Anti-AOL

After receiving a comment about jv16 2006 today (someone used it to remove AOL from Vista, which I do not recommend anyone do with the 2006 version) I remembered the jv16 PT dev has come out with numerous updates of the program since he released the first 2009 version.

I gave the latest version, released on May 16th, a run about a month ago on my Vista install, and it performed admirably compared to previous versions. My only caveats are that it will always be slower, in my opinion, than jv16 PT 2006 was, but since the 2006 version doesn't work all that well on Vista, that's neither here nor there.

The registry cleaning abilities are much improved in this latest release, the program feels faster overall, and performance and clean-up abilities are similar to CCleaner at this point, so if you have Vista installed, and adequate hardware to run the program (I would suggest using this on a computer that is not bogged down with spyware or seriously infected with other forms of malware that has at least 1 GB of RAM and 1.8 gHz or higher CPU speed) I would definitely suggest you go ahead and check it out.

I've decided I'm not writing a new how-to for the 2009 version because the interface works exactly the same as it did in the 2006 version (described in my tutorial), it just looks different and includes more features.

The biggest hint I can give you so you can use jv16 PowerTools 2009 safely and effectively is this: It really is an ax - that's why I say it's for advanced users only - so be sure to treat it like one.

There's an issue with removing more recent versions of AOL from Windows 7 (and therefore I assume all versions of AOL): when you click the Windows button -->Control Panel --> Programs and Features, then click on the AOL Uninstaller (choose which products to remove), it asks you to scan for "older versions of AOL" (it's not like you have a choice - you can't skip this step, or you won't find any AOL clients) then it hangs during the scan.

And it hangs. And it hangs.

If you have a more recent version of AOL installed, you can right-click the Taskbar (or hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete - whichever makes you happy), open Task Manager, end the process for aolunins_us.exe, then shut down and restart your computer. That should stop the AOL Uninstaller from hanging on your next try.

If you have an older version of AOL installed on Windows 7 (such as AOL 9.0SE), you can follow these steps [works in all versions of Windows], then, if necessary, follow the steps above.

Once you restart your computer and run the Uninstaller again it should find all versions of AOL for you. From there you can use this tutorial [for XP or Vista] to remove all AOL software specified on those pages from Windows 7, including AOL 9.5 Revision 4337.80.

Alternately, on Windows 7 you can try right-clicking the Taskbar to open Task Manager, then ending all processes with "aol" in their name, then running the Uninstaller again. The AOL Uninstaller will still take at least 5 minutes to find all versions of AOL installed - even if you have only one version, so be prepared to chill out while you wait.

PS - I can't believe AOL software even works on Windows 7, but as the first person to document the first bug with AOL on Windows 7, I had to watch this monstrosity alive and well on my own computer - in 3 different versions. I was hoping I'd get nothing but fatal error messages to save myself the trouble of writing new posts about AOL, but no such luck.

Republished 12-30-08. Last updated 3-11-09.

Note: This tutorial will also help you remove AOL OpenRide, AOL Desktop Search and AOL Explorer 1.5. Unfortunately, I can't fit that many versions of AOL into the title of this post, or into the sidebar.

AOL 9.0 VR was the first version of the AOL desktop client to include a new version of the AOL Uninstaller, the tool that AOL includes to find and remove all versions of AOL for you. AOL has released four new versions of the desktop client since the day I wrote this post: AOL 9.1, AOL 10.0 Desktop, AOL 10.1 Desktop, and AOL 9.5 (formerly AOL Classic). I cover how to use both the 9.0 VR Uninstaller and later versions of it here.

You can use this tutorial alone or in conjunction with the jv16 PowerTools or CCleaner tutorials.

All visitors running Windows '98/2000/ME/XP: Before we get started, visit this page to learn how to back up your registry, files, and folders. See this tutorial to uninstall the AOL WAN Miniport after  you've removed AOL.

Mac users, please read this advice for removing AOL at Mac Rumors.

