Delete Google Updater

General Topics
1

Dear Forum,

Is it safe to delete Google Updater?

I noticed it in C:\Program Files\Google. There are two subfolders \CrashReports and \Update. In addition, there is also ‘Google Update 1.3.21.65’ in Firefox’s plugins.

I have no idea where this came from: I do not remember installing it?!?!?!?!?!

Google Updater is also not listed under Add/Remove Programs.

Should the whole \Google directory just be manually deleted? How can I remove it from Firefox?

Thanks in advance!

Avastfan1

2

I deleted it from my other computer that has windows xp. I ran ccleaner registry cleaner to remove its registry entries. Also if you install any google product such as google toolbar, google chrome, google chrome frame they will put the google updater on your computer.

Edit: I think you should wait and see what the others say before deleting it. :slight_smile:

3

If your not using any google programs the by all mean’s delet it, you should be able to uninstall it through addons in firefox if my memory serves me correctly.

4

Google Update is a real pain… Why isn’t this feature included into the program itself and run when the software starts? I really can’t understand…
Better if you remove it using Revo Uninstaller.

5

If you install any Google application and there are many, etc. you end up with the google updater.

I bet you have installed at least one google application (Chrome perhaps) toolbar or service, etc. at some time, even when that application is uninstalled the google updater remains in place.

There is no add remove program entry for it so removal would be manual, if you know for sure you have no google products installed, I don’t see a problem in removing it. At worst if you still had any google product they wouldn’t update automatically.

6

GoogleUpdater: http://www.google.com/support/pack/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=53402
GoogleUpdate: http://antivirus.about.com/od/windowsbasics/ht/googleupdate.htm

7

The first link talks of being able to uninstall this from add remove programs, etc. but no such entry exists on my system XP system.

8

Caution Dave, GoogleUpdater and GoogleUpdate are 2 different things. :wink:

9

Well your second link basically paints them into the same corner and the executable name may be one or the other.

Google Chrome, Google Lively, Google Earth, and an untold number of other Google applications may install an update mechanism named googleupdate.exe, googleupdater.exe, or something similar. The googleupdate may continually attempt to access the Internet without requesting permission and without providing an option to disable it. This behavior may persist even after the parent application has been removed. While there's no single way to rid the system of googleupdate, the following tips provide the common install locations.
10

They are similar, but not the same.
http://www.google.com/support/installer/bin/answer.py?answer=98805

11

It is the same story though, no add remove uninstall, so you are forced to resort to manual deletion if you have no google applications, which I haven’t.

12

Thanks for the quick and detailed replies!

Deleted it from Firefox and from the Program Files directory.

Hope there are no remnants left in the registry etc. . . . .

13

Thanks for your reply Avastfan1. :slight_smile:

14

See previous post.