RealPlayer

[justinlee]

I just wanted to uninstalll RealPlayer from my PC as I rarely use it now. But, when I go to Programs and Features to uninstall an error pops up saying the following....

An error has occurred whilst trying to uninstall RealPlayer. It may have already been uninstalled.
Would you like to remove RealPlayer from the Programs & Features list?

This is very odd as I have never tried to uninstall RealPlayer and it seems like RealPlayer do not want me to uninstall their program and instead want to trick me into believing that it has already been uninstalled then hide their program from the list of programs on my PC.

So, I went into Program files to search for a RealPlayer uninstall tool in their folders and I found one called .r1pclean.exe but, guess what. When I click on it another message pops up saying that the shortcut this item refers to has been changed or moved and would I like to delete it.

This now proves to me that Real do not want me to uninstall their program RealPlayer!

Having done some research into this I have learnt that RealPlayer has been labelled as BADWARE.

Has anyone else had problems with this?

So far the only way I am going to be able to uninstall is to delete it's program files then remove RealPlayer keys from the registry.

You may want to read this article on CNET regarding RealPlayer - http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9862135-57.html

[bob3160]

Follow the instructions from here:

http://service.real.com/realone/faq/r1p_010828_TAL_rap01408v.html


You've probably changed or deleted some parts and are therefore not able to delete the program through normal channels.

[DavidR]

No Idea why it might be called badware, a pain in the rear is nearer the point, as when installed it wants to take over the world. e.g. sets itself up for virtually all file associations.

So you may need to resolve any media file associations after an aborted/failed uninstall.

[CraigB]

It might possibly pay to reinstall realplayer to fix the corruptions then go through the process of uninstalling again then reboot and run CCleaner for a tidy up, a further manual search for leftovers would also be advised ( there's bound to be some ) a common place for some of the leftovers that even a manual search never seem to find would be here C:\Windows\inf in the oem lists.
Using the find ( search ) for realplayer in the registry should bring out any straggler remnants.

[justinlee]

Thank you for all your replies. This forum as usual is most helpful

The thing is a actually do like RealPlayer as it's my preferred player for .flv files and it's more straight forward at recording live media i.e. Radio than VLC Media Player.

I just don't like the way it tries to prevent me from uninstalling. Very sneaky indeed!

I don't think it is something I have done as since I installed it I have not changed any settings. The only thing I have done is set RealPlayer as the default program for .flv files.

[Lisandro]

Side note: very poor support from Real. Tried the Mobile app and cannot get support. Read the FAQs, browse their forum, lose time... The canned answer by email not even get close of I've asked. BAD.

[Asyn]

I suggest to drop RP.

[Lisandro]

I suggest to drop RP.

Any really good player for Android?

[CraigB]

I suggest to drop RP.

Any really good player for Android?

My brother likes this one http://www.winamp.com/android

[AdrianH]

I use Real Player and never had a single issue with it, have installed/uninstalled on several systems ........

Just like any other application you can set exactly what file associatons it uses.