[gwbas1c]

> Why do Windows programs need special installers/uninstallers?

This is supposed to happen using MSI-based installers. It's a windows component.

> Why isn't this handled by Windows itself?

Now, here's where things get tricky.

In the article, the issue is an explorer plugin. MSI is notoriously buggy with installing and uninstalling explorer plugins. If you don't jump through hoops, your installer will have a bug where it prompts the user to close Explorer.exe.

I know because I shipped a product with an explorer plugin. The installer was always a thorn in our side; and the workarounds, ect, that we had to do to install / uninstall / delete our plugin were more complicated than the plugin itself.