Norton Systemworks 2005 uninstall quandary

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knows the key to getting everything 'Norton' or 'Symantec; off of your computer, without messing anything up.

I used add/remove programs to uninstall Syatemworks 2005, as I was sick of all the problems it caused, but many have told me that that method never fully removes everything, and you have to go through the registry, and do searches for anything 'Norton' and 'Symantec' then delete etc etc etc. Now, is this true...and, how can this be done safely? I used to have a manuel uninstall tutorial for all versions of systemworks, but I cannot find it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

OOps, I forgot to add, -- I have Norton Go Back Deluxe, v. 3.2, installed on my computer (I ordered and installed it when it was owned by Roxio), and that's the one 'NOW Norton' program I want to keep,

 

>> I used add/remove programs to uninstall Syatemworks 2005, as I was sick of all the problems it caused... many have told me that that method never fully removes everything, and you have to go through the registry... how can this be done safely? << Lisa171

Hi Lisa...

Try the freeware utility called CCleaner which will clean all the "leftovers" on your system. You can download it for FREE right here at Major Geeks. If you haven't already installed it; you should definitely give it a try. It is very easy to use.

It also offers several options like removing registry entries that go nowhere and works wonders removing other various program 'leftovers' that are obsolete, or aren't listed in Add/Remove after you attempt to uninstall programs and utilities.

Note: Click here for a Quick Tutorial/Tour regarding how to use CCleaner after it is installed. Use both the CLEANER and ISSUES options to thoroughly clean out anything that may have left behind after you uninstalled Systemworks 2005.

Good Luck!

 

Thank you, Comp. I do have CCleaner, and I use it every day. It was configured for me by someone here who helped me with another problem not too long ago. Should I still follow this tutorial, in case something that should be checked, isn't? I was pretty sure I had everything the way it should be. Here's how I have it set up, in the screen captures below.

 

>> Should I still follow this tutorial, in case something that should be checked, isn't? I was pretty sure I had everything the way it should be. Here's how I have it set up, in the screen captures below. << Lisa171

Your attached screen capture pictures show the "Cleaner" button options.
In order to clean the leftovers in the registry, you need to use the "Issues" button options.

(1) Open CCleaner.
(2) Click on the "Issues" button (which is below the "Cleaner" button)
(3) Check every option in the "Registry Integrity" section
(4) Click the two entries in the "File Integrity" section.
(5) Then click the "Scan for Issues" button and wait until the Progress Bar reaches 100%
(6) Finally, click on "Fix Selected Issues…" This will effectively clean all your possible registry leftovers.

Note: If there are NO leftovers from the Systemworks 2005 uninstall - it will show nothing after you click the "Scan for Issues" button when the Progress Bar reaches 100%.

Good Luck!

 

WOW...I had a ton of 'issues', so much so, that naturally, it asked me if I was 'sure' I wanted to fix everything. I didn't make a backup, and now I wish I did! In any event, I fixed all, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nothing in my registry was screwed up once all those 'issues' were deleted!..LOL

 

>> WOW...I had a ton of 'issues', so much so, that naturally, it asked me if I was 'sure' I wanted to fix everything. << Lisa171

Great! Glad it worked for you...

I forgot to mention that you might want to run steps 1 thru 6 listed above another time; just to make sure you got everything. Sometimes when there are so many issues listed; CCleaner doesn't get them all the first time around. This is particularly true if you have never used the "Issues" button options before; because these issues tend to add up over time.

Regarding Utilizing 'Back Up' Options: Whenever you are unfamiliar with exactly what a program can do [especially "cleaner" related applications]; it is always a good idea to create a backup; especially if that program offers an 'easy-to-use' backup option or to Create a System Restore Point - just in case something goes wrong during or after the cleaning process.

But don't worry, CCleaner is fairly safe to use. I've used it since it was a BETA (testing) version and I've never had any problems with it. I actually test freeware programs all the time; so I'm always installing, uninstalling, and reinstalling utilities and programs and then using CCleaner “Issues” option to clean up all the mess that is created. The program is not as aggressive as many of these types of "drive cleaners" because CCleaner only goes after registry entries that are dead or lead to nowhere.

Note: Additionally, there is another NEW registry freeware clean-up tool called Eusing Free Registry Cleaner which is also a great tool for scanning and then cleaning out 'everyday' dead registry entries. This program creates a backup each time you use it and has a button labeled: "Restore Previous Registry" just in case you want to restore the previous backup.

Good Luck!

