Manually remove Adobe Help Center | Windows

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Overview

Adobe recommends that you use the Adobe Help Center uninstaller in the Add Or Remove Programs utility in Windows to remove Adobe Help Center. Occasionally, however, damaged files or a partial installation can prevent the Adobe Help Center uninstaller from working correctly. Or, they can cause the uninstaller to leave files or empty application folders on the system after the removal is performed. Other issues include Adobe Help Center missing from the Add Or Remove Programs list or the installer only displaying the Repair and Remove options.

Manually removing Adobe Help Center ensures that all files and folders are removed. These instructions are for removing Adobe Help Center1.x and 2.x. If you have other Adobe applications installed, be sure to remove only the files below that relate to Adobe Help Center.

Note: It's likely that your system doesn't contain all of the files and folders listed in this document. If you do not find a listed file or folder on your system, proceed to the next file or folder on the list.

Before you begin

Some of these procedures require you to locate hidden files and hidden folders. Some procedures require you to locate files by their full filenames, which include extensions (for example, example_filename.ini). By default, Windows Explorer doesn't show hidden files, hidden folders, or filename extensions that it recognizes.

To show hidden files, hidden folders, and all filename extensions in Windows Explorer:

  1. In Windows Explorer, choose Tools > Folder Options.
  2. Click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box.
  3. In Advanced Settings, select Show Hidden Files And Folders.
  4. Deselect Hide Extensions For Known File Types.
  5. Click OK.

Determine the version of Adobe Help Center you are using

Before you begin removing Adobe Help Center, determine which version of Adobe Help Center you are using.

Determine which version of Adobe Help Center is installed, do the following:

  1. Navigate to Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Help Center.
  2. Right-click ahc.exe and select Properties.
  3. Choose the Version tab in the ahc.exe Properties dialog box.
  4. Note the File Version that is listed.

Remove Adobe Help Center using the uninstaller

The uninstaller is designed to remove everything installed by Adobe Help Center. When you start Adobe Help Center for the first time, or when you modify the preferences, Adobe Help Center sometimes creates folders and files. To ensure the complete removal of all additional folders and files, proceed to "Stop AhcRemind" below after you use the uninstaller.

Use the uninstaller:

  1. Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add Or Remove Programs.
  2. Select Adobe Help Center 1.x or Adobe Help Center 2.x and click Remove. Follow the onscreen instructions to remove Adobe Help Center.

Note: It isn't always possible to remove Adobe Help Center using the uninstaller. If Adobe Help Center is not listed in Add Or Remove Programs, proceed to "Stop AhcRemind."

Stop AhcRemind

If AhcRemind is running in the background, stop it before you removing Adobe Help Center. AhcRemind is a tool included with Adobe Help Center to remind you when your Adobe Technical Support contract is about to expire.

Stop AhcRemind:

  1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
  2. Click the Processes tab.
  3. Select AhcRemind.exe if available and choose End Process.
  4. Click Yes through the warning.

Remove remaining folders and files for Adobe Help Center

Back up any personal files you want to save from the following directories, and then remove the listed folders and files:

Note: Removing Adobe Help Center from your system removes it for all Adobe applications that use Adobe Help Center. If you have other Adobe applications that use Adobe Help Center on your system, don't remove Adobe Help Center. Removing it removes all of the Help files associated with those applications.

All Versions

Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Updater\Certs\helpcenter.cer

Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Adobe Help Center

Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\AhcRemind

Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Help Center

Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Launch\helpcenter

All Non-Western European Versions

Program Files\Adobe\AdobeHelpData

Version 1.0

Windows\Installer\{E9787678-1033-0000-8E67-000000000001}

Version 2.0

Windows\Installer\{8FFC924C-ED06-44CB-8867-3CA778ECE903}

Version 2.1

Windows\Installer\{25569723-DC5A-4467-A639-79535BF01B71}

Remove remaining registry entries for Adobe Help Center

Remove the application registry keys from the registry, if they are available.

Note: Log in to the computer as an Administrator to modify your registry.

Disclaimer: This procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Adobe doesn't support editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. For information on the Windows Registry Editor, see the documentation for Windows or contact Microsoft Technical Support. It's likely that you don't have all of these files.

Important: Make a backup copy of the registry before you edit it.

  1. Choose Start > Run, and type regedit in the Open textbox; click OK.
  2. Navigate to one of the registry keys listed below and select it in the left panel; it appears in the registry editor as a folder.
  3. Choose Edit > Delete. Click Yes in the Confirm Key Delete dialog box.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 as needed for any remaining registry entries.

Remove the following registry entries:

All Versions

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Help Center

Adobe Help Center 1.0

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Features\8767879E33010000E876000000000010

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\8767879E33010000E876000000000010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\8767879E33010000E876000000000010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\8767879E33010000E876000000000010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\8767879E33010000E876000000000010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{E9787678-1033-0000-8E67-000000000001}

Adobe Help Center 2.0

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Features\C429CFF860DEBC448876C37A87CE9E30

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\C429CFF860DEBC448876C37A87CE9E30

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\C429CFF860DEBC448876C37A87CE9E30

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\C429CFF860DEBC448876C37A87CE9E30

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\C429CFF860DEBC448876C37A87CE9E30

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{8FFC924C-ED06-44CB-8867-3CA778ECE903}

Adobe Help Center 2.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Features\32796552A5CD76446A939735B50FB117

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\32796552A5CD76446A939735B50FB117

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\32796552A5CD76446A939735B50FB117

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\32796552A5CD76446A939735B50FB117

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\32796552A5CD76446A939735B50FB117

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{25569723-DC5A-4467-A639-79535BF01B71}

Complete the removal

Empty your Recycle Bin and restart your computer.

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