Services for Unix 3.5 uninstall from windows 7 to allow upgrade to windows 10 (SFU 3.5)

Google to the rescue: When typing this phrase into a Google search box then you will get several instant suggestions how to get rid of this app.

Services for Unix 3.5 Uninstall

Sure - unfortunately none of them work. All suggestions are basically: Try installer x - where that installer does not see the App installed, or go back to a recovery disk (which I don't have). I suspect there are some Registry Keys I can't see that need to be cleaned out and the App installers don't work because whatever the main one is is not there! e.g. on http://www.uninstallsupport.com/uninstallsoftware/uninstall-Microsoft-Windows-Services-for-Unix-3.5-completely.html#win7 - its says the following. But these keys don't exist! So I'm no netter off!

2. Delete registry entries of Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5 CAREFULLY

• *HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5
• *HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5

3. Search throughout the hard drive and delete all associated files

• *C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5
• *C:\Documents and Settings\A\Application Data\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5

2. Delete registry entries of Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5 CAREFULLY 

• *HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5
• *HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5

3. Search throughout the hard drive and delete all associated files

• *C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5
• *C:\Documents and Settings\A\Application Data\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5

2. Delete registry entries of Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5 CAREFULLY 

• You need to search the WHOLE registry for the string "Unix".
• Never delete a registry key straight away. Rename it first, then see what happens.

3. Search throughout the hard drive and delete all associated files 

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5

C:\Documents and Settings\A\Application Data\Microsoft Windows Services for Unix 3.5

-> The second reference is useless because it only searches one user profile folder. Best to check the check the WHOLE disk, e.g. like so:

dir  c:\   /s  /a  /b  |  find /i  "unix)

You should also check if installing, then removing Unix services will do the trick.

Lastly, disabling the Linux subsystem  might solve the problem:

Thanks for all the advice. I'd already searched the registry for Unix, 3.5, SFU etc. Tried the dir search command but get the error that

C:\>dir c:\ /s /a /b ¦ find /i "unix"
Invalid switch - "i".

C:\>dir c:\ /s /a /b ¦ find /i "unix)
Invalid switch - "i".

C:\>dir c:\ /s /a /b ¦ find/i "unix)
Invalid switch - "i".

Can you clarify what I should do?

I also use Filelocator lite which allows most searches and a search for Unix produces quite a few directories:

I can't see Linux services running....

Thanks for all the advice. I'd already searched the registry for Unix, 3.5, SFU etc. Tried the dir search command but get the error that

C:\>dir c:\ /s /a /b ¦ find /i "unix"
Invalid switch - "i".

You used the wrong "pipe" character. I looks like this: | instead of like this: ¦. It's now a moot point since you used your own file search. In this search the folder C:\SWTools looks suspicious. It does not exist on my own PC. When was it created? At the same time as "Program Files"? These commands will tell you:

dir  C:\SW*  /tc
dir  C:\Prog*  /tc

I wonder if you have some Unix service running. This command would tell you:

net  start  |  find  /i  "unix"

Make sure to use the correct pipe symbol!

You did not report about the Linux subsystem I asked about.

Windows saw the light of the day on your machine in July 2009.

The folder SWTOOLS was added in February 2011. It was an extra, i.e. not part of Windows.

I note that you ignored two of my three questions.

Hi Frederik - I really appreciate your help.

I just missed the two extra questions:

The net Start command just gets a CR/LF return (i.e. nothing happens. What's also weird is I've just gone to run Admin Tools and find the GodMode shortcut and they have both vanished on this m/c along with winpatrol that I use to block autostarting installs. When I reinstalled and ran winpatrol its not showing any Linux services or Unix Services that I can see.

Hi Frederik, are you still interested in this problem?

Is SWTOOLS the problem and if so is there some way to uninstall?

SWTOOLS is part of the Lenovo solution centre that came with the Lenovo this install came with. Historically, To avoid a complete reinstall of lots of software, I moved the drive from a much older Lenovo X220 to an X230 about 3 years ago, so the install could be quite old. In fact it may have originated on an X200, then the X220.

Best Regards

Steve