Software Uninstaller

How to Completely Uninstall Norton Antivirus Software from your Computer

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:22:13 +0000

Antivirus applications are generally difficult to remove because they integrate so deeply with the system and Norton Antivirus applications are no exception.

So here’s your step by step guide to get rid of any Norton Antivirus application.

Recommended Solution

Download Perfect Uninstaller to safely and easily remove Norton Antivirus from your computer.

Manual Removal

Note: Removing an application manually runs the risk of causing damage to your computer should you make a mistake and delete the wrong files, always back up the system before you make any system changes.

Navigate to the “Control Panel” and select “Add/Remove Programs”, in the list of installed applications select any Norton/Symantec product, click “change”, then Remove All.

Restart your computer.

Click Start, My Computer, Program Files and delete any Symantec/Norton folder found.
Return to Program Files and enter the Common Files folder and delete any Symantec/Norton folders found.
Click Start, Search, All Files and Folders, More Advanced Options, check all options but Case Sensitive and do a search for Norton, delete any file and folder the search returns
Restart your computer and repeat this step but search for Symantec, remember to restart again.

In the next step we will be going into the registry, use caution when making changes in the registry, if you delete the wrong files you could terminate important processes or system files which could destroy your computer, do a backup of the registry before you proceed.

Click Start, run…, type “regedit” in the dialogue box and hit enter.

Navigate to the following entries and delete the specified folders/entries.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\

Delete the Symantec folder found in this directory

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Delete any entries with the name Symantec and NAV in the Run folder
Repeat this step in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Restart your computer.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\

Expand the above folder and scroll down until you find the Symantec entries, then delete them.

Warning: Do not delete anything that is not specifically listed as Symantec!

There you go; Norton Antivirus should now be completely removed from your computer.

If you find the above tutorial to complex or you are not sure that you can successfully complete the steps, it is recommended to download Perfect Uninstaller to automatically remove the application.

How to Completely Uninstall Bearshare

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:38:16 +0000

Bearshare is a peer-to-peer file sharing application that claims to allow users from all over the world to share their files.

Several people have complained about this program and it is classified as spyware by many antivirus applications, and if you want to remove this program you will not be able to remove it using the Add/Remove Programs function in Windows.

Unregister a DLL file

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:25:43 +0000

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library, and contains various functions used across multiple applications.

As a workaround to a problem it may be necessary to unregister certain DLL files.

How to Unregister a DLL File

Click “Win+R” together to bring up “run…”
Type “cmd” in the box and press enter.

This brings up the command prompt and you will need to type in the following to unregister a DLL:

regsvr32 /u path\filename.dll – where ”filename” is the name of the DLL you want to unregister and path is the path to the folder the DLL is located in.

Do keep in mind that this involves making modifications to the system, so be sure to back up your system before completing the steps above.

Fix Any Error on your Computer, Download Registry Easy Now

The Effect of Improperly Uninstalled Applications

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:14:22 +0000

In the Windows Control Panel you can find a function known as Add/Remove programs, a function widely used to remove unwanted software from a computer.

What it does is it launches the software uninstaller that came with the program. This software uninstaller can also be found in the programs folder in Program Files, or by going to Start, All Programs and highlight a program and you can see it in the following pop-up menu.

But using this function does not always have the desired effect, a certain program may not be listed or it does not always remove all components of an application. Here we will look into the components commonly left behind when using this function to remove applications and how it can affect your system.

Software Updaters

Most applications you have installed on your computer will update automatically or look for updates regularly, on start up or in the background.

Software update applications are commonly a separate application with its own .exe file and registry entries and will require a separate uninstallation process. While some applications will include its software updater many will leave it out of the uninstallation process.

How it affects your system

Having the update applications running on your system will negatively affect performance as it runs in the background and looks for updates for programs that no longer exist on your computer, additionally it could be missing important files and become a corrupt process causing other system errors.

Application is not Displayed

In some instances a program may not be listed in the Add/Remove Programs list of installed programs. This usually occurs if a program has not specified an uninstall file to be used during uninstall. If a program is not listed, check the folder for the program in the Program Files folder or start menu to find the software uninstaller.

