Zotero 7 install does not work - because it does not uninstall

fishfishf

Hi, I think I have the same problem as other users. I installed Zotero 7 32 bit, got the prompt to install the 64 bit Version. Did it - I have not all admin rights but I have the admin name and password. I used that. Closed Word some point. Now I am stuck. I get the message that I have to reboot the computer again and again. But the reboot does not work.

Currently Zotereo is not running, but it is shown twice in the installed Apps

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u714350/qz5k41fygjm0toa50gxz.png

I have to folders. One in the folder "Programme"
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u714350/tmlhg2qylxmknv164798.png
Another one in the folder "Programme (x86)
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u714350/3wy4oeydoq63xowoi24r.png

The zotero menu is still visible in Word.

What should I do? Can I just delete the folders and reinstall? Which one

Thanks in advance for your advice in

dstillman

You can just delete both of those folders and reinstall the 64-bit version.

dstillman

@fishfishf: Before you do that, though, I'm curious: have you tried simply re-running the 64-bit installer? What exactly happens if you do?

fishfishf

Oh no! I missed your second comment. I deleted the folders already, and now everything works well. My apologies!

Thank you for your quick help and your great work. The new Zotero looks fantastic, and I look forward to using it.

dstillman

OK, no problem. Glad it's working now. We'll try to figure out what's happening in these situations.

fishfishf

@dstillman - however, it still shows two installed Apps in windows

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u714350/9k9u7eaetowiy1p9vo7p.png

When I try to uninstall the version not showing the logo this message pops up

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u714350/ggmnyrp8dn8hxdxoy2or.png

I assume that is not a problem. Could I do something to solve it or just leave it this way?

dstillman

I'm not actually sure how you ended up with two entries there. You can try 1) uninstalling the 64-bit version (with the proper icon), 2) reinstalling the 32-bit version, 3) uninstalling the 32-bit version, and then 4) reinstalling the 64-bit version.

(It's also possible to fix this in the registry, but that's more complicated.)

fishfishf

@dstillman
Did that, but did not work. I did it twice. First the way you suggested. And secondly I installed the 64bit version of the 32bit version. But still two entries and the same error message there.

Your are right: The second entry is indeed a left-over of the 32bit version.

Do you have any advice how to fix it in the registry?

dstillman

Can you say what exactly happened when you followed my steps? We'd like to make a more general fix here. People obviously can't be going into the registry to fix this.

fishfishf

I did this

1) uninstalling the 64-bit version (with the proper icon),

restart

2) reinstalling the 32-bit version,

The next step was a bit tricky. First, the uninstallation did not work. I could ask to uninstall it via the "installed apps," but nothing happened. I tried this three times. once before the restart and twice after the restart.

Managed to uninstall it by going to the Zotero folder (Zotero/uninstall) and starting the "helper.exe" with admin-rights

After a restart, the entry was still in the installed apps menu of Windows 11.

The installation of the 64-bit version added the second entry.

---
Then I uninstalled the 64bit version again
That entry was then gone.

installed the 32bit version again

result: one entry in the installed apps menu

installed 64bit version without uninstalling the 32bit version - same result as before

two entries in the installed apps menu

dstillman

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/removing-invalid-entries-in-the-add-remove-programs-tool-0dae27c1-0b06-2559-311b-635cd532a6d5

fishfishf

Many thanks. That worked. However, I had to use a different location.

Instead of this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

I had to use this one:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

just to let you know, in case somebody asks again

Many thanks for your help

dstillman

Ah, that might be a clue here. Thanks!

fishfishf

Sounds great! You are doing a fantastic job. Many thanks