What is the best way to remove a software program from your system?

Issue:

There may be circumstances where Autodesk Revit products need to be removed from the workstation to allow for a clean installation.
The following process will ensure that all residual files are properly removed as well.

Solution:

Use the following procedure to uninstall Revit products and remove any remnants from your system.
The result is a clean system on which you can reinstall.

 Note that all paths listed by default are for Revit 2023. Substitute Revit LT if you are using the LT version:

  • Autodesk Revit LT 2023/RLT 2023
  • Autodesk Revit 2023/RVT 2023

Substitute the current Windows login name for %USERNAME%.

Be sure to back up any custom family or template files prior to following this procedure.

  1. Log on as a Local System Administrator and disable any Antivirus programs,
  2. Remove Revit 2023 from the Windows Control Panel:
  • Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall the specific Revit 2023 product.
  1. Remove the 2023 Material Library from the Windows Control Panel:
    • Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall the Autodesk Material Library 2023.
  2. Use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the following folders as appropriate:
    • C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit 2023
  • C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2023
  • C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2023
  • C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2023
  1. Open the system registry (Windows Start menu > Run > Regedit). Locate and delete the following registry keys as appropriate:
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2023
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2023

Warning! Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com.
Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as well as the system.dat and user.dat files as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft Knowledge Base and in the related solution, TS66513. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

  1. Restart the workstation.

Before reinstalling Revit products

  1. In Windows Explorer, delete the contents of your Windows Temp folder, but do not delete the Windows Temp folder itself. You can locate the Temp folder by entering %TEMP% in the Address bar of Windows Explorer.
  2. Use the End Task feature to end any anti-virus programs.

Note: Disabling anti-virus programs from the system tray may not be sufficient. Virus checking programs may block certain activities that are seen as suspicious (for example, accessing the registry, adding/removing/updating DLL files), even though these activities are common when installing or removing programs.
Several anti-virus programs can be disabled by right-clicking the taskbar icon and selecting Disable from the shortcut menu. For more information about disabling your anti-virus software, refer to the vendor of that software.

Important! It is important that you not only disable the anti-virus software but also use the End Task feature to end the anti-virus software.

 

To verify that an anti-virus program is not still running in the background as a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident Program):

  1. Press [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [Delete],
  2. Click Task Manager,
  3. On the Processes tab of the Task Manager, select the process for the anti-virus program and then click End Process.

You are now ready to install Revit products on the clean system.

 

Note: If after following the above steps, the Revit product still reports as being installed, view the Technical Solution: Autodesk product is flagged as "Installed" and the Install button is grayed out

See Also:

  • Revit 2022: Autodesk Product and Component Distribution in Revit

Previous Versions

  • 2022: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall of Revit products

  • 2021: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall of Revit products

  • 2020: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall of Revit products

  • 2019: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall and Reinstall of Revit products

  • 2018: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall and Reinstall of Revit products

  • 2017: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall and Reinstall of Revit products

  • 2016: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall and Reinstall of Revit products

  • 2015: How to Complete a Clean Install and Uninstall of Revit products

  • 2014: How to Complete a Clean Uninstall and Install of Autodesk Revit® products

  • 2013: How to Complete a Clean Install and Uninstall of Revit products

  • 2012: How to Complete a Clean Install Uninstall of Revit products

Products:

Revit Product Family;

How do I completely remove all traces of a program?

How to Remove Remnants of Uninstalled Software.
Step 1: Use Control Panel to Uninstall a Program..
Step 2: Delete the Remaining Files and Folders..
Step 3: Remove App Keys from Windows Registry..
Step 4: Empty Temp Folder..

How do I remove a program from my hard drive?

This is a good way to clear up space on your hard drive and keep your computer free of clutter..
Open the Control Panel..
Select Uninstall a program (in the Programs category)..
Select the desired application, then click Uninstall..
Confirm the uninstallation..

How do you remove a program from the Programs and Features list?

Use the uninstaller built into Windows 11, and Windows 10..
Open the Start Menu..
Click Settings..
Click Apps..
Select Apps & features from the left-hand side menu..
Select the Program or App that you want to uninstall from the list that appears..
Click the uninstall button that shows under the selected program or app..

What are the three ways to remove an unwanted application?

How to uninstall apps in stock Android.
Step 1: Select the Settings app from your app drawer or home screen..
Step 2: Tap Apps and Notifications, then hit App Info..
Step 3: Scroll down the list until you find the app you want to remove and tap it..
Step 4: Select Uninstall..
Step 1: Find the app you wish to uninstall..