I customize my start menu. I put Ad-Aware SE into a System Folder in the start->program Files->system.

All my system programs go in there. but every time I start Ad-Aware it makes a new folder with all its icons.

Why am I not allowed to customize my own system the way I want. Why does it matter now since the latest version update of ad-aware forcing us to have it in the root folder of Program Files in the start menu.

Let us customize it the way we want.

Disappointed

Michelle

Edit: sorry about the other two post the submit button stuck and ended saying could not connect. so did not know they actually went through

Doesn't anyone else notice this problem?

Don't the Developers answer these concerns?

Hello

This is not normal behaviour, what version of Ad-Aware do you use? Do you use any other security software, especially software that monitors the registry system files etc.

/Daniel

I had the same problem of Lavasoft adding additional start menu items as well as icons to my desktop. This is how I fixed it. I deleted the startup words that the program first added to my computer, and the additional words that Lavasoft added later. I then went to my C drive and under programs found the Lavasoft program. Open it so it shows a list of all the programs and files in Lavasoft. Highlight the program that says Ad-Aware. Right click and make a Shortcut of this program. Move this Shortcut (Shortcut to Ad-Ware) to where you want it in your regular programs start menu. I changed the name to just Ad-Ware. You should now be able to run Ad-Ware without adding new items to your start programs or to your desk top. I hope this works for you.

I forgot to mention that you also need to do the above to the start menu item AdWare Manual. When completed, my start menu now shows Lavasoft Ad-Aware as the main group folder, and inside this is three items - AdAware, Manual, and Uninstall.
I am sure that there are many different ways to do what I did above, such as copying the file instead of making a shortcut. Do what ever works for you. Good Luck. Ralph

The only secruity programs I run are AVG FREE and my NVidia onboard firewall.

For the other suggestion I should not have to delete and make short cuts and move things around. Ad-Aware should not remake files That I have move or delete.

For Lavasoft to do this is making them more nad more like microsoft. who believe they have a right to tell you how things should be.

Hope lavasoft fixes this or I will look for another program.

Having the same problem starting about 2 weeks ago. I keep my Start icons separated by Program type, Manuals and Uninstalls. I do not want a Lavasoft group, per se. I also severely limit the Icons on my Desktop. For the last couple weeks, every time I run Ad-Aware, I get a new Icon on my desktop, and a new Lavasoft group in my Start menu. How do I get rid of this action. I don't want to have to do a cleanup every time I run Ad-aware.

Edit: Running SE Personal under XP. Uninstalled it and re-installed on 3/8/07. Still having the same problem.

More experimentation.

If I leave an empty "Lavasoft Ad-aware SE Personal" group in my Start Menu, I do not get a new Desktop icon and the group does not get repopulated with the program, help and uninstall icons. If I remove the group icon, I get both a desktop icon and a fully populated Start group when I run Ad-aware. Would prefer not having to retain a phoney empty group!

I am unable to make this happen on my system, I renamed the ad-aware group, started ad-aware, exited ad-aware, no changes were made. Did I miss a step?

Try reinstalling the current version of Ad-Aware. I did not start having the problem until I re-ran the install about two weeks ago. I thought you had done a new release and tried to upgrade to a new version. Turned out that I already had the latest version installed.

Excuse me, are we going to fix this problem, which I am having too, or just hope it goes away.

As an afterthought:

It took almost almost an hour to receive my validation E-Mail

This E-Mail address, admin@lavasoftsupport.com , which came directly from your website, is invalid

Lastly, this page, as most of your pages, has no return to home page capability. Real pain in the &^%

My suspicion at this point is I will soon become a non user.

No great loss, free software, one out of millions.

Lastly, as a general question, why am I limited to 4 emoticons. If it a message size issue, maybe understandable. If not a size issue, then why.

If you sense an attitude, I will gladly explain. I am tired of being fed this pipe dream about how much freedom computers allow me, when the plain and simple fact is I am constantly being told my format, expressions, language, and verbosity is unacceptable.

After all this, can we find a solution to the original problem, because I will not reinstall this program, or even consider using it again, until something other than a ridiculous work-around is posted.

Going back to my previous paragraph, if this message is edited, I will instantly be a non-user

So ad-aware puts it's files back in the default location when you reinstall it? This seems to be normal behavior to me. A new install of ad-aware only comes out once in a rare while, so it doesn't seem like a huge problem to me.