Issues for all AOL users running XP, Vista or Windows 7: I've had email that some PCs are infected by viruses when removing AOL, so run a scan with the free online Trend Micro tool before you get started. Some versions of 9.0 SE will not uninstall because a process won't shut down and all versions of AOL may become corrupted and unremovable by normal means; if that's the case use my instructions to stop the AOL Connectivity Service from running before you remove AOL. See this (for XP) or this (for Vista and Windows 7) if you can't find or run the AOL Uninstaller.

As you go along remember you can click on each screen shot to expand it to full size.

1. First, let's find the AOL Uninstaller...

For Win XP users: Click your Start button and click Control Panel. In Control Panel click Add & Remove Programs, then locate the AOL Uninstaller on the Add & Remove List and click Change/Remove.

For Vista and Windows 7 users: Click your Start button and click Control Panel. In Control Panel click Programs and Features, then locate the AOL Uninstaller on the Installed Programs List and click Uninstall.

2. Choose which AOL programs to uninstall.

By default, the older version of the AOL Uninstaller (seen only in AOL 9.0 VR) won't display a full list of AOL products installed on your computer. It will only show that the AOL Connectivity Service is installed. Newer versions of the AOL software such as AOL 9.1, AOL Desktop and AOL 9.5 will automatically list all versions of AOL that are installed.

If you're using AOL 9.0 VR (you'll know if you are because your screen will look mine does in the picture above) place a checkmark next to the AOL Connectivity Service and go to the next step.

If you're using AOL 9.1, AOL Desktop, or AOL 9.5, place checkmarks next to all of the AOL programs that you wish to remove and go to Step 4 or Step 5.

3. AOL 9.0 VR users only: How to find every version of AOL...

Click on the words Search for Older Versions of AOL. Those words will be underlined in blue.

Wait while the Uninstaller searches for older versions of AOL.

You'll see a dialog box that says, "Searching for older versions of AOL. This may take a moment." It'll take a few minutes, so pour yourself a cup of coffee and chill; when it's done searching for older versions of AOL, place checkmarks next to the versions you would like to uninstall and go to the next step.

4. For hurried and/or expert users: Remove some or all of your shared AOL data now. Not in a hurry or don't know what you're doing? Go to Step 5.

Warning: this is not an option to choose which data to save. It's an option to choose which data to remove.

If you don't need to preserve sensitive data (such as passwords and email files) on a case-by-case basis, you can safely choose this step. Otherwise, hit the Cancel button and go to Step 5 now.

Click the Manage Data link on the right-hand side of the Uninstaller screen after you choose which AOL programs to remove.

You'll see a dialog box that says: Manage Your Personal Data. This box gives you the option to "clear" (delete) your passwords or to "clear" all of your data. Click the button that best matches your needs. You'll see the message: "All of your local data (or "All of your passwords") have been cleared." Click OK to close the message.

5. For casual or worried users: Remove shared AOL data on a case-by-case basis now.

If you prefer to remove saved data on a case-by-case basis, this is the step for you. Once you've placed a checkmark next to an AOL program you wish to remove, a dropdown box will open and you'll see the message: "Shared Data: This application shares storage for settings and personal data...Click to remove this shared data now." Click on the word Click in that message. It will be underlined in blue. Your shared data for that AOL program will be removed. Repeat this step for every AOL program on your computer. If you don't wish to take this step on a particular AOL program, hit the Cancel button and proceed to the AOL program that you wish to remove some or all data from.

6. Select which files you'd like to keep.

Look at the bottom, right-hand corner of your Uninstaller Screen. It will say, "Select which files you would like to keep." The choices are Downloaded Files and Cabinet Files (click the links to learn what the files contain). AOL assumes you want to keep those files, so the boxes for them will be checked by default. If you don't want to keep those files, uncheck the boxes to discard them, then click Uninstall.

7. Confirm the uninstallation(s).

You'll see a dialog box that says, "Are you sure you want to uninstall these AOL products?" Read the list of installed products to make sure, then click the box marked "Yes."

