Removal of Keyclone

[Nugai]

Hi there. I downloaded Keyclone, but don't like the way it is running on my PC. How do I delete it? There isn't a uninstall icon and it isn't showing for add/remove programs.

[Zzyzxx71]

Just delete the folder - default extraction location is c:\program files\keyclone I believe.


Curious - exactly in what way is it "running" in which you don't like?

[Nugai]

I have no problem accessing the folder, but there isn't a install/uninstall feature. Whenever clicking the icon it simply runs the program. One of the main concerns I have is the fact that it will not shut down at all. When closing Keyclone, it minimizes to the system tray, but will not close completely. When trying to open it from the system tray it won't do anything. When trying to open from the regular desktop shortcut it says a version is already running.

I know it is probably me just being paranoid, but I was skeptical having programs running in the first place, and now with it acting very odd I just would rather not deal with it.

EDIT - Wouldn't deleting the folder do just that... delete the folder. That doesn't mean the program was deleted from my computer.

[Techtroll]

I've got that 'bug' too... All I do is (in Windows XP, don't know Vista), hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE and select Task Manager, then find and select the Keyclone process, and then hit the 'End Process' button.

[Nugai]

I have done that, but the icon was still showing up in the system tray.

Also, why is the program not showing up in the Add/Remove Programs list? And why isn't there a uninstall feature?

I know I am coming across as paranoid, but I just don't like not having control over a program that I install.

Thanks for the help.

[Techtroll]

It's not showing up in Add/Remove programs as it's not using the the Windows Installer or any type of Installer (Like InstallShield). It is simply a self-extracting ZIP archive that will extract files to c:\program-files\keyclone.

As said by Zzyzxx71 ('index.php?page=User&userID=1955'), the only way to remove (uninstall) it is to delete the keyclone folder in C:\Program Files.

Keyclone does not (as far as I remember) start as a service, or is auto started at boot. So, rebooting the system would definitly stop the process.

[Zzyzxx71]

2 things:

A: The systray bug has been there a while - I just started setting up my team again last night after about 4 months off, and it's still, there. It's nothing to be paranoid about, as far as I'm concerned I trust KC more than I trust 99% of everything else out there. Ask around, if you wanna be paranoid, that's fine, but I'd get a second opinion (and this is a good place to get it from).

B: An application being listed in add/remove programs is dependant on the use of an installshield for it's installation. KC is a very small application, the use of an installshield for KC would be like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

[Nugai]

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you very much for all the info.

My intentions are not to discourage the use of this program at all. I know people use it so if it were a malicious program then there wouldn't be a population of users. I just don't care for certain things, just a personal preference is all.

I hope people do not take this as an attack on the program or the author of the program, I just have decided not to use it.

Thanks again guys for the help.

[Xar]

I've had other apps not "dissapear" out of the systray after ending them but I found hovering my mouse over the systray will get it to update the systray graphics and then it's gone so it was really ended but the display was stuck.

[Zzyzxx71]

I've had other apps not "dissapear" out of the systray after ending them but I found hovering my mouse over the systray will get it to update the systray graphics and then it's gone so it was really ended but the display was stuck.

Ditto, unfortunately this isn't the case for KC - it kind of hangs in memory resident limbo. Only way out is to kill the process.

[welwyn]

you have 2 problems then. it closing and not shutting down properly and you cant remove it. firstly i'd like to know why you find it runs wierd apart from the shutdown thing?

on the not shutting down properly, use the task manager to close it under processes. its a pain when it does that but its nothing to worry about. and removing it is easy, just delete the folder when exploring your HDD. i've had keyclone for .. 4 months i think now and have had that "bug" happen 3 or 4 times now. it normally goes away on its own

[pyrem]

I've had this issue since I've been running keyclone. First off, how do you terminate the program? If you just hit "x" on the application's window, you'll probably find that it doesn't terminate the application completely and it stays on the system tray.

A better way of terminating the program would be to actually right-click on the keyclone icon on the system tray and select exit/quit (don't remember the exact command of the top of my head). I found that exiting keyclone this way is "cleaner."

[Duese]

KC is a very small application, the use of an installshield for KC would be like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

This bothers me to no end. I passed on KeyClone probably 3-4 times before I even considered running it.

I mean, between having no installer and the link across the top of the page going straight to downloading an executable, any smart person would be questioning programs legitimacy. I had to google Keyclone to get to the homepage for it, just so I could read about what it actually does, which was a trial in and of itself because the majority of the information there is just "patch notes" and update information. No real general features.

And if that doesn't flag you, besides it's obvious legitimate program functionality, a name like "keyclone" isn't exactly on my list of "hey, let's install this random program with no documentation." To me it was like a program being called "keylogger.exe"

[Zzyzxx71]

If having an installer was a requirement for every app I have, I'd have to rip about 70% of my software off my machines.

[Owltoid]

KC is a very small application, the use of an installshield for KC would be like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

This bothers me to no end. I passed on KeyClone probably 3-4 times before I even considered running it.