How it affects your system

If the software uninstaller is not found it will make it very difficult to remove the program, additionally, many adware applications will make themselves hard to remove by not including a software uninstaller.

Registry Issues

When a program is installed in Windows, it is given a key or several keys in the registry, this key holds the information needed for Windows to be able to run this application properly and when it is uninstalled these keys should be deleted as well. Unfortunately there are times when the keys are not removed and left behind in the registry.

How it affects your system

If registry keys from uninstalled programs are left behind and not removed with the program they become empty registry keys, or invalid. These can fill up the registry and will slow down data access time, send false commands and cause Windows to attempt to run applications that no longer exists, like start up items. This often leads to error messages, internal conflicts and may cause the computer to freeze up at times.

Shared Files and Registry Keys

If a program has been installed for a while, or you have several products from the same developer, these may have shared files and registry keys used to run the application.

How it affects your system

Removing an application that uses shared files may remove important files used by other applications, when these files are removed it will cause these programs to stop working properly. They may stop responding, cause system errors and become corrupt requiring you to remove these programs as well and then reinstall them to make them work again.

Troubleshooting these situations and finding the affected applications can be difficult and time consuming, and if critical Windows files become corrupt you may be required to reinstall Windows to repair your computer.

Avoid the problems that occur during improper uninstallation processes, download Perfect Uninstaller now to safely and completely remove any application.

How to Uninstall Dogpile Search Toolbar from a Computer

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:54:08 +0000

Download Perfect Uninstaller now and completely remove any application from your computer.

What is Dogpile Search Toolbar?

Dogpile is a met search engine that fetches results from other major search engines and originates from Dogpile.com. Once it is installed it will replace your default search engine and can be difficult to remove completely. Additionally it has been classified as adware and spyware, bombarding users with ads and logging internet activity.

How to uninstall Dogpile Search Toolbar from your computer

Recommended Solution:

Download Perfect Uninstaller and use it to have the program and all its components removed automatically.

Manual removal from your browser:

In Firefox:

Click on “Tools”, then “Add-Ons”, find and highlight “Dogpile” and hit uninstall. Once the uninstallation process is complete, restart your browser for the changes to take effect.

In Internet Explorer:

Click on “Tools”, then “Manage Add-Ons”, and “Enable or Disable Add-Ons”. Highlight “Dogpile” and click disable then restart your browser.

Note that the above steps do not remove Dogpile entirely from your computer and there could still be components related to the application and other system files left behind that could potentially disturb or harm other running processes. To ensure the program is completely removed it is recommended to download and run Perfect Uninstaller to make sure all components of this program is removed.

How to Uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:47:37 +0000

Microsoft Security Essentials is an anti-virus application recently released by Microsoft, it promises to be easy to install, have real time protection from most known threats, low computer strain and ease of use.

How to Uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials

To remove this program from your computer you are directed to follow the following steps:

Click start – All Programs – Microsoft Security Essentials – And run the uninstall file found in this folder.

As with most Microsoft products, especially if you are on a Windows based computer, this will probably not remove the application entirely as for some reason, Microsoft like to integrate all their programs deeply with the Windows Operating System.

For you as a user this means that the program will be hard to remove and after the uninstallation process is complete there may be several traces of the program left behind in your computer, such as leftover registry entries, which could cause problems in the future.

Solution

If you feel confident in your computer skills you can follow this tutorial about how to uninstall software.

Note: The above tutorial was not designed for this particular application, and there could be additional steps required to completely remove this application.

If you want to opt for an easier method, or just want to get rid of the program without the risk of messing anything up, you should try Perfect Uninstaller.

This software is designed to remove any kind of application, especially those that are commonly very hard to remove, additionally it will remove any traces of that application in your computer to ensure the program is gone forever.

Download Perfect Uninstaller now and get rid of any unwanted application

How to Permanently Delete Files on My Computer

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:59:30 +0000

When you delete a file it gets sent to the Recycle Bin, then you go to Recycle Bin and empty it. In reality the file does not get deleted from the hard drive, it simply tells Windows that the location the file was located in your hard drive is now “deallocated”, this means that the space this file occupied is now available as free space and can be overwritten.

