Recovering from AOL's Installed Tools

[mrtech]

Last Updated 3/14/2004 12:32:43 AM EST

AOL has been notoriously annoying with their AOL IM installer and there latest AOL 9.0 SE Optimized and Security Edition installation.

Luckily  most of the components can be uninstalled, but in reality some components still linger around.

AOL IM Installer Overview

The AOL IM installer is the least annoying of the two in that it at least prompts you to install components in question, read my original posting here.

The following components are optional:
- WildTangent components, which power their online AIM Games
- WeatherBug, which I'm not sure if it's the ad sponsored version or now, either way I use WeatherWatcher which is free and fast
- AOL Pop Up Blocker, which if I'm not mistake is their AIM Toolbar for Internet Explorer.  Either case it's not really needed.

Even though they are optional their smaller stub-installers get copied over anyway.....  That and the installer decides to thow icons on the desktop, your start menu and your Internet Explorer favorites.

AOL IM Cleanup

Well luckily for the free world one tool can clean this all up.  If you have the latest version or not you can use the "Aim Ad Hack" program to remove a lot of the annoying things that AOL IM installs or by default has showing.  The added bonus is that give you the option to modify the main window to remove the second toolbar and the oh-so annoying banner ad from the top window.

You might say "Why not just manually uninstall the components manually? Well this program removes the installs that are also tucked away in the AIM directory as well as those annoying links and desktop icons that AIM creates.

AOL 9.0 SE Optimized & Security Edition Installer Overview

Well this puppy is the true reason for my posting.  The latest version of AOL's full client is soooo packed with features that after installing it and rebooting I was wondering if I was running Windows XP or AOL XP.  The only option you get when you first go to the Keyword: Upgrade is whether you want the additional 30meg Apple itunes client with the 70meg AOL client, of course I said not thanks and proceed with the fully automated AOL full client install only.  Apples iTunes also addes a few services and automatically comes with the full QuickTime client.

Here's just a "short" list of the the components that the fat bastard installed on my computer.
- AOL Full Client *
- AOL Coach **
- AOL Connectivity Services *
- AOL Deskbar
- AOL Spyware Protection ***
- AOL Toolbar
- AOL You've Got Pictures Screensaver
- Pure Networks Port Magic
- Viewpoint Media Player

What you probably didn't know:
In the background the AOL installer is also doing the following:
- Installs Apple Quicktime Codecs
- Installs Real Player Codecs
- Installs the Nullsoft video/audio codecs
- If not present updating and installing microsoft network/connectivity specific drivers for 9x/me and possibly windows 2000.

If you want you can now download and install the following additional components
- AOL Computer Check-Up (upgraded version)
- McAfee Firewall Express
- McAfee Anti-Virus

But that's just what it's showing you, in the background (at least on Windows 2k/XP) systems it has about 5 services running, even when AOL isn't open.

* the full client & connectivity services are critical don't uninstall it
** I think the coach tool is that silly toolbar that tells you how many emails you have, can't verify though
*** this spyware tool has produced a lot of false-positives for me, basically files that weren't really spyware.

AOL Client Cleanup

Basically you have to manually uninstall each of the components you don't want.

To uninstall them just:
- go the Start menu
- select the Settings and open the Control Panel
- Find the Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel
- then find each component and try to uninstall, some entries might have issues

I may write something to try to remove these annoying program some time we'll see and enjoy.



Edited By mel on 1110778381

[tammy]

 i am new at all this, i hope you can help me out. my nephew was on my computer and deleted my aol connectivity services...as a result, i can not get a full connection. do you have any suggestions? thank you. autumnangel45AUTUMNANGEL45@AOL.COM

[mrtech]

The AOL Installer should recognize that it's missing and reinstall it, easiest thing to do is either re-download and re-install or to grab an AOL CD and reinstall.

Try rebooting also before reinstalling, AOL might need to reset a few things, but the main app should look to try to reinstall the connectivity software.

Either way you might want to uninstall older versions just to eliminate duplicate copies on your pc, AOL does not use the same location when reinstalling the main app, even for the same major version, so you will end up with multiple copies, etc.

