How do I remove this Ghost Program from my task manager startup tab?

Comprehensive Guide: Removing Residual Fathom Video Entries from Your Windows Startup

If you’ve ever installed software like Fathom Video and later decided to uninstall it, you might still encounter remnants lingering in your system. These leftovers can appear as unwanted processes or entries in your system’s startup configuration, potentially affecting performance or causing confusion. This article provides a step-by-step guide to thoroughly remove such residual components, ensuring your Windows startup remains clean and efficient.

Understanding the Issue

After uninstalling Fathom Video, some users notice that the process (fathom.exe) continues to run in Task Manager. Additionally, an entry might remain in the Startup tab with a generic icon, and registry entries could persist even after deleting application folders. These remnants often reside in:

• AppData folders
• Registry keys in HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• Startup processes listed in Task Manager or via utilities like Autoruns

Step-by-Step Removal Process

1. Terminate Residual Processes in Task Manager

Start by ending any lingering processes manually:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Locate fathom.exe or any related process.
• Right-click and select End Task.

If the process persists, it might be stuck or set to restart automatically.

2. Delete Fathom Video Files and Folders

• Navigate to the directory: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\FathomVideo\
• Delete the entire FathomVideo folder.
• Confirm that no files related to Fathom remain.

Note: The AppData folder is hidden by default. To access it:

• Open File Explorer.
• Click on the View tab.
• Check Hidden items.

3. Remove Startup Entries via Task Manager

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
• Go to the Startup tab.
• Find Fathom or an associated entry.
• Right-click and select Disable.

This prevents the program from launching at startup.

4. Clean Up Registry Entries

Residual registry entries can persist even after folder deletion. Use caution when editing the registry:

• Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to:
  `H