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I have uninstalled but can't remove your software from my system, even with my admin account.

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

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I initially encountered a Yahoo search bar on my home computer that I don't remember giving permission to install and set about removing it. I wasn't able to find it and then the forums I checked said that it was particularly sneaky at copying itself and hiding (shame on you Yahoo!) and suggested completely deleting my browser software. So I uninstalled Firefox, ran some registry cleaning software to be sure, only to find the Firefox folder still sitting on my hard drive.

Not easily deterred, I tried to delete the folder. I received an error message saying that I needed Admin permission to do that. Fair enough, except I am the admin. I tried my wife's account (thinking perhaps my user account might be somehow corrupted) same result.

When looking at the properties of the folder I discovered it had the "read only" box selected. Strange, but that would do it. So I unchecked that, hit apply and tried again. Same result. Back to properties and the "read only" box is selected again!

A bit perturbed now, I went into the folder and started deleting individual files. Some would not delete because it claimed I was not an admin. Some folder I wasn't allowed to open!!

I've done virus and malware scans, created new Admin user accounts...no luck.

I'm hoping that this is not normal. I'd like to think that Mozilla recognises my right to access and delete any software files I want on my own computer. So proceeding with the assumption that it isn't Mozilla engaged in any shenanigans, can you help me sort this out? I do want to re-install Firefox once I've sorted this all out, assuming that I could immediately delete it again if the notion should strike me.

Thank you.

I initially encountered a Yahoo search bar on my home computer that I don't remember giving permission to install and set about removing it. I wasn't able to find it and then the forums I checked said that it was particularly sneaky at copying itself and hiding (shame on you Yahoo!) and suggested completely deleting my browser software. So I uninstalled Firefox, ran some registry cleaning software to be sure, only to find the Firefox folder still sitting on my hard drive. Not easily deterred, I tried to delete the folder. I received an error message saying that I needed Admin permission to do that. Fair enough, except I am the admin. I tried my wife's account (thinking perhaps my user account might be somehow corrupted) same result. When looking at the properties of the folder I discovered it had the "read only" box selected. Strange, but that would do it. So I unchecked that, hit apply and tried again. Same result. Back to properties and the "read only" box is selected again! A bit perturbed now, I went into the folder and started deleting individual files. Some would not delete because it claimed I was not an admin. Some folder I wasn't allowed to open!! I've done virus and malware scans, created new Admin user accounts...no luck. I'm hoping that this is not normal. I'd like to think that Mozilla recognises my right to access and delete any software files I want on my own computer. So proceeding with the assumption that it isn't Mozilla engaged in any shenanigans, can you help me sort this out? I do want to re-install Firefox once I've sorted this all out, assuming that I could immediately delete it again if the notion should strike me. Thank you.

All Replies (3)

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Note that Windows shows a green block for folders in the Read-only box, but not a real check-mark. Only a check mark in the Read-only box means that a folder or file is Read-only. Windows doesn't check all the files in a folder so instead displays a green block to indicate that it is not sure.

Are you running Windows Explorer as Administrator? You may have to do that to be able the remove files in specific locations.

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that works.

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Thanks but that didn't work. Same issues in safe mode.

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Can you rename that folder and maybe take ownership of that folder?

Modified by cor-el