Manually Uninstalling FTM 2017 for Windows

Prior to performing the procedure below, ensure that you have a copy of the Family Tree Maker installation disc or the downloaded installation file readily available.

How to Manually Uninstall Family Tree Maker 2017

Step 1: Uninstall Family Tree Maker

1. Hold down the Windows key then press R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl into the box then click OK. The list of installed programs should appear.
3. Locate and select Family Tree Maker in the list then click Uninstall.
4. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the uninstall process.

Step 2: Remove Residual Files

1. After the standard uninstall has been completed, click the Start button then Computer or File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the (C:) drive then double-click the Program Files folder (Program Files x86 for 32-bit versions).
3. Right-click any folders labeled Family Tree Maker and select Delete.

Step 3: Remove Profile Data

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Enter %localappdata% then click OK.

   

   Note: You can also access the AppData folder by clicking the Windows Start button in the taskbar and typing %localappdata% in the search box.

3. Right-click the folder labeled "The_Software_MacKiev_Comp" and click Delete on the context menu.
4. Once "The_Software_MacKiev_Comp" folder has been removed, open the IsolatedStorage folder.
5. Open the folder located within IsolatedStorage.
6. Open the next folder that appears. You should see one or more folders labeled StrongName. 

   

7. Open the first of the StrongName folders. If another StrongName folder appears within, click the back arrow to go up one level and delete that StrongName folder. 

   

   Note: If you do not see a folder that contains StrongName, back up and select a different StrongName folder.

8. Repeat this process with each StrongName folder until all of the appropriate folders have been deleted.
9. Close this window when you are done.

Step 4: Remove Registry Data

Note: This section contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click here.

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

   

2. Type regedit into the field then click OK to open the Windows Registry Editor.

   

3. In the left hand column, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER by double clicking on it.

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4. Find and double-click the Software folder to expand it.

   

5. Locate the folder called Software MacKiev, right-click on it, and choose Delete.

   

6. In the left hand column, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE by double clicking on it.

   

7. Find and double-click the SOFTWARE folder to expand it.

   

8. If you're using a 64-bit version of Family Tree Maker, expand the Wow6432Node folder, otherwise skip this step.
9. Locate the folder called Software MacKiev, right-click on it, and choose Delete.

   

   WARNING: Make sure you only delete the folder labeled Software MacKiev and not any other entries. If you accidentally delete the wrong entry, restore from a registry backup.

Step 5: Remove from Installed Programs List

If Family Tree Maker remains in the list of installed programs even after performing a normal uninstall, please use the steps below to remove the entry.

1. After completing the previous registry cleaning processes, open the Registry Editor again and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Microsoft → Windows → CurrentVersion → Uninstall.

   Note: Users of 64-bit versions, locate and expand Wow6432Node first, and then Microsoft.

2. After expanding the Uninstall registry key, you will see a list of entries; each with a unique number enclosed in brackets. One or more of these numbered entries contain the Family Tree Maker data. One by one, highlight each entry and review the registry keys on the right-side panel until you find the one with Family Tree Maker next to the DisplayName.

   

3. Once you have located the Family Tree Maker DisplayName key, right-click the numbered entry on the left pane and select Delete from the menu that appears.

   

4. Repeat this process until all registry entries for Family Tree Maker have been removed.