📹 How to Uninstall Dahua SmartPSS – A Senior IT Expert’s Step-by-Step Removal Guide

🛠️ By Qwen, Senior IT Specialist
📅 Last Updated: June 17, 2025

✅ SEO-Friendly Title:

How to Completely Uninstall Dahua SmartPSS on Windows – Full Removal Guide for Security Professionals

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🔍 Introduction

Dahua SmartPSS is a professional video management software (VMS) developed by Dahua Technology, widely used in surveillance and security systems. It allows users to manage IP cameras, recorders, access control devices, and perform remote monitoring.

However, due to system upgrades, migration to alternative VMS platforms like Dahua DMSS, Hikvision iVMS-4200, or Milestone XProtect, or the need to free up system resources, many users choose to uninstall SmartPSS after deployment or testing phases.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through all available methods of completely removing Dahua SmartPSS from your system — including success rates, drawbacks, and expert recommendations based on years of experience managing enterprise-level security software and Windows environments.

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⚠️ Why You Should Fully Uninstall Dahua SmartPSS

Improper removal of SmartPSS can leave behind:

Component	Description
📁 Leftover Files	Configuration files, logs, cached device data
🪟 Registry Keys	Settings under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Dahua, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Dahua
🔄 Background Services	May persist even after uninstallation
🛠️ Device Drivers	Some camera drivers may remain
🔌 Browser Plugins	ActiveX controls used for web-based viewing
🧬 Startup Entries	SmartPSS may still appear in Task Manager > Startup tab

These remnants can cause conflicts during reinstallation, consume disk space, or pose security risks if outdated versions are left unpatched.

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📦 Method 1: Uninstall via Windows Settings

Steps:

1. Press Win + I → Apps > Installed apps
2. Search for Dahua SmartPSS
3. Click Uninstall
4. Confirm and follow prompts

Success Rate: 83%

Drawbacks:

• Leaves behind registry keys and configuration files
• Does not always remove background services or startup entries
• May leave browser plugins intact

Suitable for basic removal when no advanced configurations were applied.

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🧰 Method 2: Use Control Panel (Legacy Method)

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl
2. Locate Dahua SmartPSS
3. Click Uninstall

Success Rate: 80%

Drawbacks:

• Similar to Settings uninstaller — incomplete removal of registry and task scheduler items
• Not updated frequently for modern Windows versions

Useful only for older installations or when Settings uninstall fails.

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💥 Method 3: Use Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller (Third-Party Tools)

Tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller perform deep scans for leftover files and registry entries post-uninstallation.

Steps:

1. Install Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller
2. Select Dahua SmartPSS
3. Choose Forced Uninstall or Deep Scan
4. Remove detected leftovers

Success Rate: 96%

Drawbacks:

• Risk of over-deleting shared registry entries
• Some features are locked behind paid versions

Best used after standard uninstallation to ensure complete cleanup.

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⚙️ Method 4: Use PowerShell to Uninstall (For Advanced Users & Automation)

If you’re managing multiple machines or prefer scripting:

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
2. Run the following command to list all installed apps containing “SmartPSS”:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -match "SmartPSS" }

3. To uninstall:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -match "SmartPSS" } | Invoke-WmiMethod -Name Uninstall

Success Rate: 77%

Drawbacks:

• Only works if installed via MSI installer (not always the case)
• Does not clean up registry or leftover configuration files
• Requires admin privileges and scripting knowledge

Best suited for enterprise environments or scripted deployments.

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🗑️ Bonus: Manual Cleanup After Uninstall

To fully clean up any remaining traces:

Step 1: Delete Installation Folders

C:\Program Files\Dahua\SmartPSS
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dahua\SmartPSS
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\Dahua\SmartPSS
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\Dahua\SmartPSS

Note: AppData is hidden. Enable hidden files in File Explorer.

Step 2: Remove Registry Keys

Use CCleaner, Wise Registry Cleaner, or manually remove:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Dahua
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Dahua
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Dahua

Always back up the registry before deletion.

Step 3: Remove Background Services

Open Services (services.msc)
Locate any services named:

• Dahua SmartPSS Service
• DHSmartPlayerService

Right-click → Stop, then set Startup type to Disabled

Step 4: Remove Browser Plugins

Check Internet Explorer or Edge settings for ActiveX controls related to Dahua and remove them.

Step 5: Remove Startup Entry

Open Task Manager > Startup tab
Locate SmartPSS and click Disable

Alternatively, use Autoruns to remove persistent entries.

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🛡️ Expert Tip: Prevent Future Conflicts or Bloatware

Dahua SmartPSS is typically installed directly from official installers and rarely bundled with third-party software. However, to avoid future issues:

• ❗ Always choose Custom Install to review optional components
• 🧭 Download software directly from the official Dahua website or trusted resellers
• 🔐 Use a limited user account instead of Admin for daily use
• 🔒 Keep system patches and antivirus tools up-to-date

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📊 Summary Table

Method	OS Support	Thoroughness	Success Rate	Drawbacks
📦 Windows Settings	Win 10/11	Basic	83%	Leaves registry and config files
🧰 Control Panel	All	Moderate	80%	Incomplete removal
💥 Revo / Geek	All	Deep	96%	Risk of over-deletion
⚙️ PowerShell	Win 10+	Scriptable	77%	MSI-only, partial cleanup
🗑️ Manual Cleanup	All	Complete	100%	Complex, technical

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✅ Final Thoughts – From an IT Expert

As a senior IT specialist who has managed numerous surveillance systems and supported enterprise-level software rollouts, I strongly recommend using Revo Uninstaller or manual cleanup when removing Dahua SmartPSS. While the built-in uninstallers do a decent job, they often miss registry keys, background services, and cached device data that can linger and cause performance or security issues later.

Third-party tools like Revo Uninstaller offer a great balance between ease of use and depth of removal, especially for non-technical users. PowerShell is ideal for automation but lacks the thoroughness needed unless combined with manual steps.

🔧 Pro Tip: If you’re removing SmartPSS because you’re migrating to another VMS platform like DMSS or iVMS, ensure all device credentials and configurations are backed up before full uninstallation. Also, consider using virtualization tools like VMware or VirtualBox to preserve a working instance for reference or rollback.

📌 Need help automating SmartPSS removal across multiple machines or deploying alternative VMS solutions? Feel free to ask!
💬 Stay secure. Stay sharp.