I want to uninstall PC-anti-spyware program to re-install. Following their directions, opened up PC folder and blocks came up. Can’t remember now but on the bottom were two options and one contained dll. How do I continue to uninstall?

Unfortunately, the application that you thought was going to protect your computer from spyware is actually promoting it. PCAntiSpyware is not a legitimate anti-spyware application despite its attempts to claim that it is. Its removal directions are designed not to work since it is spyware.

What is the PCAntiSpyware program?

If the application that you are trying to uninstall is called “PC-anti-spyware” or PCAntiSpyware program, then you have inadvertently installed a rogue anti-spyware application that you should remove at once. Re-installing it would be a mistake as this application is a form of malware that takes advantage of security holes in your operating system to perform unsolicited functions on your computer such as allowing other forms of malware to enter your computer.

What is Rogue Anti-spyware?

Rogue Anti-spyware is a software application is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is actually a form of malware that attempts to trick computer users into thinking that their machine has numerous virus applications on their computer in order to convince them to purchase a full version of the rogue anti-spyware application.

Removing Rogue Anti-spyware

How you remove rogue anti-spyware is partly a matter of the operating system that you use and partly personal choice. Look through the following options and use the one that best meets your needs. It might be necessary to try more than one of these options in order to remove this application completely.

Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool

If the operating system on your computer is Windows XP or Windows 2000, you have the option to download Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove this particular form of malware as well as any others that exists on your computer.

Microsoft Windows Defender

If the operating system on your computer is Windows Vista, you have the opportunity to download Windows Defender to remove this malware application as well as any other forms of spyware that exist on your computer.

Install a Legitimate Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware Application

No matter what operating system you have installed on your computer, you can purchase a reliable and legitimate anti-spyware/anti-virus application to securely remove this particular form of rogue anti-spyware. ParetoLogic Anti-Virus Plus is one such application that I can recommend. You can find out more information on it at the following link: Anti-Virus Plus. Additionally, you can use it for a free trial run that will allow you to see whether or not the application will be able to remove the PCAntiSpyware program.

Remove PCAntiSpyware program in Safe Mode

If you boot up in safe mode and attempt to use the add/delete program utility, you might be able to delete it from your computer. However, the only way to know if this has worked is to reboot your computer and see if the application comes back or not. To boot up into safe mode, press the “F8″ key as soon as you turn the computer on.

When Program Uninstalls Fail

Most of the time, removing programs from your computer is no big deal

In most cases, Windows Add/Remove application is a useful tool for this job.

First Reinstall the Program and then Try Uninstalling Again

Beginning in your Start menu, you can see all the programs that are installed on your system by selecting Settings, then Control Panel, then Add Remove Program. At this point you can remove the programs that you no longer want. If the program is still showing up on your system after you use the Add/Remove function, it might be unable to completely uninstall if it is unable to find an important file. To check this possibility, reinstall the program, then uninstall it again and see if it is gone.

When Windows Add/Remove Programs Fails

There are some adware and spyware programs that are designed to fragment and disperse on your computer and can be very difficult to remove. In this case you can try a good anti-adware and spyware security program like XoftSpy or AdAware. If you are having trouble with a specific program, visit the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting and tips.

Unwelcome Programs

Some programs, like new versions of operating systems, come packed with various trial versions of other programs that load automatically with the primary program and lodge in the autorun list for constant advertising. In such cases, the programs can be designed to ignore and refuse attempts at uninstallation until the user agrees to reinstall, purchase or renew the program.

Risky- This is where you need a good Uninstaller

In cases like these, you might have to remove the registry key, which basically means removing the computer’s note to itself about the program that is stored in the registry. Every time that your computer uses a program, a little bit of it is logged and stored on your registry, basically a catalogue of the system’s processes. To make sure that the program has been completely removed, you can manually remove it by modifying the registry.

Back it up Mister

Before making any changes to your registry, make a back up of the current settings. In case something goes wrong, you want to reserve the option to restore the current settings and save the computer’s knowledge of your specifications and preferences.

Uninstaller Program Try this one

A number of un-installation programs are available to download or buy online. These programs are able to search, find and remove data more efficiently and more completely than Windows Add/Remove, without the risks and technological know-how required to manually edit the registry. In addition to these features, many uninstallers include other useful tools like managers for your autorun list, Windows tools, Internet browse history and so on. We suggest Perfect Uninstaller to do forced uninstalls for you automatically.

How do I resolve partial uninstalls?

Even with the best intentions at hand, I sometimes encounter small dilemmas with my computer. In fact, sometimes when I venture to uninstall a particular software application, I end up with leftover files, folders, and more. Why is this?

Some software programs are like pests, no matter how hard I try, they keep showing up. This simply means that I need to take a new strategy and exercise a bit of determination. I have learned that one of the first steps to take is to realize that this is not a problem. In fact, it is a common occurrence that happens all the time to all kinds of people including me.

Sometimes attempting to uninstall a program while the computer is in safe mode will resolve any issues that I have had with uninstalling software. Understanding what happens when a program is installed onto your computer will better enable you to understand what needs to happen in order for it to become completely uninstalled.

When you install a program onto your computer, several things usually happen. The software receives a destination on your hard drive for its location, where many of its files will be stored. Plus, shared data might also be installed into various spots on the computer’s hard drive.

