Can’t Uninstall Chromium: Get Some Comprehensive Guidance

Chromium is an authorized open-source web browser project produced by Google. It forms the base of the Google Chrome browser. Chromium looks almost the same as Google Chrome. But, the latest version of Chromium has a grand list of exceptional features over the open-source analog. As it is open-source, you can download the Chromium source code easily by modifying and re-compiling into an active web browser. That’s why it has a serious protection risk to inexperienced users.

You need to keep in mind that most of the Chromium is compact as well as will not need to install them. But, there is a lot of Chromium-derived projects which distribute it through installers. A clean Chromium build will not begin by itself at startup as well as it is not combined with other programs.

Due to some potential risk, some users often want to uninstall the Chromium from their system. But, it is quite a difficult task to uninstall the Chromium from the system. If you can’t uninstall Chromium from your computer, then nothing to get worried about this. Here in this article, we are going to present some amazing tips and tricks which can help you to uninstall chromium in a short span of time. So, let’s start:

Potential Security Risk: Why can’t I Uninstall Chromium?

At the bottom of its technology, Chromium is not safe by itself and it is not considered as a safety concern. But, the fact is, it is an open-source web browser and some virus creators use Chromium to create virus-affected versions as well as it attracts the user to install them on their system.

The principal purpose of affected Chromium installations is to pump the system full of adware. It also redirects you to several links as well as it tracks your online activity to convince you to download further affected software.

But, the virus-infected Chromium versions are easy to recognise if you know where to find. Some of the problems you might encounter are listed below while dealing with a virus affected Chromium web browser:

• Chromium isn’t listed in Control Panel > Programs and Features and can’t be uninstalled conventionally.
• Your default browser is changed to Chromium without your permission.
• You get constant redirects, pop-ups and new tabs while browsing.
• The default search engine is replaced with a shady search provider automatically.
• Every once in a while, you get ad pop-ups and notifications that cannot be blocked. They often prompt you to download additional software (which is also malware).
• You start experiencing extremely low start-ups and your PC runs increasingly slow.

If your computer is showing any symptoms given above, then you are dealing with a virus-affected Chromium version. If ignore such infections, then it can cause other problems with the system. Here is a list of Chromium-based browsers that are identified to engage in virus activities. Have a look at the list given below:

• Chedot
• BoBrowser
• BrowseAir
• eFast
• Olcinium
• MyBrowser
• Pelikan
• Qword
• Tortuga

Can’t Uninstall Chromium? Try Easy Tips and Tricks to Remove Chromium from your Computer

If you are not able to uninstall the Chromium from the system, then you first need to identify if you are dealing with a virus-affected version or with a clean Chromium. An easy way to fix this is to open the Task Manager. To open the Task manager you need to hit the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys simultaneously from the keyboard. Now, check whether you have various Chromium web browser instances in the Processes tab of the system. After verifying this, you need to stick to the methods given below:

Solution 1: Using the All Program List

Before going to perform any complicated methods, you should try to uninstall Chromium by going to the All program list. To perform this, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. At first, you have to move the cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen and click on the Start menu to invoke the Start menu.
2. Then, select the ‘All Programs’ from the list of the Start menu.
3. There you will see the Chromium folder. If you are not able to locate this folder, then you need to type ‘Chromium’ in the search bar.
4. As a result, it will show the Chromium folder and right-click on it.
5. Select the ‘Uninstall Chromium’ option from the list.
6. Now, the windows prompt to confirm this, tap on the Uninstall button.
7. Wait for a few seconds until it completes the uninstalling process. Then, restart the system to save the changes.

After that, you need to check whether the Chromium icon is still showing on the system tray or not. If you see the Chromium tray exists, then move on to the solutions given below.

Solution 2: Using User Data and Setting

By removing the cookies, browsing history, and Chromium bookmarks from your computer, you can also uninstall Chromium from the system. To perform this, you need to have a glance at the steps given below:  

1. At first, you have to navigate to the Start menu by going to the taskbar of Windows.
2. Then, type ‘Folder’ in the search field. As a result, it will show the Folder option.  
3. Now, you need to navigate to the upper left corner of the screen and tap on the View tab.
4. Then, check the ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’ box to view the hidden drives, folders and files of the system.
5. Next, you should navigate to the location ‘Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Users/(your username)/AppData/.’
6. Launch the ‘Local and Roaming’ folders from the current window. Find if there is available any Chromium folder inside them. You have to remove all the Chromium folders. Right-click on the folder and tap on the Delete option.
7. Now, after removing the Chromium folder you need to restart the system to save the changes.

