Do you have a friend, co-worker or family member that uses AOL? Have they ever complained about the annoying Active Update popup? Here's how to get rid of it for them. They will think you are a geek god or goddess.
(These are Windows instructions).
Start Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer) The default location is Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer
In Windows Explorer, click on the computer's hard drive, usually My Computer -> Drive_C, then click on the Search button.
In the Search Companion window, click on All files and folders
The first file you want to search for is anotify.exe ... type the name in the search box and click the Search button.
Windows will probably find two files with this name. Right click on each file and rename it. I have renamed each file no-anotify.exe
Repeat the process, this time searching for aolsoftware.exe and rename both instances of that file.
Once you've renamed the files, you're done. Reboot the computer and Active Update should be gone forever.
However, if the files don't show up the first time you search, it may be possible that Windows is "hiding" them. To "unhide" them, in Windows Explorer, click Tools -> Folder Options
Click on the View tab, then select the Show hiden files and folder button.
Still no luck? Back in the Search Companion window, click More advanced options
The select Search hidden files and folders.
Gotcha AOL!! No more Active Update Popups!
WOW...That is a pretty detailed blog, but I have one question ..... "What is AOL Active updates?"
Sean Allen
Bo: I mainly use SnagIt by TechSmith My runner-up favorite is FastStone Capture.
Benjamin: The big thing AOL has going for it is: It is very easy and intuitive for non-tech people. They seem to "get it" pretty quick. And I speak from experience having helped a few computer-illiterate agents move into the wired world over the years. On the other hand, it does takes some tweaking to get AOL to behave in a civilized manner. :-)
(On the third hand, there will be very very few computer-illiterate people in the next generation.)
HHmm Cheryl,
I use aol, but I don't get those pop ups you refer to....I guess I'm lucky.
Sean Allen
Cheryl, wow! your post is excellent, but I have a better, easier solution. stop using aol.
I am so ready to get rid of AOL pop-up asking me to upgrade to 9.1 (not happy with software problems). I already gave in on one home computer, and now I am working on son's computer with 9.0 optimized SE (no problems with that version) installed. I have spent two hours searching the web without gaining anything specific as to how to get rid of that annoying upgrade pop-up. Will your directions take care of eliminating upgrade pop-up to 9.1? Also, I pay 14.95 per month (21.95 couple of year back) and do not want to change to AOL web access (which is free). For all that might respond: Is anyone running AOL software and what are you paying monthly to retain the software? I have been with AOL for 15 years and want to know if I am getting screwed, other than normal AOL screwing and I really want to get rid of the ******* upgrade pop-up notification.
Denise -- I haven't seen the pop-up for so long, I'd forgotton I posted this. :-)
Unless the newest version uses diffferent file names, the idea should still work.
My relationship with AOL is this: Many years ago, when a new person joined our office, I'd set them up with an AOL account to help them begin getting used to using email and the web. (Whatever else you think about AOL, you have to admit the interface is pretty easy for a novice to understand.) Thankfully, the world has evolved and it is no longer necessary for me to introduce new people to the online world!!
All of those initial employees are still with us, but I've moved all their accounts over to the 9.95 per month plan, and I encourage them to use web access instead (I haven't cancelled their accounts - just in case - and the 9.95 isn't a large expense, anyway.)
Thanks for the quick response. I run windows XP and following the directions above I was able to easily locate the 2 files that need to be renamed. "Repeat the process, this time searching for aolsoftware.exe...." Does this mean I will be renaming 4 files? I haven't renamed any yet. Before I do, how will AOL do periodic updates as needed to run present 9.0 software? I want the updates (if any) to be done but want to get rid of the popup that wants me to upgrade to 9.1.
Two more questions. Attachment in AOL email (not web based): how can I force it to open immediately without having to save it to computer (my documents) to be able to view it? How can I retain images and text from original email when forwarding? When I choose reply, images and text are retained. I checked settings for AOL email already.
Hi Cheryl,
Does the steps you have provided stop all automatic update notifications? I just want to get rid of the AOL 9.1 Update notification that just recently started approximately 3 weeks ago, but not my other ones, i.e. Windows Updates and other program update notifications.
I use my AOL account for the added security, since Internet Explorer have been known to be vunerable to hackers. In addition to this annoying AOL 9.1 Update Pop-Up, I have had a problem since purchasing my computer with having to try signing on multiple times before actually getting through and hearing my "Welcome, You've Got Mail." I sign on and it just sits at the screen saying "checking password" so I cancel & close, then open again and sign on, and it just sits again at the same "checking password" screen, and I repeat the process and after about the third time and sometime even more, it finally goes through and I'm in. This is very annoying. :-(
My Spam filtering is working great for the most part. Every once in awhile (I say blue moon) one gets through and I just send it to the spam folder without opening it and go there & delete it. I did find that once I did open one and after realizing it was spam, I sent it to my spam filter & deleted it. However, it kept getting through. So, I believe that because I opened it, it was automatically added to my safe list even after I sent it to my spam folder. So, I had to physically go in and tell the system to not accept emails from that email address.
When I search for aolsoftware.exe, I get three files (not all exe). Do I also rename all 3 of those files?
I get that darn Active Update every 10-15 minutes and it constantly interrupts my work and it's very annoying.
I'm nervous about re-naming these files in case there are consequences, but I am paying for AOL and they are no help at all. Either I find the solution to those frustrating and constant Active Update pop-ups, or I'm forced to drop AOL, and I don't want to do that because of my work.
Any further comments or advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much for your help.
Jeannie: The steps I listed only get rid of AOL updates. Windows and sytems updates aren't affected. I don't think AOL updates of any kind will get through, though.
Judi: If something went wrong you could always go back and change the file names back to their original names. After all, you didn't change the contents of the file. That's why I like renaming the files something that contains the original file name -- like my "no-anotify" name --- If I ever need to change it back, all I need to do if remove the "no-"
Denise: I don't know. I'll try some experiments in a few days and see....
You're my hero! It worked and it's finally gone after months of this annoying pop up from AOL demanding that I (so-called) upgrade to AOL 9.1 every 10-15 minutes!
Thank you, thank you!
thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been searching for a remedy for days, and finally stumbled upon this blog.
Dear Cheryl, you have made my day! AOL has assured me, both customer service LIVE ONLINE and on the telephone that there is absolutely NO WAY to stop the "active update" from popping up. The only advice they had for me was to go ahead and download their update. For the first time in weeks, I was able to do my work without getting interrupted. Bless you!!!!! Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge with us!!!!!
Ginna
Hmm..I did what you said....and it is gone...but I cannot log on to aol...it opens and just stays there..don't connect or anything....
I followed all of your directions to a "T," but then I couldn't open my AOL. AOL would start ok, but never open, then a box would open up and say that AOL had encountered a problem and would have to restart each time I would try to open. Do you have any remedies for this?
Donna,
I don't know! I'm hoping someone else might jump in with the answer! Meanwhile, you should be able to restore your AOL software to its original state by just renaming the files again, back to the original names.
Any trick to get rid of the RealPlayer box that comes up asking me to install it when I start AOL? I always so "NO" because I don't wish to install RealPlayer, but getting rid of that reminder would be a big help. By the way, I think I found the correct files to "rename" that kept asking me to update to AOL 9.1. thank for any help you can offer.
Donna
Cheryl -
Thanks for great directions to disable the aol annoying notifications for updates. I get the one about the critical security update. Do you have any idea what it is? I only use AOL AIM for occassional IM and e-mail. Needless to say, I really don't want anything on my computer from AOL. Any insight you can offer would be great!
Thanks for a great blog
Ali
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I finally zapped away my annoying AOL Active UPdate....thank you and happy holidays!
Thanks it took a little while but thats okay.I was convinced ther was nothing i could do about.I guess I'm good until aol puts out the next irritating glich on their site.If it wasn't for my wife they wouldn't even be on my computer
I found an AOL update subset buried deep on the HDrive with the tag 'toaster'. Found toaster in a couple different places. Deleted all foldersleading up to and containing 'toaster', and the popups stopped. A new annoyance is an update popup that appears when logging off of AOL. You can't get back to the desktop without making a choice. "Update Now" and "Later" are the only options. I can't get rid of it. Any suggestions? Thanks
I've been an AOL e-mailer since I can't remember! For the past 5-8 years I don't pay a dime. I brought my own ISP (Comcast and now Verizon FIOS). I prefer using AOL as my e-mail address because I'm used to it and find it easy to store and find mail. I use IE and Firefox for surfing the web. I upgraded to 9.1 and don't get any popups (maybe because I upgraded?) Is/was there any problems with 9.1??? I haven't experienced any, YET!