Good luck.

[mrtech]

Well I wanted to keep my promise of providing a tool to do some major housecleaning of what AOL now installs with their latest full client.

I'm calling it "MR Tech's AOL Cleaner" and it's currently version 1.0 Beta 1.

It currently prompts you to pick the uninstallation and removal of any of the following "non-critical" AOL installed programs:

- AOL Coach
- AOL Computer Check-Up 2.0
- AOL Deskbar
- AOL IE Toolbar
- AOL Spyware Protection
- AOL You've Got Pictures Screensaver
- Pure Networks Port Magic
- Viewpoint Media Player
- Removal of AIM Backup Installers

You can download it here: http://www.mrtech.com/aolcleaner.exe - 50.4k

Post your comments and suggestions here and enjoy!!!

Update to let everyone know what this app tries to do:
1) Tries to run the uninstaller that come with each tools
2) after that removes the files if know directories exist
3) removes known program and uninstall registry entries (this still needs more clean work)



Edited By mel on 1109751153

[mrtech]

http://www.mrtech.com/aolcleaner.exe - 39.2k

1.1 - Released
(Deleted my code and my backup by mistake, had to completely rewrite the whole thing, damn.)

- Added: New Cleanup AOL Coach 1.0, WeatherBug, Wildtangent (including WildTangent and WeatherBug Data Directories)
- Added: New Cleanup of AOL Spyware Protection data directory
- Added: Massive registry cleanup with proper unregistering of activex components, etc.
- Added: Absolute cleanup of common directories within each section
- Added: Reboot capabilities on directory or file deletion
- Added: Now displaying standard "Found" messages and pausing app at end to let you see what it has cleaned up, right-click to copy text
- Added: New section for AIM Specific Uninstalls
- Update: Optimized Installer saving 11k, app is only 39k!!
- Update: Seperated AIM Toolbar Uninstall and AOL Toolbar Uninstall
- Update: Better Silent installation for most uninstalls
- Update: Registry cleanup regardless if program path is found, this helps horked installations, etc.
- Update: Changed all app labels and headers referring from "Install" to "Uninstall"
- Fix: Now properly removing empty installation directories

1.0 Beta 1 - Initial Release (Released March 02, 2005)
- Cleanup of:
   AOL Coach, Computer Check-Up, Deskbar, AIM & AOL IE Toolbar,
   Spyware Proctection, You've Got Pictures, Pure Network - Port Magic
   ViewPoint Media Player & AIM Backup files

[f66939]

Hi Mel,

 Just came across your nifty little program at Maj Geeks. I cancelled by AOL subscription this morning. Hey, 3 months free internet access how can I go wrong! I've been shopping for a new ISP since early last September and so far have paid $39.00 period. 7 months unlimited access for $5.57? Nothing wrong with that!

My question is, since I will be attempting (key word) to uninstall all of AOL from my ststem, should I use your program before or after uninstalling AOL or would it be unnecessary to use your tool?

Thanks,
f66939 aka Frank

[mrtech]

You will be better off running my app after you uninstall AOL, this way AOL will finished what it needs to do.  If aol uninstall prompts to reboot do so and then run my app, hope my app finds more lingering files and enjoy!!!

[f66939]

Thanks Mel. That was quick. While I was here I also checked out your Firefox tweaks and spyware prevention/removal pages. I've been running very clean and its good to know that most of the programs you recommended, I already am using.

SpywareGuard, SpywareBlaster, Ad-aware, Spybot S&D (immunize but not tea timer), A2squared and not on your list Microsoft Anti-spyware. Maybe you should include them?

I also use the Firefox browser, Sygate firewall and AVG anti-virus. Firefox compliments are all over the net. I like Sygate very much. I had Zone Alarm, didn't care for it because of seemingly constant pop-ups, when I uninstalled it I found endless leftovers and tailings everywhere. What a messy sty of pigs. I have run AVG since 2001 and have always been satisfied with their preformance. They could be better in some areas like downloads and help but they're like an old shoe to me and I have never seen their ability to detect viruses seriously questioned.

