How to Remove a Crw32 EXE Application Error

Identifying the Source of the CRW32 Error
1. Perform a complete virus scan. Many unscrupulous marketers have developed malicious software packages that alert PC users to false errors in order to promote their antivirus or anti-spyware software and registry scanners. Identify the real source of the error message by running a full 'deep' scan with a mainstream antivirus software with the latest virus definition file installed. AVG is a good option because the free version is very powerful and is widely recognized for its efficiency.
2. Run another 'deep' scan of the system with a mainstream anti-spyware program such as the free version of Lavasoft anti-spyware which offers a variety of features that are usually more than adequate to identify and eliminate malicious files. Spyware and viruses are not the same thing and many spyware files may fool software that is only designed to catch viruses.
3. Uninstall Crystal Reports. The CRW32 problem is fairly common for people who try to install a new version of the program without properly eliminating the previous version. Uninstall the program from the control panel 'add/remove programs' window. After completely uninstalling the program, try reinstalling it as usual.
Manual Removal of the CRW EXE Error
4. Backup your computer and create a 'restore point' to protect your data before continuing.
5. Uninstall all versions of Crystal Reports from the system.
6. Open the Windows Task Manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+Delete. Scroll down the list to search for any processes with the name 'crw32.exe' under the 'processes' tab. End each instance of the crw32.exe process by selecting it with the left mouse button and clicking on the 'end process' option at the bottom of the window.
7. Search for the 'crw32.exe' file by typing the name (without the quotation marks) in the Windows search program. Windows XP lists the search companion in the start menu and Vista has a search box at the bottom of the start menu window. Make a note of the directory where the file is found by copying the location to a notepad file or by writing it down somewhere. Delete all instances of the file found by the search companion.
8. Search for any hidden instances of the file through the command prompt interface. Open the command prompt window by selecting 'run' from the start menu options and typing 'cmd' (without the quotation marks) in the command line. When the command prompt window opens, type in 'cd + the main directory where the files were found in step 3' (without the quotation marks) and press the return button. For example, cd C:/windows/problems. Now type in 'dir /a' (without the quotation marks) to list all files in the directory. Delete any instances of the cre32.exe file by typing 'del + exact file name.' Type the command without the quotation marks and exactly as it appears on the list including the file extension.