Need help getting rid of Hubspot completely from my system
I’m having a really frustrating time trying to delete Hubspot from my Windows computer. Every time I boot up my PC, there’s this annoying error message that pops up saying “Application cannot be started. Contact the application vendor”.
I’ve tried the usual method through Control Panel. When I find “Hubspot for Windows” in the programs list and click uninstall, it shows a brief “launching application” window but then nothing happens. The software is still there in the list like nothing happened.
I also attempted to remove it from Outlook since I use the desktop version of Office 365. I went through File menu, then Manage Add-ins, found it under My add-ins and clicked the three dots to remove it. That part seemed to work, but there’s still a grayed out Hubspot Sales Tools button stuck in my Outlook ribbon that won’t go away.
The company’s support documentation doesn’t have any useful removal instructions. Has anyone else dealt with this stubborn software? What’s the best way to completely wipe it from my computer?
Try Windows’ built-in troubleshooter first. Head to Settings > Apps & Features, find HubSpot and click Advanced Options if you see it - there’s usually a repair/reset button that fixes these issues. Still stuck? Run ‘sfc /scannow’ in Command Prompt as admin to fix corrupted system files that might be blocking the uninstall.
Had the same Hubspot nightmare a few months ago. Their installer is trash - leaves registry entries and service files everywhere that stop you from removing it cleanly. Here’s what actually worked: grab Revo Uninstaller Pro (free trial’s enough) and run their advanced scan. After the regular uninstall fails, Revo finds all the leftover registry keys and files Windows missed. For that annoying grayed-out Outlook ribbon, you’ve got to manually clear Office’s cache. Go to %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\WEF and nuke any Hubspot folders. Restart Outlook and that button should finally disappear. Don’t forget to restart your whole computer afterward so all the services actually die.
You’re experiencing difficulties completely removing HubSpot from your Windows system. The standard uninstall process fails, leaving behind registry entries, service files, and a persistent grayed-out button in your Outlook ribbon. The HubSpot support documentation offers no effective solution.
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
HubSpot’s installer often leaves behind residual files and registry entries, preventing a clean removal through the standard Windows uninstaller. This is common with complex software applications that integrate deeply with the operating system and other applications like Microsoft Outlook. The failure to completely remove these remnants causes the error messages and persistent Outlook button. Manually hunting down these leftover files can be time-consuming and error-prone.
Step-by-Step Guide:
This guide uses a combination of manual steps and potentially a third-party tool to ensure complete removal.
Step 1: Automated Cleanup (Recommended):
The most efficient approach is using a dedicated uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller Pro (a free trial is sufficient). This tool scans for and removes leftover files and registry entries that Windows’ built-in uninstaller misses.
Download and install Revo Uninstaller Pro.
Locate HubSpot in the program list.
Select “Uninstall” and follow the prompts.
After the standard uninstall attempt (which may fail), Revo Uninstaller Pro will offer an advanced scan to locate and delete remaining files and registry keys. Select this option.
Important: Carefully review the items Revo Uninstaller Pro identifies before deleting them. If you are unsure about an item, leave it unchecked.
Restart your computer.
Step 2: Manual Outlook Cleanup:
Even with Revo Uninstaller Pro, the HubSpot button in your Outlook ribbon may persist. To remove it, manually clear the Office cache.
Open File Explorer and paste the following path into the address bar: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\WEF
Delete any folders related to HubSpot.
Restart Outlook. The HubSpot button should now be gone.
Step 3: Verify Complete Removal:
Search the Registry Editor (regedit) for any remaining HubSpot entries. This may be unnecessary if Step 1 was completed thoroughly. If found, carefully delete any remaining keys.
Check the Windows Services (services.msc) to ensure there are no lingering HubSpot-related services.
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Administrator Privileges: Ensure you are running the uninstaller and registry editor as an administrator.
Safe Mode: If the uninstall still fails, try booting into Safe Mode. This disables non-essential startup programs that might interfere with the process.
Multiple User Profiles: If you use multiple user accounts on your computer, make sure to repeat the process for each account.
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!
Check Windows Services first - Hubspot installs background services that block uninstalls. Open services.msc, find anything Hubspot-related, and stop/disable them before trying again. Had the same problem with their Windows client last year - this fixes it every time. For the Control Panel failure, run the uninstaller as admin or boot into Safe Mode. These enterprise tools need elevated permissions and regular removal won’t work. For the Outlook ribbon, check COM add-ins specifically. File > Options > Add-ins, switch the dropdown to COM Add-ins, hit Go, then remove any Hubspot entries. Also kill any Hubspot processes in Task Manager first - they’ll respawn and block your changes otherwise.
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
Step-by-Step Guide:
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!