I took you advise and downloaded and used MDSA from Microsoft, Kill The Messager and unPopPlug&Prey. I remember unplugging that thing years ago from my WinMe system but was unaware that that possible security breach has remained open by default in WinXP.

Thanks for the tips. I have 'bookmarked' your site.

f66939 aka Frank

BTW: I thought your name was familiar. I now recall your name bandied about the security forums. Great job helping keep the technology running. Your help is greatly appreciated by me and millions other.

[mrtech]

Yeah, I prefer Tea timer vs Spywareguard.  As for A2squared, I've found it to be a little resource intensive and MS's anti-spyware tool still has some interface issues and I'm not ready to trust another tool MS has bought out.

I use Zone Alarm and Avast, Spybot, tea timer, ad-aware and spybaster.  It's sad that I have to load up like this, but it keeps me clean.

I'm getting ready to update the virus & spyware posting to make it easier to fix a few other issues so we'll see when I get around to that, but enjoy the rest of the info and thanks again.

[Jeromy]

http://www.mrtech.com/aolcleaner.exe - 39.2k

1.1 - Released
(Deleted my code and my backup by mistake, had to completely rewrite the whole thing, damn.)

- Added: New Cleanup AOL Coach 1.0, WeatherBug, Wildtangent (including WildTangent and WeatherBug Data Directories)
- Added: New Cleanup of AOL Spyware Protection data directory
- Added: Massive registry cleanup with proper unregistering of activex components, etc.
- Added: Absolute cleanup of common directories within each section
- Added: Reboot capabilities on directory or file deletion
- Added: Now displaying standard "Found" messages and pausing app at end to let you see what it has cleaned up, right-click to copy text
- Added: New section for AIM Specific Uninstalls
- Update: Optimized Installer saving 11k, app is only 39k!!
- Update: Seperated AIM Toolbar Uninstall and AOL Toolbar Uninstall
- Update: Better Silent installation for most uninstalls
- Update: Registry cleanup regardless if program path is found, this helps horked installations, etc.
- Update: Changed all app labels and headers referring from "Install" to "Uninstall"
- Fix: Now properly removing empty installation directories

1.0 Beta 1 - Initial Release (Released March 02, 2005)
- Cleanup of:
   AOL Coach, Computer Check-Up, Deskbar, AIM & AOL IE Toolbar,
   Spyware Proctection, You've Got Pictures, Pure Network - Port Magic
   ViewPoint Media Player & AIM Backup files

After running AOL Cleaner 1.1 I am no longer able to right click on an embedded image in email > select Edit Picture - a blank window appears.

Is there an option I shouldn't check in AOL Cleaner 1.1 to prevent this from happening?

[mrtech]

I'm assuming it's part of the "AOL You've Got Pictures Screensaver" bundling, I'll check it out, see if you can go to aol's YGP section and have it install the necessary files, I'll do the same and report back.

Mel

[another web guy]

great tool, thanks for making this

[mrtech]

np, next release might have some YGP changes, removal of AIM Sync and additional reg cleanup, let me know there is anything that you might want or that I'm missing.

txs,
mel

[mrtech]

After running AOL Cleaner 1.1 I am no longer able to right click on an embedded image in email > select Edit Picture - a blank window appears.

Is there an option I shouldn't check in AOL Cleaner 1.1 to prevent this from happening?

Here's how I fixed the issue with the edit pictures feature.  I went to the View Albums link in the "Pictures" section in AOL or from Internet Explorer go to: http://pak06.pictures.aol.com/NASApp/ygp/Login?locale=en_US

Once there click on the "My Computer" tab, on this screen you should see a green "Install Now" button, do so and confirm all the prompts.

Re-installing just the album component will give you back the right-click features for pictures in emails.

In the meantime just uncheck the "You've Got Pictures Screen Saver" Option in my aol cleaner and this will preserve this aol feature, I'll update my app to seperate out the Screen Saver features from the Album features.

Thanks again and good luck.

Mel

[damentz]

You need to make AOL Annihilator that removes anything related to aol, including aim and stuff for people that have changed their isp or so.  I might accidently overuse it though so you have to make sure you dont put in a panic button