AIM for Windows
What is AIM for Windows?
AIM for Windows is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time. AOL Instant Messenger's installation process automatically installs an extra URI scheme ("protocol") handler into some web browsers, so URIs beginning "aim:" can open a new AIM window with specified parameters.
About (from AOL)
Group and one-to-one chat, instant media previews, social updates and notifications and more - all in a clean, powerful application for Windows. AIM is a communication tool. A state of being. A path to greatness. It allows you to keep in touch with many people through text, video and multimedia chat. In some ways, it’s... Read more
Overview
It adds registry entry for the current user which will allow the program to automatically start each time it is rebooted. A scheduled task is added to Windows Task Scheduler in order to launch the program at various scheduled times (the schedule varies depending on the version). The software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The primary executable is named aim.exe. The setup package generally installs about 12 files and is usually about 93.95 MB (98,508,842 bytes).
Program details
URL: www.aim.com/download#windows
Installation folder: C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application data\aol\aim
Uninstaller: "C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\AOL\AIM\Uninstall AIM.exe"
Estimated size: 93.95 MB
Files installed by AIM for Windows
| Program executable: | aim.exe |
| Name: | AIM for Windows |
| Path: | C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application data\aol\aim\aim.exe |
| MD5: | 77277d86146db3429f01a65f7f43381a |
Additional files:
-
aoldiag.dll - AOL Diagnostics
-
tbdiag.dll
-
Uninstall AIM.exe - AIM for Windows (AIM Installer)
-
uninstall.exe
-
aolload.exe - AOL Loader
-
libcef.dll - Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) Dynamic Link Library
-
icudt.dll (by The ICU Project) - International Components for Unicode (ICU Data DLL)
-
NPSWF32.dll (by Adobe Systems) - Shockwave Flash (Shockwave Flash 11.9 r900)
Behaviors exhibited
Google Chrome Plugin
- NPSWF32.dll is loaded in the Google Chrome web browser as 'NPSWF32_11_9_900_117.dll'.
Mozilla Plugin
- NPSWF32.dll is loaded into Mozilla Firefox under the product name 'Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Plugino' with a plugin key of '@adobe.com/FlashPlayer' for all users of the PC.
Scheduled Task
- aim.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{D3B661A6-F8A3-4DB0-B404-E9A634F91E23}' (runs on registration).
Startup File (User Run)
- aim.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'AIM for Windows' and executes as "C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\AOL\AIM\aim.exe".
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- aim.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\AOL\AIM\aim.exe'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| aim.exe |
| Memory: | 81.17 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0008196335% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00044842% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00037121% | |
How do I remove AIM for Windows?
You can uninstall AIM for Windows from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program AIM for Windows, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove AIM for Windows.
How do I reset my web browser?
If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by AIM for Windows you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset. Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove search providers, Accelerators and home pages. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
- The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.
Mozilla Firefox
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
- To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
- When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
- Select Settings. In the "Search" section, click Manage search engine. Check if (Default) is displayed next to your preferred search engine. If not, mouse over it and click Make default. Mouse over any other suspicious search engine entries that are not familiar and click X to remove them.
- When the "Show Home button" checkbox is selected, a web address appears below it. If you want the Homepage button to open up a different webpage, click Change to enter a link.
- Restart Google Chrome.
OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 59%
Win 8.1 0%
|
|
WHEN IT STARTS
Auto-starting? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 6%
Keep it 94%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
62.02% |
|
| Windows 10 |
30.38% |
|
| Windows Vista |
4.58% |
|
| Windows XP |
3.02% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
39.24% |
|
| Windows 8.1 |
12.15% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
11.04% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
9.82% |
|
| Windows 10 Home |
5.57% |
|
| Windows 8 |
4.41% |
|
Geography
89.91% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
89.91% |
| Canada |
1.79% |
| United Kingdom |
1.15% |
| Germany |
0.80% |
| India |
0.70% |
| France |
0.45% |
| Australia |
0.38% |
| Sweden |
0.35% |
| Egypt |
0.29% |
| Italy |
0.29% |
| IQ |
0.26% |
| Mexico |
0.19% |
| Netherlands |
0.19% |
| New Zealand |
0.19% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
33.58% |
|
| Dell |
25.66% |
|
| Acer |
10.04% |
|
| ASUS |
9.82% |
|
| Toshiba |
8.36% |
|
| Lenovo |
4.03% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
3.37% |
|
| Samsung |
2.20% |
|
| Intel |
1.03% |
|
| Alienware |
0.88% |
|
| MSI |
0.59% |
|
| American Megatrends |
0.44% |
|
Common models |
| HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook ... |
6.84% |
|
| HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook ... |
4.79% |
|
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
4.10% |
|
| HP 2000 Notebook PC |
3.93% |
|
| HP Pavilion g7 Notebook P... |
3.59% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N5110 |
2.22% |
|
About AOL
America Online develops, grows, and invests in brands and sites.
Publisher URL: corp.aol.com