Web browser "Opera" is one of the most popular browsers and in all ratings is among the top five. But there are often problems with it, and some users when changing Opera to another browser often wonder how to completely remove Opera from a computer running Windows. It is not difficult to do this, but first you need to consider the specifics of the browser itself, as well as some situations where uninstalling the browser may not be necessary.
Features of the Opera browser
Before proceeding directly with the resolution of the problem of how to completely remove Opera, we’ll review some of the features of the browser. Probably, many users know that today there are a huge number of versions of the program on the same Internet (both official and unofficial).
It should immediately be noted that during the first installation, official releases NEVER create their own keys in the system registry. This is akin to how the most ordinary portable programs that do not require installation work. Therefore, in relation to the official versions, even with manual uninstallation, the question of how to remove “Opera” from the computer completely and completely does not provide for the search for residual registry keys. Only standard deletion of the program and its residual folders is used. If we are talking about alpha and beta versions created by enthusiasts based on official modifications, you will have to tinker with the registry. But now the main problem of how to completely remove "Opera" will be considered exclusively for official releases. There are two ways to do this at least. But more on that later.
How to delete a page in Opera?
The Opera browser, like many of its counterparts, unfortunately, is not immune to the effects of hijacking viruses, which spontaneously change the start page and give out a huge amount of advertising. When antiviruses are powerless, users simply try to get rid of the browser.
But this is not always advisable. Initially, you need to uninstall or disable all suspicious add-ons, check the path to the executable file through the PCM menu on the program shortcut (so that nothing is added at the end after Lancher.exe, for example, start.webalta.ru) or enter the address of the suspicious site in the hosts file, which can be opened in Notepad, launched as administrator. In conclusion, you need to set another start page (blank, for example) if it has been changed. This is where deleting the browser itself is just not needed.
How to restore default browser settings?
In some cases, instead of deciding how to completely remove "Opera" from the computer, it is much easier to return the browser, so to speak, to the factory state with the initial default settings.
This can be done through the help section, where the item "About the program" is selected. On the page indicating all the ways in which the browser saves its own data and settings, you must use the settings item, open the corresponding folder and delete the Operaprefs.ini file from it, after which the initial settings will be restored (a system reboot is required).
How to completely remove "Opera" from the computer?
But suppose that none of the above options are comfortable with the user, and he really wants to get rid of the browser.
In this case, as usual, you can use the program and component section, where a line with the name of the application is selected in the list and the delete button is pressed. After that, as an additional option, you can check the ProgramFiles and ProgramFiles (x86) directories and delete the Opera directories in them, if any. Then, similar actions should be done with folders nested in the AppData directory (Roaming and Local) in the user directory, which is selected from the Users section in the system section. As already mentioned, when uninstalling official releases, actions with the registry are not required.
Using Uninstall
If you approach the question of how to completely remove "Opera" from your computer in a simpler way, it is best to turn to specialized applications for the most complete removal of any type of program (for example, iObit Uninstaller).
As in the case of standard deletion, the desired browser version is selected from the list (if there are several), the delete button is clicked in the form of a basket, a powerful scan is launched, after which all results found are cleared using the file destruction function.
Can I recover a deleted browser?
So, with the removal sorted out. There is nothing particularly complicated that could cause difficulties. Now let's see how to restore the deleted "Opera" and in general whether it can be done. In principle, it is possible.
The easiest way is to roll back the system to an earlier state. In this case, the browser with all its settings will be restored. But what if the user deleted all the saved restore points and their corresponding system backups?
It is impossible to restore “Opera” in the event of complete removal with cleaning of residual components, if an uninstaller was used. If you performed the usual uninstall through the programs and components section without subsequent cleaning, you can try. At the start of the installation tool, the installer may display a window in which there will be items for reinstallation (Modify), restoration (Repair) and removal (Remove). Select the second item and follow the instructions of the "Wizard".
Finally, the optimal recovery option is considered to be the situation when an account was originally created using the built-in Opera Link tool, which allows you to synchronize all settings or bookmarks with the developer's server. In this case, it will be enough just to enter your personal account and use the appropriate section.