Jimbo’s AC uninstall procedure (REVISED, RE-TESTED)

[Jimbo93]

(10-22 Added additional info regarding version of armoury crate and how it may affect registry information.)
(11-19 added more info How to determine what steps you should follow)
(12-31-21 added a reference to a modified clean boot procedure.)

Jimbo's uninstall procedure for a problem free re-installation.

Before going any further, please check if AsusCertService, asComSvc, AsusUpdateCheck, AsusFanControlService are working. Go to your windows Event Log, Application Log, these Services should start up and log an Event 0 "The operation completed successfully." See below the task manager image details view for what this should look like, one image is with Armoury Crate installed and the other is after running the uninstall tool showing the Asus services left after running the uninstall tool. But if AsusCertService is hanging or not working properly then you need to follow all the steps in this thread. The only alternative to these steps would be a fresh windows install, or reset of windows might work. If you decide to reinstall windows or reset it, make sure you install all drivers from the hardware manufacturers before installing Armoury Crate. But if AsusCertService starts up and logs success right after login and the others I mention work as well, you shouldn't need to follow all the steps, only uninstall with the uninstall tool, then start at Step 10 "Get your system ready to install Armoury Crate". Check the rest of this thread especially troubleshooting Microsoft Store and resetting it, Firewall reset etc. The Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool is available for download from the Asus support website, look up your Armoury Crate supported device and go to download utilities page, show all downloads.

If you tried uninstalling and reinstalling Armoury Crate and it has not solved your problem, you can try what I call the clean boot uninstall method at post #30 in this thread or you can proceed to the next paragraph which requires much more work. The clean boot procedure is relatively easy might solve your problem as only microsoft software plus a few required asus services will be running and this might eliminate conflicts with misbehaving software. If the clean boot steps do not completely resolve your issues continue with the next paragraph. link to post 30 https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?126019-Jimbo%92s-uninstall-procedure-for-a-problem-free-re...

If you have are having problems installing Armoury Crate and nothing has worked, you may need to do this. If you have already tried the uninstall tool and reinstalling and still no success, then follow this procedure to uninstall/remove the ATK software that there is no uninstaller for. I can't guarantee it will do the same for you, but it should be safe to try if you are willing. I do recommend you have a backup before proceeding. This is intended to resolve conflicts when your motherboard is not identified. Before you try this you should follow Asus recommended procedure.

A Recommended tool that I use below: Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns

1. (Optional): Disable startup apps from settings apps startup. Using System Configuration utility, disable non hardware related 3rd party services. Hide Microsoft services then sort by Manufacturer and if it is not from your hardware mfg, mb, gpu, other installed hardware, then disable. Leave
ASUS services enabled. Reboot.

2. Uninstall all Asus utility software especially AI Suite 3. Do not uninstall Asus drivers.

3. Download Armoury_Crate_Uninstall_Tool.zip from Asus. Right-click on the zip file, select properties, Unblock the file (select the checkbox to unblock). Unzip it. Run the Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool.exe and continue to reboot and run it until it succeeds/finishes. If after repeated attempts it still does not succeed, try the clean boot procedure I posted about later in this thread, it is post #30, stop before you reinstall ac and return here to step 4.

4. Now its time for the special manual cleaning steps. Using Autoruns (running as administrator) go to Everything tab and filter on asus, and right click on each Task Scheduler task and each service that was left over by Armoury Crate or AI Suite 3 and select delete, but wait, you do not need to remove the ArmouryLiveUpdate, and you do not need to remove AsusUpdateCheck, these are located in system32 directory and should cause you no problems. But the services that are located in c:\program files (x86)\ASUS\ need to be deleted. If you are not using AutoRuns you can delete the services the old fashioned way at an administrative command prompt with SC DELETE servicename. asComSvc, AsusCertService, AsusFanControlService. Use TASK SCHEDULER for tasks.

