I had uninstalled Avast AV free version on my PC. There is a AvastWscReporter service that I am trying to delete. When I try to delete it, I receive an error message that says the following.
[SC] DeleteService Failed 5:
Access is denied
I want to delete this service. Does anyone know how I can delete it?
Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
I ran that tool when I uninstalled the program before. I just ran it again to see if anything changed and it didn’t. I still get that same error message when I try to delete the AvastWscReporter service.
Does anyone else have any other suggestions to try that will delete this service on my pc?
The Avast uninstaller should(?) uninstall all parts of Avast, but in your case that seems untrue.
What version of Windows do you have?
I assume you have done some searches on internet for a solution. I have just done same and found this which may be of help, but I do not know if advice helped others or not.
https://serverfault.com/questions/11920/force-removing-windows-services
I have windows 10 ver 1909.
Hi,
You need to run the avastclean tool under safe mode.
Regards,
Filipe
Which avastclean tool are you referring? Is it this tool from the link below? If so, I already ran that in safe mode, as I stated previously.
Yes was that one. So it seems that you have done everything right. Lets wait for Avast Staff to help you more.
Kind Regards,
Do you know how long it takes for an Avast staff member to reply to my post?
Rocksteady, that force deleting services link you posted worked. I was able to delete it in regedit, but I forgot to do it in safe mode. I rebooted my pc and the AvastwscReporter service is no longer listed in services. I wonder if it really is deleted even though it isn’t listed in services anymore since I forgot to delete it in safe mode.
Good to hear that you have removed the unwanted service.
You could always use File Explorer to search for any Avast folders or files remaining on your machine.
Thanks for feedback. It may help someone in the future.
Rocksteady, I just realized that although it deleted the service, I still have a number of “Avast” entries in my windows registry. I found this out after still receiving the same message that is preventing me to install another program on my pc. The message says that it detected Avast update helper on my pc. Any suggestions regarding this issue?
Since you don’t say what these other registry entries are, it is somewhat hard to say why they might be there.
There are some entries in the Registry that are placed there by the Operating System and as such controlled by the OS.
DavidR, I did a search for “Avast” in my registry and it found all entries that had the word “Avast.” Wouldn’t all those entries just be related to the Avast software that I had installed on my pc?
Yes they could, but without knowing what those keys there really is no way of saying who created them.
If my memory serves me well, when you first install a third party antivirus Windows does create some HKey Local Machine entries relating to that AV. I guess there is also the relationship that it and not Defender is the default AV.
When you uninstall Avast those registry entries are still controlled by the OS and in due course the OS would remove them.
This relates to the Avast Remediation exe file, I really don’t know who gives these names, but I believe it is related to checking your installation for errors, etc (to presumably remedy the problem or report it). Because of the nature of this tool I guess it could be stand alone or it couldn’t check the correct working of the Avast installation.
I have an entry for this in my Task Manager and that is where the AvastWscReporter service enters the picture.
If you have uninstalled avast, then this Avast Remediation exe entry wouldn’t be in the Task manager ?
If not any registry entry for the AvastWscReporter service would be redundant.
DavidR, I appreciate you taking the time in assisting with my issue and for that detailed reply. Are you saying that windows will eventually delete all the registry entries associated with Avast eventually? I attached a few photos of some of the registry entries after performing a search for “Avast.” I am not sure if what I attached would help you to know if I could just delete them from my registry or not.
These refer to the Avast Secure Browser. It’s not part of what gets removed with the AV program.
Uninstall Secure Browser via Programs and Features - Reboot
Run the removal tool, reboot, run the installer import your favorites if you saved them.
A video to help with the installation: https://youtu.be/r_VLA0HMLQM
You’re welcome and the attachments have certainly helped as bob3160 has identified them (certainly the last 3) as being related to the Avast Secure Browser.
Hopefully the uninstall info and video given by Bob will help you remove it and hopefully those reg keys.
I uninstall both the Av and browser before using Revo uninstaller program. I just ran that uninstaller tool and a window flashed and it said “starting” and nothing else happened. The registry files are still there.