manually uninstall PCtools spyware

[Krokranski]

Somehow uninstalling PC Tools Spyware Doctor went wrong. How can I manually uninstall PC Tools Spyware Doctor? When I try to reinstall PC Tools Spyware Doctor I got a message that there is a newer version that have to reinstalled first. Well, I can't. I already deleted all registry keys and folders I could find referring to pctools, but somehow there are still some traces on my pc. What information does the setup uses for checking whether there is a newer version on the pc?

[AChen]

Hi Krokranski,

Please see instructions below:

1. Click on the Start button. The Start menu will appear.
2. Select ''Shut Down'' from the menu (''Turn off Computer'').
The 'Shut Down Windows' dialog box will appear.
3. Select ''Shut down'' (or, ''Turn Off'') and click the Yes (or OK) button.
4. When the computer starts back up, begin immediately by pressing the F8 key repeatedly until the Windows Startup menu appears with various options.
5. By using the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard, select 'Safe Mode'.
Do not select 'Safe Mode with networking' or any other modes.
6. Login to your account (if asked).
7. Wait and eventually Windows will start in Safe Mode.
8. Navigate to the Spyware Doctor folder (which by default would be under 'C:\Program Files') please delete this folder.
9. Select Start>Run
10. Type in regedit and click OK
11. Please locate the following keys and remove them:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCTools\Spyware Doctor
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PCTools\Spyware Doctor
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Spyware Doctor

[redwolfe_98]

i hate to hear that SD 5.5 will not properly uninstall, if this is a common problem.. if this is a common problem, i hope pctools will look into fixing it..

i have seen other programs that will not properly uninstall ("ad-aware 2007", "superantispyware 3.x", "tuneup-utilities 2007")and i think it is a problem with the way that these programs are using "microsoft installer", or it is some other problem with the "microsoft installer"..

[Krokranski]

Thanks Anthony, I will give it a try when I am back home.

What still surprises me is that I tried to reinstall the latest version from the website, but wasn't successful, because I got an error message that a newer version was already installed. What newer version? Can you reveal what information the setup uses for checking whether there is a newer version on the pc?

I did not say that the uninstall procedure is malfunctioning, I'm afraid I did something stupid, but I forgot what I did precisely.