5. Reboot.

6. Open file explorer and navigate to c:\program files (x86)\ASUS\ and delete all the files and sub-folders there that were left. Also delete all files and subdirectories in c:\program files\ASUS\. Also delete all folders except SCD under C:\ProgramData\Asus (you need to show hidden items in file explorer).

7. Go back to Autoruns this time on the driver tab and right click-delete the following drivers: Asusgio2, Asusgio3.

8. REBOOT.

9. You took a backup of your system or registry right? Cause now its time to dive in to the registry. I used the following command in a normal powershell session to help determine registry entries to delete; reg.exe query HKLM /s /f ASUS. You might need to do some of this investigative work especially if your original version of armoury crate that was installed was much earlier than now. I was uninstalling version 4.2.5. Stick to the same part of the registry. I would stay away from hardware device/software device entries under enum branch.

Keys to delete in the registry for version 4.2.5:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ASUS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{57854199-4fbc-4438-87c1-a0e9fa206a33}
LocalService REG_SZ AsusCertService
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{BEBCB884-9C21-4117-B30B-CED03A72B50F}
LocalService REG_SZ AsusFanControlService
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AsusFanControlService.FanControlManag.1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AsusFanControlService.FanControlManager
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\ASUSGCDriverInitialClient
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\ASUSGCDriverUpdateClient
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AsusGCGridServiceSetup
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AsusGpuTweak.GpuManager
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AsusGpuTweak.GpuManager.1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\atkexCom.axdata
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\atkexCom.axdata.1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{0647D986-BD6B-48C9-B496-91E73A06F3BD}
(Default) REG_SZ AsusAuraAnimation.AuraAnimationVersion
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1A9482E3-2C71-44DF-9012-A969577325B6}
(Default) REG_SZ AsusAuraAnimation.AudioAnalyzer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{756E6C18-79CC-3842-9E47-7C80011D303A}
(Default) REG_SZ AsusAuraAnimation.AuraAnimation
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{4EBB095F-79F3-4D7A-B068-4151BEC1831C}
(Default) REG_SZ IAsusCertManager
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{34AAD71E-0356-470C-94B7-593BE46311BB}\1.0\0\win32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AXSP\4.02.08\atkexComSvc.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{490A72B6-EFC2-4742-A03A-4D5D3878AA5F}\1.0
(Default) REG_SZ AsusGpuTweakLib
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{57854199-4FBC-4438-87C1-A0E9FA206A33}\1.0
(Default) REG_SZ AsusCertServiceLib
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{DF5522FB-119C-428D-A62E-8BFE4A2FBC9B}\1.0
(Default) REG_SZ AsusFanControlService 1.0 Type Library
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{01863FDA-20F8-4B21-86E9-CF786BB65A11}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{01863FDA-20F8-4B21-86E9-CF786BB65A11}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{14083C53-B8E7-48E4-9320-811F3478C4A4}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{14083C53-B8E7-48E4-9320-811F3478C4A4}\LocalServer32
(Default) REG_SZ "C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AsusFanControlService\2.01.07\AsusFanControlService.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{2627F8BE-4482-4081-BC62-8A12CA24BDF8}\LocalServer32
(Default) REG_SZ "C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AXSP\4.02.08\atkexComSvc.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{419132B2-9160-4A00-B9AF-53A1AAC39979}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{5E1D4F83-A98E-479D-8885-722BF582D10F}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{A9B42DD5-AF51-4C7D-8A5D-8170D9D6459F}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{BC50CF2A-E12C-4F18-90CE-714CC8600CEE}\LocalServer32
(Default) REG_SZ "C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AXSP\4.02.08\atkexComSvc.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{C4B81F84-F6AD-48EB-B7FA-018E29F7789E}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{E9D3416A-9634-452B-8566-365F085102D2}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{ECE726C5-024B-4141-84CD-58B1C3DBB91B}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{ED16E2E2-25ED-4297-9575-839FF0AF86D6}\InprocServer32
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\VGA COM\2.00.07\AsusGpuTweak.dll
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{facea3dd-fc30-43dc-98ba-ac9b32edaf44}
(Default) REG_SZ AsusCertManager class
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\Interface\{4EBB095F-79F3-4D7A-B068-4151BEC1831C}
(Default) REG_SZ IAsusCertManager
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services\asus
asus REG_DWORD 0x2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services\AsusFanControlService
AsusFanControlService REG_DWORD 0x2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services\asusm
asusm REG_DWORD 0x3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services\AsusROGLSLService
AsusROGLSLService REG_DWORD 0x2