8. Restart your computer to finish removing AOL.

You'll see the message: "Your computer must be restarted to complete the AOL uninstallation." Click the Restart button in the dialog box. Your computer will automatically be restarted.

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Back to the jv16 PowerTools tutorial or the CCleaner tutorial...

Further Reading: Check the FAQs if you have a question; if your question is not answered in the FAQs, please feel free to send me an email. See my How-to Section for more ways to get AOL out of your life.

Updated 3-10-2009.

There are a few reasons why you won't find an icon for AOL under Add/Remove programs on XP or Vista....

• AOL did not install properly.
• The AOL Uninstaller can't find its own files when you ask it to (sounds unbelievable, but see next item).
• The Add/Remove icon was removed by a partial or aborted uninstall done manually or with a program such as CCleaner or jv16 PowerTools.
• AOL "hung" when you tried to remove it, thanks to an internal process that could not shut down.

Any of the above problems will result in XP or Vista "thinking" AOL has been removed, so the icon for AOL will disappear from your Add/Remove list whether AOL is still installed or not. There is no way to tell exactly why the icon for AOL is not on the list once it is gone, but as I have written in two previous posts (XP | Vista), you can uninstall AOL without it, so there's no need to worry.

Today's email from "RM" touches on this topic.

Hi,

I was just on your great blog trying to remove AOL from my computer. But, I was unsure about some things so wanted to ask you. (Thought it was a bit involved to leave a comment. Hope you don't mind an email.)

First, I am using Windows XP (Ver 2002, Service Pack 3).

I tried to remove AOL from Add or Remove Programs and although AOL is listed - size 68.23MB, when I click on "Remove" it takes awhile and comes back advising there is no AOL files on my computer. But, when I followed your XP advice, on Program Files- there is an icon AmericaOnLine 9.0 and another one AOL Companion.

I know you said to go to Common Files at this point, but double-clicking on AmericaOnLine 9.0 brings up a huge amount of files (there is an uninstall icon in the list). Also double-clicking on AOL Companion brings up several files (no uninstall).

Back to Common Files/AOL/ACS - there are several uninstall icons for ACS.

So, wanted to be sure I was removing the right files. Do I need to remove anything under AmericaOnLine 9.0 and/or AOL Companion. Or, only under ACS and will clicking on uninstall remove all of the ACS files?

Sorry, if this is confusing, but I am a novice and unsure of what to do but know I need to remove some of these programs since I now only have 17% free space on my hard drive and my computer is slowing down a lot.

No need to apologize - those are actually some pretty good questions.

You should always use caution and ask yourself these questions before removing an involved program like AOL, so I admire the fact that you felt you should write to me before you proceed.

1. To answer your first question, you should click on the uninstaller or uninstall icon (the name of it will depend on the exact version of AOL you are using) in your AOL 9.0 folder to remove AOL.

   It's not a bad idea to check the files listed under AOL Companion for an uninstaller, but since you found no uninstaller in that folder, check Task Manager to make sure no process is running for AOL Companion and end the task for the process if it is. You can simply delete the AOL Companion folder once you've removed AOL 9.0.

2. To answer the second part of your first question, you say that I mentioned checking under Common Files for an AOL Uninstaller. That's not necessary unless you have AOL Desktop installed or unless you can't find the AOL uninstaller in the AOL 9.0 program folder.

3. To answer your second question, you're right - there are multiple uninstallers for ACS (the America Online Connectivity Service) but the only one you need to concern yourself with is the one you will find under C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS, named uninst.exe. There will be some files and folders left over after you shut down and remove ACS but you can delete them once you've removed AOL 9.0.

Update, 11-21-08: "RM" wrote again to say: "Thanks a lot, Marah. I believe I was able to remove all traces of AOL. (I say "I believe", because it appeared in so many places - amazing.) Anyway, I followed your instructions and was able to uninstall and remove AOL and ACS."

I cannot believe this thing. Seriously, I'm in awe.

I've been eying it for months but never touched it because I wasn't using Vista when I found it. And it's just a simple, lowly batch script. Haven't had much luck with those in the past!

