Armoury Crate, while a useful tool for managing and customizing your ASUS devices, can sometimes become problematic. Maybe it's hogging resources, causing conflicts, or simply not working as expected. If you're looking to completely remove Armoury Crate from your system, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring a clean uninstall and preventing any lingering issues. So, if you're ready to say goodbye to Armoury Crate, let's dive in!

Why Uninstall Armoury Crate?

Before we get started, let's quickly cover why you might want to uninstall Armoury Crate in the first place. Common reasons include:

• Resource Hogging: Armoury Crate can sometimes consume a significant amount of system resources, especially CPU and memory, even when idle. This can lead to performance issues, especially on lower-end systems.
• Software Conflicts: Armoury Crate might conflict with other software, such as other system monitoring tools or RGB control applications, leading to instability or unexpected behavior.
• Installation Issues: Sometimes, Armoury Crate can become corrupted or encounter installation errors, leading to malfunctions and requiring a clean uninstall and reinstall.
• Unwanted Features: You might simply not need or want the features offered by Armoury Crate, preferring to use alternative methods for managing your ASUS devices.
• Bloatware Concerns: Some users view Armoury Crate as bloatware, preferring to keep their systems as clean and streamlined as possible.

No matter your reason, a clean uninstall is crucial to avoid any potential problems down the road. Let's get started with the process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling Armoury Crate

Step 1: Using the Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool

The absolute best and recommended way to uninstall Armoury Crate is by using the official uninstall tool provided by ASUS. This tool is specifically designed to remove all components of Armoury Crate, including associated services, drivers, and registry entries, ensuring a complete and clean uninstall. Using this tool is crucial to avoid leaving behind any lingering files or settings that could cause issues later on. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download the Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool: Head over to the official ASUS support website. You can usually find it by searching for "Armoury Crate uninstall tool" on the ASUS website or your specific product's support page. Make sure you download the version that corresponds to your operating system. Download the tool from a trusted source. The file name is usually ArmouryCrateUninstallTool.zip
2. Extract the Tool: Once downloaded, extract the contents of the ZIP file to a location on your computer, such as your desktop or a dedicated folder.
3. Run the Uninstall Tool: Locate the ArmouryCrateUninstallTool.exe file and double-click it to run the tool. You might need to run it as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the file and select "Run as administrator."
4. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The uninstall tool will guide you through the process. It will likely prompt you to confirm the uninstall and might require you to restart your computer.
5. Restart Your Computer: After the uninstall process is complete, restart your computer. This is important to ensure that all changes are applied and that any remaining files are removed.

Using the official uninstall tool is the most reliable method to remove Armoury Crate. However, if you encounter any issues or prefer alternative methods, keep reading.

Step 2: Uninstalling Through Windows Settings

If the Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool isn't working for you or you can't find it, you can try uninstalling Armoury Crate through the Windows Settings app. This method is less thorough than using the official tool but can still be effective in removing the main application. Keep in mind that this method might leave behind some residual files and registry entries.

1. Open Windows Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Windows Settings app.
2. Go to Apps: Click on "Apps" to access the list of installed applications.
3. Find Armoury Crate: Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find "Armoury Crate." You might also see other related components, such as "Armoury Crate Service" or "ASUS Aura Creator."
4. Uninstall Armoury Crate: Click on "Armoury Crate" and then click the "Uninstall" button. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the application. If you see other related components, uninstall them as well.
5. Restart Your Computer: After uninstalling Armoury Crate and any related components, restart your computer to ensure that all changes are applied.

While this method is straightforward, it might not remove all traces of Armoury Crate from your system. For a more thorough uninstall, consider using the official uninstall tool or the next method.

Step 3: Removing Remaining Files and Folders

Even after using the Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool or uninstalling through Windows Settings, some files and folders might still be left behind. These residual files can take up space and potentially cause conflicts with other software. To ensure a completely clean uninstall, it's important to manually remove these remaining files and folders.

