Lavasoft Web Comapanion surreptiously installed itself bundled with KLite Codec Pack
Like I said Web Companion somehow snuck under the radar when I updated my K-Lite Codec Pack, a totally unrelated software.I uninstalled it through Programs and Features in Windows 10. But it left two .dll files in Windows System 32 and Windows WOW64.If one removes those leftover traces of Web Companion which doesn't guard browsers anyway unless one pays a good sum on money, then everyone will lose their ability to connect to the web through loss of TCP.How do I get rid of ALL Lavasoft Web Companion and what happened to the good company that used to protect computers to one that contaminates and leaves our computers useless??
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If you don't believe me and uninstalled Web Companion search your Windows System 32 folder for "Lavasoft". This is after uninstalling it the proper and recommended way. You will find 3(three) leftover crucial Lavasoft files, 2 .DLL's and one log file. If you force remove these Lavasoft files you will not be able to connect to the internet unless you restore them. DO NOT DELETE the files or you'll have to use some advanced command prompts to restore your internet connection. This is not a rant-it is the absolute 100% truth and I'm an advanced user. So Lavasoft report can you restore our internet connection after totally removing Web Companion which does not fully uninstall using Add/Remove??
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I see many others have this same problem because now I noticed a stickie. How about an automated tool to do this for the less advanced users??
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Did I mention it changes your home page and chosen search provider without your permission?
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So you can assure me that if I run the "netsh winsock reset" command it will reset my defaults to my ISP, Optimum and then I can safely delete the two Lavasoft dlls in System32 and Syswow64?**I could only force delete them before and then lost my internet connection but now I will be able to delete them in ordinary fashion? Really, Web Companion from a good company like Lavasoft shouldn't hijack your home page and then require a slightly advanced method in removing it. But anyway if you would assure me in these two questions, then I will try the command and deletion.
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Hi robertden,
Good that you have noticed the sticky topic: http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?/topic/34376-solution-for-lavasofttcpservice-problem-after-uninstallation/
Most people can uninstall Web Companion and the DLL files will be deleted automatically during the uninstallation, but sometimes e.g. an antivirusprogram blocks the automatic change of the socket, and then the files will remain.
It's possible to configure the home page and search provider: http://www.webcompanion.com/help
10. I did not ask to Install Web Companion. How did it get on my PC?Web Companion is most commonly distributed within another software product that you or someone who uses your PC has elected to install. This is known as "bundled software distribution" and is a practice widely used by software makers worldwide to make money while delivering free software to their end-users. Most software vendors simply don't make enough money through paid licensing to continue their operations.
Lavasoft goes to great lengths to associate itself with only reputable software vendors, and also to ensure that the consent screen is clear and accurate. Despite these efforts, many users will inadvertently (due to no fault of their own) accept to install Web Companion and wonder how it ended up on their PC. Web Companion exists to protect users from this exact outcome, so we make sure the uninstallation process is as simple as possible and that any modifications of the configuration of the user's PC are simple to revert.
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The "netsh winsock reset" command has nothing to do with your ISP, it will reset certain parts of the TCP/IP protocol stack in Windows and then the usage of the DLL files of Web Companion will be removed.
I think everyone that has asked in the forum has been able to get a working internet connection without having the DLL files of Web Companion. But it's always good to create a system restore point first, and if you get any problems you can restore to that system restore point.
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Thanks Cecilia- it worked perfectly for me.I usually keep a close eye out for bundled software. At least I'm lucky it's from AdAware but I wish the boxes to uncheck were bigger.I know Lavasoft has a good reputation.
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You're welcome
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The "netsh winsock reset" command has nothing to do with your ISP, it will reset certain parts of the TCP/IP protocol stack in Windows and then the usage of the DLL files of Web Companion will be removed.
I think everyone that has asked in the forum has been able to get a working internet connection without having the DLL files of Web Companion. But it's always good to create a system restore point first, and if you get any problems you can restore to that system restore point.
Perfect, Thanks Celia, the computer works fine now
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Perfect, Thanks Celia, the computer works fine now
Great!
You're welcome
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Hey there. I know that interacting with Lavasoft Web Companion can be difficult, and I know how much it can slow things down. Those pesky .dll files that remain after uninstallation can be a nuisance. I've had a similar experience, and here's what worked for me:
First off, head to Task Manager and make sure there are no lingering Web Companion processes running in the background. Kill them if you find any. Then, dive into your system folders (C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\SysWOW64) and manually delete those pesky .dll files. Yeah, it's a bit hands-on, but it does the job.
For a more automated fix, consider using a reliable third-party uninstaller tool. I've had success with Revo Uninstaller in the past – it digs deep into your system, hunting down leftover traces.
As for Lavasoft's changes, sadly, companies sometimes take a nosedive. Keep an eye on reviews before trusting any software blindly...
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