Ran it just now and words can't even do it justice - or maybe they can - let's see: it bypasses AOL's uninstaller entirely (except for one brief stop at the AOL Toolbar Uninstaller), removes almost every AOL reg entry (just 12 entries left afterward), and requires just one restart no matter how many AOL programs you've got installed. And it's quick! Naturally I want to marry whoever wrote it - or at least reincarnate as him in my next life.

Vista users: try it. XP users: don't. It only works on Vista, at least as far as I can tell.

You may get a few "cannot find uninstall.exe" warnings. Just click through them and the UA warnings (if UAC is enabled on your PC) - I promise, you won't be sorry.

5-22-08, Update: This product made my Honorable Mention list as one of the three Greatest AOL Removal Products of All Time. Check out my latest post for details.

When I use Vista I pull my hair out. Why, you may ask? Because using Vista is just like using XP - until you try to delete something. Then it acts more like Fort Knox than an operating system. Gaining complete control over Vista isn't easy. This post aims to get you over that hurdle.

I've added this post to my help pages for people leaving AOL because some of you use Vista. Deleting AOL's leftover files and folders can't be done on Vista without knowing these tricks to access your system-protected folders. As usual, take these steps at your own risk. If you have a question, you can leave a comment or email me.

How To Disable UAC

• Here's four methods to disable UAC (User Account Control). Disabling UAC will save you time by giving you minimal Administrator rights over your computer. However, you'll still need to choose one of the methods below to delete all of AOL's folders.

How To Run as Admin

• Here's one method for working as the Administrator in Vista on a folder-by-folder basis. You may still need to elevate your privileges to successfully remove all of AOL's files and folders.

How to Elevate Your Admin Privileges

Here's how to elevate your privileges in Vista on a folder-by-folder basis. I've shamelessly stolen my instructions from a comment written by "Alan" on The How-To Geek.

1. Assuming you already have admin privileges: Right-click the AOL folder you wish to delete, click Properties, then click your Security tab.
2. The bottom half of the Security window will list the current user permissions. Click the Advanced button you'll see there.
3. Click the Owner tab, then click the Edit button (you'll be asked for permission if UAC is enabled).
4. Change the Owner to your own account, then place a checkmark next to the words, 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects' and click the Apply button. This results in all files including system files being switched to your account as the owner.
5. Now click 'Advanced Security Settings for (your folder) '. Now you can edit the permissions: select your account (the one you just used to take ownership) and click the Edit button.
6. You will now see the Permissions tab. Select your user account (first doublecheck that the permission set for it is Full Control). Place a checkmark next to the words, 'Replace all existing inheritable permissions…', then click Apply.

Vista may still ask for permission to delete your folder, but now you have the permission you need to delete it.

How to Take Over Vista

Best of all (and my favorite kind of step - the most dangerous one)...

• Here's how to access Vista's top-secret Super Admin account (this renders all other methods to delete folders from Vista unnecessary since it makes Vista work just like XP).

Related posts:

• How to Remove AOL 9.0 VR (Vista Ready), AOL 9.1, and AOL Desktop From Any PC
• How to Uninstall AOL Without the AOL Uninstaller On Vista

Last updated 3-11-09.

Issue: You want to remove AOL, but you're missing the AOL Uninstaller.

Solution: Remove AOL without it.

Difficulty Level: Easy

So you want to remove AOL from your Windows PC but when you check Add/Remove programs you're missing the AOL Uninstaller (or the entry for "AOL Choose Which Version to Remove").

What to do? This is one of the most frequently asked questions about removing AOL. What follows is a pretty simple way to remove AOL that doesn't harm your computer. Whether you're a tech who's looking for the easiest way to get AOL off of your customer's computers, or a beginner who can't get AOL off of your PC, this page is for you.

I tested this method on AOL 9.0 SE, AOL 9.0 Optimized, AOL 9.0 VR, AOL 9.1 GM (the first public release of 9.1), AOL 9.1, and AOL Desktop on both Windows XP and Windows Vista. This method works well on both operating systems. See this tutorial if you're an XP user.

