Removing Ledger Live On Older Laptop?

ABCbits

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Quote from: joniboini on October 23, 2022, 07:05:26 AM

Quote from: ABCbits on October 23, 2022, 06:40:15 AM

I find it's weird they make separate uninstaller rather than including it on the installer.

Just a wild guess but probably to make it harder for newbie users to fully uninstall it for whatever reason. Then again some software definitely needs a separate full uninstaller like ddu.

I can't think any reason besides the developer is too lazy or don't have time to include the uninstaller on Ledger Live installer. Data collection doesn't make sense since AFAIK it doesn't run automatically on startup and user could use different wallet software (such as Electrum) without uninstalling Ledger Live.

Quote from: o_e_l_e_o on October 23, 2022, 12:52:09 PM

Or if you want to hide it from even the most determined attacker, then use ETFbitcoin's suggestion of Revo Uninstaller. I can't vouch for this program since I don't use Windows, but it seems like it will remove as many traces of the program short of formatting your drive (which you've already said you don't want to do).

I should make disclaimer i mentioned Revo Uninstaller as example of third party uninstaller since it's best software i know. I find it's good enough to uninstall most application, even though sometimes there's false positive on "Advanced" scan mode. But i never tried that software to uninstall Ledger Live, so there's possibility that software fail to detect all files created by Ledger Live.

P.S. For those who prefer open-source uninstaller software, you might want to check Bulk Crap Uninstaller (or BCUninstaller) at https://github.com/Klocman/Bulk-Crap-Uninstaller.

m2017

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Quote from: jerry0 on October 23, 2022, 12:11:50 PM

Okay so the reason why i want ledger live removed is because i am leaving this laptop in a place where i won't have access to for a while. However, in the case if someone get access to this laptop, and they are able to turn on my laptop, i don't want anyone see that i even have ledger live installed. Yes i am aware there is password on it but i just don't want the program there. Will be doing any transactions my new laptop.

Also do not want to format this laptop because i still have other files on laptop i want to keep. So imagine its like you storing an old laptop in the apartment or something but you aren't wiping it clean.

After a detailed description of your goals and the situation as a whole, it becomes clear that a complete formatting of the Disc / OS is not the solution in your case.

Quote from: jerry0 on October 23, 2022, 12:11:50 PM

So with that, best to just remove ledger live from the remove programs? Then go to downloads folder and remove that install file that exist when you first download it? Or there is another way?

In general, you think correctly and the actions described are correct. But it will be better if you add some more steps to this.

Did you read what I wrote in my last post in this topic? It's just in case to remove all Ledger Live files for sure. I hope after that your questions will disappear.

Quote from: m2017 on October 23, 2022, 03:52:17 AM

If I'm not mistaken, then the files may remain in the directory (or somewhere there, therefore, it will not be superfluous to check the folders with the Ledger Live name and delete them): Computer/Disc/Users/YourUserName/AppData/Local/Temp

More or less like this. By default, this folder is hidden, so it's better to enable the "show hidden files" function in the settings.

This is done as follows (in Windows): PC Settings / Folder Options / View / Hidden files and folders / Select "Show hidden files and folders".

o_e_l_e_o

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Quote from: jerry0 on October 23, 2022, 12:11:50 PM

So imagine its like you storing an old laptop in the apartment or something but you aren't wiping it clean.

Well, if it were me then my laptop would already be using full disk encryption so it wouldn't matter. But too late for that for you now. Tongue

In your case, I would either just uninstall it normally and then delete any files left behind, which will hide the fact that it was installed from most people. Or if you want to hide it from even the most determined attacker, then use ETFbitcoin's suggestion of Revo Uninstaller. I can't vouch for this program since I don't use Windows, but it seems like it will remove as many traces of the program short of formatting your drive (which you've already said you don't want to do).

jerry0

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Okay so the reason why i want ledger live removed is because i am leaving this laptop in a place where i won't have access to for a while. However, in the case if someone get access to this laptop, and they are able to turn on my laptop, i don't want anyone see that i even have ledger live installed. Yes i am aware there is password on it but i just don't want the program there. Will be doing any transactions my new laptop.

Also do not want to format this laptop because i still have other files on laptop i want to keep. So imagine its like you storing an old laptop in the apartment or something but you aren't wiping it clean.

