How to uninstall AOL 9.0?

Question

First post here... I have a new Inspiron that I've been putting through the paces.  No problems so far (plus it arrived 2 weeks early!). My question concerns AOL.  I don't like seeing the 6 months AOL included icon on the desktop and I want to delete it, but I’m not allowed to drag it to the recycle bin.  I am loath to have anything to do with AOL on my computer, and I'd like to uninstallany/everything that has to do with AOL, but I don't want to screw anything up in the process.  Is it as simple as opening the 'Add-Remove Programs' application, selecting AOL, clicking the change/remove button, and then following the steps to uninstall?  I am posting this question because I'm leery of AOL in general, and specifically leery of it maliciously disabling some of my computer’s other features when attempts are made to rid oneself of the program. Also, in the add/remove programs list, there is another program (in addition to 'AOL') called 'AOL Coach'... what's that? Thanks so much for any assistance! Cheers, Backcountry p.s. Same question for the lame Earthlink files also on my computer.

Yellowhammer · Answer

You can uninstall AOL from the add/remove programs in the Control Panel.  Uninstall the AOL Coach garbage from there as well if it is still listed after you remove AOL.  The only way to be 100% sure you have rid yourself of AOL is to reformat and start over.   That is an extreme fix and I would not suggest you do so.

osprey4 · Answer

Usually, Dell do not install AOL, they give you a shortcut to the installation file. Check if the target is AOL or a setup file of some sort. If it is, then you should be able to simply delete the target.

Regardless, AOL will uninstall as easily as any other program. People who say you need to reinstall the OS to "get rid" of all traces of AOL forget that every uninstallation leaves traces. But I doubt they reinstall their OS every time they uninstall a program.

davejohn · Answer

I agree with osprey4. If it's been installed, and you're paranoid, after uninstalling use XP's Seach command to find any files or folders containing "AOL" and delete them. Then use a tool like JV16 Powertools to find all occurances of AOL in the registry and delete them. No need to reformat and reinstall Windows.

Dave

oath code · Answer

Hi there Backcountry, One final thing.... Make certain that you NEVER INSTALL AOL 10.0 oath code

Backcountry · Answer

Hi,

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

I'm not "paranoid" in the literal sense about AOL, but I know enough to know that it does much more harm than good being installed on my computer. I simply got rid of it by using the add/delete programs function in the control panel and "buh-bye".

AOL 10.0....bwaaahaaahaaahaaa! AOL is for people that have no clue the rest of the online world is laughing at them.

Cheers, Backcountry

Don_Z · Answer

The only good AOL is a deleted AOL.............*L*

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