I mean, between having no installer and the link across the top of the page going straight to downloading an executable, any smart person would be questioning programs legitimacy. I had to google Keyclone to get to the homepage for it, just so I could read about what it actually does, which was a trial in and of itself because the majority of the information there is just "patch notes" and update information. No real general features.

And if that doesn't flag you, besides it's obvious legitimate program functionality, a name like "keyclone" isn't exactly on my list of "hey, let's install this random program with no documentation." To me it was like a program being called "keylogger.exe"I had similar concerns with Hotkeynet which is just an .exe file. However, I'm glad I got over my tin-foil-hat because the amount of joy that multiboxing, through using HKN, has provided has been well worth the marginal increase in paranoia.

[Talamarr]

You don't "need" an installer for every little program; especially small utility like applications (which I consider Keyclone to be). It's good that you are careful and a name like "Keyclone" does sound a little cautious. But frankly, I would be more worried about a program called HappyLittleRainbowApp. If it really were a keylogging app, it sure does have a name that fails lol.

Like others have said, the systray icon hanging around is a bug and killing the process in Task Manager works (mouse over the icon after that to get the graphics to refresh and the icon should go away).

And again, just delete the folder; there are no other traces of Keyclone on your computer; no registry settings, shared dll's, etc.

[algol]

I mean, between having no installer

People that know enough to install, say, Microsoft Office without having any further clue about how computers work really, really confuse me. It's called an executable file because it's already in a form the computer can, you know, execute...with further installation only being necessary if the program wants to do things like sticking its fingers in the Windows registry without having to do a runtime check every launch.

Programs that need installation are the anomalies, not ones that just work.

[warwizard]

The Sys tray is there on Windows Vista 64 as well, i have found it almost always happens after my computer goes to "Sleep" for a bit.

Killing the process in Task Manager works or you can always reboot :p

[Duese]

... It's called an executable file because it's already in a form the computer can, you know, execute...with further installation only being necessary if the program wants to do things like sticking its fingers in the Windows registry without having to do a runtime check every launch.

Sorry, I'm going to requantify my earlier statements. Any program that is being marketed and sold (be it purchased or gifted from a donation) should be produced in a professional manner. This means at minimum that it has both an installer and and uninstaller.

This has nothing to do with dumb people, program size, or the price of rice.

Hey, that's just my opinion though.

[Stabface]

Historically, very few applications came with an installer. As computers and applications became more complex (and arguably as users became less so) the installer was created to automate what was once a simple task.

Many applications today still do not come with an installer, KeyClone is but one example. This is less common on Windows, but much more so on other operating systems. For example on OS X many applications do not use an installer -- even if they use one for other operating systems. I recently 'installed' Skype on my MacBook which simply involved dragging and dropping it into the Applications folder, no installer required. The vast majority of applications on Linux are distributed through a package manager (which is similar to but not the same as an installer).

As a matter of fact, an operating system are a great example of an application that is installed and generally does not come with an uninstaller. Does this mean it's time to ditch Windows and run off a Linux Live CD???

;~)

[elsegundo]

is the real problem the fact that the icon doesnt disappear from the systray?
im so used to closing programs from the systray that i never see this problelm. its a habit from using limewire.

[Turenn]

I've heard many people complain about this problem, but I've never seen the bug myself. I've used it on both windows vista 32 and 64.

[PyrostasisTDK]

wow... we are now bitching because a program doesnt install the way you want? I'm shocked.

Installing and uninstalling a program is something you usually do twice. I couldnt care less if it has a nice pretty install shield. In fact... I rather like the keyclone install and uninstall... simply cause I know exactly what the hell it did. You really want to get pissed... do a little research on whats NOT uninstalled when you actually use an uninstall link with most programs. Your left with registry keys that go nowhere, folders cluttering the place up, and sometimes even old data and shortcuts.

Nah, click delete and its gone? Works for me.

[Sam DeathWalker]

Iv had no problems with keyclone on six machines. When you minimize it it goes to the system tray. Then just right click on it in the system tray and you will see a menu, just scroll down to the bottem and hit "exit". I don't see the slightest problem at all.

[keyclone]

as has been mentioned (i should respond...), removing keyclone is as simple as deleting the folder. there are no other files outside of that folder that keyclone creates. when you install it, it does not put dlls in the system folders (i hate when programs do that) and it does not impact the registry (i hate when apps litter the registry as well). and yes, there is an installation program... it's the thing that has the 'unzip' button. is it installShield? no.. why should it be? does it have a registered uninstall/change piece that hooks into windows? no, that would be unneeded and dealing with 'add/remove programs' can be a very slow process.

as for the freeze on exit... yes, that is one of the 2 major bugs (the other being the mouse being pushed outside one of the maximized windows). there is a known work around... don't click the X to exit. once you do, it does freeze on some machines. instead, just right-click the titlebar or tool tray icon and select 'exit'