skip to main content

Unwanted Program

14 years ago

I just downloaded what I thought was free WinZip to my new Windows 7 computer. It didn't give me a choice whether or not to download an AVG toolbar. I can't uninstall it. I keep getting a box that says do I want this program to upload stuff on this program.

Helllp, I want to get this off of my computer. I'll pay for it, but I want this one outta here!

TIA

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
It appears Google had this answer. I did a basic search using the keywords "AVG WinZip" (sans quotes) and I readily found a link providing:

"Please note that the WinZip setup tries to install AVG Security Toolbar and sets AVG secure search as your browser homepage.

To avoid installing the toolbar, please choose custom installation during the setup and uncheck "Set, keep and protect AVG Secure Search as my homepage", "Set, keep and protect AVG Secure Search as my default search provider" and "Install AVG Security Toolbar" options."

Based on the above, if it were me with this concern I would remove WinZip using REVO at the advanced setting. When doing so I would give it permission to remove anything it finds relating to WinZip. I would then run CCleaner's registry tool for any orphan entries. Finally, I would reinstall WinZip following the above instructions.

DA
Elmer J Fudd
14 years ago
You don't need WinZip. The capability to manipulate compressed files (create them and extract files from zipped files you get) is built in to Windows 7. Check with Windows Help on your PC, it'll tell you all about it.

As far as making an unwanted toolbar go away, you can usually just go to the View, Toolbars section of a browser's menu, and Unselect the toolbar you don't wish to see. You can leave the files for a safe but unused toolbar on your PC with no adverse effect, you'll never see or know of it again so long as you keep it unselected.
Related Discussions
Avira Free Event list warning for malware found
Q
Comments (16)
The pop ups have stopped - I noted in this thread actions taken within Avira to Quarantine, this and perhaps other programs removed most problems.... Avira scan still shows one warning. The message you highlight is no longer in the report. The Avira report does still show some invisible reports: 1) Starting search for hidden objects. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet002\Services\Dhcp\Parameters\(2B5F6C3E-2721-4967-A64D-004C9F1332D3) [NOTE] The registry entry is invisible. C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Cookies C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Cookies [NOTE] The registry entry is invisible. C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop [NOTE] The registry entry is invisible. C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\My Documents C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\My Documents [NOTE] The registry entry is invisible. C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files [NOTE] The registry entry is invisible. C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\History C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\History [NOTE] The registry entry is invisible. ----------------- and concludes with one warning continuing: End of the scan: Saturday, January 12, 2013 00:30 Used time: 1:52:54 Hour(s) The scan has been done completely. 13847 Scanned directories 795456 Files were scanned 0 Viruses and/or unwanted programs were found 0 Files were classified as suspicious 0 Files were deleted 0 Viruses and unwanted programs were repaired 0 Files were moved to quarantine 0 Files were renamed 0 Files cannot be scanned 795456 Files not concerned 11909 Archives were scanned 1 Warnings 6 Notes 787853 Objects were scanned with rootkit scan 6 Hidden objects were found
...See More
Sony Vaio FW -- optimization at Best Buy
Q
Comments (14)
if you are paying the $40 for them to remove the stuff you don't want why not just have them remove the loaded AV programs too then you are ready to just add your AVAST when you get it home, remember for AVAST you do have to do the registration but it is free and they have very good info on the AVAST site in a user pdf. If doing it your self depending on if it is Norton or McAfee we can give you some uninstall help both companies do supply a free removal tool which I used to get my McAfee off my pc and it works well. Let us know if you decide to do that. Yes pc decrapifier is pretty much as easy as that and you can use it to do it yourself also very good is REVO uninstaller which is also free and would probably be a good addition to the decrapifier should it miss anything. They have excellent user manuals on the REVO site too. Revo Uninstaller REVO also contains other very good helpful tools you can read about there on the site. I no longer use AdAware or Spybot there are 2 others that are superior and are free they are SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware if using these free versions you do have to remember to open them once a week hit update then run full scans on your pc and let them clean what they find. I also always advise adding spywareblaster to every pc it adds blocked lists and blocks some nasty stuff from ever getting to your pc, no scans to do just open it once a week hit update then hit the enable all protection button so the shield turns green that is it. SpywareBlaster the other thing you will want on your pc is the secunia tool which lets you know if you have any other out of date stuff on your pc that could be dangerous it is free in an online scanner version or one you can install on your pc. Secunia Online Software Inspector the link to the PSI version is on that page at the top. that will get you started and hopefully keep you clean and safe. Just be sure to get that MS critical update I mentioned earlier that conflicker is wrecking havoc all over the place on pcs that did not get the patch.
...See More
Add/remove question
Q
Comments (8)
If you have to ask you don't want to go there. Going into the Registry isn't for the faint of heart. There is a free program called REVO that is pretty good at removing all traces of unwanted programs. Their site says: You can clean any junk, temporary and unnecessary files from your drives;You can erase all your browser history in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Netscape browsers; You can erase the recent document history of Microsoft Office products from version Microsoft Office 2000 till Microsoft Office 2007; You can erase most of the important traces you have left behind after working with Windows; You can permanently delete all of your already deleted files so they become completely unrecoverable by any software; You can securely delete any existing file or folder so it becomes unrecoverable by any software Would this make REVO complementary to CCleaner, or could REVO be used in place of CCleaner ?
...See More
Help! I've been hijacked!
Q
Comments (32)
Who cares about the past. Hmmm... Very flip. "Those who forget about the past are doomed to repeat it." I'm with you, DA_McCoy. Just ask my lyin' cheatin' POC now-ex-DH. (BTW: Kharma in action: He's fat and his hairline has migrated, which he's trying to hide with the comb-over he once ridiculed. I guess he's forgotten about the past.) 'Nuff said. I, too have always been a Norton fan. in the early 2000s, though, I had a very odd thing happen. Twice. I was having serious system trouble and for some reason or another I decided to follow Norton instructions and uninstall and reinstall my Norton Anti-virus. It followed some path and deleted my profile. Which included all my not-so-well backed up documents (years of them) my Favorites/Bookmarks, and everything stored in my profile. I recreated, but again, with whatever trouble I was having, working with their reps, I un/reinstalled. Gone again. Of course, they didn't dare tell me (this time) that it didn't happen, just that it "shouldn't have" happened. Huh? Well.... But that was then and this is now. Zep516, I'm glad you said that about flushing the restore points. I hesitated my finger over that button, but my logic told me the same thing. I had used a month old restore point. Given the fact I thought my McAfee was working for over a month, though, I probably did as you described. After reinstalling the program to replace missing or corrupt files (yes, in my Anti-virus) McAfee told me itself it hadn't run a scan in a month. So there you have it. I've been flying along, though. Things are going well and I continue to appreciate the help! I did join the board you recommended and am reading. You never know when I might lose my mind again.
...See More
gale_t
Original Author
14 years ago
I'm glad I checked in here before download WinZip again. DA, Revo is awesome! Tks, again.

