
How do I remove Windows OneCare?I'm trying to uninstall WindowsOneCare Live. I got in on the beta test, which was a big mistake. When I uninstall it, my Internet won't work. I'm using a cable connection. Is it just something in the settings? I would GREATLY appreciate any help you can offer :) My main question to you is: how did you uninstall Windows OneCare? From exploring the different web sites talking about this always-on antivirus, anti-spyware solution from Microsoft that's still in beta (see What is Windows OneCare? for details), it appears that this program is darn difficult to correctly and completely remove. Even the official Windows OneCare Blog doesn't offer any useful information on how to uninstall this beta product. Here's the best set of instructions i can find, and, unfortunately, it involves editing your registry file, a task not for the faint-hearted:
As I said, this isn't the easiest program to delete in the world. And, as with anything to do with editing the registry, please make sure that you create a restore point before you make any changes. You can do that with Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore. The moral of this story: be darn careful what beta programs you decide to install on your computer, and make double sure that you do a full backup before you both install it and try to uninstall it. Just in case. Finally, if you go through all these steps, you should be able to reset your computer for Internet access. Worst case, start up the Network Wizard and let it step you through creating a brand new Internet connection. Don't forget to re-enable your old Virus and Spyware utilities too, of course. Good luck to you!
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Never miss another useful Q&A article again! Subscribe to AskDaveTaylor with Google Reader. Just wanted to thank you so much for answering my question so quickly! I just sent your link to a lot of my friends! Forever grateful, Alicia Posted by: Alicia at November 26, 2005 6:19 AMThere's a file in the Microsoft OneCare Live folder called "uninst.exe" - when double-clicked, it takes you to a feedback page on windowsonecare.com and uninstalls the program (which requires a reboot, of course). Posted by: James Womack at December 2, 2005 12:17 AMI tried the uninst.exe but was met with this error: 0x80004005 Posted by: Joe at December 4, 2005 11:31 AMIn my case, the OneCare BETA icon is showing red in the tray stating some action is required. But when double clicked, it resulted into "Windows OneCare has encounter a problem and needs to close" & the GUI fails to start (but the icon is still in the tray & the application is running). I failed to uninstall it from Add Remove Programs nad UNINST.EXE but they all resulted into the same error message! Can someone help me please... Posted by: Broken Arrow at March 28, 2006 3:37 AMHere's a newer article on the OneCare site that might be a useful reference for people who are still unsure how to uninstall the application: http://www.windowsonecare.com/support/help.aspx?query=PROC_UNINSTALL_SERVICE.HTM Hope that helps some people out! Posted by: hgey at August 15, 2006 1:36 AMjust goto the onecare site and download the cleanup utility, to remove it Posted by: sukoli at September 27, 2006 4:23 PMYour help on deleting OneCare Live was interesting. However, the files appear to be gone on my computer. It is the registry keys that won't delete. I spent about 5 hours today with various tech service reps trying to get OneCare off my machine. Tomorrow, a higher level rep will call--they tell me--to try some more. In future, I will take your advice about restore points. Posted by: Mickie at November 28, 2006 11:02 PMONECARE CLEANUP FILE: Cleanup Windows Live Onecare...... remove all. http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/a/5/3a55dc68-6466-43e8-b886-f6e1ab829d12/OneCareCleanup.exe Posted by: Doug Bell at December 15, 2006 5:07 PMHere is an email i got from MS Support. I hope it helps. ------------------------------------ After upgrading to Vista, OneCare stopped working, we tried to manually remove its registries, and components, but the Beta version still could not be installed. If I have misunderstood, please do not hesitate to let me know. I understand the inconvenience you have experienced. Please be assured that I will do my best to help you. This issue is caused by OneCare registry. I suggest the following steps to troubleshoot the issue: Delete the OneCare registry value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DIFxApp\Components\{153AA63E-3BFD-495C-A35F-85F66650141D} 3. Right click on the folder "{153AA63E-3BFD-495C-A35F-85F66650141D}" and choose Delete. Note: if some keys do not exist, please ignore them. Ok some background on the above post. I had live one care trial installed on xp pro. I upgraded to vista ultimate. l1c broke. I couldnt uninstall it via add/remove. I cleaned the registry myself in and out of safe mode with no luck. It would say its gone...but when i tried to install the l1c beta for vista it would say i had to remove the installed version. after performing the steps above. i was able to install l1c beta. i dont know if i want to try and uninstall it now. i will see how it runs on vista. product needs some work though. i guess i really like ms to put myself through this. Posted by: Reggie at January 11, 2007 8:21 AMOk this definatly worked and goes hand in hand with my previous post. ------------------------------- This issue is caused by installer files, let's use the following steps to remove OneCare: 1. Please download the Windows Installer Cleanup utility from this link and save it to the Desktop: Dr Watson for Microsoft Windows OneCare Live After that, use the clean up tool again to complete the uninstallation. All this talk about uninstalling...could someone tell me how to install it on a second computer. CompUSA installed it on my new computer, and gave me the CD in it's original case. I can't get it to install on my notebook, so I called their so-called "tech" and some young girl couldn't tell me what time of day it was!!! When I insert the CD, a dialog box appears saying I need Windows XP SP2 in order to install the program. I HAVE it on the computer already, and even downloaded an update for it, but I keep getting the same message. I have to say that the program seems to be working great on my new HP computer. Anyone have any answers about installing it on a second computer? Could anyone point me in the right direction to find an answer? Sure do thank anyone who might be of assistance. Posted by: George at January 20, 2007 2:20 PMi have tried everything that everyone has posted on the forums, even contacting microsoft, they said they would get back to me, which they havent, trying to install panda, and it wont let me, because there is obviously a hidden file somewhere left from OneCare.I have XP Professional, any new idea's guys? Posted by: joanna at January 29, 2007 1:51 PMOK, i must have a real prob. here... cause i have tried everything in this search to UNINSTALL WINDOWS ONECARE LIVE,and todate i have not been successfull in my attemps. if anyone PLEASE of you have any other tips/tricks/hints/ideas please(x)onetrilion help......to the gods i look up and i swear i hate this file it really blows :)P Posted by: Kevin Oberst at February 27, 2007 1:55 PMUpadteing my earlyer question......I have the Beta version and its not in my program files,and i have used the uninstall program as well to no avale.. please again any help at al would greatly be appreceated. Posted by: Kevin Oberst at February 27, 2007 3:50 PMi cant uninstall my windows onecare beta still i tried everything Posted by: newton at March 7, 2007 12:31 AMwhy not just use OneCare clean up tool??? Posted by: victor vital at March 29, 2007 4:31 PMI got an email informing me that my subscription to Windows Live OneCare was being renewed if I don't cancel it. When I try to cancel it, it won't let me click on...the popup is blocked and I don't know how to cancel the darn subscription. I don't want a $49 charge to an account for something I hate. Got any suggestions? Phone Numbers? Website? Real people? Posted by: Pat at April 2, 2007 2:41 PMi can remove windows live one care bu it also removes my dvd/cd drivers so when my pc is rebooted the dvd/cd drivers vanish from my computer! how can shall i remove windows live one care pls Posted by: saiful at October 1, 2007 6:59 PMThank you for a great web site. I have finally uninstalled windows one care using information from this site. Gary H. Posted by: Gary H. at November 12, 2007 4:45 AMWindows live onecare is an outrage and there should be a class action against microsoft. Onecare behaves like a virus with a link to a website. You should not need to download a utility to delete this. Posted by: Tbone at February 17, 2008 6:27 AMI Hate Live One Care it wants to backup all the time. It also whants to udate windows every day and wont install updates 2003 office. please take away the live onecare programe cause i cant go to some of my other websites.and i get soo mad when i cant go there soo plase take it offf I have a lot to say, but ...
I do have a comment, now that you mention it!
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