Computer newbies forum: How to remove or delete unwanted screensavers?

and click each one listed to see what they look like so you can decide which ones you want to keep and which you want to get rid of. Write down the ones you plan to delete.

Now go to Search and Files and Folders....and type in *.scr for the filename and click Find Now.

As all the screensavers show up on the right hand side, you can then right click and delete the ones that are on your written list.

TONI

look for Files and Folders, and type

AVAST as the file name.......click Find Now.

Whatever remnants that are left over from that program should show up on the right hand side if you click Advanced and make sure checks are in the boxes for System and Hidden folders, and Sub Folders.

If for some reason, windows sees any of Avast's files as 'system or hidden' files, you will need to go into Windows Explorer, click Tools/Options and View tab. Now take the check marks out of 'hide system and hidden files' and put a dot in 'show all files'. Click Apply, then click the top button that says 'like current folder' and click OK at the window that pops up. Now close that window and do your search again.

You can now right click and delete any AVAST files that show up since you have uninstalled that program and the .scr file for the screensaver should show up to be deleted as well.

TONI

the extra screensavers you found in the search are located within the 'Themes' folder and unless you install the Theme in the Display area, they won't load or be listed there.

Keep in mind that many of the screensavers you download and install from the net include some type of spyware within the installer program they use. If you want to protect yourself from spyware, search only for .scr types of files to download that don't come with an installer and then just drag a copy of that file to your C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System folder for W98/ME and C:\Windows\System32 folder for XP and they will show up after a reboot in the Display/Screensaver list. Even if what you have downloaded is a .zip file, you can extract the files and just drag the .scr file to the correct location (choose COPY HERE with a right mouse drag) and don't use the setup.exe installer if you can get away with not using it)

TONI

Thanks atool,try that but no screensaver/s there,anyway problem now solved.

Thanks for your help.

cheers

....try reinstalling the program again, then uninstall it from the Add/Remove Programs....OR.... the Start Menu, IF it has an uninstall link...OR....check the Program Files directory for the program IF it was installed as a program...OR....use the Unlocker program to delete the file, and Windows Installer Cleanup Utility below to clean out the remnants of the installation afterwards:

Unlocker
http://www.scanwith.com/Unlocker_download.htm

Windows Installer Cleanup Utility
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=290301

Hope this helps.

Grif

Maybe I missed it above,"If I did, I apologize" but I didn't see mentioned where the screensaver was not in use. When a screensaver is being uninstalled, even if NOT running, just chosen as main screensaver in the options, it can remain and seem like a pain to get rid of. I have run into this many times, either I choose "none" or choose a different saver, then it's much easier to uninstall\delete.