How to Uninstall Kazaa Media Desktop

by Ty Arthur
Manually uninstall Kazaa Media Desktop.

Manually uninstall Kazaa Media Desktop.

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Peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, such as Kazaa Media Desktop, are notorious for having mislabeled files containing virus programs uploaded by other users. If you no longer want Kazaa Media Desktop to take up space on your hard drive, manually uninstall the software. Kazaa installs several components that must be deleted both by using your operating system's "remove programs" feature and by deleting their registry entries.

Step 1

Unplug your computer's Ethernet cable or turn off your wireless router to disconnect your computer from the Internet.

Step 2

Press "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" at the same time, then click "Open Task Manager." Click "Processes." If there are entries in the Processes list labeled "Kazaa," "Gain" or "Gator," click "End Process."

Step 3

Bring up the "Start" menu and click the "Control Panel" link. Select "Uninstall a Program" underneath the "Programs" heading.

Step 4

Select each of the entries labeled "Kazaa," "RX Bar," "InstaFinderK," "Need2Find Bar," "Peer Points Manager" and "P2P Networking," then choose "Remove Program."

Step 5

Return to the Start menu and click the Search field. Search for "Kazaa," "Altnet," "Instalfnk," "Need2Find," Rxtoolbar," "Gain" and "Gator." Right-click and delete each of the folders found in the search results.

Step 6

Search for the phrase "regedit," then click the icon for the registry editor. Open the folder labeled "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and then open the "Software" subfolder.

Step 7

Delete each of the subfolders named "Kazaa," "Altnet," "Instafnk," "Need2Find," "P2PNetworking," "RX Results," and "Sharman Networks LTD." Close the registry editor and restart your computer.

Step 8

Reconnect your computer to your Internet connection.

Tip

  • After you manually uninstall Kazaa Media Desktop, run a spyware removal program to delete additional software that might have been downloaded through Kazaa.
  • In Windows XP, you will need to select "Add and Remove Programs" instead of "Uninstall a Program."

Warning

  • The Kazaa program may load other files with different names that prevent you from using the "Remove Program" feature. If you receive an error message while attempting to remove the program, restart your computer and press the "F8" key until you see a new menu. Choose "Safe Mode" and then proceed with removing the program.

About the Author

Ty Arthur has been writing technical and entertainment-related articles for a variety of online sources since 2008. His articles have appeared on Metalunderground.com and many other websites. Arthur attended the Great Falls College of Technology and studied both computer science and creative writing.

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