Manual Steps to uninstall Comodo AntiVirus

Help for Comodo AntiVirus
121

That is correct (to the best of my knowledge). Sorry for the caveat, but I think to say otherwise is foolish… :slight_smile:

I did another search today with Agent Ransack, using setup.exe, *.msi, and the GUIDs in the text field (one at a time, of course), which returned some results. The only “active” result was a copy of the CAVS 1.1 installation executable, created by a monitoring program. I deleted it but that did not stop the popup (this came off the GUID {6617…}).

The remainder of the results (from the GUIDs) were from hits in the logfiles, registry backups, etc. I did find a lot of old references to this GUID existing in c:\windows\installer and c:\program files\installshield installation information, but these were text references only, not to a currently existing file. The InstallWatch snapshot file was very informative. I also saw in the CAVS 2.x Beta install file where it noted that 1.x Beta uninstall failed and it searched for components etc to remove.

Inasfar as the registry, the only entries that now come up for the GUIDs are the “recent” usages of Agent Ransack with that as the search field…

I can attach the search results saved as text files from Agent Ransack, if you think you might see something I missed (and I may very well have…).

LM

122

I finally got rid of CAVS. The process may/may not be more involded than this, but from what I recall - here’s what I did:

  1. Ran the uninstaller - failed
  2. Open Task Manager > terminate cmain.exe and cav(?)
  3. Ran: [Program Files Folder]\Comodo\Comodo AntiVirus\uninstCavasmDrv.cmd
  4. Ran: [Program Files Folder]\Comodo\Comodo AntiVirus\WinSock2_backup.reg
  5. Deleted [Program Files Folder]\Comodo\Comodo AntiVirus
  6. On windows boot > let the msi run.
  7. Open MSCONFIG > Startup > disabled CMain & CLptray
  8. Open MSCONFIG > Services > disabled comodo application agent
  9. Reboot - msi doesn’t need to run…
  10. Open Task Manager > terminate cmain.exe and cav(?) ((if running))
  11. Download, install and run Windows Installer CleanUp Utility: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
  12. Remove > Comodo installer msi
  13. Delete these two folders: [Program Files Folder]\Comodo\Comodo AntiVirus & [Program Files Folder]\Comodo\Common
  14. Run a regcleaner (i used ashampoo) to remove all orphaned entries
  15. Reboot - DONE.

I’m certain some of this is redundant - but thats the sum of it. The windows installer cleanup utility is a gem. Good luck yall…

-C

123

And this was with Beta 1.x, rather than the current Beta 2.x? (Reason I ask, I know you’ve had some hal.dll issues mentioned in the Beta 2.x bug thread, and have uninstalled 2.x)

And that you had the irritating installer popup after uninstall?

TNX,

LM

124

Unable to delete LEGACY_ keys?

See here:

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/forum/windows-nt-2000-2003/10559-unable-remove-legacy_mpr-keys.html

Good luck.

125

OK, you guys totally lost me at the 2nd step. I type in “Cd” and do what? This program is causing havoc on my computer. Is it the reason I can’t add or remove anything? Is it the reason I can’t use avg anymore? Please help a non-computer savy person.

126

Welcome to the forum (:WAV)

Sorry you’re having troubles!

I presume you have CAVS installed on your machine? What version?

If it’s version 1.1, a number of issues turned up with the installer software it was built with (InstallShield), causing Comodo to develop their own installer. Installshield is aware the software has problems, and has offered some solutions; Comodo has developed some solutions as well, as it relates to CAVS.

If you have tried to uninstall CAVS thru Add/Remove Programs, and are unable to do so, there are two batch files here in the forum that may help you “manually” remove it, rather than trying to do the command-line approach (the one that has you lost…). :wink:

Attached to this post by Paulo https://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,887.msg19702.html#msg19702 is a zipped batch file (a script) that you can download. Right-click the file (once you’ve downloaded and saved to your desktop), choose “Extract all files” and follow the prompts. Then double-click the unzipped batch file to run the script. It will do what is discussed in the very first post in the topic.

Following that, attached to this post by Paulo https://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,887.msg19792.html#msg19792 is another zipped batch file that you can download. Right-click (once saved), extract all… Double-click to run the batch. It will restore the registry items that were changed with the initial installation of CAVS.

As stated in the first post in the topic, you will still have CAVS files remaining on your computer, since the installer didn’t function properly. You will have to manually delete these files.

If you installed CAVS, and still have AVG installed on the computer, yes you will very likely have problems. It is not a good idea to have multiple antivirus software installed and running on the same computer (or multiple firewalls, for that matter), as they frequently conflict with one another and cause all manner of difficulties.