Just about anyone with a file recovery program can find and restore the file you just deleted.

How to Permanently Delete Files on a Computer

To permanently delete files the safest way is to use a program known as a file shredder. What it does is that it overwrites the available with dummy data, making the “free space” unreadable for prying eyes.

These are the best methods used to permanently delete files:

The Gutmann Method – The data is overwritten 35 times

First with 4 random write patterns
Followed by 27 predefined patterns in random order
Finished by an additional 4 random write patterns

Department of Defense Standard 5220-22.M

This standard has specified that each overwrite should be repeated at least three times to form a successful wipe pass, and that seven wipe passes should be executed to securely remove data.

When you are looking for a good file shredder, you should make sure it uses at least both of these methods, more methods would off course be better, but these are the best ones and using both in sequence will ensure the data cannot be retrieved.

To permanently delete files and prevent them from getting into the wrong hands you should try File-Eraser, it uses both of the methods above and have some other methods as well to make sure sensitive data cannot be recovered.

The last thing you could try is the manual approach, which involves taking the hard drive out of your computer, bring it outside and smash it to smithereens with a sledgehammer.

Unless you are using a work computer, a shared or borrowed computer that you have to return, or you will not need the hard drive, this is a safe way to permanently delete files.

Protect your privacy; use File-Eraser to permanently delete sensitive files

File Eraser Review – Permanently Delete Files

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:07:15 +0000

File Eraser permanently deletes files from your hard drive using several user adjustable options. Once File Eraser deletes a file there is no trace left behind and the file is gone forever, preventing sensitive information from ending up in the wrong hands.

Why Use a File Shredder

Deleting files from your computer does not necessarily mean they cannot be recovered and viewed by others; they still exist on the hard drive in a digital format. And if you need to permanently delete files for various reasons here is the software to help you do just that.

How Does File Eraser Delete Files

Deleting files in Windows only tells Windows that this space is free to overwrite; the file is never completely gone. File Eraser uses several different technologies to delete files, including the scientifically proven Guttmann method, Pseudorandom Data and the Department of Defense Standard 5220-22.M method. You can easily and safely use this software to delete files and folders, or to swipe clean an entire hard drive, leaving no traces of old data.

Click here to visit the File Eraser official website

Sometimes we need to cover our tracks and keep sensitive information away from prying eyes for various reasons. No matter the cause, you can rest assured knowing the files will be deleted forever when you shred them with File Eraser.

Perfect Uninstaller – The Best Software Uninstaller

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:43:25 +0000

Our Top Recommended Software Uninstaller

Score: 4.8/5

	A software uninstaller that can ensure complete removal of all types of programs you want to get rid of. It will ensure all files and registry entries associated with an application is removed from the system.	Overall:
		Usability:
		Quality:
		Support:
		UserRating:

Can’t Remove a Program? Download Perfect Uninstaller and Get Rid of Them

Sometimes there are stubborn programs and applications that can be very hard to remove by ordinary means, or the application is not removed entirely and remnants of it stay behind after uninstallation in the form of junk files and invalid registry entries. As a result, your computer runs the risk of having system errors due to corrupted files and applications. So if you are looking for a solution to get rid of stubborn applications, or you frequently add and remove programs for various reasons then Perfect Uninstaller is the software you need.

About the program

Perfect Uninstaller is a software uninstaller for hard to remove programs from Cheesesoft and gets a top rating from us. It is simply an easier way to remove any software you have installed on your computer that you no longer need. It will completely uninstall programs that don’t want to uninstall and all associated files during uninstall to avoid future errors and uninstall programs that does not appear in the add/remove programs function in Windows or programs it is unable to remove.

Perfect Uninstaller Features and Benefits Summary:

Up to 3 times faster than the Windows Add/Remove Programs function.
Remove applications not found in the Add/Remove programs list.
Completely clean up and remove invalid and corrupted registry entries left behind by some applications.
Forcibly remove hidden applications installed on your computer.
Detailed overview of installed programs and individual programs.
Logs all installation processes to detect the installation of third party application and creates uninstallation files for these programs.
Friendly and easy to use interface.

