Troubleshooting Advance PC Care Removal: Not Found in Programs?

It can be frustrating when you try to uninstall software like Advance PC Care and find it missing from the list of installed programs in Windows. This often happens with utility software that burrows deep into your system. If you’re looking to remove Advance PC Care and it’s not showing up in the usual uninstall menu, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through effective methods to completely remove it from your system, ensuring your PC is clean and running smoothly.

When software doesn’t uninstall through the standard “Programs and Features” or “Apps & features” in Windows, it usually means the uninstaller is corrupted, missing, or the program wasn’t properly registered during installation. In the case of Advance PC Care, remnants might still be lurking in your system even if it seems to be gone. Let’s explore how to tackle this issue head-on.

Manual Removal of Advance PC Care

If Advance PC Care isn’t listed for uninstallation, you’ll need to manually remove its components. This involves several steps, and it’s crucial to follow them carefully to ensure a complete removal.

1. Terminate Advance PC Care Processes

Before deleting any files, make sure the program isn’t running in the background.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for any processes related to “Advance PC Care”, “ASCValidatorService”, or “scad.exe” under the “Processes” or “Details” tab.
3. If you find any, select them and click “End Task”.

It is important to close all related processes to prevent file deletion issues and ensure complete removal.

2. Delete Program Files

Next, you need to manually delete the program’s installation folder. Based on typical installation paths, and the file paths provided, check these locations:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to C:Program Files and C:Program Files (x86) if you have a 64-bit system.
3. Look for a folder named “Advance-System Care for USER-PC” or similar.
4. If found, delete the entire folder.

Deleting the program files folder removes the main application components from your system.

3. Remove ProgramData Files

Some applications store data in the ProgramData folder, which is usually hidden.

1. In File Explorer, type %ProgramData% in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Look for folders named “ASCValidator for USER-PC” or “Advance-System Care for USER-PC”.
3. If found, delete these folders.

Removing files from ProgramData ensures that application data and settings are also cleared.

4. Delete Roaming AppData Files

User-specific application data might be stored in the Roaming AppData folder.

1. In File Explorer, type %appdata% in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Roaming folder.
3. Look for a folder named “Advance-System Care For USER-PC” or “FileOpenerWindows for USER-PC”.
4. If found, delete these folders.

Deleting Roaming AppData removes user-specific settings and temporary files related to the application.

5. Remove Desktop Shortcut

If you have a desktop shortcut for Advance PC Care, delete it.

1. Locate the “Advance-System Care” shortcut on your desktop.
2. Right-click on it and select “Delete”.

Removing the shortcut cleans up your desktop and prevents accidental launching of potentially incomplete program remnants.

6. Clean Up the Registry (Caution Advised)

Warning: Incorrectly editing the Windows Registry can cause serious system problems. Back up your registry before making any changes.

Advance PC Care might leave registry entries behind. Removing these is an advanced step.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Press Ctrl + F to open the “Find” dialog.
3. Type “Advance System Care”, “ASCValidator”, or “scad” and click “Find Next”.
4. If you find any keys or values related to Advance PC Care, carefully consider deleting them. Only delete entries you are certain are related to the program.
5. Press F3 to continue searching for more entries and repeat step 4.
6. Be particularly cautious about deleting keys under:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432Node (on 64-bit systems)
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall

Cleaning the registry removes residual settings and entries, ensuring a cleaner system. However, this step requires caution and is for advanced users.

Using a Third-Party Uninstaller (Recommended)

For a safer and more thorough removal, consider using a reputable third-party uninstaller tool. These tools are designed to scan for and remove all traces of a program, including registry entries and leftover files.

Popular options include:

• Revo Uninstaller
• IObit Uninstaller
• CCleaner Uninstaller

These tools often have a “force uninstall” mode that can be helpful when a program isn’t listed in the standard uninstall utility.

Third-party uninstallers provide a more automated and safer way to remove software and its remnants.

Final Steps

After performing the manual removal or using a third-party uninstaller:

1. Restart your computer.
2. Run a scan with your antivirus software to ensure no malicious components are left behind.
3. Consider using a system cleaner utility to remove any remaining temporary files and optimize your system.

By following these steps, you should be able to completely remove Advance PC Care from your system, even if it wasn’t initially listed in your programs. Remember to be careful when editing the registry and consider using a dedicated uninstaller tool for a smoother and safer process.