Hey guys! Having trouble uninstalling Armoury Crate from your ASUS system? You're not alone! Armoury Crate, while feature-packed, can sometimes be a pain to remove completely. But don't worry, I'm here to guide you through a smooth and complete uninstallation process, ensuring your system is clean and free from any lingering files. Let's dive in!

Why Uninstall Armoury Crate?

Before we get started, let's quickly touch on why you might want to uninstall Armoury Crate in the first place. While it's a handy tool for managing your ASUS devices and RGB lighting, there are several common reasons for wanting it gone:

• Resource Hog: Armoury Crate can sometimes consume a significant amount of system resources, leading to performance issues, especially on older or less powerful machines.
• Software Conflicts: It might conflict with other software, causing instability or unexpected errors. Some users have reported issues with game performance or other system utilities.
• Bloatware Concerns: For some, it simply feels like unnecessary bloatware, and they prefer a cleaner system without all the extra software.
• Desire for Alternatives: You might prefer to use alternative software for managing your RGB lighting or device settings. There are plenty of great options out there, and you might find one that better suits your needs.
• Troubleshooting: When facing system issues, uninstalling Armoury Crate can be a troubleshooting step to rule out any potential conflicts or problems caused by the software.

Whatever your reason, it's important to uninstall Armoury Crate properly to avoid leaving behind any leftover files or registry entries that could cause further issues down the road. That's why this guide is here to help you through the process step by step.

Preparing for Uninstallation

Before you start the uninstallation process, it's a good idea to take a few preparatory steps to ensure a smooth and successful removal. This will help prevent any potential issues or complications along the way.

1. Close Armoury Crate and Related Processes: Make sure that Armoury Crate and any related processes are completely closed before you begin. You can do this by checking the system tray in the lower-right corner of your screen. If you see the Armoury Crate icon, right-click it and select "Exit" or "Quit." Additionally, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for any processes related to Armoury Crate, such as "ArmouryCrate.exe" or "LightingService.exe." If you find any, select them and click "End Task." This will ensure that the software isn't running in the background and interfering with the uninstallation process.
2. Back Up Your System (Optional but Recommended): While uninstalling Armoury Crate is generally safe, it's always a good idea to back up your system before making any major changes. This will allow you to restore your system to its previous state if anything goes wrong during the uninstallation process. You can use Windows' built-in System Restore feature or a third-party backup tool to create a system backup. This step is especially important if you have important data or configurations that you don't want to lose.
3. Download the Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool (If Available): ASUS sometimes provides a dedicated uninstall tool for Armoury Crate. Check the ASUS support website for your specific motherboard or laptop model to see if an uninstall tool is available. If so, download it and save it to your computer. This tool is designed to remove all traces of Armoury Crate from your system, including files, registry entries, and services. Using the official uninstall tool is the best way to ensure a complete and clean uninstallation.

Method 1: Using the Official Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool

If ASUS provides an official uninstall tool for Armoury Crate for your specific device, this is generally the best and most reliable method for removing the software. Here's how to use it:

1. Locate the Uninstall Tool: Find the Armoury Crate uninstall tool that you downloaded from the ASUS support website. It's usually a small executable file.
2. Run the Uninstall Tool: Double-click the uninstall tool to run it. You may be prompted to allow the program to make changes to your computer. Click "Yes" to continue.
3. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The uninstall tool will guide you through the uninstallation process. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. You may be asked to confirm that you want to uninstall Armoury Crate and remove all of its components.
4. Restart Your Computer: Once the uninstallation process is complete, the uninstall tool may prompt you to restart your computer. Restart your computer to ensure that all changes are applied and that any remaining files or services are removed.
5. Verify Uninstallation: After your computer restarts, check to see if Armoury Crate has been successfully uninstalled. Look for the Armoury Crate icon in the Start menu and in the system tray. If you can't find it, the software has likely been removed.

Method 2: Uninstalling Through Windows Settings

If you don't have access to the official uninstall tool, you can try uninstalling Armoury Crate through the Windows Settings app. This method is less thorough than using the official tool, but it can still be effective in removing the main components of the software.

