Zone Labs Customer Care
This Information Applies to:
All ZoneAlarm Products
Summary:
If you want to fully uninstall ZoneAlarm, or if you received this from Tech Support.
Solution:
In order to completely remove ZoneAlarm from your system, please do the following. If any of the steps below do not apply to you, or you are unable to perform the function listed, please continue to the next step.
If you plan to reinstall, then before starting, please be sure to download the latest version. Note that a current valid license key is required to download ZoneAlarm Plus or Pro.
For ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/zadownload/
For ZoneAlarm Pro: http://www.zonelabs.com/zapdownload/
For ZoneAlarm Plus: http://www.zonelabs.com/zaplusdownload/
Note for ZoneAlarm Plus/Pro users: In order to download the latest version, you must have a valid key. To find out if your key is valid, click Overview -> Product Info. Your expiration date and time will appear directly underneath the license number. If your key is not valid, use the following link to renew:
http://www.zonelabs.com/renew/
Be sure to install from an account with Administrative privileges, if your OS supports them.
Please do the following. If any of the steps below do not apply to you, or you are unable to perform the function listed, please CONTINUE to the next step.
Open the ZoneAlarm program, go to the OVERVIEW -> PREFERENCES tab, and make sure the Load At Startup box is UNchecked. Close the program, then right-click on the ZA icon and select Shutdown.
REBOOT.
You should now have no ZoneAlarm processes running on your system.
Now click Start -> Programs -> Zone Labs -> Uninstall. Be sure to say YES to the security check.
WARNING - Do NOT run the ZoneAlarm Uninstall program while in Safe Mode. The program may not be able to make the proper registry changes in Safe Mode, thus generating errors after a reboot.
REBOOT.
To make sure that you can see the ZoneAlarm Plus/Pro system files, if they are still on your computer:
a. Right-click on Start, then left-click on Explore. When the Windows Explorer panel appears:
- In Windows 95, 98: Click View>Options (in Windows 98, this will be called "Folder Options"). Click the "View" tab, then click the "Show all files" radio button.
- In Windows ME, XP, 2000: Click Tools>Folder Options. Click the "View" tab, then click the "Show hidden files and folders" radio button.
b. Make sure you also UNcheck the box to "Hide Protected Operating System Files" if you have one.
c. When searching, be sure it searches ALL hidden files and folders.
d. Click OK.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Making modifications to system files may disable crucial functions of your Windows operating system. We strongly suggest re-enabling the "Hide files and folders" feature once all ZoneAlarm files have been removed.
Click on Start, then Search or Find, and select Files. Make sure that the location box is set to search your local hard drive (usually C :) or All Local Drives.
Type the following exactly - delete any folders found:
zonelabs
"zone labs"
"Internet logs"
Type the following exactly - delete any files found in \Windows or any subfolder below it, or in your \Temp folder):
vsconfig.xml
vsdata.dll
vsdata95.vxd
vsdatant.sys
vsmon.*
vsmonapi.dll
vsnetutils.dll
vspubapi.dll
zaplus.*
zapro.*
zlparser.dll
zonealarm.exe
zoneband.dll
vsutil.dll (please right-click, Properties -> Version to be sure it is a ZA file. Do NOT delete this file unless it is a Zone Labs file!)
Type the following exactly - delete any files found in any folder with "Programs" in the pathname):
zapro
zonealarm
"zonealarm pro"
Make sure your Recycle Bin is empty (right-click and select Empty).
REBOOT
NOTE: If you received an error message upon deleting the files, or if the original programs remain in the Programs list, or if the problem persists after this, removing the files in Safe Mode will allow you to delete the files properly. Click Start, Help, and search for "SAFE MODE" for information specific to your system.
Now you should be able to get a clean install of the new version. Be sure to NOT use the old settings as this can cause further difficulties if the database is corrupt.
For further help, details and links to helpful related support threads.