After that, you need to check that the Chromium icon still appears on the system tray or not. If you see that the Chromium icon is still showing, then you should perform the solutions given below.

Solution 3: Remove the AppData Using Control Panel

According to some users, Chromium was still running at startup after uninstalling it from the ‘Programs and Features.’ In this situation, you need to locate the Chromium file by going to the  AppData folder, then remove it from the system. To solve your ‘can’t uninstall Chromium from Control Panel’ issue, you need to follow the steps given below:

Step 1:

At first, you have to hit the R and Windows key both at the same time from the keyboard to invoke the Run Command Window. Then, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ in the Run Dialog box. Then, press the Enter from the keyboard. Or if you prefer you can also click on the OK button. As a result, it will navigate you to the ‘Programs and Features’ section.

Step 2:

Scroll down the list of Programs and Features to find the Chromium from the list. Then, right-click on it. Choose the ‘Uninstall’ option from the list. After that, you have to follow the on-screen guidance prompts by the system. Then, restart the system to check whether the Chromium exists or not. If you still see the Chromium icon on your computer, then you have to move on the further steps.

Step 3:

Now, you have to open the File Explorer window. Then, navigate to the C Drive. Tap on the ‘Users’ from the current window. Then, you have to select the ‘Your Personal Folder’ option. Tap on the AppData. Then, click on the option ‘Local.’ If you are unable to find the AppData folder, then it may be hidden on the current window by default. hence, launch the Run window by pressing R and Windows key simultaneously. Next, type ‘control.exe folders’ and click on the OK button. Then, you have to navigate to the upper right side of the display and tap on the View tab. Choose the ‘Show hidden files’ by going to the ‘Hidden files and folders’ section. After that, you have to tap on the Apply button to confirm the changes.

Step 4:

Under AppData, you need to find the Chromium folder. Then, remove it completely from the system. Here, you need to make sure that you clean the Recycle Bin completely after removing from the AppData. After performing this, if you see the ‘Folder in use’ error while removing the AppData folder, then you have to confirm that the Chromium is closed properly. Check the System Tray, if you see that the Chromium icon still appears there, then, right-click on it. Tap on the Exit and try to remove the Chromium folder again.

Now, you have successfully removed the AppData folder of the Chromium. Restart the system to check whether the Chromium is uninstalled properly or not. If you see that the Chromium icon still appears, then continue with the methods given below.  

Solution 4: Remove the Chromium Malware Manually

The Chromium-derived virus has some regenerative properties. According to some users, the malware has the ability to re-infect the system if you have not eliminated them from the system in a proper way. If the above two ways have been ineffective to remove the Chromium system, then it is sure that you are dealing with a virus-affected Chromium. Luckily, there are several ways to remove the virus or malware forever from the system. To perform this, you need to follow the steps given below:

Step 1:

At first, you have to launch the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc simultaneously from the keyboard. Then, you have to navigate to the Processes tab. Now, find the Chromium processes. Then, right-click on it. Choose the ‘Open File Location’ option.

Step 2:

Now, you have entered the location of the malware. But before eliminating the malware folder from the system, you need to close all the Chromium processes that are running on the system. If you do not close them, then it will prevent the eliminating process. Now, close all the Chromium processes. Right-click on the Chromium process. Choose ‘End Task’ from the list. These processes will re-open automatically over time. Hence, you need to perform this as fast as possible.

Step 3:

After closing all the Chromium processes, you have to return to the location of the malware folder. Then, right-click on the Explore.exe file and tap on the Delete from the list to remove the file from the folder. If this process does not work, then drag the file manually to the Recycle Bin and then remove it from the Recycle Bin.

Step 4:

After removing the executable file, you have to navigate to the Explorer folder and delete the rest of the files. After that, you need to click on the Upward arrow. Then, remove the Explore folder permanently from the system.  

Step 5:

Next, you need to remove the leftover Data file from the system. Then, go to the Hierarchy folder by scrolling down the list of the folders. Finally, you have removed the Games Bot folder from your computer.

Step 6:

Now, you have to make sure that you have cleared all the contents from the Recycle Bin of the system. Then, restart the system to save the changes. Now, you will see that the system is restarting without any indications of Chromium.

After performing the above steps, you need to check that the Chromium is uninstalled or not.

Final Recommendation

In the above guide, we have provided some of the easiest ways to fix your ‘can’t uninstall Chromium’ issue. We hope if you implement the above methods in their respective order, then it will definitely help you to ease up your pain. After successfully performing the above ways, if you still face any kind of trouble, then you need to connect with a tech expert. In addition, you can also share your queries and valuable feedback through the comment box given at the end of this post.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I force uninstall Chromium?

Is Chromium a virus?