Before we get started, visit this page to learn how to back up your registry, files, and folders.

Issues for AOL users running Vista and Windows 7: I've had email that some PCs are infected by viruses when removing AOL, so run a scan with the free online Trend Micro tool before you get started.

The first thing you'll need to do is shut the AOL Connectivity Service down.

1. Shut the AOL Connectivity Service down (works on Windows XP and Windows Vista/Windows 7)...

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Manage.

The Computer Management window will open. Click Services and Applications at the end of the list you'll see on the left hand side, then double-click on the word Services.

Find the AOL Connectivity Service on the Services list on the top right hand side of the window. Right-click and choose Properties, then click Startup Type Disabled, click Apply, then click Service Status Stopped and click OK. Now the AOL Connectivity Service is disabled.

All you need to do now is uninstall the copies of AOL you don't want, delete the leftover AOL files on your computer, and (optionally) clean up your computer's Registry.

2. To finish removing AOL without the AOL Uninstaller...

Click Start, click My Computer, click Program Files, then click on any AOL folder in your Program Files (such as 9.0, 9.0 VR, 9.1, etc.) to open it. Look for an executable file called the uninstall or the uninstaller (the name of it may depend on which version(s) of AOL you have installed). An easy way to find it is to use the View Option in Explorer to tile the files within the folder, then arrange the tiles by group. When you find the uninstaller click on it to uninstall AOL.

Special note for AOL Desktop users: You will not find an uninstaller in the AOL Desktop Program Files. Navigate instead to Program Files, Common Files, aol, then click on the uninstaller file that has AOL's blue icon next to it. Screenshot for AOL Desktop users:

Screenshot for all other AOL software users:

The uninstaller will search for every version of AOL on your computer, then it will ask you which versions you would like to uninstall. Select the copies you want to uninstall by clicking on them. If you don't want the Cabinet and Saved Files, uncheck the boxes next to those choices. When you're done with that, click Next and Uninstall. Since these are very brief instructions, you may feel you need a more thorough guide to this. Use the one here.

The uninstaller will run for a few minutes, then prompt you to restart your computer. It's important to restart your computer so you can finish removing all of AOL's files.

3. To remove leftover AOL files and folders from your computer after uninstalling AOL...

Do an Explorer search for "AOL" (without the quotes) with Advanced Options enabled to get rid of all the leftover junk in your Program and Common Files and in your Temp and Application Data folders.

Special step for Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Even with UAC disabled, when you try to remove any leftover Program File (not just AOL's) you will often see the message: "You need permission to perform this action. Try again." "Trying again" will not grant you sufficient access to delete the folder. Neither will elevating your privileges or sharing permissions.

My workaround: Say you are trying to delete your AOL 9.0VR folder. Open the folder, then open it's subfolder, then delete the files within the subfolder. Once they're deleted, you can delete the subfolder and the main directory with no problem. My workaround makes no sense at all in theory, but it works, so trust me. Isn't using Windows Vista fun?

Note: My workaround won't work on C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL unless you're running as a fully-privileged administrator with elevated permissions, or using the hidden "super-administrator" account, but I've got it all under control...check out this new post I wrote that explains how to to delete any file or folder from Vista.

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Optional (leftover registry entries will not harm your computer!): To clean your computer's registry, I recommend you use CCleaner. Download it here, and use these instructions, starting with Step 5, to clean the junk up.

That's it! It's as easy as pie.

Check the FAQs section if you have any questions. See my How-to Section for more ways to get AOL out of your life.

Tested: instructions are still up-to-date and work on latest version of AIM Pro as of 6-2-08.

As mentioned in Why You Want to Uninstall AIM Now, AIM has a lot of weaknesses that make it very unsafe, especially in light of the latest vulnerability exposed by Core Security researchers. It's best to simply uninstall it and use something safer.

