I do it like this.

'//Check for properly installed mappoint
Dim rk As RegistryKey
rk = Registry.CurrentUser
rk = rk.OpenSubKey("Software\Microsoft\MapPoint")

'//If properly installed
If Not rk Is Nothing Then
'Me.WindowState = FormWindowState.Minimized
Map = New frmMap
Map.Show()
Else
'//If NOT properly installed
MsgBox("Mapping feature only works if you have mappoint installed" & vbCrLf & _
"If Mappoint is installed on the machine, please run it once, before accessing this feature", _
MsgBoxStyle.Critical, "Mappoint error")
End If

__________________
Best Regards.
Bug
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer