Description

Kazaa (KaZaA; KaZaA Media Desktop) is a P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing client that enables you to share digital files with others across the Internet. The software is frequently employed for swapping copyright-protected digital audio and video files. Although not spyware in the strictest sense, the freeware version of Kazaa is affiliated with the GAIN Network and comes bundled with adware for the purpose of delivering targeted banner advertisements to your Desktop.

Kazaa is available by direct download from Kazaa.com.

How To Tell If Kazaa Is Present On Your System

You'll notice the presence of a Kazaa shortcut on the Start menu and Desktop. But it shouldn't come as a surprise that Kazaa is installed on your system because Kazaa is an independent third-party program that you must install yourself.

How To Get Rid Of Kazaa With Spybot Search & Destroy

Kazaa loads an inordinate amount of adware, third-party programs, and other files on your PC. Use a hefty anti-spyware utility such as Spybot Search & Destroy to remove it. Open Spybot S&D and click the Check For Problems button. Wait while Spybot S&D scans your system and then click the Fix Selected Problems button. Click Yes when asked to verify that you want to remove the selected files. Spybot S&D may not be able to remove all of the selected files until you restart your PC. If prompted, restart your PC and let Spybot S&D complete its cleaning process.

WARNING: The following section includes step-by-step information on how to edit the Windows Registry, a large database containing system and program settings that are essential to how the OS (operating system) operates. Follow Registry-editing instructions to the letter and be sure to make a backup of your Registry before you begin. (Registry errors can render your computer inoperable if you don't have a backup.) This procedure differs depending on the OS you use. For more information on backing up and editing the Registry, see these articles: "Protect Yourself" and "Register Here."

How To Get Rid Of Kazaa Manually

It is possible to remove Kazaa from your system without an anti-spyware utility. Start by opening the Add Or Remove Programs (Add/Remove Programs Properties in WinMe and Win98) dialog box and selecting the Kazaa or Kazaa Media Desktop component for removal from your system. While you're at it, remove any components that refer to Altnet, B3d Projector, BullGuard, Cydoor, the GAIN Network, Gator, IncrediFind, JoltID, My Search Bar, n-Case, NewDotNet, Peer Points Manager, PerfectNav, SaveNow, and TopSearch (if present).

Next, you should open My Computer and locate and delete the following folders and files (if present) from the Windows drive:

• PROGRAM FILES\KAZAA

• WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\KAZAA

• WINDOWS\DESKTOP\Kazaa Media Desktop.lnk

• WINDOWS\DESKTOP\My Shared Folder.lnk

• WINDOWS\DESKTOP\Kazaa Promotions.lnk

• WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Cd_clint.dll

• WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Cd_clint.dll

You also should locate the WINDOWS\BDE folder, but don't delete it. Instead, open the folder and locate the Bdeclean.exe file. Double-click this file to run it on your PC, follow any on-screen instructions you receive, and wait for it to finish. Afterward, open the Windows search utility and search your PC for the BRILLIANT folder. If you find such a folder, right-click it and select Delete from the pop-up menu. Repeat this process to search for and delete the following files: Bdedata2.dll, Bdedownloader.dll, Bdefdi.dll, Bdeinsta2.dll, Bdeinstall.exe, Bdesecureinstall.cab, Bdesecureinstall.exe, Bdeverify.dll, and Bdeverify.exe.

For good measure, open the Registry Editor and delete the following keys (if present):

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\KAZAA

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\KAZAA

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\
CURRENTVERSION\RUN\KAZAA

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\
CURRENTVERSION\RUN\P2P NETWORKING

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\
UNINSTALL\KAZAA MEDIA DESKTOP_IS1

This should remove Kazaa from your system. Unfortunately, it won't do anything about the many third-party adware programs and junk files that Kazaa installs on your PC, so you'll need to use an anti-spyware utility to remove the remaining residue.