AOL Removal Tool v0.61
Developed by RAX Technologies
Readme Written on: 6/25/2017

README File
---------------------------------

Contents
-----------------------------

0. DISCLAIMER & License
1. Introduction/Description
2. System Requirements
3. Using the tool
4. How the tool works
5. Known Bugs
6. Changelog
7. Technical Support, Bug Reports, Suggestions
8. Product Improvement Data Collection Policy
9. Credits
-----------------------------


0. DISCLAIMER & License
-------------------

AOL Removal tool is provided 'as-is' with NO WARRANTY of any kind, neither express nor implied. RAX Technologies makes no guarantees as to the proper operation of the software, safety of the software, or to this software's merchantability or suitability for a particular purpose. The author may not be held liable for any data loss, hardware failure, or other damages (physical, digital, monetary, or otherwise) caused by the use of this software. Use the software at your own risk.

1. Introduction/Description
-------------------

Thank you for Downloading the AOL Removal Tool. This tool will help you remove all AOL software from your computer. 
The tool is designed to be used to remove leftovers and failed uninstalls of AOL software. It is recommended,
although not mandatory, that you first attempt to use the Uninstaller included
with AOL.


2. System Requirements
-------------------

The AOL Removal Tool requires the following:

* Windows XP/Vista/7/8
* Supported AOL Software to remove
* Administrator access to the computer


Supported software includes:

    America Online 8.0 and newer
    AOL Desktop (all versions)
    AOL Connectivity Services
    AOL Companion
    AOL Instant Messenger 5.x and newer
    AOL Security Suite (partial uninstall only, use of McAfee's removal tool required)
    AOL and AIM Toolbar
    AOL Deskbar
    AOL and AIM Search
    AOL Registration Client
    AIMTunes for Instant Messenger
    QQGames for AOL Instant Messenger
    AOL Spyware Protection
    You've Got Pictures Screensaver
    AOL Port Magic
    AOL TopSpeed
    AOL Coach
    Learn2.com for AOL
    Viewpoint
    AOL Software Update Utility
    AOL Download Updater
    DataMask by AOL
    DataMask Update (a.k.a SentryBay Update)
    AOL Visual C Runtimes


3. Using the Tool
-------------------

The AOL Removal Tool was designed to be easy to use. To begin the removal process,
simply start the tool and click on the big 'REMOVE!' button at the bottom. The tool
will display messages to provide further instructions.

NOTE: Please DO NOT TOUCH THE KEYBOARD OR MOUSE while the removal is in progress.
The software relies upon simulated keystrokes to operate different tools.

4. How the Tool Works
-------------------

AOL, when installed, installs itself as several seperate components, many of which are
shared across different AOL programs. This modularized installation approach makes it 
difficult to completely remove AOL, since many of these components must be uninstalled
in a certain order. Should one component fail at uninstalling, it is likely that many
other components will also fail to uninstall because something dependent upon them is 
still installed. The result is remanants on the computer.

The AOL Removal Tool works by examining your computer's registry to determine installed
AOL Components, and then attempting to uninstall them manually by running their individual
uninstallers. After attempting a safe uninstall, the tool manually unregisters any remaining
Libraries, and restarts the computer. Following the restart, all remaining AOL files, shortcuts,
and directories are deleted, and the registry is cleaned.

5. Known Bugs
------------------

The 0.6 Version is known to have the following issues:

* The Log Window sometimes becomes corrupt on Windows 7. This is purely cosmetic.

* Some subcomponents included with AOL Desktop 9.8 do not properly suppress their uninstall completion message. These should be closed manually.
* AOL Download Updater does not properly suppress its uninstall completion message in certain cases. This should be closed manually.
* Removing AOL Desktop 9.8 with the tool may result in an unwanted web survey opening in your default browser. This should be closed manually.