1. Show Hidden Files and Folders: By default, some system files and folders are hidden. To see these files, you need to enable the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" option in File Explorer. Here's how:
   • Open File Explorer.
   • Click on the "View" tab.
   • In the "Show/hide" section, check the box next to "Hidden items."
2. Navigate to Program Files: Open your C: drive and navigate to the "Program Files" folder. Look for any folders related to Armoury Crate or ASUS. Common folders include:
   • ASUS
   • Armoury Crate
   • ROG
3. Delete Remaining Folders: If you find any of these folders, delete them. Be careful not to delete any folders that are not related to Armoury Crate or ASUS.
4. Navigate to ProgramData: Open your C: drive and navigate to the "ProgramData" folder. This folder is usually hidden, so make sure you have enabled the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" option. Look for any folders related to Armoury Crate or ASUS and delete them.
5. Empty the Recycle Bin: After deleting the remaining files and folders, empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove them from your system.

Manually removing remaining files and folders is an important step in ensuring a completely clean uninstall of Armoury Crate. However, there might still be some registry entries left behind. The next step will guide you through removing these registry entries.

Step 4: Removing Registry Entries

Registry entries are settings and configurations stored in the Windows Registry. Armoury Crate creates several registry entries during installation, and these entries might not be completely removed during the uninstall process. Removing these registry entries can help prevent potential conflicts and ensure a cleaner system.

Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry can be risky if not done correctly. Incorrectly deleting registry entries can cause system instability or even prevent your computer from booting. Proceed with caution and only delete entries that you are certain are related to Armoury Crate. It's always a good idea to back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Open Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
3. Look for ASUS or Armoury Crate Keys: Under the SOFTWARE key, look for any keys (folders) related to ASUS or Armoury Crate. Common keys include:
   • ASUS
   • ASUS\ArmouryCrate
   • ROG
4. Delete the Keys: If you find any of these keys, right-click on them and select "Delete." Confirm the deletion when prompted. Be absolutely sure that you are deleting the correct keys before proceeding.
5. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
6. Look for ASUS or Armoury Crate Keys: Under the SOFTWARE key, look for any keys (folders) related to ASUS or Armoury Crate and delete them, as you did in the previous steps.
7. Close Registry Editor: After deleting the registry entries, close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to ensure that all changes are applied.

Removing registry entries is the final step in ensuring a completely clean uninstall of Armoury Crate. After completing these steps, Armoury Crate should be completely removed from your system.

Alternative Methods for Uninstalling Armoury Crate

While the steps above are the most common and effective methods for uninstalling Armoury Crate, there are a few alternative approaches you can try if you're still having trouble.

Using Third-Party Uninstallers

Several third-party uninstaller programs can help you remove Armoury Crate and any associated files and registry entries. These programs often offer more advanced features than the built-in Windows uninstaller, such as the ability to scan for and remove residual files and registry entries. Some popular third-party uninstallers include:

• Revo Uninstaller: Revo Uninstaller is a popular choice for completely removing software. It scans for leftover files and registry entries after the initial uninstall process.
• IObit Uninstaller: IObit Uninstaller is another well-regarded uninstaller program that can remove stubborn software and clean up leftover files.
• CCleaner: While primarily known as a system cleaner, CCleaner also includes an uninstaller tool that can remove software and clean up registry entries.

To use a third-party uninstaller, simply download and install the program, then use it to uninstall Armoury Crate. Follow the program's instructions to scan for and remove any remaining files and registry entries.

Reinstalling and Uninstalling

In some cases, a corrupted installation of Armoury Crate can make it difficult to uninstall. In this situation, try reinstalling Armoury Crate and then uninstalling it again using the official uninstall tool or the Windows Settings app. This can sometimes fix the corrupted installation and allow you to uninstall it properly.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Armoury Crate can seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can ensure a clean and complete removal. Remember to use the official uninstall tool whenever possible, and be careful when modifying the Windows Registry. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can successfully remove Armoury Crate and resolve any issues it might be causing. Good luck, and enjoy your newly cleaned system!