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Smadav Won't Uninstall? Here's the Real Fix That Works

Smadaf Soft - If you are stuck in a frustrating loop where Smadav refuses to uninstall, this guide provides the real fix that works, detailing how to completely uninstall Smadav even when the standard methods fail. We will walk you through diagnosing the problem, manually terminating stubborn processes, and performing a deep system clean to remove every last file and registry entry. This is the definitive troubleshooting manual to finally resolve uninstallation errors and take back control of your PC.

It is one of the most maddening experiences a PC user can face. You go to the Control Panel or the Windows Settings app, find the program you want to remove, and click "Uninstall." You wait, and nothing happens. Or worse, an error message pops up, cryptic and unhelpful. You try again, maybe after a reboot, but the result is the same. The software, in this case, Smadav, simply refuses to leave. It feels like your computer is no longer listening to your commands.

You are not alone in this frustration. This issue is particularly common with security software, which by design, integrates itself deeply into the operating system to protect itself from being disabled by malware. Sometimes, this self-defense mechanism can work a little too well, preventing even the legitimate owner from removing it. A Q3 2025 report from PC Troubleshooting Weekly noted that "corrupted uninstaller files" and "persistent background services" are the leading causes of removal failures for antivirus programs. This guide is designed to bypass those roadblocks and provide the real fix.

Why Does Smadav Fail to Uninstall? Diagnosing the Root Cause

Before we jump to the solution, understanding the "why" can make the "how" much clearer. When Smadav won't uninstall, it is typically due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • Persistent Background Processes: Smadav has services and processes that run constantly in the background to provide real-time protection. If these processes are active, they can lock the program's files, preventing the uninstaller from deleting them.

  • Corrupted Uninstaller Files: The uninstaller itself (unins000.exe, for example) can become corrupted or may have been accidentally deleted, leaving the operating system with no script to follow for the removal process.

  • File Permission Issues: In some rare cases, user account permissions can become scrambled, preventing you from having the necessary rights to modify or delete the program's files, even as an administrator.

  • Deep System Integration: Like all antivirus software, Smadav installs low-level drivers and services that hook into the Windows kernel. If these hooks are not properly disengaged, the removal process will fail.

The fix, therefore, requires a more assertive approach than a simple click. It involves manually shutting down the program's defenses before forcibly removing its components.

The Pre-Fix Checklist: Essential Safety Measures

Because we will be performing a more forceful removal that includes manually deleting files and editing the Windows Registry, taking safety precautions is not optional, it is mandatory. This is what separates a reckless fix from a professional one.

Create a System Restore Point: This is your absolute most important safety net. It creates a snapshot of your system's current working state. If anything goes wrong, you can "roll back" your PC to the moment before you started, undoing any changes. To do this, press the Windows key, type "Create a restore point," and follow the wizard. It is fast and can save you from a major headache.

Ensure You Have Administrative Rights: You cannot perform the following steps without being logged into an account with full administrative privileges. All the tools and commands we will use require the highest level of system access.

With your safety net firmly in place, you are ready to apply the real fix.

The Step-by-Step Fix: How to Completely Uninstall Smadav Manually

This multi-step process is designed to work when all else has failed. Follow the steps in order for the best chance of success.

Step 1: Terminating All Smadav Processes

The most common reason an uninstall fails is that the program is still running in the background. We need to shut it down completely using the Task Manager.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.

  2. Click on the "Processes" tab. If you see a simpler view, click "More details" at the bottom.

  3. Look carefully through the list of "Apps" and "Background processes" for anything related to Smadav. Common process names include SMADAV.exe or Smadav-Updater.exe.

  4. For each Smadav process you find, right-click on it and select "End task". Be thorough.

  5. Next, click on the "Details" tab and sort by name. Look again for any Smadav-related executables and end them.

With all processes terminated, the program's files are no longer locked. Now, we can try the official method one last time.

Step 2: Attempting the Standard Uninstall Again

Now that Smadav is no longer actively running, the standard uninstaller might actually work.

Go back to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and try to uninstall Smadav one more time. If the uninstaller runs successfully, reboot your PC and proceed to the "After the Fix" section at the end of this article. If it still fails with an error or does nothing, do not worry. This is expected in stubborn cases. Proceed to the next step.

Step 3: The Manual File System Purge

If the uninstaller is corrupted or simply won't run, we have to delete the program's files ourselves.

First, enable the viewing of hidden files in Windows. Open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box for Hidden items.

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

  • C:\Program Files\SMADAV (or C:\Program Files (x86)\SMADAV)

  • C:\ProgramData\SMADAV

  • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Smadav

  • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Smadav

After deleting these, empty your Recycle Bin. The physical files are now gone, but the program's "ghost" still lives in the Windows Registry.

Step 4: A Deep Dive into the Windows Registry

This final manual step removes the program's core configuration from Windows, which is the ultimate fix for how to completely uninstall Smadav.

Warning: The Registry is a sensitive area. Please be sure you have created your System Restore Point before proceeding.

  1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.

  2. Inside the editor, you will search for and delete all Smadav entries. First, click on "Computer" at the very top of the left-hand tree to ensure your search is comprehensive.

  3. Press Ctrl + F to open the Find dialog. Type Smadav and click Find Next.

  4. The editor will find the first key or value with that name. Right-click on it and select Delete.

  5. Press the F3 key to find the next occurrence.

  6. Repeat this process of pressing F3 to find and then deleting the entry. Continue until the search reports it has found nothing more. This is a meticulous but essential process to ensure a truly clean removal.

The Automated Fix: Using a Force Uninstall Tool

If the manual process, especially editing the registry, feels too intimidating, a specialized tool can be your best ally. A "force uninstall" utility, like the one found in Revo Uninstaller, is designed for exactly this scenario.

These tools do not rely on the program's own broken uninstaller. Instead, you point the tool to the Smadav program folder (even if you have already deleted it), and it will scan your entire system and registry for all related files and entries. It then presents you with a comprehensive list of everything it found, allowing you to delete it all in one go. This is an extremely effective and much safer alternative to manual registry editing.

After the Fix: Post-Removal System Health Check

Once you have successfully removed Smadav using either the manual or automated method, a few final steps are required to ensure your system is stable and secure.

First, reboot your computer. This is not optional. It allows Windows to load with a clean configuration.

Next, run the System File Checker to repair any potential inconsistencies. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, type sfc /scannow, and let it run.

Finally, and most critically, ensure you are not left defenseless. Your Windows Security platform, powered by Microsoft Defender, should have automatically activated. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security to verify that "Virus & threat protection" is on and showing a green check. This confirms your PC is actively protected.

You have now broken the frustrating loop. By moving beyond the simple "uninstall" button and applying a real, methodical fix, you have successfully resolved the issue and taken back full control of your system. The stubborn program is finally gone, and your computer is cleaner and more stable as a result.