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Author Topic: Can't uninstall Ad-Aware SE (free, old version)  (Read 9164 times)

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Offline Ripley

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Can't uninstall Ad-Aware SE (free, old version)
« on: December 29, 2007, 10:35:24 PM »
Touched base w/ 4 family members, by phone, to see if they had uninstalled Ad-Aware SE or upgraded to the new Ad-Aware 2007, given that support is ending from Lavasoft on Dec. 31, 2007 for the old, free version.

Even though, Ad-Aware was installed on these 4 computers, none had Ad-Aware SE Personal in their Add/Remove programs.  I used the link/info below, to successfully remove it for 3 of the 4.

From Ad-Aware SE FAQ from Lavasoft:
Quote
There are several alternatives you can use to uninstall Ad-Aware SE:

    * Click "Uninstall Ad-Aware" in the Lavasoft folder of your Start menu.
    * If you are unable to do that, open your control panel, click "Add/remove programs," and locate Ad-Aware SE.
    * Another method to uninstall is to locate and double-click the file "unwise.exe" (the .exe may not be shown). You should be able to find this file in C:\program files\lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE [Personal/Plus/Professional]\.

If the above alternatives do not work, or you get a message saying, "Can’t find Install.log," you will need to manually uninstall the software. To do this:

    * Click on "My Computer" and locate your Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE folder (C:\program files\lavasoft\ad-aware).
    * Run the file "unregaaw.exe".
    * Delete the entire Ad-Aware SE folder.
    * Delete your Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE link in your Start menu (if present).
    * Delete the Ad-Aware SE icon (s) from your desktop (if present).
    * Navigate to "C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name] \Application Data\Lavasoft" and delete the entire Lavasoft folder.
    * Empty your trash bin.
    * Reboot your computer.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/faq_aawse.php#11

The one that wasn't successful had 2 Ad-Aware folders in their Program files dir. The first Ad-Aware appeared to uninstall given the reports by phone, yet after a re-boot, the folder was described as having all the same files.  The second Ad-Aware folder when double clicking on both "unwise.exe" and "unregaaw.exe" did "nothing".

Any ideas what is going on, and how to remove? 
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Offline Corrine

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Re: Can't uninstall Ad-Aware SE (free, old version)
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2007, 11:33:50 PM »
    Scary, but I still have the old notes:

    You can uninstall Ad-Aware through your Add\Remove Programs in your Control Panel, then delete the Lavasoft folder in your Program Files. There is also a file called UNWISE in the Ad-Aware folder that you can double click to bring up the uninstaller.

    If you do not have Ad-Aware listed in your Add\Remove Programs, or you get a message that it could not find the Install Log, look in your Lavasoft Ad-Aware folder for a file called UNWISE and run it, that will bring up the uninstall wizard.

    If you still get the message, you will need to do a manual uninstall. Not a difficult procedure, but will require one or two regedits. (How to back up the registry in Windows XP: 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=322756 )

Do the following:
  • Click on my computer and navigate to your Lavasoft folder and delete it.
  • Delete your Lavasoft Ad-aware link in your start menu (if one is there)
  • Delete any desktop shortcut icon(s) for Ad-Aware.
  • Delete the Lavasoft folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USER NAME\Application Data\Lavasoft\
Note: the following registry edits are not mandatory. The entries will be redundant and not be an issue if left in there. If you feel comfortable removing them, then do so.
  • Open regedit and delete the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware
You may also have this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Ad-aware
  • Empty your Recycle Bin
  • Reboot
If that doesn't work, see http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2006/11/how-to-uninstall-application-not-in.html[/list]
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Offline Ripley

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Re: Can't uninstall Ad-Aware SE (free, old version)
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2007, 01:26:40 AM »
Corrine, thnx for these instructions.

The regedits, over the phone, wouldn't be wise to attempt.

I have contacted another person near this family member & would be more comfortable hearing their feedback before going further.
 
The 2 Ad-Aware folders in Program files threw me, 'specially when running the UNWISE in each didn't uninstall, or seem to effect any change.  Prior to this, Ad-Aware was updating & scanning fine, according to reports.

I'll keep ya posted on how we get on.
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