 

Thank you, Comp!! I have GoBack, so I noted the exact time I ran the CCleaner, in case anything does go wrong. DUH, how could I forget that I have that? LOL..so I feel a little better. The only thing I noticed is a slight lag in opening my browser, sporadically, but that's nothing, and it seems like something that will be ok in the long run..as it's been happening less and less in the past hour.

Now, as for the Registry Cleaner, when you say it's 'free', does that mean totally free, or, it will only fix half of what it finds, then encourage you to purchase the full version to the fix the rest? I purchased RegMechanic about a year ago, and after one full year, they emailed me, telling me that I had to pay again to purchase the upgrade/update for it! I did not, but I still use the one I have, and I used it before you mentioned CCleaner's registry fixing capacites. SO, all in all, I'm guessing I've pretty much cleared out all the Norton residue!

Having said all that, if during a search, I still find Norton and Symantec files and folders, can they be deleted safely?

 

>> Thank you, Comp!! Now, as for the Registry Cleaner, when you say it's 'free', does that mean totally free, or, it will only fix half of what it finds, then encourage you to purchase the full version to the fix the rest? I still find Norton and Symantec files and folders, can they be deleted safely? << Lisa171

Oh, anytime Lisa… My pleasure really! Happy to help you out here…

Regarding your question about those cleaners; both of the programs that I mentioned earlier CCleaner as well as the Eusing Free Registry Cleaner are currently freeware [with no limitations on their usage]. Also, neither contains any "so called" Spyware or Adware; which is a lousy way that some freeware developers fund development. As far as I know, neither developer is planning on making them shareware or 'trial versions', but you never know what will happen in the future.

As for safely getting rid of any leftover Norton and Symantec files and folders; since you have removed the main programs, you shouldn't have any problems simply deleting them. If you do, there is a relatively new and very handy freeware utility called "Unlocker" which (once installed) adds an explorer extension that allows the user - with a simple right-click of the mouse on a file or folder - to delete that file or folder either immediately or on the next boot. The most current version of this "Unlocker" utility will delete most locked files [and most folders as well] which produce error messages when you try to delete them. According to the developer, Unlocker only works with WinXP and Win2000.

Very Important Note: Use great caution whenever deleting files and folders which you are entirely unfamiliar with. Deleting "unknown" files - and especially Windows 'system files' [as well as programs that have not yet been entirely uninstalled] can cause a great deal of havoc on your system - either immediately or even much later on down the line.

As a precaution always make sure to Create a System Restore Point before you attempt to delete any unknown files. This will allow you to return your computer settings to the state your PC was in - prior to deleting. It takes like 30 seconds to perform a System Restore Point and can save you many hours of headaches and frustration; should something unforeseen go wrong during the installation process.

I use another tiny freeware utility called System Restore Point Creator in order to quickly create System Restore Points whenever I choose - without having to hunt down the System Restore Utility in the Start > Programs > Accessory folder. It takes like 5 seconds using this utility!

You can also use this utility for scheduling a system restore point creation every day, week, etc. I don't have the link to that program handy here; but you can find it through a Google search of "System Restore Point Creator" [Hint: use the quotation marks when you search Google for it].

Good Luck!

 

That's so sweet and fantastic that you take great -pleasure in helping novices such as myself, remedy their computer problems. Kudos to you!

Now, I forgot to mention, I'm still using Windows 98se, so I don't have that XP restore point, which is why I use GoBack. GoBack saves a bunch of safe points, so I can always revert back to one of those if my computer starts misbehaving!

I'm definitely going to download that Registry cleaner, and ditch the RegMechanic. Also, I installed the free AVG by Grisoft, due to many recommendations for a free AV program, the only negative being that you can't schedule scans unless you buy the pro version. Do you think that's a good choice for a free AV? I've used nothing but Norton Systemworks since my first PC, about 8 years ago!

Lastly, I don't think the Norton folders are locked. They are just the folders that originally installed with the program. The only qorry I have is a couple Norton zip files. I'm posting a screen shot so you can see. The two below that capture, that you can't see, are Norton Utilities, and Norton AV folders.

OOPS..i didn't mean for the photo to show like that. I didn't do anything different than the last time. My apologies, as I know it's against the rules here!

 

>> Also, I installed the free AVG by Grisoft, due to many recommendations for a free AV program, the only negative being that you can't schedule scans unless you buy the pro version. Do you think that's a good choice for a free AV? << Lisa171

Grisoft AVG FREE Edition isn't bad if you are looking for basic AV protection. AVG free, Antivir and Avast are very all fairly effective. AVG offers automated upgrades and has an email scanner - what you do need – as well as the ability to right-click on any file for an individual scan. However you will find this out – AVG is very much the resource hog; meaning in order to do a full scan you’ll find that it’s difficult to use other programs while AVG is scanning.

