Removing a program that can't be deleted?

Question

A web page that evaded my pop-up blocker has installed programs on my computer that I can't delete.
They have disabled the 'Ctrl Alt Delete' Task Manager.
How can I remove them?

Answer 1

Once you install something, or you find something installed on your computer, you can go into add/remove programs and delete them, but they won't be out of the registry. Some programs won't even show in the add/remove programs, so to delete them permanently go the "Start > Run > type in regedit and hit enter" this takes you to the registry files. Be very careful in here, you do not want to delete the wrong thing. Click on "My Computer" then up at the top of the page you want to click on "Edit > Find" a box will pop up, type in (for instance 'Adobe Photoshop') click "Find Next" This will scan each file and folder looking for the words you typed in, once one is found read it carefully and if the words "Adobe Photoshop" is in the string, Delete it. Hit F3 to search again. If no more files are found a box will pop up and say that it is done searching. When this box pops up, click ok, then re-do the search, just incase something was missed.

You may also want to get some anti-spyware programs like: Spybot Search and Destroy, Lavasoft Ad-Ware, Spysweeper...

Hopes this helps.

Answer 2

If the other answers haven't solved your problem, you could install NoAdware. This will find all of the spyware and adware on your computer and deletes them. There is a free trial period, after that it is a very small one-off life time subscription, but then you can keep the program forever. I have found this extremely useful. Give it a try! Go to www.noadware.net. Hope this solves the problem. One of the previous answers was correct though. If you are using Windows XP you can roll back your computer to a previous date before you had the problem. This also works, but will not safe guard you from future invasions if you visit the same websites.

Answer 3

Turn off your computer and restart it. While it's booting, but before the Windows flash screen appears, press F8 (a number of times if necessary). You will then be given a series of options. Select the safe mode option by pressing the up key. Windows will then boot in safe mode. The reason for doing this is that safe mode launches only the minimum set of drivers. The reason you can't delete the unwanted program is because it is probably running. In safe mode the program might not have been launched so you can hunt it down and delete it. There is always a chance, however, that the program might launch in safe mode. Malware programmers are becoming aware of this way of deleting their programmes and are beginning to take steps to prevent it happening, but it's worth trying it anyway.

Answer 4

Get a program called Quick Clean by McAfee. They also make virus protection and firewall programs. With this program you can remove anything on your computer, but be careful of what is attached to the program you are removing. Do it with caution and use the choose which parts will be removed. Sounds like you have a virus on there! I would download to a disk anything I wanted to keep, and do a backup along with a rescue disk in case you have to wipe away some good stuff. You will need to scan the disk for a virus after you save stuff to it, as to not save a bug to the backup also. Have you tried to use Yahoo tool bar? It has a free Norton Spy ware Scan that might get it off there. Not knowing what it is, can make it difficult to deal with. You can also download a program called Belarc Advisor for free that is very helpful in knowing what is on your computer and where it is located in order to get rid of it. Good Luck!

Answer 5

after using Add/remove programs from control panel to remove some software you just go to the root of prog and try to delete the rest files, sometimes you can not do that because some softwares are using too much application that prevents you deleting the prog then you can use the net to download a special software to remove useless progs one more thing some times when download an application from the net you might need to delete the temporary Internet folder from control panel

Answer 6

First turn off your computer. Then attempt to erase a icon off your desktop (don't erase it) it should give you a link to add and remove programs. Look for any mysterious or unknown programs delete them. If that doesn't work try hitting start "search" then "files and "folder" searching for these and delete them. If this still doesn't help I may have been that you have a trojan or virus disguised I would suggest if you don't have money to get one try downloading one. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

that one is pretty good

Answer 7

Click start button
go to settings
control panel
add/remove program
scroll down
choose the program
click remove
empty recycling bin


hope this works.....if its too detailed for u..just skip the lines u dont need LOL

Answer 8

try in safe mode if this does not work find the programs in program files , manually delete the whole folder .download a program called regseeker then use this to delete any remaining crap

Answer 9

Before attempting to remove malware you must switch off System Restore as back up files will be hiding in there, and it will just restore itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
Run Avast and Ewido in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads. You'll know if you made it because the screen will be at 800 x 600 and your pc will be slow.

Then beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your sytem in the first place rather than trying to remove it.

The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall

Shields Up security site, check your firewall works
https://www.grc.com

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com

http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

http://www.ewido.net - Ewido anti trojan

Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.com

Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.

http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.

http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool

Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 10

add/remove programs in windows is pretty lame in removing certain programs
what you need is a 3rd party uninstaller,go to http://www.download.com/Add-Remove-Program-Cleaner/3000-2096_4-10572854.html?tag=lst-0-1
and also try http://www.download.com/Easy-Uninstaller/3000-2096_4-10388208.html?tag=lst-0-7
these are 2 free programs that are used for removing programs that windows will not or cant move
good luck