6. Changelog
------------------

0.61
This version is intended as a minor update to 0.6. It does not introduce new program support

* Updated AutoIt version
* Product Improvement program changes
* Minor bugfixes

0.6
* Support for AOL Desktop 9.8
* Preliminary Windows 10 support (should work but untested)
* Fix hang while running uninstaller aolunins_us.exe, especially on systems with AOL Desktop 9.8
* Fix MSVC9 runtime MSI removal (product improperly listed as SentryBay Update)
* Update Product Improvement Program from 1.2.0.4 to 1.3.0.0 (Windows 8.x and 10 support)
* Update base framework
* Update AutoIt version
* Minor enhancements and bugfixes to improve the overall user experience

0.5
* Support for DataMask By AOL
* Support for Datamask Update Helper (SentryBay)
* Improved Support for AIM Toolbar
* Support for AOL Instant Messenger 8.x (per-user installs)
* Support for AOL Visual C 9.0 Runtimes (MSI)

* Reduced chance of hanging in Windows Vista
* Windows 8.x bugfixes
* Fix Product Improvement Program
* Documentation now reflects our June 2014 Domain Change

0.4
* Support for AOL Desktop 9.7
* Windows 8 Support (untested)
* Improved registry cleaning
* Product Improvement Program
* Readme updated

0.35:
* Improved support for AOL 9.6
* Disclaimer updated
* No longer beta
* Support for AOL TopSpeed 2.0 and 3.0
* Support for ancient versions of AOL Coach
* Support for AOL Portmagic
* AOL namespace icon in My Computer now removed if cleaning legacy AOL versions

0.34:
* Support for AOL Desktop 9.6
* Support for AOL Instant Messenger v5.x - 8.x
* Support for AOL You've Got Pictures Screen Saver
* Support for AOL Spyware Protection (Legacy version)
* Support for AIMTunes and QQ Games for AOL Instant Messenger
* Support for additional versions of AOL/AIM Toolbar
* Registry cleaning enhanced

0.33:
* Minor interface changes
* Support for AOL Active Security Monitor

0.32:
* Improved support for legacy AOL versions
* Support for AOL Instant Messenger 6.x - 7.x
* Support for "Download Updater (AOL LLC)"
* Support for AOL Security Toolbar
* Windows 7 support

0.31:
* Minor update to fix bug with AOL 9.6 removal

0.3:
* First update to public version
* Windows Vista support
* Support for AOL Desktop
* Support for some legacy AOL versions
* Code cleanup, converted to modified version of SoftwareJettison

0.2:
* Unreleased debugging version

0.1:
* Initial Release

7.  Tech Support, Bug Reports, Suggestions
------------------

We hope you find AOL Removal Tool to be a helpful piece of software. If you have trouble using the software,
would like to make suggestions for a future version, or would just like to tell us 'thanks', please email 
technical support at: support@raxsoft.com

8. Product Improvement Data Collection Policy
------------------

If you agree to submit the data collected by the AOL Removal Tool to the Product Improvement Program, 
the following legal agreement applies to the information collected.

DATA COLLECTION POLICY

In the document below, YOU refers to the user running this software or using the computer containing this software.

RAX Technologies collects non-identifiable information about your computer in an effort to improve our products.

This information includes, but is not limited to, logs produced by the RAX Technologies product, your IP address, computer name, make, and model, lists of installed software, registry keys containing startup program information, and information about installed security software. This information generally does not include any personally identifiable information, however it may include data such as the name of the wireless network to which you are connected, which may include such information.

If any personally identifiable information is collected as part of our data collection program, it will not be used to contact you in any way, and will be destroyed before any information is shared with third parties.

Information collected will be used to improve the RAX Technologies product you recently used, to provide helpful tips or advice, or to assist with technical support if you have contacted us. 

Your information may be sold to or licensed by third parties for market research purposes without notice or 
compensation to you. The information collected will NOT be used by RAX Technologies to deliver targeted 
or unsolicited advertising of any form. An example usage of this information would be determining how many
of our users' PCs have a specific software product installed.

Submission of data to the Improvement Program is optional. If you do not agree to the above, simply select the 'No' or similar option when prompted to submit the information, and the information will be not be sent.

9. Credits
------------------

* Development: RAX Technologies
* Script Engine: AutoIt
* Special Thanks to: The developers of SoftwareJettison Framework for AutoIt