So with that, best to just remove ledger live from the remove programs? Then go to downloads folder and remove that install file that exist when you first download it? Or there is another way?

joniboini

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Quote from: ABCbits on October 23, 2022, 06:40:15 AM

I find it's weird they make separate uninstaller rather than including it on the installer.

Just a wild guess but probably to make it harder for newbie users to fully uninstall it for whatever reason. Then again some software definitely needs a separate full uninstaller like ddu.

OP, if you still plan on using your last pc you can also lock your account and add a new one for another user. A guest account or something like that.

ABCbits

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1. If you only need additional free storage space on old PC, you can uninstall it normally through "add/remove programs" feature on Windows OS.
2. If you have very serious privacy concern, you need to either

Format the drive and install the OS again. But take note quick format still give possibility Ledger data could be restored, unless it's overwritten by OS files.
Use third-party uninstaller software (such as Revo uninstaller) which can find and delete all leftover data. Afterwards, you need to either write zeros on free space (if you HDD) or trigger TRIM (if you SSD).

3. Otherwise, there's no need to do anything unless you have free time to spare.

P.S. This suggestion apply to any unused software on your computer or smartphone.

Quote from: o_e_l_e_o on October 23, 2022, 02:55:40 AM

Note that Ledger also have an uninstaller .exe you can download from here: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live

I find it's weird they make separate uninstaller rather than including it on the installer.

m2017

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Quote from: o_e_l_e_o on October 23, 2022, 02:55:40 AM

As OSS points out above, there is no risk to your coins from someone accessing Ledger Live without access to your hardware wallet.

After you uninstall Ledger Live, make sure you check out whichever directory you installed it to and delete any left over files. This will prevent most adversaries from even knowing Ledger Live was installed, although I'm sure Windows being as it is will have left over temporary files or registry keys which a determined attacker could find to ascertain that Ledger Live was once installed.

Even in the unlikely scenario someone was able to recover all the files they would not be able to see your accounts unless they also had your Ledger Live password or could brute force it. The only way to erase all traces of Ledger Live will be to format the drive and reinstall the OS, which I'm guessing you don't want to do and seems like a bit of overkill to me unless you are selling or giving away the computer (in which case you would definitely want to format your drive for other reasons).

Note that Ledger also have an uninstaller .exe you can download from here: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live

If I'm not mistaken, then the files may remain in the directory (or somewhere there, therefore, it will not be superfluous to check the folders with the Ledger Live name and delete them): Computer/Disc/Users/YourUserName/AppData/Local/Temp

More or less like this. By default, this folder is hidden, so it's better to enable the "show hidden files" function in the settings.

This is done as follows (in Windows): PC Settings / Folder Options / View / Hidden files and folders / Select "Show hidden files and folders".

o_e_l_e_o

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As OSS points out above, there is no risk to your coins from someone accessing Ledger Live without access to your hardware wallet.

After you uninstall Ledger Live, make sure you check out whichever directory you installed it to and delete any left over files. This will prevent most adversaries from even knowing Ledger Live was installed, although I'm sure Windows being as it is will have left over temporary files or registry keys which a determined attacker could find to ascertain that Ledger Live was once installed.

Even in the unlikely scenario someone was able to recover all the files they would not be able to see your accounts unless they also had your Ledger Live password or could brute force it. The only way to erase all traces of Ledger Live will be to format the drive and reinstall the OS, which I'm guessing you don't want to do and seems like a bit of overkill to me unless you are selling or giving away the computer (in which case you would definitely want to format your drive for other reasons).

Note that Ledger also have an uninstaller .exe you can download from here: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live

OmegaStarScream

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You would still need the device to access the funds and authorize transfers so it shouldn't matter whether the software is installed on multiple computers or not.

jerry0

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Got new windows pc and installed ledger live on it. My old windows pc also still has ledger live on it. I do not plan to use the old pc for a while and will not have access to it.

Is the best thing to just remove ledger live from add/remove programs in windows? Or is there any other method? Of course you still need the password to access ledger live but having it on the desktop screen doesn'ts seem like a good idea.

I don't plan to wipe this laptop though. I should definitely wipe out ledger live right? And add/remove programs or can you do something on ledger live to remove it? But I still wouldn't want ledger live on the older laptop since I won't have access to it.

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