Programs area.
The Uninstall or Change a Program window appears, listing your currently installed programs, their publisher, size, and the date you installed the program.
2.Click the unloved program and then click its Uninstall, Change, or Repair button.
The Uninstall button always appears on the menu bar. Other buttons, called Change, and Repair appear only for some programs. If you spot the Repair or Change button, click it: Vista tries to repair the program or change some of its components. It sometimes fixes malfunctioning programs, but you often need its original CD handy.
3. When Windows asks whether you're sure, click Yes.
Windows Vista summons the program's built-in uninstall program - if it has one - or simply yanks the program off your computer's hard drive, sometimes rebooting your PC in the process.
Be careful, though. After you delete a program, it's gone for good unless you kept its installation CD. Unlike other deleted items, deleted programs don't linger inside your Recycle Bin.
End of quotation. The book has some more information on this topic - When a Program Doesn't Have an Installation Program - but I thought that you might like to have this to be going on with. I'll now make a start on typing out the When a Program Doesn't ... information and I'll send it as a separate answer. Best of luck.

[bookbinder]

This is what the book says:
When a Program Doesn't Have an Installation Program ...
Sometimes programs - especially small ones downloaded from the Internet - don't come with an installation program. If you've downloaded one of these low-budget creations to your computer, create a new folder for it and move the downloaded file inside. (Be sure to scan any downloaded file with your antivirus program.) Then try double-clicking the program's file. (It's usually the file with the fanciest icon.) One of two things may happen:
1. The program may simply start running. That means you're done (US English for finished - bookbinder) - the program doesn't need to be installed. (Drag and drop its program icon to your Start button to add it to the Start button.) If you need to uninstall the program, just right-click it and choose Delete. These types of programs rarely appear on your Change or Remove a Program list.
2. The program may start installing itself. That means you're also done. The program's installation program takes over, sparing you any more trouble. To uninstall the program, use the Control Panel's Uninstall a Program option.
But if the program comes in a zipped folder - the folder icon bears a little zipper (US English for zip fastener bookbinder) - you have an extra step. Right-click the zipped folder, choose Extract All, and then click Ectract. Windows automatically unzips the folder's contents and places them into a new folder, usually named after the program. From there, you can either run the program directly or, if it has an installation program, run the installation program.
Always use the Control Panel's Uninstall or Change a Program window to uninstall unwanted programs. Simply deleting their folders won't do the trick. In fact, doing so often confuses your computer into sending bothersome error messages.
End of quotation.
I entered "InstallShield Setup Launcher has stopped working" into Yahoo

[bookbinder]

My last answer has been cut off in its prime. This is what I said (not that it's much help): I entered "InstallShield Setup Launcher has stopped working" into Yahoo's search box whilst I waited for your first reply, and there seems to be plenty of information on the web, but I couldn't quickly find anything that might be of help. Perhaps you might care to explore a search engine if all else fails. Best of luck.