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I have a version of zonealarm on vista32 that can't be uninstalled due to a bug in that version. I have the script to manually uninstall, but I can't take ownership on any of the files. I seem to remember doing this before, but can't now.

The owner of program files is trustedinstaller. I want to change it to administrators. So far, I haven't been able to do this. Do you know a way this can be changed? Nothing I have found works. I am logged into the administrator account.

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  • Can you install a later version, then uninstall it instead?
    – Michael Todd
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 4:27
  • I am very stubbon, and refuse to accept that I can't delete any file I want. But I am a couple hours into this nonsense and might try that.
    – P a u l
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 4:35
  • That's what I ended up doing (install new.. uninstall). I want to learn more about trusted installers and what power they have over the file system. I have uber-power in that I can wipe the drive :+>
    – P a u l
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 8:52

3 Answers 3

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Try Revo Uninstaller. This might solve your problem

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  • I agree. Revo does a great job at removing stuff that is corrupt.
    – Mark
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 4:31
  • That's not required. I have full knowledge of the files to be deleted. I need to know how I can delete files. I have taken ownership of system32 as administrator, and ownership of the files, but vista is still refusing to delete the files. I need to solve the ownership problem and this has first priority now.
    – P a u l
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 4:37
  • It's not so much of an uninstaller as it is a deep cleaner for things you don't want. If you try it and it doesn't work, here is a resource on ownership
    – eqzx
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 17:00
  • If it works (haven't tried it) the programmers know how to defeat NTFS security and I'd like to know how they do it while running on windows. I could not even delete the files by dual booting another version of windows, and you know they're not locked then. I think that only the signed installer by zonelabs can delete them (theory). I could use knoppix live cd and delete that way I guess.
    – P a u l
    Commented Dec 18, 2009 at 6:41
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After reading your comment on nrhine1's answer, may I suggest Lockhunter:

It will show you what is locking a file and allows to stop the service/process. Unlike other programs of its kind it will not delete the file(s) but rather move them to the Recycle Bin if you wish to restore the file(s).

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Lockhunter is freeware, works with all Windows versions, 32-bit and 64-bit.

Of course you can always from an external source that doesn't give a hoot about Windows permissions, e.g. a Linux Live distro!

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  • Zonealarm is completely shut down, no processes are active. This is a permissions problem only. I can't even delete license.txt in it's program files directory. Administrator is the owner, has full permission except for 'special permissions'. So a trick has been done during install that I want to undo.
    – P a u l
    Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 5:22
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I just had the same problem trying to remove ZA from Windows 7.

Running the uninstaller from the control panel or using revo uninstaller caused nasty crashes and the forced uninstaller option in revo didnt work either, even disabling ZA startup with msconfig didn't stop it from starting up.

What worked for me was booting in safe mode where I was able to uninstall the normal way from the control panel.

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