Hopefully this will actually help answer your questions, rather than just cause more questions… :wink: However, feel free to ask any questions you may have in this regard; I will do my best to answer in a way that won’t confuse further.

LM

127

I followed the instructions and I am still ahving problems.

128

Please describe the problems you are having…

LM

129

It is still installed. When I go to, remove/registry it says soemthing about unistall not successful. Something to that affect.

130

Though when I get the black box (the script?) it would appear that I have removed everything successfully. I asks me to reboot, which I do.

131

There may still be files on the computer; that does not necessarily mean that the software is “installed,” although it may complicate the issue. If it’s still showing in “Add/Remove Programs” you may want to try the following:

Microsoft Support This is a link to Microsoft, to their Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. You can download and run the utility. When you run it, it will show a list of programs that have been uninstalled, but need to be “cleaned up.” If CAVS is in there, click and go!

If it is not still in “Add/Remove Programs” but there are still files present, you may need to manually delete those files.

LM

132

Still nothing. My add/remove hasn’t worked since I downloaded comodo. When I do the process of the windows cleaner, I don’t even see “comodo” as one of the programs. However, it is STILL running.

133

Aargh, that’s the stinkin’ InstallShield installer. We’re going to have to dig a little deeper, now, unfortunately.

Download the following two free tools:

ServiWin (allows access to services & drivers from one screen) and SafeMSI (allows you to uninstall programs in Safe Mode).

Run Serviwin. At the top left there are two “gear” icons. The first is Drivers. Click that and look for Cavasm. Change the start type to Disabled. Then go to the second “gear” icon, which is Services. Click that, and look for Comodo Antivirus and Antispyware Service. Change the start type to Disabled. You can close Serviwin.

Now go to Start/Run, and type in “msconfig”. When that window comes up, go to the Startup tab. Find the entry for CMain and CLPTray. Uncheck the boxes next to those entries, click Apply, then OK.

Reboot your computer. CAVS should no longer be running.

Now go to your download of SafeMSI (the zip file). Right-click, select “Extract All” and follow the prompts. It will give you a SafeMSI folder with one file, SafeMSI.exe. Now you will reboot into Safe Mode. In case you haven’t done this before, here’s what you do: Reboot your computer. As soon as your BIOS/Manufacturer shows the first text on the screen (this is long before Windows starts up), press the F8 key. You may need to press repeatedly, about once per second (depending on your computer’s specifics).

You’ll get a screen for Safe Mode, to choose your operating system, then to choose the manner in which you wish to boot (Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc). If you choose Safe Mode with Networking this gives you internet access (which you don’t need at the moment, but it’s good to know). Otherwise you want Safe Mode. You will next be given an option to Restore, or continue to Safe Mode. Continue to Safe Mode.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll go to SafeMSI.exe and run it (double-click). Then go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall CAVS.

Reboot normally.

LM

I edited the text in blue, having reinstalled and uninstalled to get a better idea of what’s going on, and trying something new…

134

I would like to direct everyone with these difficulties over here: https://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,4755.0.html

Where I have posted a potential solution. It worked for me, and is apparently working for others as well.

LM

135

For those still having problems removing the nagging install popups. When all else failed this worked for me. Like others I had removed everything, I thought and no cavs showed. I tried the windows install cleanup utility but it didn’t show any comodo also.

I found tho that in the windows install cleanup utility folder there is a file called msizap.exe. You have to run it from the command line. Use it with the guid from your msi event log to use.

Syntax is like this: msizap.exe T {guid}. Reboot your computer after you use it.

It worked for me so I hope it helps.

Bob

136

I’m glad that worked for you, Bob. I tried msizap at one point, but it didn’t work for me. So sad… :wink:

LM

137

Hey dudes:
I will not try to remove until the problem is solved.
But one thought that no one mentioned: Did you uncheck the box that allows comodo to protect its settings and registry settings? I would think that should be done first.

138

That’s the Comodo Firewall; this is the Antivirus…

139

I went through the add/ remove process to uninstall CAV. I could not find any of the files that is mentioned in the “manual removal” process, so I have removed everything out of my Win XP register, that was connected to CAV. All that is remaining on my computer is a folder named “cavbases” (this folder is in the comodo antivirus folder). I have tried to delete the folder and or the *.cdb files and windows will not allow me to do it. I also booted into safe mode and tried it there and again windows would not allow me to do it. My guess is that a something is still loading, when I boot up, that is using these files. Does anyone know how to get rid of this folder.
Thanks

140

Try this topic:

https://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,4755.0.html

:SMLR