This instrutable will show how to uninstall the pre-installed U3 "Smart Drive" software included on some flash drives, such as my new 8GB San Disk Micro Cruzer, though it can be found on other drives
The only reason this instructable was made is because, uninstalling this "software" is not as cut and dry as any rational person would think it should be.
My major annoyance with U3 is the fact that it mounts itself, waits too long and mounts the drive containing the actual files I inserted the drive to access. Though the lack of usability and free software didn't slow down the decision making process.
The only reason this instructable was made is because, uninstalling this "software" is not as cut and dry as any rational person would think it should be.
My major annoyance with U3 is the fact that it mounts itself, waits too long and mounts the drive containing the actual files I inserted the drive to access. Though the lack of usability and free software didn't slow down the decision making process.
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Signing UpStep 1: What to do
I have found the uninstall button in the software doesn't do a thing, so; (skip to 4, for app link)
1. Google search "U3 uninstall", and click on the first link (in purple), or click here for the direct link.
2. Click on the "Remove Launchpad" link, found at the bottom of the page
3. Click "Submit and Continue"
4. Click "Download the Uninstall Application", also available here
5. Download the Uninstall Application and Open it
6. Click "Run" on the prompt, Vista only
7. Wait for the software to Locate your Device
8. Click the radio button next to "Accept" and click the "Next" button
9. Click the checkbox and the "Next" button
10. Wait for the software to uninstall itself
11. Remove and re-insert your device, and click the "Done" button to close the uninstall application
That's it enjoy not having to wait for the U3 software to load and mounting itself before the drive
1. Google search "U3 uninstall", and click on the first link (in purple), or click here for the direct link.
2. Click on the "Remove Launchpad" link, found at the bottom of the page
3. Click "Submit and Continue"
4. Click "Download the Uninstall Application", also available here
5. Download the Uninstall Application and Open it
6. Click "Run" on the prompt, Vista only
7. Wait for the software to Locate your Device
8. Click the radio button next to "Accept" and click the "Next" button
9. Click the checkbox and the "Next" button
10. Wait for the software to uninstall itself
11. Remove and re-insert your device, and click the "Done" button to close the uninstall application
That's it enjoy not having to wait for the U3 software to load and mounting itself before the drive
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But ask yourself as well - Is this really worth an Instructable?
If the answer is yes, then you need to put a bit more effort into it. Your "Step 1" actually detailed eleven sub-steps - wouldn't it have made sense to break that up, illustrating your steps with the screen-shots that match just that step, and not all your images with every step?
If the answer is no, then maybe you should consider unpublishing this Instructable, and maybe starting a forum thread about U3 software and the best way to get rid of it or replace it.
As I type, 132 views - that's out of the 70,000 new visits this site gets every day, and the 90,000 visits by regulars.
That's 0.08% of the potential views.
Of those, five people have thought it worth a comment.
Of those five people, only one had something positive to say.
That's one positive comment out of 160,000 possible comments.
Of the 132 views, only 3 people bothered to rate it, and your rating is "below average".
See? Quantity of visits does not indicate quality of Instructable, and this has neither.
Really, ReCreate, if you are going to troll back through all my old posts, you really are going to have to put in more effort than this. As a stalker, you fail badly.
1. Close the program
2. Open the flash drive
3. Select the files (anything on the drive that isn't yours)
4. Delete them
Am I missing something?