Messengers that I like are Pidgin (formerly known as GAIM), Trillian, and the latest version of MSN Messenger, which really kicks butt.

What follows is how to uninstall AIM Pro.

How to Uninstall AIM Pro

1. For Win XP users: Click your Start button and click Control Panel.

In Control Panel click Add & Remove Programs, then locate AIM Pro on the Add & Remove List and click Remove.

For Win Vista users: Click your Start button and click Control Panel. In Control Panel click Programs and Features, then locate AIM Pro on the Installed Programs List and click Uninstall.

2. Click Yes to remove AIM.

You'll see a dialog box that says: "Are you sure you want to remove AIM Pro from your computer?" Click Yes.

3. That's all..

You'll see the AIM Uninstaller remove AIM components for a few minutes, then you'll see a dialog box that says: AIM Pro was successfully removed. You don't need to restart your computer to remove this version of AIM, so that's it.

4. Now click your Start button, click Search, click All files and folders, click Advanced Options, and click Search system folders and Search subfolders.

Type "aim" into the search box without the quotes. Right-click and delete any AIM components that show up in results.

!Important If you're testing AOL's Helix software don't delete anything in C:\Program Files\AOL\RC\ee. If you do, Helix will no longer work.

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See my How-To section for more ways to get AOL out of your life.

If you have any questions leave a comment or email me.

Also see How to Remove AIM 6.1.

Updated 6-1-08.

AOL Toolbar In All New HPs (Hewlett-Packard Computers)

As many of you know, AOL will soon preload AOL Toolbars and set AOL as your default home page and search engine in every new HP computer you buy thanks to a deal they made this month with Hewlett-Packard.

Here's a general purpose tutorial on how to remove the AOL Toolbar from IE, all versions from 5.0 to the latest version out on 6-1-08, from any PC running Windows.

How to Uninstall the AOL Toolbar

1. For Win XP users:

Click your Start button and click Control Panel. In Control Panel click Add & Remove Programs, then locate the AOL Toolbar on the Add & Remove List and click Change/Remove.

For Vista and Windows 7 users: Click your Start button and click Control Panel. In Control Panel click Programs and Features, then locate the AOL Toolbar on the Installed Programs List and click Uninstall.

2. Click Uninstall.

The AOL Toolbar Uninstall Wizard will open. Click Uninstall.

3. Click Reboot now.

An Uninstall Wizard dialog box will open. Click Reboot now when you see it. You'll be unable to remove files and folders associated with the AOL Toolbar unless the computer reboots.

4. To remove the files and folders for the AOL Toolbar after you've restarted your computer...

An easy way to get rid of most of the leftovers: Click your Start button, click My Computer, click the hard drive AOL is/was located on (usually the C: drive), click on the AOL folder, right-click the AOL Toolbar folder and delete it.

5. Now click your Start button, click Search, click All files and folders, click Advanced Options, and click Search system folders and Search subfolders.

Type "toolbar" into the search box without the quotes if you don't have other toolbars installed. Type "aol toolbar" if you do. Right-click and delete any AOL toolbar components that show up in results.

!Important If you're testing AOL's Helix software don't delete anything in C:\Program Files\AOL\RC\ee. If you do, Helix will no longer work.

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See my How-To section for more ways to get AOL out of your life.

If you have any questions or ideas leave a comment or email me.

Last updated 3-11-09. May update it again if I ever redo pics I lost years ago for Step 1a.

Issue: You want to remove AOL, but you're missing the AOL Uninstaller.

Solution: Remove AOL without it.

Difficulty Level: Easy

So you want to remove AOL from your Windows PC but when you check Add/Remove programs you're missing the AOL Uninstaller (or the entry for "AOL Choose Which Version to Remove").

What to do? This is one of the most frequently asked questions about removing AOL. What follows is a pretty simple way to remove AOL that doesn't harm your computer. Whether you're a tech who's looking for the easiest way to get AOL off of your customer's computers, or a beginner who can't get AOL off of your PC, this page is for you.