I've tested all three of the well-known freeware antivirus programs (AVG, Avast, and Antivir) for extended periods of time. They are all very good programs but Antivir surpassed the others especially when using older pre-XP/2000 Windows systems. If you do not mind upgrading manually every day, Antivir is a perfect solution

AntiVir Personal Edition 7 for Win9x/ME works on Windows 95/98x/Me/SE/NT/2000/XP and is specifically developed for older Windows systems. This is a far superior product as opposed to AVG, in my opinion. By default the program doesn't have Auto Update On but there is an option called AntiVir Scheduler with which you can program when to do the updates. There are daily updates (nut they’re manual), that keeps the product "Up to Date", which means you don't have to worry about the new incoming viruses! New updates are available almost daily at the click of a mouse, so it’s no big deal.

Unlike antivirus like Norton, or McAfee, this particular antivirus does not take lots of system resources (Ram, CPU) to operate. I would say you can run this program and do other plenty of things Win SE and 512MB of ram.

Good Luck!

 

Compuable has offered exceptionale info but the best uninstaller app I have used to date is Your Uninsatller! 2006, this clever app firstly users the apps own uninstaller to remove the app then scans the registry and removes ALL entries and finally searches for any orphaned/assocaited files and removes these as well, 21 day free trial:

http://majorgeeks.com/Your_Uninstaller_2006_d2439.html

Basically it is what is called an uninstaller manager and to give an example of the effectiveness it removed Windows Defender (via normal MS Add/Remove process) but then grabbed an extra 86 Registry entries. I have used it to remove Norton of a laptop, I thought it was way to easy and thus used reg scanners and cleaners plus searched the Task Manager etc etc but COULD NOTFIND a trace. Love this app

 

>> Compuable has offered exceptional info but the best uninstaller app I have used to date is Your Uninstaller! 2006, this clever app firstly users the apps own uninstaller to remove the app then scans the registry and removes ALL entries << Bold Eagle

Agreed! Your Uninstaller! 2006 is an excellent application. Very efficient and easy-to-use.

I currently use a similar $hareware product called Total Uninstall which is also available right here at Major Geeks. First, it creates a "snapshot" of your system prior to installing any new application. Then it takes another snapshot after the installation has completed. Finally Total Uninstall compares the two snapshots and displays all changes in a graphical tree view, marking all registry values and/or files that have been added, changed or deleted and saves these changes and if you decide to uninstall the application, it will reverse the changes to the exact previous state [prior to installing the program].

Side Note: For those who cannot really afford the @$30 bucks it costs for either Your Uninstaller or Total Uninstall - I definitely recommend the tiny freeware utility called Uninstall Tool 1.5.1 which has lots of extra features and useful options that are lacking in the 'ever-buggy' Microsoft Add/Remove applet. This utility will [more often than not] allow deletion of the program even if their uninstaller fails.

Additionally, Total Uninstall is also an excellent "investigative" tool to use even if you do not want to actually uninstall anything at all; as it has the ability to navigate to the selected program's registry entries, installation folder and even its web site! This option is very useful if you ever install something and forget where you got it from; or if you install something and do not remember exactly where the program was installed.

For instance: When you install AVG FREE, by default the program will install itself into a folder named "Grisoft," which can be difficult to remember and find later. Many programs will often name the install folder and provide an abbreviated and/or confusing name for the .exe files as well as other files! The Total Uninstall utility can easily uncover where these 'misnamed' and obscure folders and files are located. It's compatible with Microsoft Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista operating systems.

Good Luck!

 

Wow, it gets even better! The help here is far superior to that of any other technical board. Thank you so much AGAIN, Comp, and thank you, Eagle!

Now, even though I already uninstalled the Systemworks, and cleaned my registry with RegMech and CCleaner, 'should' or 'can' I still use one of those uninstallers to target Norton (remember, I do want to keep my GoBack)? Is that a better way to rid myself of those pesky leftover folders, zips, and god knows what else Norton plants? LOL

Lastly, regarding the free AV program, you see, this is why this forum is so great...you guys know what's better than what everybody else recommends. Well..now I know I'll definitely need the uninstaller for AVG!!

 

EEK, i just did a regedit and searched 'Norton' and 'Symantec' and loads and loads of entries came up. I know it would be risky to simply delete them as they come up. What should I do? Will one of those uninstallers take care of that? Then again, I already uninstalled the program itself! UGh, I'm baffled as to what to do!

