Error Uninstalling Smadav? Don't Panic, Do This Instead

September 24, 2025 Post a Comment

Review Security - If you have been met with a frustrating error while trying to uninstall Smadav, do not panic. This guide provides a calm, methodical alternative, showing you exactly how to completely uninstall Smadav when the standard process fails. We will walk you through diagnosing the error, bypassing the faulty uninstaller, and manually removing every file and registry entry. This is the definitive plan B for achieving a clean and successful removal.

It’s a moment that can make your heart sink. You are doing routine computer maintenance, you click "Uninstall" on Smadav, and just when you expect it to finish, a small window pops up. It might contain a cryptic error code, a message like "File is in use," or simply state that the uninstallation has failed. Your first instinct might be to try again, but you are met with the same result. Panic and frustration start to creep in. Your computer is no longer doing what you tell it to do.

Before you consider more drastic measures, take a deep breath. This is a remarkably common problem, especially with security software. According to a cybersecurity dispatch from 'Tech 911 Analysis' published earlier this month in September 2025, uninstallation errors are one of the top five most-reported issues for antivirus products. The very mechanisms that allow Smadav to protect your system can also prevent it from being removed cleanly. The good news is that there is always a way around it. You just need to follow a different plan.

Decoding the Error: Why the Uninstaller is Failing

That error message is a symptom, not the core problem. When the uninstaller fails, it is because it has hit a roadblock it cannot overcome. Understanding these roadblocks is the first step to bypassing them. The most common culprits include:

Files Are Currently in Use: This is the most frequent reason. Smadav runs several background processes and services to provide real-time protection. If these processes are active, they have a "lock" on the program's files, and the uninstaller cannot delete them, which triggers an error.
Corrupted Uninstaller Script: The uninstaller application itself (often a file named unins000.exe located in the Smadav program folder) can become damaged or corrupted. When you click "Uninstall," Windows is essentially trying to run a broken program, which immediately results in an error.
Permission Conflicts: In some instances, the file and folder permissions can become misconfigured. The uninstaller might not have the necessary administrative rights to delete files from protected system directories, causing it to fail.
Remnants of a Previous Installation: If a previous version of Smadav was not removed cleanly, leftover registry keys or files can interfere with the current version's uninstaller, causing it to crash.

Whatever the specific cause, the outcome is the same: the official path is blocked. Therefore, we must create our own path.

The First Response Protocol: A Calm, Methodical Approach

Instead of repeatedly clicking the failing uninstall button, let’s follow a calm, logical first response protocol. These initial steps can sometimes resolve the issue without needing to resort to more advanced measures.

Step 1: Reboot Your Computer

It is the oldest advice in IT for a reason. A simple reboot can solve a surprising number of problems. Restarting your PC can close stuck processes and release file locks that might have been preventing the uninstaller from working. After your computer has fully rebooted, try running the uninstaller one more time. If you still get an error, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Terminate the Application Manually

If a reboot did not help, our next task is to manually and forcefully shut down every part of Smadav. This is a direct countermeasure to the "file is in use" error.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Click "More details" at the bottom if you are in the simple view.
Under the "Processes" tab, carefully search the entire list for any process containing the name "Smadav."
For each one you find, select it with your mouse and click the End task button at the bottom right.
After ending all visible processes, click the "Details" tab and sort it alphabetically. Look one more time for any Smadav-related executables and end them.

With the application now completely inert, try the uninstaller one last time. If it still produces an error, it is time to accept that the uninstaller itself is broken. We will now proceed with the definitive alternative.

The Definitive Alternative: How to Completely Uninstall Smadav Manually

When the official tool fails, the only solution is to perform its job for it. The following manual process will bypass the broken uninstaller entirely. Before you begin, you must enact one critical safety measure.

The Essential Safety Precaution: System Restore

You are about to make manual changes to system folders and the Windows Registry. You must create a safety net first. A System Restore Point is a snapshot of your system that you can return to if you make a mistake. Click the Start button, type "Create a restore point," and follow the wizard. Do not skip this step.

The Manual Removal Operation: Files & Registry

This operation has two main phases: removing the physical files and then removing the program's configuration from the registry.

Phase 1: Eradicating the File System Remnants

First, we must delete all the folders associated with Smadav. To see them all, open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box for Hidden items.

Now, navigate to the following directories and delete any folder named "Smadav" or "SmadAV."

C:\Program Files\SMADAV (and/or C:\Program Files (x86)\SMADAV)
C:\ProgramData\SMADAV
C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Smadav (Access by typing %APPDATA% in the address bar)
C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Smadav (Access by typing %LOCALAPPDATA%)

Once deleted, empty your Recycle Bin.

Phase 2: Cleansing the Windows Registry

This is the most critical part of a manual uninstall. We must remove the settings that anchor the program to your operating system.

Open the Registry Editor. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Inside the editor, click on "Computer" at the top of the left-hand tree to ensure your search will be comprehensive.
Press Ctrl + F to open the Find tool. Type Smadav in the box and click Find Next.
The editor will find the first entry. Delete it.
Instead of searching again, simply press the F3 key. This tells the editor to find the next occurrence.
Continue this systematic process: press F3 to find, then press Delete to remove. Repeat this until a message confirms that the search is complete.

The Professional's Alternative: Using a Third-Party Uninstaller

If the manual process, especially editing the registry, feels overwhelming, there is a powerful and safe alternative. Specialized uninstaller applications like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller are built to handle these exact error scenarios.

They have a "Forced Uninstall" feature that does not use Smadav's broken uninstaller. Instead, it scans your entire PC for all associated files and registry keys. It then presents you with a comprehensive list and allows you to delete everything in one or two clicks. It is effectively an automated version of the manual process described above and is the recommended route for less experienced users.

The All-Clear: Post-Removal System Checks

Once the error is bypassed and Smadav is finally gone, perform these final steps to ensure your system is in perfect health.

First, reboot your computer. This is essential for all the registry changes to take effect.

Next, run a system integrity check. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, type sfc /scannow, and press Enter. This will find and fix any corrupted Windows system files.

Finally, and most importantly, confirm you are protected. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security. Ensure that Microsoft Defender has automatically taken over and is showing green checkmarks. Your system is now secure.

An uninstallation error can be alarming, but it is rarely a catastrophe. By staying calm and understanding that the official process is simply one path of many, you can easily switch to a more effective alternative. You have now bypassed the error, taken manual control of the situation, and performed a clean and complete removal, leaving your system healthier and proving that no software error is a match for a methodical, informed user.