Sorry, you have misunderstood.

My problem is every time I start up the application it reinstalls itself in the default location in the start menu.

If it only happened when upgrading, absolutely not, it would not and should not be a problem.

Thanks

Brian

Actualy I was talking to the person who posted before you.

The problem you are having is very odd and hard to make sense of. What exactly has to be done other than to open ad-aware to cause it to recreate those start menu entries? Does it happen if you uninstall ad-aware and rename it's settings folder (C:\Documents and Settings\|usernamehere|\Application Data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware)? Does it happen on all user accounts and all systems?

Actualy I was talking to the person who posted before you.

"""Actually, I would just like the problem fixed."""

The problem you are having is very odd and hard to make sense of.

What exactly has to be done other than to open ad-aware to cause it to recreate those start menu entries?

"""I have no idea what you mean here. I start the program, and it reinstalls the default entries in the start menu. I did not start a new topic on this because I beleived my problem is identical to this topic."""

Does it happen if you uninstall ad-aware and rename it's settings folder (C:\Documents and Settings\|usernamehere|\Application Data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware)?

"""I have not done so, nor will I do so. I am not looking for a work around. If it will not install and operate correctly, I wont use it. Until something is posted that offers some explanation I wont reinstall it. Perhaps in your suggestion is an explanation. If so I missed it. Could you elaborate????

Does it happen on all user accounts and all systems?

"""Stand alone PC, Single user, one account."""

Operating System, WinXP Home Edition
Norton System Works, 2004
Spybot ( I have not noticed any conflicts or interoperability problems between AdAware and this Spyware program, and I have had them both installed for a few years)

In addition, I am in the process of rebuilding my system (software wise). Naturally this a long process involving the reinstallation of numerous programs.

Has something happened to the AdAware installation. Yes, I believe so, but it is hard to pin down, and cannot be corrected easily, as I have tried to reinstall AdAware. I do not want to explore some work around because I do not want to spend the time doing it.

However, if there is a location and something specific you would like to check, I will be glad to do it, but please offer some explanation as to what you are looking for. and what effect is expected or possible.

As a final thought, is it possible that a customization of the start menu has caused AdAware to become confused.

What I mean is this. If you go into Documents and Settings, there are 3 users listed
All Users
Myself
Default User

If somebody has created a new folder in the Start Menu under all users and then moved the AdAware icons into this new folder, is it possible that every time AdAware starts up it sees that there are no icons in the start menu under Myself and recreates them.

And before you get too excited and automatically leap on this as the exact problem, this has been done before numerous times and I have not noticed this problem before. But maybe it is the problem?

I do not recall, does AdAware give the option of selecting single user or all users during install?

Could it be installing under single user when in fact it should be installing under all users?

Had the same problem here - every time I clicked my shortcut to use Ad-Aware (build 1.06r1), a new link on the desktop would be created, and a new lavasoft program group created in the start menu program list (if they were not already there). Like others here, I have my own preference as to how things are set up on my PC, which means I did not want a shortcut from my desktop, and I had the lavasoft program group sitting inside another folder in my start menu programs list titled 'security', along with all my other similar applications.

This issue had not been a problem until I recently did a complete fresh install of XPpro SP2, and hence a fresh install of Ad-aware. I had the same version of Ad-aware prior to the XPpro reinstall and did not have this problem, but I had used older versions of Ad-aware previously too, so it seems this issue only happens on FRESH installs of Ad-aware, not upgrades. Before someone mentions it, deleting just the C:lavasoft folder and reinstalling it may not necessarily constitute a fresh install - there are still related files in the C:DocumentsAndSettings Application Data folder, and no doubt stuff left in the registry.

Anyway I managed to fix the problem similar to what was previously suggested. With Ad-aware NOT running, I deleted the desktop shortcut and moved the start menu program group into my custom 'security' folder where I wanted it. I then went to the Lavasoft/Ad-aware Se Personal folder on the C drive (or wherever you may have installed it), right-clicked on the Ad-aware.exe icon and created a shortcut in that same folder. That shortcut by default is labeled 'Shortcut to Ad-aware.exe'. I renamed the shortcut to just 'Ad-aware' by personal choice. I then dragged that shortcut to another folder where I wanted it, which will still leave a shortcut sitting in the Lavasoft/Ad-aware Se Personal folder.. do NOT delete it, just leave it there. That seemed to fix it. When I open Ad-aware now, no desktop shortcut is created, and no new program group is created in the root start/programs file.