****Check the above registry key for other asus services here that you uninstalled or deleted, might be a few, should be safe to delete.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Setup.exe
Path REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ArmouryDevice\dll\MouseSDK
(Default) REG_SZ C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ArmouryDevice\dll\MouseSDK\Setup.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ASUS

10. OPTIONAL but recommended.
To get your system ready for the resinstall of AC:

dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth (or if you prefer you can use /restorehealth)
perform a reboot
sfc /scannow
reboot again

Reinstall ASUS recommended drivers for your motherboard and graphics adapter card. For motherboard drivers if you have a pretty new motherboard, then the drivers that shipped with your system on a dvd are the best place to start and the dvd has a utility to detect and install all your drivers. Alternatively, download the individual drivers from Asus Support page. If your system is over 2 years old, I recommend you see Mokichus driver threads, in there are instructions you need and the very latest drivers.

Retore firewall settings to default in Windows Security Settings, Firewall.
Cleanup Temporary files
Another step that could be thrown in but probably only if problems persist. Delete the contents of the Windows\prefetch folder. When I do this on rare occasions I do it from safe mode. Deleting the prefetch .pf files and other content in windows/prefetch can have minor undesirable effects, but sometimes I find it necessary. You can also force windows to run a full maintenance cycle which can be very helpful. Set the the computer not to sleep, go to security and maintenance, start maintenance.

11. Don't forget to re-enable stuff you temporarily disabled in step 1 and 2, but it can wait till after the re-installation of Armoury Crate. Re-install latest asus utility issued for your hardware.

12. One last suggestion. If you tried it and it sort of worked but still some functionality missing or broke, I think running the uninstall tool followed right after by a reinstall would pretty much resolve it.

13.Adding a tip that was posted by another member. And that is to check your Microsoft VC++ Libs. Might be a good idea to check for updates, or even to repair the installations. One procedure I saw and used is to remove them all followed by a dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup and then reinstall them. and Here is a link to an all in one installer for VC++ Libs from 2005 to 2015-2022 that I recently installed. Works fine so far and they are signed by MS. https://www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/

Questions or results? Please let me know. Good Luck.
(test)

[Jimbo93]

I added screenshots of event viewer and task manager. All three images show ATK software working ok so no need to edit the registry. Please review the other changes to the beginning paragraphs and the section on installing drivers in step 10.

[BOBCAMO]

well, figured i'd reply to this. so far, i've tried everything for my end and the ONLY hardware i have for the software is the Asus ROG Theta 7.1 headset... i've already had to reinstall windows a few times before because of broken updates. sadly, probably just going to install the old one as i had to do that once before because i didn't feel like re-doing windows just to make my $300 pair of headphone half ass work with the software for it... was hoping that in-place install would work, but sadly... unless i did something wrong, tried 3 different times. literally spent about 5 or 6 hours on this just to try and get it to work with my headset...
before i continue to rant about this and have a hissy fit... ugh......

i do thank you VERY much for all this testing and info, i hope it does actually help those that it helps. as for the runtimes things, very glad that's listed and linked as you'd be shocked how many require those and it's not natively installed with windows nor updates until AFTER you manually install them... and even games and other software need these along with other runtimes to properly run or even work. but i personally do appreciate it even though this is WAY too much for some software like this... it needs to be seen that not everyone is tech savy, hell, half the stuff you posted on here if it wasn't for me knowing half that stuff already, no one would know what your talking about and it'd seem like a user who barely know windows and now on linux for most... lol. just not a very user friendly software by any means especially when you have to find a separate uninstaller in it's self has always been odd.