I have read and heard about many people who don't like or have had problems with AOL but I'm not one of them. Also, I find using Outlook for e-mail very difficult. Maybe because all i've ever used is AOL
Hey Paul (good name!). You're one of the lucky/smart ones. AOL has become bloated and invasive. It'll just quit and freeze up when it feels like it, and there you sit. It also censures urls that you might use. That's not their job if you're web surfing while logged on to their server. I too have gone to IE and Firefox rather then use AOL's slow, nosey server interface to get to a browser. The logoff popup that I mentioned was brought to their attention via tech support, was their problem by their own admission, and their 'team' would look at their coding and find out why it was appearing and how to get rid of it in my case. They did nothing. I never had the problem with 8 and 9.0. They had an update 'opt out' option. It's 9.1 that's the pain. OK, rant over.
AAR, in anticipation of getting rid of AOL I switched to Gmail. Much smoother and full featured, but my full address changed to ...@Gmail.com instead of ...@aol.com. If you feel inclined, please tell me how you use AOL for e-mail without paying for the service(s). I can live nicely without the unrelenting ads, popups and embedded ads in my saved e-mails. Would be much appreciated.
Best, Paullyboy
If people still want to use AOL and you have them rename "aolsoftware.exe" exactly how do you expect their AOL softweare to keep on working? As far as I can tell, it won't, because waol.exe and aolsftware.exe are cirtical processes; you cannot stop them, delete them or rename them or you will stop AOL from running. I would imagine that resulting in unhappy readers of your blog, so I don't see the point to suggesting it. There is absolutely no need to stop aolsoftware.exe in any circumstance - UNLESS a user wants to remove AOL from their computer but can't because the AOL software or uninstaller is corrupted - so it's your last option, not your first.
Also, stopping updates via your method is not guaranteed but neither are methods I suggest for getting rid of these pesky popups. The reason for that is the pop-ups are delivered through not one but two programs: the AOL desktop client and the AIM client. On top of that, almost every version of AOL and all incremental version numbers (such as 9.0, 9.1, 10.0 Desktop, etc.) seem to have their own way of presenting the same update pop-ups to you, calling on different files and folders per version to run various processes that make the same pop-ups appear. That's why there's no one-foolproof method for stopping them; it comes down to user trial and error combined with close examination of installation files on the affected computer to see which solution best applies.
Also, pure semantics here, but in your how-to you should have people enable the searching of hidden files and folders first, before they start searching, not after, simply to save time - most people don't have the viewing of hidden files and folders enabled by default, so I can't see why you structured your how-to the way you did.
Anyway, here's my "nearly fool-proof" (but by no means all-encompassingly "always fooproof") method for disabling AOL's Active Updates: http://anti-aol.livejournal.com/95393.html
*whoops, forgot my spellcheck*
If people still want to use AOL and you have them rename "aolsoftware.exe" exactly how do you expect their AOL software to keep on working? As far as I can tell, it won't, because waol.exe and aolsoftware.exe are critical processes; you cannot stop them, delete them or rename them or you will stop AOL from running. I would imagine that resulting in unhappy readers of your blog, so I don't see the point to suggesting it. There is absolutely no need to stop aolsoftware.exe in any circumstance - UNLESS a user wants to remove AOL from their computer but can't because the AOL software or uninstaller is corrupted - so it's your last option, not your first.
Also, stopping updates via your method is not guaranteed but neither are methods I suggest for getting rid of these pesky popups. The reason for that is the pop-ups are delivered through not one but two programs: the AOL desktop client and the AIM client. On top of that, almost every version of AOL and all incremental version numbers (such as 9.0, 9.1, 10.0 Desktop, etc.) seem to have their own way of presenting the same update pop-ups to you, calling on different files and folders per version to run various processes that make the same pop-ups appear. That's why there's no one-foolproof method for stopping them; it comes down to user trial and error combined with close examination of installation files on the affected computer to see which solution best applies.
Also, pure semantics here, but in your how-to you should have people enable the searching of hidden files and folders first, before they start searching, not after, simply to save time - most people don't have the viewing of hidden files and folders enabled by default, so I can't see why you structured your how-to the way you did.
Anyway, here's my "nearly fool-proof" (but by no means all-encompassingly "always fooproof") method for disabling AOL's Active Updates: http://anti-aol.livejournal.com/95393.html
Ok so what if you have done that and deleted everything like I saw on a diffrent website, and it still pops up what then? the thing is pissing me off and still pops up and it does it like every 20 mins I try to play a game that takes the full screen and its there all the time and intrerups my game. So if someone can help me get rid of it that would be great. I've checked all files and folders and its not there I do not use AOL but I use AIM and thats how I got it was from aim.