Uninstall Google Chrome

[stinger608]

So, I've got a pals laptop that he primarily uses Google Chrome on.

Somehow the Chrome browser has become corrupt with a redirect to some weird search engine. I'm pretty much certain it's some kind of a browser virus.

I've attempted to use Malwarebytes to clean it, however it just stops the virus from running and gives a error that the site can't be loaded. Or something like that.

When I attempt to uninstall Google Chrome, I get a Windows error that it cannot remove something that isn't installed?

I've tried Riva uninstaller and it doesn't work as well.

Not sure how I can uninstall the damn browser?

Any ideas or help would be much appreciated.


I've seen where it might be possible to get rid of it through a command line, but not sure if that would work or not.

Also seen where someone just deleted the entire Google directory in file explorer, however, that wouldn't delete the registry entries.

 

[datnoz]

Try to remove by hand the files or directories that it uses, using a clean install of it from an other PC.
I'd say do the same with regedit but this might be tricky.

 

[inquisitor1]

boot into safe mode. start the pc and press f8 multiple times select safe mode, then goto the various files and remove it. dont conenct to internet.

regedit cleaning, aslo c:>users> user name*> app data then look around for chrome trash and clean.

no need to install more garbage. they will possess your computer. do it yourself. uninstallers dont do anything more that you can already do.

do you have a list of sites youve added to your host file?

 

[redeye]

try installing google chrome again?…
then use firefox.
or find the setting that changes the search engine…
otherwise remove(backup) all user generated content, and reinstall windows.

 

[Mindweaver]

In windows 11 you can hold the shift key and then restart the laptop to go into safe mode or open CMD as administrator and type "shutdown /r /0 /t 00" or "shutdown.exe /r /0 /t 00". Then I would select "safe mode with networking". Once in safe mode uninstall chrome. Then Open CMD as administrator and type. "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth". Once that finishes then I would reinstall Malwarebytes. I would clean Registry as well either manually or use Ccleaner. I would check startup apps as well.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Try going to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and pick a different browser. It does not matter which one now. Then see if you can uninstall Chrome.

 

[stinger608]

In windows 11 you can hold the shift key and then restart the laptop to go into safe mode or open CMD as administrator and type "shutdown /r /0 /t 00" or "shutdown.exe /r /0 /t 00". Then I would select "safe mode with networking". Once in safe mode uninstall chrome. Then Open CMD as administrator and type. "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth". Once that finishes then I would reinstall Malwarebytes. I would clean Registry as well either manually or use Ccleaner. I would check startup apps as well.

Dang it, failed to mention, he is running Windows 10.

Try going to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and pick a different browser. It does not matter which one now. Then see if you can uninstall Chrome.

Been there tried to do that.

 

[eidairaman1]

Dang it, failed to mention, he is running Windows 10.



Been there tried to do that.

A tool that has been good for many years is spyware blaster, it doesnt run in background and it puts an additional layer of protection in webbrowsers.

You may need to look for a tool called unlocker, you may also consider running housecall

 

[stahlhart]

Could also try removing/deleting C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\Cache_Data ?

 

[GerKNG]

geek uninstaller (right click on chrome and force removal)

 

[wNotyarD]

Dang it, failed to mention, he is running Windows 10.

As far as I'm aware, holding shift then clicking Restart works the same in Windows 10. Otherwise, you can go to the Settings app, then Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.

 

[Steve-007UK]

Sorry if i missed anyone say this but also when trying to clean this up make sure any wireless or lan connection to internet is also disabled.

 

[Mindweaver]

Dang it, failed to mention, he is running Windows 10.



Been there tried to do that.

Don't worry, I meant to add that it works on windows 10 as well.

 

[Nhonho]

I've tried Riva uninstaller and it doesn't work as well.

I had this same problem and managed to solve it.

Do this in this order:

Run Malwarebytes and delete everything it finds.

Then, uninstall Chrome using Revo Uninstaller without creating a restore point, select the "advanced" option, select and delete everything Revo Uninstaller finds, restart your PC.

Reinstall Chrome again.

Tell us here if it worked.

 

[eidairaman1]

I had this same problem and managed to solve it.

Do this in this order:

Run Malwarebytes and delete everything it finds.

Then, uninstall Chrome using Revo Uninstaller without creating a restore point, select the "advanced" option, select and delete everything Revo Uninstaller finds, restart your PC.

Reinstall Chrome again.

Tell us here if it worked.

Id still search for all google related entries in the registry

 

[Nhonho]

Id still search for all google related entries in the registry

The "advanced" option in Revo Uninstaller already does this.
The OP can also, before running Revo Uninstaller, delete all Chrome data with CCleaner.
It is essential that the OP does all these steps, restarts the PC, and only then reinstalls Chrome.

 

[stinger608]

All awesome information!!!!!!

However, I got tired of F'n with it.

I ended up just dumping the OS and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 10. Working great now and already delivered it to my pal.

 

[Nhonho]

For anyone experiencing the same problem with Chrome, the tips on how to quickly resolve this issue are above.

 

[dgianstefani]

Portable Geek uninstaller force remove.

 

[Mindweaver]

All awesome information!!!!!!

However, I got tired of F'n with it.

I ended up just dumping the OS and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 10. Working great now and already delivered it to my pal.

That's always the safe bet.

 

[Space Lynx]

When I did a clean install of 24H2 Windows 11, I made certain to not install any google products this time around as I knew it would basically be impossible to remove it. My life has been so much better since I moved on from Google. @GerKNG is feeling similar, since he recently moved to iphone and macbook air.

 

[freeagent]

Sounds like the best way to get rid of it is to not install it at all..

Wow..