Introduction: Uninstall U3 "Smart Drive" Software
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.
Step 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
37 Comments
13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks TK. I had disabled my Ativa U3 flash drive by trying to delete the annoying program from it. It was unusable and I couldn't open it. I spent an hour online searching for a solution, trying out a couple of other programs, before finding this one that you provided.
13 years ago on Introduction
the easyest was still is just formating your drive, backup the stuff from the usb-stick, right click on the drive icon(not the cd one!), press fromat an hit ok, that should take a few mins, then move your stuff back to the drive, u3 removed for good, and no extra software needed...
14 years ago on Introduction
this helped me. thanks
14 years ago on Introduction
I will just turn it into a removed by community request
14 years ago on Introduction
If you had anything positive in mind when posting that (other than attempting to somehow score points), you ought to have read to the start of the thread, and discovered where I began with constructive criticism.
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.
15 years ago on Introduction
As ongissim said, you should have provided a direct link.
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.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
I like to bring all the pictures to the table at the beginning in order for the one using it not have to logon or use the "?ALLSTEPS" trick, I used screenshots so even the most computer-illiterate can understand, though I am not sure if my boxes are working at the moment (I am used to helping grandparents find their way around their new computer, so sorry if it seems a bit winded). I think this is worth an instructable, mostly because it has been up only one day and has over 100 views and 6 comments, and it was a pain to figure it out at first until I thought to use Google. I personally don't like it when I have to browse several pages to find what I am looking for, with my method I feel it is easy to jump to whichever step without difficulty, not everyone may like it and it may seem somewhat cluttered, but I prefer it that way.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Ouch man,Mister smarty pants is telling you to delete this ible
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
You think it's worth an Instructable because you had to think for a while before turning to google to find a website?
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.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
To be honest I didn't post this instructable to get hits or comments, I just wanted to help some people. The only reason I brought the views and comments up is because, while I am a complete novice in every sense of the word, this instructable has gotten quite a few (views and comments) for being such a simple instructable. Since you seem to have all the stats of the site I figured you would know the "be nice" policy, I am sorry if I offended you by giving you an extra link to click on if you were the least bit curious enough to click on it.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
I am quite aware of the "be nice" policy. Trust me, this is me being nice. I am also quite aware of the standards expected by this site. Trust me, your project doesn't meet them.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
The standards expected by the site, you need to look around a bit, I don't know why you're wasting your time telling me to unpost mine, when I barely make a dent in the site (I have 4 instructables), and not those that post several completely useless instructables (you must be very busy leaving comments) ...and I am sorry if I offended you by giving you an extra link to click on if you were the least bit curious enough to click on it. (why click on the link if you had no interest) And this is me being nice as well
14 years ago on Introduction
i did this the second i plugged in my flash drive
14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks man, I've always hated that software.
14 years ago on Introduction
i have a problem...i used the uninstaller in the settings and every time it says close all open applications(which are) and exits...i really want this off.....help!
15 years ago on Introduction
well for those of you who dont like the launchpad, try this on for size.
15 years ago on Introduction
THANKS! I tried everything to remove that software! I even followed SanDisk's instructions (almost two years ago) when I bought it and it would not remove! Thanks again for your help!
15 years ago on Step 1
U3 is a really smart powerful piece of software if you need it - if not, its a royal pain in the backside.
15 years ago on Introduction
Ok so firstly U3 is utter crap and should be uninstalled asap, then the drive should then be properly partitioned and formatted. You will do better with just about any other app launcher out there. U3 should be considered on para with maleware. You have picked a good topic for an instructable but you haven't implemented it well. Maybe in the introduction explain just how long it takes for u3 to load, and how much of a pain it is to actually uninstall.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
thanks for the tip, I think I'll add those, and thanks for commenting like an actual person