snidely, I didn't know that about Windows 7. That's great. 'Preciate info about the unwanted toolbar, too. Revo didn't get rid of that for some reason.
Elmer J Fudd
14 years ago
Hadn't heard of Revo before, but looking at the website, I'm wondering what need it fills.

Windows does an adequate job of removing most files on an uninstall. Many programs will uninstall themselves. The few relics that are left behind are usual small and harmless. When not, and it's something recently installed, Windows Restore will always roll back to the PC's status before the install.
owbist
14 years ago
Snidely Revo is a heave duty program remover. You may have had times when removing using the Add/Remove feature did not do the whole job, Revo would have done that.

May I suggest you try removing a program using Revo to experience it's capabilities, including entries in the Registry. You can the re-install the program if you need it.
DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
Windows does not have an uninstaller. What it does have is a pointer via the Control Panel to the application's uninstaller.

REVO firsts creates a restore point then uses the target application's uninstaller. It then searches for orphaned folders, files, registry entries, etc. An option is provided whether to remove them or not. There is no backup.

Sometimes REVO does not detect anything additional. Sometimes there are just a few. Other times there are many. These are normally deeply configured applications. I used it to remove Word once and it showed almost 2000 orphaned entries. I just used it on FoxIt Reader and it had 463.

DA

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Fridge, Inside and Out

By Bonnie McCarthy

Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and lose those ‘UFOs’

MOST POPULAR 5 Ways to Pare Down Your Stuff — Before It Gets in the Door

By Laura Gaskill

Want to free up some room around the house? Rethink gift giving, give yourself a shopping mantra and just say, ‘No, thank you’ to freebies

DECLUTTERING 9 Exit Strategies for Your Clutter

By Alison Hodgson

How to efficiently — and regularly — rid your home of the things you don’t want

MATERIALS Are You a Maker? Show Us Your Favorite Tool or Material

By Annie Thornton

Houzz Call: A tool or material can be a maker’s best friend. We’d like to see your favorite — and what it helps you achieve

DECORATING PROJECTS What to Do With Old Family Photos

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Find out how to research, share and preserve images that offer a connection to the past

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: An Energy-Efficient Home for 3 Generations

By Lunchbox Architect

This Australian house takes sustainability and accessibility to a new level

DECORATING GUIDES Uncover Your Junk's Hidden Decorating Potential — Scads of DIY Ideas

By Samantha Schoech

Release your typewriter's inner planter or a drum set's coffee table. These creative ideas will have you seeing the possibilities

ORGANIZING How Much Stuff Is Enough?

By Laura Gaskill

Play the numbers game to streamline your belongings, for a neater home and a less-stressed you

DENS AND LIBRARIES How to Care for Your Home Library

By Laura Gaskill

Increase your enjoyment of books with these ideas for storing, stacking and displaying them

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

Sponsored

More Discussions

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1