Best way to remove Tor browser in windows 8?

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by The Count, Mar 27, 2020.

  1. The Count

    The Count Registered Member

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    i) I would like to remove all remnants of Tor from Windows 8 machine.

    If I simply delete all the Tor search bar results in windows File Explorer will that definitively get rid of Tor or will there be issues with Registry Files to consider if so what would be the best way to handle that? Should I use Command Prompt to get rid of Tor plus the registry issues or simply press delete in File Explorer?

    I can see it siiting here in command prompt:
    C: Users\Desktop\Tor Broswer

    ii) What would i need to type in CMD to remove the registry files associated with Tor? If that's safe to do and is there a need for that?
    iii) I don't see Tor in the Registry Editor either? I haven't deleted it yet. Any idea where to look in Registry Editor?
    iv) I don't see Tor in Uninstall Programs, is there a reason for that? Right clicking on Tor icon and clicking uninstall just takes me to control panel uninstall programs where Tor is not listed anyway.

    Thank you in advance
     
  2. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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  3. The Count

    The Count Registered Member

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  4. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    So you tried to right-click delete the Tor desktop folder and it wouldn't let you?

    Did you stop any instance in Task Manager first?
     
  5. Krusty

    Krusty Registered Member

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    Isn't TOR browser a portable program? I didn't think you needed to actually uninstall it because it doesn't actually install.
     
  6. Hadron

    Hadron Registered Member

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    Judging by the Windows uninstallation instructions, yes, it is portable.

     
  7. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    I posted that link Hadron, now we just need for The Count to confirm that he has tried to delete the folder from the desktop.
     
  8. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

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    As others have mentioned, yes, just delete that folder and Tor is gone. No need to "uninstall" or search for data in registry. You can delete it using cmd or file explorer, it really doesn't matter.
     
  9. The Count

    The Count Registered Member

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    It has been deleted, by simple right click delete.It's been alluded to that that's enough to remove it completely, like in registry and so on.
     
  10. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    Good to hear you are sorted now :)
     
  11. The Count

    The Count Registered Member

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    I did not know what a portable program was until now, still a bit hazy though.
    i) Can I assume that all portable programs can be deleted by simple right click delete.
    ii) Why do developers prefer making their programs portable?
     
  12. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    This should give you a fair bit of info
    https://www.howtogeek.com/290358/what-is-a-portable-app-and-why-does-it-matter/
     
  13. brians08

    brians08 Registered Member

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    Who are you trying to hide TOR from? Family member, corporate IT, or three letter agency?
    If you think someone might do a low level scan of your hard disk to find fragments of deleted TOR files, you would need to run software that wipes free space. If you're drive is SSD, a wipe of free space may not be 100% effective. Fragments of TOR files could still remain in reserved space used for wear leveling. Not very easy to do a raw scan like that but it is possible.
     
  14. Lyx

    Lyx Registered Member

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    As you use Windows, you should also watch out for any trace of your Tor activities in Shellbags.


    I think running Tor in RAM could avoid this problem. Or maybe downloading, unziping and using Tor inside a Shadowdefender session?

    The best solution would be probably to download/unzip/use Tor while using an LiveCD OS.
     
  15. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    If you really care, just reinstall Windows.
     
  16. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

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    You can also use it in VirtualBox and restore previous snapshot after using Tor.
     
  17. Lyx

    Lyx Registered Member

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    And if you really really care, just uninstall windows :)
     
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