1

Not sure when it happened, but it’s been recently. Google Chrome is no longer appearing in either the add/remove programs or under settings - apps - installed apps. Figured I’d need to install an uninstaller app, which shows it but that’s another app that has to be installed to uninstall. Anyone else have an idea on how to remove it without another uninstaller app, or why it is no longer showing? Microsoft or Google issue? Chrome did just update itself.

7 Spice ups
2

It’s not something I can replicate here. Have you looked into other computers where you’re at to see if it was just you?

1 Spice up
3

After installing KB5056579 or KB5062553 Chrome may be blocked by Family settings.

How to Fix Chrome Blocked by Microsoft Family Safety on Windows 11 | Windows Forum

It’s possible either a Windows update or a Chrome one has broken the uninstall registry keys, meaning you can’t remove it the usual way.

3 Spice ups
4

I noticed one of our machines do that 2 weeks ago – uninstalling instead of updating from 137.0.7151.120 to 138.0.7204.97. RMM automatically reinstalled the missing application on next refresh, but primary user prefers Firefox so didn’t have any impact.

1 Spice up
5

Did you get Chrome from some “installer” site or a fake Chrome site ?
Coz some users actually told admins that after they “downloaded” Chrome, the installer asked for admin credentials ? Which this only happens if you are installing Enterprise Google Chrome or offline installers for VDI etc, normal installations are appdata installs that do not need admin creds.

Then somehow the admin Teamviewer into the lappy and entered admin creds but later saw some symantec AV, search tool bars, “unblock” browser extensions, WPS Office and several “tools” being installed as well ?

Another case was some user went to some site then it said browser (Edge & Chrome) needed some updates for the site to load…after “installing these updates” other apps and browser default pages changed. Chrome in program lists was also replaced with some other app name.

1 Spice up
6

Hi @Brian745345

Possible Causes
Chrome’s Update Glitch: A botched or partial update might’ve corrupted the installation metadata, hiding it from Windows’ app registry.

Registry Corruption: If Chrome’s uninstall string was deleted or corrupted in the Windows registry, it won’t appear in Add/Remove Programs.

Microsoft-Edge Integration Conflict: Occasionally, Windows updates (especially on Windows 11) might conflict with Chrome, although this is rare.

Malware or System Cleaner: Some system “optimizers” or aggressive cleaners might remove traces of Chrome without uninstalling the app itself.

1 Spice up
7

Download and run iobit uninstaller. It can uninstall things that don’t appear to be able to but going into the registry the settings and removing them. Works like a charm every time I find a program that I can’t uninstall another way

1 Spice up
8

It’s likely due to a corrupted installation, registry issues, or a recent Chrome update causing compatibility problems.
Try these solutions:

  • Close all Chrome processes via Task Manager

  • Delete Chrome folders from C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome, C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome, and C:\ProgramData\Google\Chrome.

  • Reboot and verify removal.
    If issues persist, run Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter

1 Spice up