Uninstalling MSE 2.0

[deya]

Has anyone had issues uninstalling MSE 2.0?

The reason for asking is because I can't seem to get rid of it no matter how hard I try. I decided, for no other reason, to try something different on a spare machine, which is XP Home SP3 fully patched.

I used Revo at first, something I've done in the past with MSE v1.0 and never had a problem. But it didn't work, and Windows Security Center showed MSE as still up to date and protecting my machine. MSE 2.0 was still running in the task manager but there was no tray icon. I used WU to see if there were any updates for MSE, there was one so I did the update and it installed. Rebooted, still no tray icon but MSE was still running in task manager and WSC showed it working.

Looked through Add Remove programs, no sign of MSE - same in Revo - and nothing in the start menu. Nothing to show that MSE was installed, but it was still running.

Downloaded the install from MS, ran it, MSE installed and the tray icon appeared. Re booted and the tray icon was there, but CPU went massive - 85/100k.

Went to Add Remove programs, MSE was showing so I uninstalled it from there this time. Ran CCleaner, re booted and MSE 2.O looked to be gone. But on opening WSC it said that MSE was still running, up to date and protecting my machine.

Went searching for answers, used regedit, command prompts, searches, you name it. Tried all kinds of fixes from the MSE support forums - still no joy, although I finally disabled MSE from running in the task manager, Security Center still showed it as running. Tried to install MSE again, this time it wouldn't install.

As of now there is no visible sign of MSE 2.0 being installed anywhere on the machine - except in Security Center, which still says MSE is running, up to date and protecting my machine. It's an old machine so maybe that has something to do with it, although it's running fine I couldn't do a System Restore.

Perhaps it's because the machine is old, but I've never had problems with MSE before, and it's been running fine since I did a manual upgrade from v1.0 to v2.0. The problems only started when I attempted to uninstall it.

I'm running the machine in a virtual [paid] program now and it's working fine. Except that MSE still shows in Security Center, but doesn't show anywhere else.

It's not a problem to me, and I'll get to the bottom of it, given time. But I was wondering if anyone else has encountered anything similar when uninstalling MSE 2.0 - and on which OS?

I'm using MSE 1.0 on other machines here with no problems at all but I'm wondering why none of them have had the upgrade sent yet, and will it be the same if I need to uninstall MSE when they do upgrade - on XP, Vista or Win 7 - and is there a reason why the upgrade hasn't been sent? Is the reason for the issue I'm experiencing with the spare because I did the upgrade manually?

I'm not knocking MSE here, just looking for a few answers and to see if anyone has come across this type of problem so it helps me in the future, and anyone else for that matter.

I'll keep plugging away until I crack it, hopefully, because I need to know why. But if I can't then I'll clean install XP and start afresh, or maybe just carry on running in virtual with no AV at all.

[kendall.a]

I'd like to suggest, if you haven't tried, the Windows Installer Clean-Up utility.

[deya]

Thanks for that, Kendall - I've tried it, but on opening the program it doesn't list any MS installs to clean up. It's puzzling, it's like MSE doesn't exist, only Security Center says it does.

The problem does exist for others - here - and I've tried everything suggested in that thread. I'm wondering if this is an XP thing, older machines, and MSE 2.0 - not 1.0.

@deya
Deleting the repository folder should fix the security center reporting the wrong information.

Go to admin tools -> services. Find "Windows Management Instrumentation" and pause the service. While the service is paused, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\wbem and delete the repository folder. Then resume "Windows Management Instrumentation" service. Then reboot. Windows will recreate the repository folder with the correct info showing in the security center.

[deya]

@ JohnnyDollar - Thank you, that did it. WSC is showing no AV installed now and the machine is running fine. Is this something you've encountered before with MSE?

I'd still like anyone else who's had any similar issues while uninstalling MSE to add to this thread. It helps to understand it, I've never had this before, even though I've uninstalled MSE many times on different machines, but never v2.0.

I've got a lot of patience, but I have to admit it was wearing a bit thin at one point. So if this thread can help ease the frustration for others, should they encounter the same problem, then it'll be worth it.

Thanks again, you saved me a lot of time and messing about and I appreciate it - and thanks for the other ideas and the PM ... it all goes into the knowledge bank.

@deya
You're welcome. I've encountered the security center reporting the wrong info a few times, but I don't think it was after uninstalling MSE in particular.

I try to uninstall the application however it is recommended by the developer of the software. It's usually recommended to do it through add/remove programs, but sometimes it's recommended to use the applications own uninstaller, like Nod32 for example. Or in the case of Avast, V4.8 that is (not sure about V5), to make sure that you disable self protection before uninstalling.

Sometimes you get a broken uninstall. Revo could have possibly been the culprit here, or not. The developer will often times provide the info on the folders/files and registry keys that need to be deleted in case you have to do it manually. Personally, I prefer to delete registry keys and folders/files that are left over manually, versus using a 3rd party app like Revo.

[bo.elam]

Johny thanks for the info, I did have a similar issue as deya, on my case
WSC showed MSE as turned off even though it was uninstalled using
Windows ownn uninstaller.

Thanks man

Well deya, you were not alone, it just did not bother me because I
knew that MSE was gone and was able to install Avira9 perfectly.
I used Avira9 for a couple of days and when I uninstalled it, WSC
again showed MSE as turned off. I did what Johny suggested and
security center now shows that I do not have AV installed. Great
and thanks to you for opening this thread and Johny for the answer
on how to fix it.

Bo

[kendall.a]

I'd been interested in knowing if these issues are specific to XP or if others are having issues with uninstalling with Windows 7.

[bo.elam]

Originally Posted by Taurus

Hi deya, yes, I think I finally got all of the remnants. But I had to clear out C:\documents and settings\ and a few left overs in C:\windows\system32\.
After doing that and rerunning Ccleaner for both file cleaning and registry cleaning and rebooting 25 times, I think I got most everything.

Also, I did a search on "Microsoft Antimalware Client" and got rid of those folders.

Microsoft should really provide a cleaning tool like other AV\AM vendors do, specifically Avast, Avira, Sas, ect. and so on. If there is such an animal, I don't know about it.

Browsing is much snappier, cpu load is much lower, over all performance is much better.

Norton, well, thanks goodness for the Norton\Symantic clean up tools.

This was posted by Taurus in the Sandboxie thread.
Taurus I did get rid of the D and S folders and Microsoft Antimalware Client
folders but Do you remember what you got rid of in System32?
You ask about a cleaning tool and I think we can use the one that is
mentioned in the thread, posted by deya previously. I have not used it,
maybe deya did and he can let us know later.

Bo

[bo.elam]

Originally Posted by kendall

I'd been interested in knowing if these issues are specific to XP or if others are having issues with uninstalling with Windows 7.

My uninstall was smooth, I guess my only issue was that WSC showed
MSE as turned off.

Bo