[Jimbo93]

BOBCAMO wrote:
well, figured i'd reply to this. so far, i've tried everything for my end and the ONLY hardware i have for the software is the Asus ROG Theta 7.1 headset... i've already had to reinstall windows a few times before because of broken updates. sadly, probably just going to install the old one as i had to do that once before because i didn't feel like re-doing windows just to make my $300 pair of headphone half ass work with the software for it... was hoping that in-place install would work, but sadly... unless i did something wrong, tried 3 different times. literally spent about 5 or 6 hours on this just to try and get it to work with my headset...
before i continue to rant about this and have a hissy fit... ugh......

i do thank you VERY much for all this testing and info, i hope it does actually help those that it helps. as for the runtimes things, very glad that's listed and linked as you'd be shocked how many require those and it's not natively installed with windows nor updates until AFTER you manually install them... and even games and other software need these along with other runtimes to properly run or even work. but i personally do appreciate it even though this is WAY too much for some software like this... it needs to be seen that not everyone is tech savy, hell, half the stuff you posted on here if it wasn't for me knowing half that stuff already, no one would know what your talking about and it'd seem like a user who barely know windows and now on linux for most... lol. just not a very user friendly software by any means especially when you have to find a separate uninstaller in it's self has always been odd.

Appreciate your comments Bob. I probably need to update this thing again. One thing I do not want to do is encourage people to follow some steps and it turns out to be nothing but pain.

[BOBCAMO]

Jimbo93 wrote:
Appreciate your comments Bob. I probably need to update this thing again. One thing I do not want to do is encourage people to follow some steps and it turns out to be nothing but pain.

hey, it's no problem man, maybe just with my end it didn't want to work for some reason or because i have something installed. the only thing i didn't try was literally uninstalling anything related to all audio then doing it, i do have quite a few audio things installed and a lot of it is for when i stream so i can pretty much separate all my audio individually in my streamlabs app. but figured at that point i'd just reformat/re-install windows through USB again. but right now i went ahead and installed the old ROG Armoury and got my headset mainly working for the audio on that til either they make an update that fixes that issue or i reformat again... it's something i have dealt with with this headset since i've gotten it about a year ago and was very disappointed in the software for such an expensive headset... just from the software alone the headset should be half price as far as i'm concerned since the mic is not great by any means and to replace it you have to find a specific built 3-ring 3.5mm mic for it if you wanna upgrade which i have yet to find. bass is... not as good as advertised and the software is horrid and bugs out badly and even trying to keep the headset to stay in 7.1 surround sound it a chore to do that at times... really probably should have went for the old centurion one's instead lol.

[BOBCAMO]

Jimbo93 wrote:
Appreciate your comments Bob. I probably need to update this thing again. One thing I do not want to do is encourage people to follow some steps and it turns out to be nothing but pain.

oh, just remembered too, i didn't get a chance to test this, but for one, that one link you have to someone else's post about deleting certain registry entries it to re-catch the hardware or what ever it was, i noticed that wasn't need on my end when using the uninstaller, BUT i also run the installer and uninstaller as admin as i've had issues with the installer once before so now i just do it since windows tends to almost need everything to run as admin any more it feels like to make anything work right. also, did forget i use CCleaner free version for the registry cleaning a lot and wasn't sure if that already gets most of those issues also after and uninstall. cause i run the cleaner and registry and have it fix all after i uninstall and install things as it's helped a lot in the past and unsure if this actually takes care of many of those listed key entries. so figure if you wanted to check that out and see if many of the things are not needed when that's used. just figured i'd try to give ya some more info on it as well as maybe at a simple tool to the potential fixes.

[Marcchell0]

So instead of being this silent user who read this thread and try to fix my armory crate ..