Click here to visit the Perfect Uninstaller official site

In Depth Review:

Key Features

When the commonly used add/remove programs function in Windows is unable to remove unwanted or corrupt applications from your computer, Perfect Uninstaller is capable of doing so with ease. It will not just uninstall the application, but also remove any registry entries or junk files commonly left behind during uninstallation that affect the performance of your computer. Resulting in a faster and more stable system.

Additional features

Perfect Uninstaller will not only remove unwanted programs, but is able to this task at a much higher speed than the Windows Add/Remove programs function.
It can find and forcibly remove corrupt applications and hidden files associated with a program from your computer.
Any registry entries that are commonly left behind after uninstallation usually become corrupt or invalid, Perfect Uninstaller will find and remove these entries to optimize your computers performance and eliminate errors.
Compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista32, Vista64 and Windows 7.

Additional features that are appreciated

The Perfect Uninstaller comes with a system manager that enables users to backup the registry and restore the system in the event of a computer crash. There are three options a user can use to restore the system. You can enable, disable or simply remove various start-up programs in the Startup List or the Restore List that is causing errors tom occur. This is an excellent way to prevent loss of data.

Usability

Perfect Uninstaller has a very easy to use interface, with all features made available on the front screen so navigation and use of the program happens with ease. Users can view programs in icons, list or detailed view. And when you are ready to uninstall an application, you can choose from Normal, Special or Force Uninstall.

Customer Support

Any problems and inquiries about Perfect Uninstaller is handled by a team of experts, they can assist you in troubleshooting problems and answer any question regarding the advanced features of Perfect Uninstaller. And in the event that you have an application installed on your computer that Perfect Uninstaller is unable to detect or properly remove, they offer a submission service where you can submit the application, and they will analyze the program and include the program in an update.

Summary

Most applications will leave behind several files on in the computer system after using the Add/Remove programs function in Windows. But using Perfect Uninstaller, you can ensure that these programs are completely removed from the system as well as protect the hard drive from left over registry entries. The result will be a faster computer and a more stable system.

Screenshots:

Use Software Uninstaller to Completely Remove Unwanted Programs

Remove Antivirus applications

Free Software – Not Always a Benefit

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:09:53 +0000

Many people are thrilled when they find a free version of some kind of application they were looking into or may need. But many people don’t take into consideration some of the downsides of having free software as opposed to paid version.

Made by hobbyists

Many of the free software found on the internet are made by people who make software for fun and then release it to the public. With paid software it is usually made by a team of professional programmers, who have done extensive testing to see if it works, it will also go through a beta testing stage where it is released to the public on a limited basis so it can be tested on a larger scale by actual users to weed out additional errors

Updates and customer support

While some of the free software developers will offer both updates and support for their products, it is very limited because they will usually have other jobs and commitments they will not have time to offer extensive customer support and update their programs. With most free software application there is no costumer support at all, and because the developers released the software for fun once, there will never be any updates or improvements made to the original software. With paid software you will have a dedicated customer support team ready to handle all types of requests, and they will usually do their best to update their software applications to meet customer requests, and to remove problems discovered by the consumers.

Privacy Infringement and Malware

Everyone needs money that is just how the world works, and the development of a software application takes a tremendous amount of time, and the developers will off course want some kind of compensation for their time. With a paid version of a program, the compensation is obvious, but with some freeware applications, the compensation may be hidden from the consumer. In most cases this compensation comes in the form of sending personal or other information to third party organizations, installing trial programs without your consent, which is often hard to remove or in some instances your computer will become infected with malicious code that can seriously harm your computer, your privacy and potentially your money should credit card information get into the wrong hands.

But what it all boils down to is what kind of program you want, some programs are designed to do a simple task, and free programs will do just fine. But when it comes to computer maintenance programs and malware protection, it would be better to opt for a paid version to ensure you get proper costumer support and updates to keep your software up to date. Keeping the software up to date is especially important for antivirus and spyware removal applications; if it is not updated frequently, it will have no idea what the latest virus is, thus you will not really have any protection at all.

If you have a great deal of uneeded programs, you can easily and completely remove these applications with Perfect Uninstaller.