Ideally this workaround should not be necessary in the first place, but that's how it is for now - perhaps the new version currently in beta will resolve it. Hope that helps.

It's very difficult to make sense of what you are saying when your ignore the forums quote system and mix your replies with what you are replying to.

More detail is needed to figureout why it is happening.

The person who created this topic had a similar symptom, but it turned out it was just from reinstalling ad-aware. You can never tell if you have the exact same problem.

What we were trying to do is rule out some bizzare (corrupted) setting in your ad-aware settings file so we can narrow down what it was. If you are not willing to try anything and no-one else has the same problem how are we supposed to narrow down it's cause?

Does symantec still even support a version of norton that old? Are your virus scan definations up to date and not expired?


It isn't like we know the cause and we are suggesting work arounds as a solution, we are trying work arounds to see if they have any effect, which would point to the cause that is unknown at this point

There is an option like that in the ad-aware install, I always use all users install, what have you used, and what effect does uninstalling ad-aware and reinstalling in all user have?

Dear Ai Tak

This will be my last post. I have symptoms similar to the other posts under this topic, that is why all my messages have been posted under this topic.

I am sorry that you feel that I am being less than cooperative, but I feel that the problem is on lavasoft's end, and my computer is not going to be used as a guinea pig.

I am reconsidering my need for AdAware. It rarely, if ever, finds spyware on my computer, and if it wont install correctly, I have little need for it.

I am not sure what your relationship is to Lavasoft, but I have a suggestion. Use your system to experiment. Uninstall Lavasoft, install under single user and see what results you get. Then you can tell us.

I am sorry, but I have spent the last week reloading my operating system, XP Service Pack2, numerous windows updates, not to mention the dozens of programs I use.

I will not at this point use my system for experimentation. Sorry. The best I can offer at this point is what I have already offered. A possible explanation.

If this problem never gets solved, no great loss for me. But I am not troubleshooting Lavasoft's problem. If I had this problem with any other installed program, I might be willing to try something. But a problem with one, and only one program. I will live without it.

As a final question, I have completely uninstalled Lavasoft. Why are there still about 12 to 15 registry entries. What is the potential for left over registry entries interfering with or corrupting a new install?

the problem is that the new "vista"-compatible installers are not compatible with win xp..

you can still download the "old" win xp-compatible "ad-aware" "installers" from "filehippo" or "majorgeeks".. the old installer is approx 2.7 mb.. the new vista-compatible installer, which is causing all of the problems, is 4.12 mb..

i suspect that microsoft is largely responsible for these problems..

Ad-Aware SE Start Menu Fix

If you are like me, I make my own Start Menu Folder for program grouping. Some of you I know have noticed that Ad-Aware SE keeps installing a Desktop Icon & a new Start Menu folder.

When I checked the properties of the "Ad-Adware SE Personal" icon I noticed that it does not lead to the target/exacute file "Ad-Aware.exe". It shows this "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal". Notice there is no "Ad-Aware.exe" at the end of the target. You will also notice that the properties window is grayed out and will not allow you to change the target.

If you have moved Lavasoft's Start Menu Icon Folder, DO NOT change or delete the original shortcut. Now here's the fix.

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal

2. Right click on the "Ad-Aware.exe" file and creat shortcut.

3. Rename it "Ad-Aware SE Personal"

4. Use the "Move this file" in the File and Folder Tasks on the left.

Click on...

+ Local Disk (C:)
+ Documents and Folders
+ All Users
+ Start Menu
+ Programs
+ Your XXX named Folder

Click on (Hi-light) the Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal folder

Then click on the Move button. Let it overwrite the orginal shortcut. DONE. Now if you check the shortcut properties you will see this "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal\Ad-Aware.exe" in the target window and nothing will be greyed out.

Hope this helps you all.

That sounds like a microsoft custom shortcut that triggers the windows installer subsystem that checks if an install of a program is broken before running the target program when the shortcut is run, if it seems broken to it runs the repair for that installer package.