Additionally, some software programs require background processes to run in order for them to work. Therefore, files might be placed into your computer’s start up folder so that these background processes will launch when you boot up your computer. Finally, changes are often made to the computer’s registry. All of this needs to be modified when you decide to uninstall the software.

Some of the most common items left behind after a partial install are various files, folders, or shortcuts. Typically, these items can be sent to the recycle bin and deleted once they have been identified. In some cases, you will even note that the folders are empty.

Shared files are usually more trouble if they are removed when they are actually needed rather than if they are allowed to remain when they are no longer needed. I always opt to allow them to remain and rely on a third-party uninstaller to take care of any leftovers.

I have also heard that reinstalling the program and then uninstalling it for a second time can be helpful. At any rate, lots of programs exist that can help you to remove any unnecessary data leftover from an uninstalled program.

Is there a chance that when I force my computer to uninstall using a program, that I will hurt its performance?

Unfortunately, computers can be quite contrary at times. Therefore, removing or uninstalling programs from our computers can pose minor and even major problems for us. In fact, sometimes it is necessary to take further action in order to uninstall an obstinate program that simply refuses to go away. When that happens to any of us, the need to purchase an application to uninstall the program forcibly from our computer often occurs.

It might take a leap of faith to put all the cards in the hands of a computer program so to speak. After all, most people like to be independent and self-sufficient. Plus, we’ve all heard the mantra that computers and computer software are only as good as the individuals who created them. What if I purchase a program that isn’t quite up to the task and it wrecks my machine? If I force my computer to allow me to uninstall a program, will I hurt my computer’s performance? Plus, the worry always exists that perhaps I am going to cause more harm than good.

This is where common sense comes into play. Perhaps the most important task to perform when purchasing a software application to do the dirty work for you is to do your homework. Purchasing a reputable application is the best way to ensure that you are not going to hurt your computer’s performance if and when you force it to uninstall a specific program using such software.

Next, think about the type of program that you are uninstalling from your computer no matter how many times it has resisted you in the past. If this program happens to be some type of malware, allowing it to remain on your computer will do it more harm than good. The only harm that should come to your computer’s performance when you force an uninstall of a program is when you remove a program that is necessary to your computer’s functioning.

Click here to scan your system for viruses and other potential threats

Why is it so tough to uninstall AntiVirus software?

In many cases, AV software is difficult to uninstall. In fact, for some of us, uninstalling any software can be a bit of a challenge. However, in the case of AV software, it’s quite normal to experience some difficulty in uninstalling the software completely. This might not make the process any easier for us, but it does do away with some of the stress that comes along with the process.

For one thing, AV software usually involves several different components, each of which must be uninstalled individually. Typically, this process can involve the need to reboot your machine in order to uninstall every aspect of the AV software. Once you realize this, it makes the whole process a lot simpler to complete.

For someone who isn’t aware of this aspect, it can prove to be downright frustrating to attempt to uninstall AV software. After all, some computer programs are easily uninstalled with a simple click of the uninstall button.  Who knew that other programs actually involve the need to uninstall them one component at a time with a reboot of the machine in between each individual uninstall? I know that it should be easier than this, but it isn’t.

Therefore, with most AV software, the need arises to uninstall its components one at a time. If this is not done properly, the AV software will not be completely uninstalled. This shortcoming can lead to problems. When this happens, sometimes newer versions of AV software cannot be installed since errors will arise due to the remnants that remain from the earlier installed version.
In some cases, the add/remove feature does not remove an AV software program cleanly from your machine. If this is the strategy that you have taken to remove yours, try to locate the uninstall instructions for the software. The first place to look for this information is from the manufacturer of the software. Uninstalling AV software with the method that the manufacturer intended is the best way to guarantee its complete removal.

Do I need a program to help me uninstall programs or can I do it myself?

If you are thinking about uninstalling a program or two from your computer and you don’t know where to begin, I can totally understand. After all, I wasn’t born with this knowledge either. Plus, it seems as though so many people don’t actually want to tell you how to do it on your own, because they would rather you pay them to uninstall your programs for you. I have learned though, that I can uninstall some programs quite easily, while others take a bit more time and work.

Fortunately for me, Windows based operating systems provide an easy way to uninstall many unwanted programs from my computer. I can begin by accessing the Start Menu. Next, I can select either Settings and the Control Panel or just the Control Panel, depending on which of my computers I am currently using. Once I follow that step, I click the Add or Remove Programs icon. Next, I scroll through the list of programs to select the one that I wish to get rid of and click remove. If the question ever pops up asking me to remove a shared file, I usually resist the urge to do so. I know that sometimes some other program that I am keeping might still need a shared file.

In other cases, I have individual software applications that feature the option to uninstall the program. This is usually a straightforward process since the uninstall procedure is usually located in the program’s folder. Usually this simple process often does the trick quite nicely.

Unfortunately, certain types of programs are not so easily removed from my computer and I find that I need to obtain a program to help me with this. Uninstalling malware and viruses is not something that I recommend you do on your own. I don’t like messing with the computer’s registry and so I would rather obtain a program that automatically detects and removes such programs form my machine without my help. Therefore, I always opt for assistance whenever I need to remove malware, spyware, or adware.
There are times when I uninstall a program and find that not everything has been deleted. However, some programs are available that will clean my computer from all of the remnants of programs that I have uninstalled.