i uninstalled web companion with add or remove apps control panel but it still in my startups saying “we couldnt find this app” how do i remove it fully?

Complete Guide to Fully Removing Web Companion from Your Windows PC

If you’ve decided to uninstall Web Companion from your Windows computer due to concerns about its security or performance, you might run into some common issues. Many users report that even after using the standard Add or Remove Programs feature, remnants of Web Companion continue to appear in startup settings, often with error messages like “We couldn’t find this file.” In this article, we’ll address this problem comprehensively and answer your key questions about removing Web Companion safely and effectively.

Understanding the Issue

Web Companion is an application developed by Lavasoft, primarily marketed as an anti-malware tool. However, some users have raised security concerns or found that it behaves as potentially unwanted software (PUP). When attempting to remove Web Companion, it’s common to encounter residual entries in startup lists that reference files no longer present on your system. This can be confusing and frustrating, especially if the application persists at startup despite uninstallation.

How to Fully Remove Web Companion Without Additional Software

1. Manual Uninstallation Process

Use Windows Settings:
Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
Locate Web Companion in the list and uninstall it.
Check for Residual Entries in Task Manager:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup tab.
If Web Companion appears, right-click and disable it. Note that if the entry shows “We couldn’t find this file,” it’s a leftover and can be skipped.
Use System Configuration (MSConfig):
Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Under the Startup tab (or Open Task Manager link in newer Windows versions), review startup items.
Disable any entries related to Web Companion, even if the file is missing.

2. Removing Residual Files and Registry Entries Manually

Delete Remaining Files:
Navigate to %Program Files% or %Program Files (x86)%.
Look for any folders named Lavasoft or Web Companion, and delete them if present.
Clean the Registry Carefully:
Open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run dialog (Win + R).
Before editing, back up the registry to avoid accidental damage.
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