 

This is very helpful to me,too, as I'm about to remove Earthlink and was told to run CCleaner when I'm done.

Here's my question: Should I even bother to remove the program manually from my registry? Or is using the add/delete program followed by CCleaner enough?

I run Windows XP2005

 

Okay Lisa the best thing to do is to actually Reinstall both apps if you can and then uninstall thoroughly using one of the mentioned uninstaller managers. If you can't do this and want to ensure you are thorough I would finally use Lexun RegScrubXP to scan the registry and ensure the crud has gone (will make an automatic back up of the reg to restore if needed):

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Lexun_RegScrubXP_d2048.html

writermom I would use an uninstaller manager as stated.

Now the only folders I normally find leftover are those in the startup menus but if you have used above apps then you can safely delete these with a right click.

 

Eagle, that's exactly what I did before I read this post. I used GoBack and went back to a time before I uninstalled NSW. I then dl'ed Your Uninstaller, and uninstalled it using that. Then I cleaned the 'issues' with CCleaner, and used the Eusing free Registry cleaner right after...having both 'fix' all selected problems. Unfortunately, those stupid folders and zips remain, as does the Norton and Symantec registry entries, of which there are tons and tons. I really hate Norton, such a sneaky program!

Lastly, I can't use the program you recommended in the above post, because I'm still on 98se

 

Sorry about that (XP) and yea Norton is a pain in the arse you could drop and drag the pesky files into Your Uninstaller bin.

Okay try this one, RegCleaner supposed to be Win All (all OS) if this one doesn't work there is also EasyCleaner by the same authour off jv16 both freeware:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/RegCleaner_d460.html

If or when Your Uninstaller trial ends try Uninstall Tool that compuable mentioned for the future, good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply, Eagle. I dled and used Regclean. There were no Norton entries to check, but there was a whole list of Symantec, so I checked all of those, and had Regcleaner remove them. Unfortunately, those folders, and most of the Norton registry entries are still there. Apparently a lot of those registry entries seem to pertain to my context menu (???). Same deal with Easyclean.

However, I did delete the Norton Folders, and am keeping them in my Recycle Bin just to wait and see if anything bad happens, but that still doesn't solve all that embedded Norton in my registry, that refuses to budge.*sigh*

 

Lisa, have you tried this http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4749

 

"OOPS..i didn't mean for the photo to show like that. I didn't do anything different than the last time. My apologies, as I know it's against the rules here!"

You're allowed to post pics that way. If you post one pic it shows like that. If you post more than one they show as attachments. You may be thinking of "Hijack This" logs regarding the rules. They have to be attached.

 

Good to see some other advice as my cerebral muscle has reached it's peak here wrt to your dillema so lets hope some more external input will help.

 

Yes, sibeer, that was actually the first thing I tried. All in all, using the RegClean and EasyClean, plus Eusing again, did remove some of the Norton registry entries, but what I can't get rid of is all the Norton AntiVirus folders under contextmenuhandlers, or something like that. There's also remnants of Norton Crash guard, and all kinds of weird Norton files. Most of the Systemworks entries seem to be gone, like Norton Utilities, for instance. They also got rid of those zips.

Also, thanks for heads up on the photo rules, sibeer. NOW I recall it was Hijack This, but at the time, I couldn't remember.

Lastly, thanks so much for your help, Eagle, you got half of the crap off for me

 

I totally forgot to add something in reference to the uninstallers out there. CCleaner also has an uninstall feature in it. Is it any good?

Also, what do you think of manually deleting all those Norton and Symantec registry entries? Of course I would make a backup of the registry first, and make sure I have a safe point set in GoBack, and if all else fails, use scanreg/restore.

Lastly, can anyone here recommend a good defrag program? No matter how many times I try to do a defrag using the Windows defrag option *I was using Norton's Speed disk prior to uninstalling it*, it keeps restarting, even though I end all running applications, (Only Explorer and Systray left) and even shut down my cable connection. I need to defrag badly.

 

been reading your woes regarding NSW2005 uninstall. I have NSW2003 (+Av &FW) on my pc and am dreading the day I have to remove it.

Among the many issues you list, you say that the right click context menu is still showing 'scan with norton antivirus' entry and that you cannot seem to be able to remove it.

Was searching the net and found this page

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

There is a utility called ShellExView which may help you. The whole package is about 45k. Once opened (it does not seem to install itself) you will be faced with much info one of which is the context menu issue (see screenshot on above page).