We go round and round on this, and you have no suggestions on how to fix this.

I am going to contact Lavasoft directly, because you seem to be the only one responding to our posts, and you have no solution.

I'm not even sure you even really understand the underlying problem.

I am going to have to be real courteous here. Here goes.

Excuse me, may I politely ask if this problem has been resolved??

Love and kisses.

""Jeez""

That solution that seems to work is to delete your old shortcut to ad-aware and make a completely new one.

one solution is to use the old ad-aware installer which can be downloaded from either "file hippo" or from "majorgeeks" instead of the new installer that was uploaded to "download.com" on feb 12th, 2007.. the old installer is 2.72 mb while the new one, which is causing the problems, is 4.12 mb..

yes, you can delete the shortcuts and create a new one that works right, but, since the new installer does not properly install ad-aware, the uninstall process will not work properly, either, though i don't think that that is a big problem: you can simply delete the ad-aware files if you want to "uninstall" ad-aware and the uninstall-process does not run properly.. (look at the instructions in lavasoft's FAQ's, for manually uninstalling ad-aware)

i liked ai_tek's comment about a "microsoft custom shortcut..that triggers a repair install".. yes, something like that is happening.. i have seen the same thing (on my computer) with MS "word" (after installing the updates, from MS office updates), "ad-aware"-with the new installer, "tuneup utilities 2007", and "superantispyware build 3.5" (there still seems to be a problem with SAS build 3.6, but at least the shortcut for the program does not trigger a "repair install" the way that it did with SAS build 3.5)..

there is something going on, here, with these new installers.. i am going to hate it if i see the same problem with other program-installers, in the future.. incidentally, i did notice that at least "intel" did not try to "rig" their installers to work with both win xp and vista at the same time, but they have seperate installers for each.. that is what we need, program-installers that are designed to work right with win xp, as they have, up until "vista" came along, and vendors can have seperate installers that are designed to work with vista..

The problem with using the old installer is that a fix for the goofy earthlink dns servers was released in the form of a new Ad-Aware SE main exe file.

Exactly what issues are you having with uninstalling when you installed with the new msi style installer?

"Exactly what issues are you having with uninstalling when you installed with the new msi style installer?"

when i run the uninstall, from "add/remove", instead of the program's uninstalling, what seems to run is a "repair install".. after running the supposed "uninstall", all of the ad-aware-files are left in "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal", and the files are left in the "application data" folder, too, in "C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Lavasoft"..

OS: XP Pro SP2

The popular "create/edit shortcut and move this and that" workaround does NOT work for me, nor does uninstalling/reinstalling. Nothing keeps the Winblows loader from "configuring" Ad-aware, which means it keeps recreating the desktop icon and program files group if I don't leave those alone. This was not a problem with previous versions and it's very annoying, as many can attest to. I've always like Ad-aware because it scans relatively quickly, but as there ARE alternatives out there, I won't bother with this scanner anymore unless and until they release a version that doesn't suffer from this quirk. It reminds me too much of what I hate about MS -- decreasing level of choice. Just my $0.02 worth.

I hope you don't mind my 2 cents, but using the name SYSTEM for a folder sounds like trouble.
I can see where at some point, somebody will get confused. Just a thought.
I have a desktop2 folder with a shortcut to it in the top of the start menu. It lets all the desktop icons
be grouped, and system startup is much faster. You might try using SYSTEMPGMS or SYSTEMUTILS
forr a name. Just some thoughts. Computers don't work the way we want much of the time.
Good Luck!
P.S. I am not with Lavasoft.

I had the same problem that has been discussed in this post - the same one that bkmtech was having.
The fix posted by Chrisatrax on March 26th worked perfectly for me and took less than a minute to do. Thanks!

I hope the developers will keep this problem in mind when the next version is released.

Update:


<snip>...

MS is as MS does; this workaround does in fact work for me. I performed the exact same procedure as before and hadn't changed a thing relative to Ad-Aware between the failed attempts and this last one which worked -- Winblows simply decided to allow it this time. Corrupt registry? My reg cleaners didn't seem to think so. Corrupt system files? My syscheckers didn't seem to think so. Something works one day and doesn't the next, or vice-versa; glorious is the world of MS, eh?