1. Open the Windows Settings App: Click the Start button and then click the gear icon to open the Windows Settings app. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app directly.
2. Go to Apps: In the Settings app, click on "Apps." This will take you to the Apps & features section, where you can view and manage the apps installed on your computer.
3. Find Armoury Crate: In the list of installed apps, scroll down until you find Armoury Crate. You can also use the search box in the upper-right corner of the window to search for "Armoury Crate."
4. Uninstall Armoury Crate: Click on Armoury Crate to select it. Then, click the "Uninstall" button that appears. You may be prompted to confirm that you want to uninstall the software. Click "Uninstall" again to confirm.
5. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The uninstallation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. You may be asked to confirm that you want to remove all of Armoury Crate's components.
6. Repeat for Related Components: Armoury Crate often installs several related components, such as the Armoury Crate Service, the AURA Service, and others. Repeat steps 3-5 for each of these related components to ensure that all parts of the software are removed.
7. Restart Your Computer: Once the uninstallation process is complete, restart your computer to ensure that all changes are applied and that any remaining files or services are removed.
8. Verify Uninstallation: After your computer restarts, check to see if Armoury Crate and its related components have been successfully uninstalled. Look for the icons in the Start menu and in the system tray. If you can't find them, the software has likely been removed.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Uninstaller Software

If neither of the above methods works, or if you want a more thorough uninstallation, you can use third-party uninstaller software. These tools are designed to remove all traces of a program from your system, including files, registry entries, and services. Some popular third-party uninstaller tools include Revo Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller, and CCleaner. These tools often find leftover files and registry entries that the standard uninstallers miss.

1. Download and Install a Third-Party Uninstaller: Choose a third-party uninstaller tool and download it from the developer's website. Install the software on your computer.
2. Run the Uninstaller: Launch the third-party uninstaller tool.
3. Find Armoury Crate: In the list of installed programs, find Armoury Crate. The uninstaller should list all installed programs and components on your system.
4. Uninstall Armoury Crate: Select Armoury Crate and click the "Uninstall" button. The uninstaller will first run the program's built-in uninstaller.
5. Scan for Remaining Files and Registry Entries: After the built-in uninstaller is finished, the third-party uninstaller will scan your system for any remaining files, folders, and registry entries associated with Armoury Crate. This is where these tools really shine, as they dig deeper than the standard uninstall process.
6. Remove Remaining Items: The uninstaller will display a list of all the remaining items it found. Select all the items and click the "Delete" or "Remove" button to remove them from your system.
7. Repeat for Related Components: As with the manual uninstallation method, repeat steps 3-6 for any related Armoury Crate components, such as the AURA Service or Armoury Crate Service.
8. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to finalize the uninstallation process.

Cleaning Up Leftover Files and Registry Entries (Manual)

Even after using an uninstaller tool, some leftover files and registry entries may still remain on your system. To ensure a completely clean uninstallation, you can manually remove these items. However, be careful when editing the registry, as making mistakes can cause system instability. It's generally recommended to back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Delete Leftover Files: Open File Explorer and navigate to the following folders:

   • C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ArmouryCrate
   • C:\ProgramData\ASUS\ArmouryCrate
   • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\ASUS\ArmouryCrate

   Replace "YourUsername" with your actual username. If these folders exist, delete them. Make sure you have enabled the view of hidden files and folders in File Explorer.

2. Remove Registry Entries: Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key + R, typing "regedit," and pressing Enter. Navigate to the following registry keys:

   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ASUS\ArmouryCrate
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ASUS\ArmouryCrate
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

   Look for any registry keys related to Armoury Crate and delete them. Be very careful when deleting registry entries. Only delete entries that you are sure are related to Armoury Crate.

3. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Reinstalling Armoury Crate (If Needed)

If you uninstalled Armoury Crate but later decide that you want to use it again, you can reinstall it. Here's how:

1. Download the Latest Version: Go to the ASUS support website for your motherboard or laptop model and download the latest version of Armoury Crate.
2. Install Armoury Crate: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Armoury Crate can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and instructions, you can get the job done. Whether you choose to use the official uninstall tool, the Windows Settings app, or a third-party uninstaller, make sure to follow the steps carefully and clean up any leftover files and registry entries. And if you ever need to reinstall Armoury Crate, you can always download the latest version from the ASUS support website. Good luck, and happy computing!