Newly discovered bug in Ad-Aware 2007, Problems uninstalling? Options

[LS CalamityJane]

We have just discovered a bug in Ad-Aware 2007 that is caused by an update to Internet Explorer 7 ((Update MS08-78 (KB960714)) and that may be what you are encountering if it is not working properly and you are getting errors on uninstall or the service not running.

Resolution: Update to the newest version Ad-Aware AE does resolve the problem for most.



For XP users:
First use the Add/Remove programs option (XP) and locate Ad-Aware 2007 in the list. Highlight it and select *remove*

If it will not uninstall, please try these steps next

1. Go to Start, then Run and type in the box: services. msc

Locate the Lavasoft Ad-aware 2007 Service in the list.



Choose *Stop* the service that you see in the left hand pane. Close that and then run the uninstaller again.

2. Go to *Start* > *Run* and type in the box: msconfig
This should bring up the Windows System Configuration Utility
Go to the *Services* tab and locate Ad-Aware 2007 Service and uncheck it and then press *ok*



Re-Start the computer.
After restart, use Add/Remove programs in the Control panel and choose to uninstall or remove Ad-Aware 2007.


3. If still no joy, try using a free windows tool from Microsoft to uninstall Ad-Aware for you.

(Make sure you have stopped the service first as above)

Download Windows Installer CleanUp Utility from : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

And then install it on your computer.

After installing the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility you can run the utility from the Start menu ( image attached).




That will present a list of programs installed on your computer. Select Ad Aware 2007 (only! do not select any other programs listed) from the list: ( image attached again) and press remove



You can then delete these folders (if found)

C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Lavasoft\MiniMessage

Note the Application Data folder is a hidden folder by default in Windows. You may need to configure your PC to show hidden files to see it:

Windows XP
Click Start.

Open My Computer.

Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.

Select the View Tab.

Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Show hidden files and folders.

Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.

Click Yes to confirm.

Click OK.

.......................................................

For Vista users:

1. First you must stop the ad-aware service from running. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + delete) and find aawservice.exe in the list. Highlight it and press *End Process*. Close Task Manager



Alternatively, you can also use the Windows System Configuration Utility to stop and disable the service
a. In the search bar of Windows Start menu type : msconfig
and press Enter
b. In the "System Configuration Utility" window that opens up, go to "Services" tab, and un-check "Ad Aware 2007 Service" from the start up menu and re-start your system.

2. Now proceed with the Ad Aware 2007 un-installation
Go to the Program and Features option (Vista) in the Control Panel and locate Ad-Aware 2007 in the list. Highlight it and use the *uninstall* option.

If it still will not uninstall, please try these steps next

3. Try using a free windows tool from Microsoft to uninstall Ad-Aware for you.

(Make sure you have stopped the service first as above)

Download Windows Installer CleanUp Utility from : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

And then install it on your computer.

After installing the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility you can run the utility from the Start menu ( image attached).




That will present a list of programs installed on your computer. Select Ad Aware 2007 (only! do not select any other programs listed) from the list: ( image attached again) and press remove



4. You can then delete these folders (if found):

C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007

C:\Program Data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007

C:\Program Data\Lavasoft\MiniMessage

Note the Program Data folder is a hidden folder by default in Windows. You may need to configure your PC to show hidden files to see it.

Reconfigure Windows Vista to show hidden files:
To enable the viewing of Hidden files follow these steps:
•Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
•Open the Control Panel menu and click Folder Options.
•After the new window appears select the View tab.
•Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled Display the contents of system folders.
•Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
•Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
•Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
•Press the Apply button and then the OK button and exit My Computer.
•Now your computer is configured to show all hidden files.

.................
Then see if you can install Ad-Aware AE from the following location.

http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware.php


Edit: Added to instruction to look for Ad-Aware 2007 folder in Application Data and also Vista instructions)
Edit 2: More specific instructions including Windows Installer Cleanup Utility
Edit 3: Included instructions to stop the service before uninstalling - XP and Vista
Edit 4: Latest version of Ad-Aware is Adaware AE

This post has been edited by LS CalamityJane: Feb 10 2009, 08:52 PM