need help removing webroot.

Good day,

I have acquired my fathers older laptop that he barley used that has windows 10 on it. For some reason he was using webroot for security. but looking at it, the software was expired. I have tried to remove it and went to uninstall programs and clicked on webroot and did a uninstall. I thought the program was completely gone. When I rebooted the computer, it is still showing up. When I go to uninstall programs, it is not listed but there is a file in the C:\program where I can still see it. When I go onto the folder and right click it and try to delete it, I get a window that pops up saying "you need permission to perform this action. you require permission from Administrators  to make this change."

Even though I uninstalled webroot, it is preventing Microsoft windows defender from running.

How do I remove this last file. I am logged onto the laptop the way he always has with his username and PW.

Any information would be great.

Edited by MoxieMomma, 29 April 2024 - 01:41 PM.

The correct way to remove most programs is by using Apps & features in Windows 10/11 or Program Features in Control Panel for older operating systems, then to reboot when done.
 
However, sometimes the uninstall works more effectively if you first stop and disable the program's service (and associated processes in Task Manager) or perform the removal in safe mode so there are less processes which can interfere with the uninstallation. Any interference can result in failure to remove all files/folders.

I forgot to mention, that in some cases after a failed/unsuccessful removal you may need to reinstall the antivirus and then uninstall again while in safe mode.

This is for webroot secure anywhere. I dont want to wipe this computer clean and start over again. This is my fathers computer who passed away and I want to save the log on informations to some sites he has in case I need access to it.

@moxiemomma,

you were helping me on another thread about my screen going black on my other computer. I am going to go this route instead with his old computer that does not have much use from when he had it.

The correct way to remove most programs is by using Apps & features in Windows 10/11 or Program Features in Control Panel for older operating systems, then to reboot when done.
 
However, sometimes the uninstall works more effectively if you first stop and disable the program's service (and associated processes in Task Manager) or perform the removal in safe mode so there are less processes which can interfere with the uninstallation. Any interference can result in failure to remove all files/folders.

This is how I uninstalled it originally. I went to control panel uninstall programs, selected webroot and clicked the uninstall option.

Should I try and reinstall it and then uninstall it?

im in safe mode now. should i try and delete that c:\program files\webroot ?

Edited by flyinghi3, 30 April 2024 - 08:28 AM.

I'll defer to @quietman7, but if the usual procedures don't work, perhaps try the suggestions from the Webroot article I provided earlier?

Just a thought

Cheers

I'll defer to @quietman7, but if the usual procedures don't work, perhaps try the suggestions from the Webroot article I provided earlier?

 

Just a thought

 

Cheers

Yes, i tried this link you provided. Even though they were talking about older windows (7/8).

one of the links you need to download does not seem to work anymore as well.

http://download.webroot.com/CleanWDF.exe

Should I try and reinstall it and then uninstall it?
 
im in safe mode now. should i try and delete that c:\program files\webroot ?

My thoughts are always to try the least intrusive methods first and go from there. Leftovers from an unsuccessful uninstall are not uncommon and generally not a cause of concern if they remain. However, I understand you want them gone. Since you are already in safe mode, then I would go ahead and try deleting the webroot folder.

 

Should I try and reinstall it and then uninstall it?
 
im in safe mode now. should i try and delete that c:\program files\webroot ?

My thoughts are always to try the least intrusive methods first and go from there. Leftovers from an unsuccessful uninstall are not uncommon and generally not a cause of concern if they remain. However, I understand you want them gone. Since you are already in safe mode, then I would go ahead and try deleting the webroot folder.

 

When I try and delete this folder in safe mode I get this,

Folder in use

The action cant be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program.

Close the folder or file and try again

If i try and delete this in regular windows mode, I get "you need permission to perform this action. you require permission from Administrators  to make this change."

There are several reasons for that message as explained here to include something as simple as interference by Windows Controlled Folder Access preventing deletion. It could also mean that it's not just one leftover folder. There is the possibility that the folder is protected by other releated processes still running in the background.
 
Check the running processes in Task Manager. Check services and end anything related to Webroot.

There are several reasons for that message as explained here to include something as simple as interference by Windows Controlled Folder Access preventing deletion. It could also mean that it's not just one leftover folder. There is the possibility that the folder is protected by other releated processes still running in the background.
 
Check the running processes in Task Manager. Check services and end anything related to Webroot.

when logging into task manager and scrolling down i see this program is still running ( after in uninstalled it). When I try to "end task" i get this message

unable to terminate process

the operation could not be completed 

access is denied

That confirms the uninstall did not remove everything. If you don't want to reinstall and try uninstall again, I suggest you contact and ask Webroot Support (submit a ticket). They may have a new stand-alone clean up tool to replace the one (CleanWDF.exe) that no longer works.

That confirms the uninstall did not remove everything. If you don't want to reinstall and try uninstall again, I suggest you contact and ask Webroot Support (submit a ticket). They may have a new stand-alone clean up tool to replace the one (CleanWDF.exe) that no longer works.

thanks, let me give this webroot support a try.