Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 1/9/2008

Question
Kevin, I have AI10.  The Layers window would not open.  I decided to uninstall AI and reinstall thinking maybe the software got corrupted.  MY PROBLEM:  AI 10 will not uninstall.  The box pops up with the options:  modify, repair, remove.  I have tried all three and nothing will uninstall AI10.  It makes a pretense of uninstalling (the uninstall box flashes on the screen, then it tells me I've successfully uninstalled).  When I verify, none of the files have been removed.  I have rebooted.  I've tried Control Panel/Remove programs, etc.  Now AI won't even open for me - box pops up with "Adobe Illustrator cannot run".  Can you help?

Answer
Hi Cynthia,

I am assuming you are using a PC with this problem.

You need to manually uninstall some aspects of your Adobe products.

First run the uninstall application. Next, you must manually remove the files that were not removed. For example, Illustrators files are found here:

Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 10 Settings
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Save For Web AI\9.0
ProgramData\MicrosoftWindows\Start Menu\Programs\Adobe Illustrator 10
Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 10
Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\SVG Viewer 3.0
Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Launch\illustrator\10.0
WINDOWS\system32\Adobe\SVG Viewer 3.0

Im not sure of the SVG version since I no longer have 10 installed.

Go through each directory and remove all application resources using the guide above.

After all is removed, restart your computer and then install from the CD-Rom.

If the problem still persists, you may be the unfortunate victim of your application is no longer compatible with your operating system. If you are using Vista, you are out of luck.

Wish I could help more, but this is becoming a larger issue since Adobe has basically abandoned all previous versions for CS3.


Kevin