Aparently somehow i did most steps but the VCRedist is a VERRY important one in my case


My Armoury crate is working again and OP thank you for taking the time to write this stuff up

[Jimbo93]

Hi all,

Adding a link to instructions on configuring your windows to clean boot. In a clean boot, only microsoft windows software components will run. A clean boot can be helpful when troubleshooting issues with third party software. I have suggested using it in some cases when the Armoury Crate uninstaller does not complete successfully. Even if the uninstaller reports success, some reinstallations do not succeed. Maybe in this case you need to run the uninstaller while the pc is in a clean boot. That way no Asus software is running and can be more effectively removed by the uninstaller. So the process would work like this:

1. Configure for a clean boot per the instructions at the link below except do not disable these 3 asus services: ASUS Com Service, AsusCertService, Armoury Live Update.
2. Disable all 3rd party tasks using the autoruns utility I mentioned in the first post of this thread.
3. REBOOT.
4. Run the Armoury Crate uninstaller and reboot.
5. Configure for a normal boot using system configuration as shown at the link.
6. Open Registry Editor go to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services. Remove all entries in the services key. Close registry editor.
7. Renable 3rd party tasks using autoruns. and REBOOT.
8. Confirm that you are in a normal configuation and nothing is disabled. Then run the Armoury Crate installer.

Here is the guide about clean boot very easy to follow. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/41804-perform-clean-boot-windows-10-troubleshoot-software-confli...

[Jimbo93]

Jimbo93 wrote:
Hi all,

Adding a link to instructions on configuring your windows to clean boot. In a clean boot, only microsoft windows software components will run. A clean boot can be helpful when troubleshooting issues with third party software. I have suggested using it in some cases when the Armoury Crate uninstaller does not complete successfully. Even if the uninstaller reports success, some reinstallations do not succeed. Maybe in this case you need to run the uninstaller while the pc is in a clean boot.

1. Configure for a clean boot per the instructions at the link below except do not disable these 3 asus services: ASUS Com Service, AsusCertService, Armoury Live Update.
2. Disable all 3rd party tasks using the autoruns utility I mentioned in the first post of this thread.
3. REBOOT.
4. Run the Armoury Crate uninstaller and reboot.
5. Configure for a normal boot using system configuration as shown at the link.
6. Open Registry Editor go to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services. Remove all entries in the services key. Close registry editor.
7. Renable 3rd party tasks using autoruns. and REBOOT.
8. Confirm that you are in a normal configuation and nothing is disabled. Then run the Armoury Crate installer.

Here is the guide about clean boot. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/41804-perform-clean-boot-windows-10-troubleshoot-software-confli...

I had to edit the instructions above about clean boot and uninstalling. The way they were would result in some pop-up messages/errors and uninstalling/reinstalling probably not working. Apologies for the oversight. They are corrected and tested.

[Jimbo93]

Jimbo93 wrote:
I had to edit the instructions above about clean boot and uninstalling. The way they were would result in some pop-up messages/errors and uninstalling/reinstalling probably not working. Apologies for the oversight. They are corrected and tested.

And here is a screenshot of 3rd party tasks using autoruns. In the autoruns you simply select the scheduled tasks tab. Options menu select to hide microsoft and windows entries. You can then turn all of these off, actually one is a microsoft entry so leave that one as is. But the rest can be toggled off and then on again per the steps above.

[AvaruusTurri]

Originally Armoury crate worked fine till the latest update, i noticed the FanXpert was just stuck on loading... so i figured i could uninstall and reinstall.

After the reinstall it just refused to even start properly and when it did nothing worked or was just missing. Spent about 2 weeks trying to uninstall and reinstall both with the official tool and manually removing folders and registery entries, but it kept acting the same. Running SFC and Dism didnt seem to help with the issues. Safe mode didnt seem to help much either.

I suppose it was the Autoruns app that really did the trick letting me delete all the entries for Asus that seemingly were missing and highlighted yellow. I guess the uninstaller never removed these entries and the installer figured theyre already there so no need to add them even tho they were actually missing? who knows, but now it works fine after following this guide.