Deletion Leftovers

[RalphG]

I have noticed that when I want to do a clean install of
an application, after the install my settings are back in my
application.
How can I completely uninstall an app. or for that matter
anything from my computer?

Thanks.

 

[Kaktussoft]

I have noticed that when I want to do a clean install of
an application, after the install my settings are back in my
application.
How can I completely uninstall an app. or for that matter
anything from my computer?

Thanks.

That's quite normal! Very handy if reinstalling applications.
Some applications have a full uninstaller on their site.
Are you talking about user specific application settings?

Why is this a problem btw?

 

[Pauly]

To remove completely you need to manually remove leftover files from program files and possibly even edit registry leftovers but that is best left alone if your not absolutely sure what you are doing as deleting the wrong thing can cause serious problems.

If you want to find out more try googling manual deletion of programs but be warned procede with caution
Some programs are easier to remove than other, if its a program from a not so mainstream company chances are everything will be in a folder named after that program or manufacturer but if its something made by MS/Apple/Adobe etc chances are there will be multiple programs/entries inside same folders so you cant just delete folders.
If your are trying to reinstall a program that has expired like a free trial then it probably wont be simple

 

[RalphG]

So it sounds like this could be more complicated than
a simple fix.
Are there any apps. that would help with this?

 

[BisVal]

Try some programs like Revo Uninstaller or Total Uninstaller - they can check after uninstall of a program for leftovers or obsolete reg files and clean them. I have used both programs for several years and they do the work.

 

[Sir George]

So it sounds like this could be more complicated than
a simple fix.
Are there any apps. that would help with this?

A handy piece of software for complete uninstall is Revo Uninstaller. It will record the install process making note of all the changes, and if you decide to uninstall, the program goes back to the monitored install to remove the entries.

Visit the following site for more information;

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

For Windows 7/64bit you need the paid version. See the comparison list on their site.

 

[AddRAM]

Also, CCleaner.

 

[Sir George]

Also, CCleaner.

Just an FYI:

CCleaner is not the same as Revo or Total Uninstaller. It doesn't trace the install and make a log to enable future removal and is only slightly better than the add/remove programs feature in Windows 7. Visit Piriform's site at the following location for an explanation of the uninstall in CCleaner;

Piriform - Uninstalling programs

CCleaner is a great utility, especially for free, and I use it a lot, primarily to clear browser history, but not for uninstalling a software program.

 

[kado897]

The free version of Revo doesn't trace an install either.

 

[Sir George]

The free version of Revo doesn't trace an install either.

"Revo Uninstaller is an innovative uninstaller. With its advanced and fast algorithm, Revo Uninstaller scans before and after you uninstall an application. After the program's regular uninstaller runs, you can remove additional unnecessary files, folders and registry keys that are usually left over on your computer. Even if you have a broken installation, Revo Uninstaller scans for an application's data on your hard disk drives and in the Windows registry and shows all found files, folders and registry items so you can delete them."​

The quote above is from the following article;

http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/3000-2096_4-10687648.html​

 

[kado897]

Yes I know, but only the paid version traces an install.

 

[Layback Bear]

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

 

[Sir George]

Yes I know, but only the paid version traces an install.

I just wanted to clarify the actual difference, since my original post referenced the paid version.

 

[kado897]

No problem.

 

[RalphG]

Thanks for the information, will give a try.

 

[alan10]

Yes I know, but only the paid version traces an install.

I just wanted to clarify the actual difference, since my original post referenced the paid version.

Sorry but for CLARITY you need COMPLETE information in a single post.

Here is my version :-

CCleaner removes garbage.
Its uninstall is no more than an instant use of the standard Windows
Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features to uninstall a program,
but without the long delays of waiting for Windows to spin its wheels.

The Free version of Revo is much better,
but cannot track installation to facilitate a perfect UN-install.
It will however observe the actions of an UN-install to detect relevant folders and registry keys,
and to then follow-up and offer removal of the things that are left over.
The Free version is NOT rated for 64 bit software.
I believe it WILL cleanly remove 32 bit applications from a 64 bit system
but the 64 bit O.S. will NOT allow it to remove or even see anything in the genuine System32 - all it has access to is SysWOW64 and the O.S. fools it into thinking that is System32.

The Profession version of Revo has two advantages :-
It works on 64 bits as well as 32 bits ;
It tracks installation and offers a perfect UN-install.

Personally I have not tested in practice, but sincerely believe that :-
It may be perfect if nothing else has changed since the installation ;
It may be a problem if two applications from the same software house using the same parent keys and folders are separately installed and tracked,
and later one is uninstalled and the parent keys and folders are removed and cripple the other one.
It may of course be better than I fear.
As a new user myself I will observe it cautiously.

 

[Sir George]

Yes I know, but only the paid version traces an install.

I just wanted to clarify the actual difference, since my original post referenced the paid version.

Sorry but for CLARITY you need COMPLETE information in a single post.

Here is my version :-

CCleaner removes garbage.
Its uninstall is no more than an instant use of the standard Windows
Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features to uninstall a program,
but without the long delays of waiting for Windows to spin its wheels.

The Free version of Revo is much better,
but cannot track installation to facilitate a perfect UN-install.
It will however observe the actions of an UN-install to detect relevant folders and registry keys,
and to then follow-up and offer removal of the things that are left over.
The Free version is NOT rated for 64 bit software.
I believe it WILL cleanly remove 32 bit applications from a 64 bit system
but the 64 bit O.S. will NOT allow it to remove or even see anything in the genuine System32 - all it has access to is SysWOW64 and the O.S. fools it into thinking that is System32.

The Profession version of Revo has two advantages :-
It works on 64 bits as well as 32 bits ;
It tracks installation and offers a perfect UN-install.

Personally I have not tested in practice, but sincerely believe that :-
It may be perfect if nothing else has changed since the installation ;
It may be a problem if two applications from the same software house using the same parent keys and folders are separately installed and tracked,
and later one is uninstalled and the parent keys and folders are removed and cripple the other one.
It may of course be better than I fear.
As a new user myself I will observe it cautiously.

In reference to your statement "Sorry but for CLARITY you need COMPLETE information in a single post" I would disagree. A thread is a series of statements and replies, usually in chronological order and when not in chronological order, it is considered "top posting". In the event some information is wrongly stated or needs clarification, an additional post is used to rectify it. So, posting the entire contents in a single reply isn't the norm. It may help those who don't follow a thread closely and on the other hand annoy those who do. But, if you like to post all the information in one reply, then certainly do so.

I truly appreciate your very thorough explanation of the differences between CCleaner and Revo. I generally try to keep things more simple. I post to several forums and don't have the time to add all the details that may be applicable to any one thread or issue.