I have tried it myself and have removed items like winzip and the Nvidia entry from the right click context menu of the desktop.

I does also seem to provide CLID locations so that a manual change/deletion is possible.

May well be worth investigating.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the replies, risk and zb. In my context menu, it does not list NAV, but it's all over my registry as being listed in all context menus. It's just the registry entries I can't get rid of.

Lastly, I started my computer in Safe Mode, and I was able to do a Windows defrag, but god, I forgot how long the Windows program takes! I'll definitely try your recommendation, zb.

 

Have used it once or twice but now I have my copy of Your Uninstaller and will use that for that purpose and CrapCleaner for it's purpose.

Sounds good and like you have it throughly sorted in your head (the most important aspect!), backup, backup, backup.

Yes the Windows Defrag is very inefficient (slow and needs tons of free HDD space, ~15% or 10Gb if I recall correctly). Now Windows uses Diskeeper v6.xx as its onboard defrag app and some GURU at this site recommended I try Diskeeper Lite 7.0 Build 418 (free):

http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1207

This has a newer engine in the software and runs circles around the onboard one. I went from upto 6 hours with old ver to 6 minutes with the above. The best bit is is it just overwrites the older version with the latest and behaves exceptionally well with the OS. Since having this I have also tried O&O > 1 hour straight back to DK Lite. By the way I do it about once to twice a week and system runs LIKE NEW, no imparied or bloated reg.

 

Does Diskkeeper lite work with Windows 98se? If so, you said it will overwrite my current and SLOW Windows defrag program and take over? That would be sweet. I hope I understood correctly.

 

Well from what I have gathered it should be fine have a look at this pic. See if the onboard defrag app has the same icon. I have put the app on XP and ME but no personal experience with SE i'm afraid.

 

Yes DiskKeeper Lite works with Windows 98SE.

BTW, the reason your Windows defrag keeps restarting is because there are active background programs.

Defragging requires exclusive disk access.

To prevent that, either kill background programs using Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete), or defrag in Safe Mode.

 

Yes, Insomniac, if you read above, that's exactly what I did -- started in Safe Mode, and did the defrag without a hitch, except the hours it took, leading me to inquire about a disk defragment program that works faster and in Windows 98se. My only question is..does it take over the slow Windows defrag, or work on it's own, as in clicking open a separate program to start it?

 

The icon in your capture looks very similar to the Windows 98SE defrag. As I said above, I was just wondering if it worked on it's own, or took over the sooo slow windows defrag??..LOL

 

Okay when I installed it replaced any and all icons that the onboard app has plus I placed one in my start menu for easy access. I think it even placed a desktop icon but I dumped that (otherwise have 50-60 icons on screen). Just try it out Lisa and if you don't like it remove with Your Unis.

Important point as I'm sure your aware defrag time is relative to frequency and activity. In otherwords how often and what you are doing (installing many apps will require it). Good Luck, let me know how you get on.

 

I think it writes over the older version and thus replaces it on all levels.

 

Thanks, Eagles..that's exactly what I was hoping for I'll let you know how it goes!

 

If you haven't ever defragged, or it's been a while (and the PC is used regularly), the first time will take a while, regardless of whether it's Windows defrag or Diskeeper.

Having said that, the defrag in Windows 98SE is pretty ordinary.

 

Well..I normally defrag once a week, but I would use the NSW speed disk. Suddenly, about two weeks ago, it kept restarting, like the Windows defrag, and it wouldn't run in safe mode, hence why I finally succumbed to the Windows defrag, after uninstalling NSW. So, to sum it up, it had been two weeks since I did one, but apparently, two weeks can turn your HD into a fragmented fiesta..LOL

In any event, I tried the Disk Keeper Lite, and even though I had already done a windows defrag, it still found a few more fragmented files. It fixed it all up in about 1 minute flat, but I can already tell that it's going to be much faster than the Windows defrag program!

 

I wouldn't steer you wrong purposefully

 

Come on, Eagle, admit it, you don't know me, but you have a secret hankering to screw up every ancient, Windows 98se puter out there

Seriously though, you have been such a great help

 

Geez I've had enough dillemas with XP of late and have had 3 significant OS glitches, had to some pretty serious work within the recovery console and I was really starting to flap there for a moment (hadn't done a back-up for 3 months). But sorted it each and every time and finally got the shop to acknowledge I had a faulty RAM stick. It sucks when you have to PROVE it to them and you end up being able to talk about it more informatively than they.

Good to hear you got it sorted