Cannot install/re-install MS DeskTop Search (nor toolbar): "cannot remove older version&quo
Cannot install/re-install MS DeskTop Search (nor toolbar): "cannot remove older version"; running XP Pro on Intel 865 motherboard with 1 gig of ram and 3Mhz Pentium 4.
Error message "cannot remove older version" is response to running new download; nothing which looks remotely similar to desktop search shows up in {Remove Software} nor do I find any version of anything which looks like desktop search in \Programs\..., including complete invisibility of any of prior third-party (Google, Yahoo/X1, Copernic) desktop search utilities which I have previously installed and removed.
What to do? How to "remove older version" of desktop search(es) so that I may install MS Desktop Search anew?
regards
You will want to look and see if you have the MSN toolbar installed. It comes with a version of the Windows Desktop Search embedded. Another thing to look for is the install program, should be in one of two places for an older version:
for Windows Desktop Search:
VersionLocation
2.6.0.2083%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst
2.6.0.2057%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371$\spuninst
Spuninst.exe is run without any command-line arguments. Uninstaller prompts for restart at the end.
MSN Toolbar:
The MSN Search Toolbar Windows Installer (.msi) is located in the following location:
%windrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MSN Search Toolbar\<Version Number>\en-us
In the path listed above “<Version Number>” is the version of the product being uninstalled, for example 02.05.0000.1082.
Hope this helps.
Hi Thom,
If you have the MSN Toolbar Suite installed that can be an issue. Try the following to uninstall the MSN Toolbar (which has Windows Desktop Search as a component).
The MSN Search Toolbar Windows Installer (.msi) is located in the following location:
%windrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MSN Search Toolbar\<Version Number>\en-us
In the path listed above “<Version Number>” is the version of the product being uninstalled, for example 02.05.0000.1082.
Use the following command line to uninstall the product.
msiexec.exe /x "<Windrive>:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MSN Search Toolbar\<Version Number>\en-us\MsnSearchToolbar.msi" /qn
For Windows Desktop Search stand alone try the following:
VersionLocation
2.6.0.2083%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst
2.6.0.2057%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371$\spuninst
Spuninst.exe is run without any command-line arguments. Uninstaller prompts for restart at the end. %systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
I hope this helps!
Best regards,
Jeff
I tried to install the msn search toolbar-it tells me it has been installed,but I do not see it-please help me find my msn toolbar-please
I have a similar problem. I tried to re-installed the MSN Tool bar (version: 02.05.0000.1082) after I noticed that everytime I open any folders, or program like Internet explorer, I get the following msg: reinstall the #msntb_toolbar_full_name#. When I try to reinstalled the MSN Toolbar I get a msg telling me that a more recent version has been installed and that the program cannot be remove. Unfortunatly, I do not understand what is written in this forum for uninstalling the MSN toolbar. I don't even have an idea where to look! Thanks!
S.Paradis, Montral
Thank you Jeff; and thank you, Ms Paradise; I have chosen, first, the download "install cleanup" because it seemed simplest and I connect simple with elegant.
It worked. That is to say, running "install cleanup" has made the error message go away, and even more, enabled me to make a new installation, now, of MS Desktop Search-&-Toolbar. All to the good.
So I will never know whether or not, had I taken Jeff's advice, I would not now have a new error message at soft- (and hard-) boot, "CANNOT COPY FILE".
Again, thank you both.
Thom Gray Rome
But wait, it gets better (see further, Brother Jack's all-time best movie, What if this is "As Good as it Gets"). The new error-message at boot (cannot copy file) has gone away.
Thom Gray Rome
Thom, you're most welcome. I had so much problems myself when I remove the MSN Toolbar Search. Error messages would come from everywhere, some programs would not work properly, files would not open & so on. It was getting very frustrating! I search the Microsoft solution database like a madwoman for weeks! Until I landed (pure luck I'd say) on this great Windows Install Clean up program... It should be more advertized on the Microsoft Troubleshooting section. That would save a lot of headaches!
Suzanne Paradis
Thom, you are welcome, although I don't think I helped much. 
I think Suzanne points out an excellent point, the simplest answer (so long as it works) is usually the best.
Thanks Suzanne.
Well Jeff you are welcome! Like you say, as long as it works...
I'm also having the same problem. I have tried Suzanne's idea and installed "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility" run the program on my PC and have removed MSN Toolbar, but the message still keeps popping up!!! This is really frustrating and seems to pop up whenever I switch on my PC and then when I try to open any program.
Deperately seeking help!!
Corrine 
Cannot uninstall
Message comes
This action is only valid for products that are currently installed.
BUT WHEN I TRY TO INSTALL IT SAYES
This versiom of MSN search is already installed on your computer. Click ok to cancel this installation.
but i have already removed from add/remove and also by "Windows Install Clean Up" that Suzanne Paradis
gave