I tested this method on AOL 9.0 SE, AOL 9.0 Optimized, AOL 9.0 VR, AOL 9.1 GM (the first public release of 9.1), AOL 9.1, and AOL Desktop on both Windows XP and Windows Vista. This method works well on both operating systems. See this tutorial if you're a Vista user.

Before we get started, visit this page to learn how to back up your registry, files, and folders.

Issues for AOL users running XP: I've had email that some PCs are infected by viruses when removing AOL, so run a scan with the free online Trend Micro tool before you get started.

The first thing you'll need to do is shut the AOL Connectivity Service down. There are two ways to do this on XP and neither way is hard.

1. The easiest way to shut the AOL Connectivity Service down (works on XP or Vista)...

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Manage.

The Computer Management window will open. Click Services and Applications at the end of the list you'll see on the left hand side, then double-click on the word Services.

Find the AOL Connectivity Service on the Services list on the top right hand side of the window. Right-click and choose Properties, then click Startup Type Disabled, click Apply, then click Service Status Stopped and click OK. Now the AOL Connectivity Service is disabled.

All you need to do now is uninstall the copies of AOL you don't want, delete the leftover AOL files on your computer, and (optionally) clean up your computer's Registry.

1a. A second way to shut the AOL Connectivity Service down (works only on XP)...

For this method you'll need to make sure you can view "hidden files and folders" on your computer. To do so on XP, click Start, click My Documents, click Tools, click Folder Options, click the View tab, then click the radio button for Show hidden files and folders.

Optionally, you can also enable the display of hidden operation files by unchecking the box that shows you want to hide them.

Now click Start, click My Computer, click C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS, then click the uninst.exe.

This will run the Uninstaller for the AOL Connectivity Service, which will take a minute. When it's done you'll see a dialog box that says, "AOL Connectivity Service has been removed from you computer. Click OK to exit."

Do not restart your PC for any reason until you follow the next steps on this page. Restarting it now may reinstall the Connectivity Service and mess up your PC.

2. To finish removing AOL without the AOL Uninstaller...

Click Start, click My Computer, click Program Files, then click on any AOL folder in your Program Files (such as 9.0, 9.0 VR, 9.1, etc.) to open it.

Look for an executable file called the uninstall or the uninstaller (the name of it may depend on which version(s) of AOL are installed). An easy way to find it is to use the View Option in Explorer to tile the files within the folder, then arrange the tiles by group. When you find the uninstaller click on it to uninstall AOL.

Special note for AOL Desktop users: You will not find an uninstaller in the AOL Desktop Program Files. Navigate instead to Program Files, Common Files, aol, then click on the uninstaller file that has AOL's blue icon next to it. Screen shot for AOL Desktop users:

Screen shot for all other users:

The uninstaller will search for every version of AOL on your computer, then it will ask you which versions you would like to uninstall. Select the copies you want to uninstall by clicking on them. If you don't want the Cabinet and Saved Files, uncheck the boxes next to those choices. When you're done with that, click Next and Uninstall. Since these are very brief instructions, you may feel you need a more thorough guide to this. Use the one here.

The uninstaller will run for a few minutes, then prompt you to restart your computer. It's important to restart your computer so you can finish removing all of AOL's files.

3. To remove leftover AOL files and folders from your computer after uninstalling AOL...

Do an Explorer search for "AOL" (without the quotes) with Advanced Options enabled to get rid of all the leftover junk in your Program and Common Files and in your Temp and Application Data folders.

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Optional (leftover registry entries will not harm your computer!): To clean your computer's registry, I recommend you use a free one-month trial (no credit card required) of jv16 PowerTools, version 2006 for XP users, or jv16 PowerTools, version 2009 for Vista and Windows 7 users, then use these instructions, starting with Step 4, to clean your computer's Registry. A quicker and easier (but not as thorough) way to clean the Registry is to use CCleaner. Download it here, and use these instructions, starting with Step 5, to clean the junk up.

That's it! It's as easy as pie.

Check the FAQs if you have any questions. See my How-to Section for more ways to get AOL out of your life.