SAntivirus

Midknyte, I did use Revo when I uninstalled Avast. I am using windows version 1903. I was trying to search in my folders for Avast to see if I have a folder/files remaining on my laptop. It is called Avast software/Avast/with 2 sub-folders called cache and log. I may have more folders/files on my device, but am not sure which other locations they may be located in windows 10.

Midknyte, I can't remember if I changed the location when I downloaded/installed Avast or used the default. I don't want to delete something that I don't want deleted because of what it states in step 4 of your Avast uninstall link.

4breezes, I appreciate your help and advice, as well. If you can remember what exactly you did to bypass this message I am receiving, let me know. Did you have to create a Bitdefender account to use the free version?

I had Avast AV and Avast browser on my laptop. I rarely used Avast browser. I did uninstall both using Revo. I found more Avast folders and files in folder called ProgramData. I am not sure why I have so many Avast files remaining. Revo usually did a good job removing all files when uninstalling a program.

ProgramData is your app settings folder. Most apps store settings there and it's usually hidden. If you're not going to use Avast anymore, there's no reason to save the settings.

When I uninstalled Avast I did a complete file search for "Avast" and deleted everything I found. There were only a few folders left over and there was no problem deleting them.

I think the reason why those remaining files associated with Avast didn't get deleted is because it has to be deleted by the administrator. I tried just deleting them and a message stating that I needed to provide administrator permission. I thought I had my user name set as administrator. How can I check to see if it is set to administrator? If it isn't how do I change it to remove the remaining files?

Even if you are an administrator, you must explicitly do some actions as administrator. What happened when you gave admin permission to delete the files?

To check if you have admin:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-c...administrator/

Midknyte, it says my user name is set as administrator. When I try to delete a file, it says I need permission to perform this action. What actions are you referring to that I need to delete these files?

What is the full path of the files you are trying to delete? Did you take ownership of the folder? Are you sure there are no app using the files?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...2-e0c8d4fb0007

If you are comfortable with the command prompt, you could delete the file/folder with an elevated (admin) command prompt.

Like I said, even if your account is an admin, you still need to manually run as admin sometimes. It's not like Win7.

The path of Avast software is C:/Avast Software. I open the link you posted and tried to do the steps associated with "take ownership" and something didn't work correctly. I was really familiar with win 7, but not so much with win 10. I apologize if I am being a bit dense.

"Like I said, even if your account is an admin, you still need to manually run as admin sometimes" << Do you mean I have to log out of my user account and log into admin account? How is that done?

If I want to delete the Avast software folder from command prompt, I think I would type del C:/Avast software? How do I get to the elevated (admin) command prompt?

Did you change the default path? Win10 really doesn't like putting user files in C:\.

Quote:

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Do you mean I have to log out of my user account and log into admin account? How is that done?

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No. You have to do things like right-click on something and click "Run as administrator". I'm talking generally. Just because your account is an administrator, it doesn't mean everything automatically runs as an administrator.

To open an elevated command prompt, you can just search for cmd in the Cortana search bar. It should show "Command Prompt", then click on the option to Run as administrator. The titlebar will say "Administrator: Command Prompt". Type the following:

RD /S /Q "C:|Avast Software"

/S = subfolders
/Q = quiet (no prompt)
You need the "" because there is a space in the folder name

The folder is in the C:/ProgramData folder. <my bad> I am at the Administrator command prompt. it is at the windows/system32 folder. how do I change directories to just the C prompt. I believe I would need to type>>> RD /S /Q "C:/ProgramData/Avast Software" , correct? I believe I would need to change directories first?

cd \ should take you to the root directly (C:\). You don't need to cd if you're entering the full path

Note that it's backslash for Windows. C:\

RD /S /Q "C:\ProgramData\Avast Software"

I typed cd \ to get to the c prompt, then I typed RD /S /Q "C:\ProgramData\Avast Software" and there was a large number of lines and all said access denied.

And you're sure there are no Avast processes running? It sounds like something still has the files open.

Did you try the Avast removal tool or not? It specifically mentions the Programdata folder.
https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

Here are more things to try.
https://appuals.com/how-to-remove-av...es-completely/

I opened task manager and there are a number of processes entries listed between my Avast AV and browser. I tried to end task of them all and some didn't do anything after ending task and some said access denied.

I didn't try the Avast removal tool because of what it says in step 4. I don't want to delete a folder that I didn't mean to delete in the process.

I guess I would try to download and run the eset AV removal tool and see if that works.