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joplin notion extension/Web Development/windows/remove auth keys.md

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+remove auth keys
+
+**by llm**
+
+What you’re seeing is normal Windows behavior. **Uninstalling an app does not always remove user data**, and Windscribe keeps a small amount of account info so it can restore your session.
+
+On Windows, Windscribe can remember your username via **one (or more) of these places**:
+
+---
+
+## 1. AppData folders (most common)
+
+These folders are **not deleted** when you uninstall most apps.
+
+Check both:
+
+```
+C:\Users\<your-username>\AppData\Roaming\Windscribe
+C:\Users\<your-username>\AppData\Local\Windscribe
+```
+
+(You can paste these into File Explorer’s address bar.)
+
+These may contain:
+
+* Config files
+* Cached account info
+* Login tokens (not your password in plain text)
+
+---
+
+## 2. Windows Registry
+
+Windscribe also stores settings under your user registry hive.
+
+Common locations:
+
+```
+HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Windscribe
+HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Windscribe
+```
+
+The **username is often stored here**, which is why it reappears after reinstall.
+
+---
+
+## 3. Windows Credential Manager (very likely)
+
+Windscribe may store a login token here so you don’t have to re-authenticate.
+
+Open:
+
+```
+Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials
+```
+
+Look for entries named:
+
+* Windscribe
+* Windscribe VPN
+* WindscribeService
+
+If present, this is enough for the app to recognize your account.
+
+---
+
+## 4. ProgramData (less common, but possible)
+
+```
+C:\ProgramData\Windscribe
+```
+
+This folder is hidden by default.
+
+---
+
+## Why uninstall doesn’t remove it
+
+Windows uninstallers usually **preserve user data on purpose** so:
+
+* Settings are kept if you reinstall
+* You don’t accidentally lose preferences
+
+This is standard behavior, not Windscribe being sneaky.
+
+---
+
+## How to completely remove Windscribe data
+
+If you want a **truly clean reinstall**:
+
+1. Uninstall Windscribe normally
+2. Reboot
+3. Delete these folders (if they exist):
+
+   ```
+   %AppData%\Windscribe
+   %LocalAppData%\Windscribe
+   C:\ProgramData\Windscribe
+   ```
+4. Open **Credential Manager** and remove Windscribe entries
+5. (Optional) Remove registry keys:
+
+   ```
+   HKCU\Software\Windscribe
+   ```
+6. Reboot again
+7. Reinstall
+
+After that, Windscribe should **not remember your username**.
+
+---
+
+If you want, I can also explain **exactly which file/registry value stores the username** and what format it’s in, or help you verify which one is being used on your system.