How To Remove Computrace From A Laptop? (Step-By-Step)

Protection against computer theft has been in practice for many years since the days of security wires and padlocks. Computrace will be of concern to you as a laptop owner, and knowing how to remove Computrace from a laptop would be your go-to solution.

Computrace is a computer module hosted on the PC’s motherboard and operates distinctively from the computer to transmit a GPS signal that displays its location. Activating or putting on Computrace is a permanent feature that gives more security to your computer device. Not every laptop has Computrace pre-installed, except those bought with the option turned off in the PC’s main input and output system.

From within the system’s BIOS menu, on or deactivate Computrace completely but bear in mind that the setting can’t be reversed after just changing it once. If you had an account with Computrace itself, you might be able to reach them, so they disable it, but if you don’t, that’s a challenge, and it’s likely the feature offers a wipe ability if you don’t have a real Computrace account.

Table of Contents

How To Remove Computrace from a Laptop? (Step-By-Step)

Step 1: Turn Your Laptop Off

The first step to deactivate Computrace from your system is to turn it off by pressing the “Power” button on the PC’s tower or the upper keyboard bezel.

Step 2: Turn On Your Laptop and get into the BIOS Menu

Here, you must turn on your computer again and hold for the manufacturer’s logo to show on its monitor. When it displays, click the BIOS access key on the monitor immediately to put it into the menu.

BIOS keys differ for every computer manufacturer, but clicking the “DEL” or “F2” key often brings up the BIOS menu.

Step 3: Go To the “Security” tab in BIOS main menu

Click the “Security” tab on the BIOS main menu with the aid of the arrow keys (as the computer can’t work for that). There, you’ll find three options for Computrace. The “Deactivated” option will most probably have been selected.

Step 4: Select Disable Option For Computrace and hit “Enter”

Click the “Disable” option and select “Enter” on your keyboard to disable Computrace on your laptop altogether. You won’t be able to put on the Computrace module anymore as soon as it is disabled.

Click the “Enter” key again to authenticate the “Disable” selection.

Step 5: Press the “F10” key to save the new settings, and your laptop will reboot into the computer’s OS.

Click the “F10” key to store the new settings, and the computer will reboot into your laptop’s operating system.

How Can I Find Computrace on My Laptop?

Computrace is a tracking app built by absolute software developed to help large businesses handle asset management and theft recovery. This app is now installed in the firmware of specific computers produced by a few massive corporations such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, Panasonic, etc.

You must take a few steps to find Computrace on your laptop. They are outlined below:

Click “Ctrl+Shift+Esc.” This will prompt the Windows Task Manager to pop up.

Select the “Services” tab, where you’ll find various services. Select “Name” to alphabetize the services.
Then, navigate to the lower part of the list, searching for rcpnet.exe below the Name column and Computrace beside it in the Description column. Searching this particular entry indicates that Computrace is pre-installed and working on your laptop.

Another way is to check the BIOS on your laptop. Look at the condition of the Computrace module interface at the “Security” feature. This interface can be found in either of these areas:

Disable: Infers that the Computrace Interface module is disabled on your laptop.

Non-active: Infers that the Computrace Module Interface is on it but not turned on. This is the default status for most sellers.

Active: Infers that the Computrace Module Interface is present and running.

Now, the status setting for this interface can be switched a single time, and thus the configuration, once set, cannot be reset again. Owners are encouraged to put this status on “Active” to disable it completely.

If the status was already on “Active” and can’t be reset, owners are advised to contact the seller to change the motherboard. Access the registry editor and find:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager. Save the BootExecute key figure before removing it to prevent this software from coming up after turning up your system.

If the rpcnetp.exe, rpcnet.exe, rpcnetp.dll, and rpcnet.dll files are available in the System32 directory of your system, cancel the connected processes and wipe these files. Bear in mind that you would not reboot your laptop during this period.

Develop the four files listed above using empty contents in the System32 directory. Do these steps for each file: Right-click any of them and press Properties to access the Properties page.

After that, select the Security tab and establish Permissions for every user or group to restrict Complete control. If you keep factory BIOS settings and connected Windows configurations and files, you must edit the “hosts” files.

Does Replacing BIOS-Chips Remove Computrace in My Laptop?

No, when you flash your BIOS, it doesn’t eliminate Computrace. Even when you wipe or replace another file, it doesn’t eliminate Computrace. If you have a BIOS that is not flashable, you can still update it so far it is enclosed in a PLCC chip or socketed DIP chip.

Motherboard producers often offer a BIOS upgrade service for a set time following the emergence of a particular motherboard model in the market. To change your BIOS chip, there are four steps to take. These steps will transfer its hard drive PCB firmware:

Access the hard disk using screwdrivers and disconnect the circuit boards

Take out the BIOS chips from the original as well as the replacement board using a hot-air gun

Solder the original PCB’s BIOS chip to the replacement HDD PCB

When your BIOS chip is faulty, its system clock will reset. Your laptop uses the BIOS chip to sustain its record of the time and date Computrace was installed. Another thing you will notice is unexplainable POST issues, then being unable to reach POST.

FAQs

What is the Function of a BIOS chip?

BIOS is the abbreviation of Basic Input/Output System; the BIOS, pronounced as bye-oss, is a ROM chip on motherboards that enable users to access and configure their personal computer at the fundamental stage.

Is Computrace a reliable app?

Of course, yes. Computrace appears to be a durable backdoor unless you have hardware know-how concerning the inspection and monitoring of BIOS modification. Any big organization or clever computer geek can change the files and gain complete control over your system, including deleting files and watching over everything you do.

Should you enable Computrace?

Suppose you enable your license for Computrace, which provides extra security. If you find a model with the software and the license belongs to someone else, you purchase a system with a botnet in BIOS.

Should I Disable Computrace Permanently?

Computrace will likely enable and activate itself if a Windows operating system running Computrace is installed on the computer. If it is disabled completely, Computrace is killed for life, which you should try if it is good for you.

How To Remove Computrace from My Dell Laptop?

To disable Computrace from your laptop, you must put it on and click the F2 to access the BIOS. As soon as you reach the BIOS, scroll to the security screen. You will find where to remove Computrace.

The disabled field will allow you to enable or deactivate the BIOS module interface of the Optional Computrace app. The settings are Disabled, Deactivate, and Activate.

How To Remove Computrace From Lenovo BIOS?

Go to the “Security” tab on the BIOS main menu of your Lenovo laptop via arrow keys, as you’ll be unable to use your mouse. Click the “Disable” option and select “Enter” on your keyboard to disable Computrace on your Lenovo laptop.

Conclusion

Even though it might seem quite challenging to figure out “How to disable Computrace on your laptop,” you should put in your best effort to make it a reality. You will find a solution by following the steps listed above and trying every other option.

The information above is for those using Dell computers and those using other models.

I hope I’ve helped you throughout the blog post with the query “How To Remove Computrace From a Laptop,” if you still have any questions regarding the topic, let me know in the comments, and I would love to help you out.

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