Solved What's a Good Program For Uninstalling Applications/Programs on PC?

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Hello all.

I'm looking for a reliable program that can be used to uninstall programs that I no longer want. I've tried IOBit Uninstaller but the BSOD team advised me not to use it. So I'm now looking for a replacement. I've heard good things about Revo Uninstaller but I lack the knowledge of what I should look for in an uninstaller.

I'd like to know the following:

1) What's a good uninstaller program?
2) Does it allow registry deletion? (meaning does it clean up the registry entries as well?)
3) Is it compatible? (had a problem with this already)
4) Does it clean up a good amount of the residual files? (Does it leave files behind?)

 

[Callender]

It's not recommened by many here to use anything IObit. Having said that I often use IObit uninstaller but it;s an older version that doesn't run on startup, is blocked from dialling home. Also:

UninstallExplorer64.dll - Uninstall for explorer is disabled

LiveUpdate.exe - Product Updater is disabled

UninstallPromote_1.exe - Advanced SystemCare is disabled

IObitDownloader.exe - Advanced SystemCare 8 (Action Center Downloader) is disabled

UninstallMenuRight32.dll is removed

Items listed here under "Behaviors exhibited" are removed or disabled.

IObit Uninstaller - Should I Remove It?

An alternative that I often use is Geek Uninstaller:

GeekUninstaller | GeekUninstaller

As for registry entries there are no uninstallers that remove all of them and I end up doing a manual search for leftovers.

I also have software that monitors software installs but I can't recommend it because it monitors all changes including those that do not relate to the program installation during install and it is neccessary to figure out which items to uncheck when removing a monitored install.

 

[Callender]

Re: above post - see image:

​

 

[whs]

I use the Revo Uninstaller

Download Revo Uninstaller - MajorGeeks

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

It's not recommened by many here to use anything IObit. Having said that I often use IObit uninstaller but it;s an older version that doesn't run on startup, is blocked from dialling home. Also:

UninstallExplorer64.dll - Uninstall for explorer is disabled

LiveUpdate.exe - Product Updater is disabled

UninstallPromote_1.exe - Advanced SystemCare is disabled

IObitDownloader.exe - Advanced SystemCare 8 (Action Center Downloader) is disabled

UninstallMenuRight32.dll is removed

Items listed here under "Behaviors exhibited" are removed or disabled.

IObit Uninstaller - Should I Remove It?

An alternative that I often use is Geek Uninstaller:

GeekUninstaller | GeekUninstaller

As for registry entries there are no uninstallers that remove all of them and I end up doing a manual search for leftovers.

I also have software that monitors software installs but I can't recommend it because it monitors all changes including those that do not relate to the program installation during install and it is neccessary to figure out which items to uncheck when removing a monitored install.

I've run IOBit Uninstaller on my VM and thought it was a good program. I was told by BSOD team to uninstall it. I still don't see why it's such a big deal but I'm guessing it "uses the Internet" or it connects to its own network? Anyways, I may just not use it altogether unless you can tell me how to stop certain parts of the program from working.

Re: above post - see image:

View attachment 380717​

I see. I just want something other than the "Uninstall Programs" in Windows.

I use the Revo Uninstaller

Download Revo Uninstaller - MajorGeeks

I'll try this next then.

I'll leave this open a little longer for more input.

 

[Callender]

You should note that only Revo Uninstaller Pro (paid version) works when removing 64bit software.

See this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ll-expire-5-days-post3200306.html#post3200306

 

[whs]

Good point Callender. Thanks for adding.

 

[DavidE]

I don't know anything about Ashampoo UnInstaller 5, but you can get it for free right now at windowsdeal

Ashampoo UnInstaller 5 (100% Discount)

 

[Mellon Head]

I don't know anything about Ashampoo UnInstaller 5, but you can get it for free right now at windowsdeal

Ashampoo UnInstaller 5 (100% Discount)

In the past I found that Ashampoo likes to spam your email account. After using one of their products, I was bombarded with email. This may have changed since, but I would use caution in what email address I gave them.

 

[maxseven]

I just want something other than the "Uninstall Programs" in Windows.

I use the Revo Uninstaller

Download Revo Uninstaller - MajorGeeks

I'll try this next then.

I'll leave this open a little longer for more input.

Virtually all "after the fact" uninstallers are limited in that they can only take "educated guesses" at what a certain program did to your hard drive and registry, and will themselves leave stuff behind. Then you need a different tool, one that looks for outdated files and registry entries. All such tools are hit-and-miss; I've used jv16 Powertools for years, and CCleaner has widespread usage and thus its registry cleaner is probably safe to use.

GeekUninstaller was one I looked hard at and installed a while back and still run occasionally to see what it finds.

As for tools that won't help you (!) I bought Ashampoo years ago (much older than v5) and as Callender says these programs are a bit dangerous to use because they monitor changes that are made to the system as the monitored Installer proceeds, and sometimes those changes have nothing to do with the installed program itself. At least the versions of Ashampoo I used caused problems and I gave-up on it. But I do continue to use an abandoned program called Comodo Programs Manager (v1.3) which actually still does a fine job and I'm disappointed Comodo discontinued it (though they did so probably for good reasons!).

Point being there is no perfect solution and in the end if your PC works you should try not to obsess about leftover junk still in it.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have use the option to remove programs using Ccleaner.
It has worked well for me.

 

[Callender]

Well on the advice of a couple other experienced members I installed Advanced Uninstaller Pro (free)

NOTE: There were no warnings given by those members that the application is adware supported and comes bundled with Open Candy.

​

So I ran the setup file using a batch file that clean installs the app:

​

Even then it was necessary to block a file and quarantine it when running setup:

​

That resulted in a couple of processes that had to be manually stopped once the installation completed as there was a window left open that could not be closed.

​

Once installed there were scheduled tasks set up that I didn't need.

=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:15:24 **
Launched healthcheck.exe[3868]
taskhost.exe[2920] « services.exe[620] « wininit.exe[524]
cis.exe[3664] « cistray.exe[1172] « explorer.exe[1640]
Important Executables and Driver Files
File Details Changed from
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-auto.job -  Size=300  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:12:10 2016  Attributes=---A-
to
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-auto.job -  Size=300  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:15:02 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:18:00 **
Important Executables and Driver Files
File Details Changed from
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-auto.job -  Size=300  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:15:02 2016  Attributes=---A-
to
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-auto.job -  Size=300  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:50 2016  Attributes=---A-
File Details Changed from
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-deep.job -  Size=302  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:12:04 2016  Attributes=---A-
to
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-deep.job -  Size=302  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:54 2016  Attributes=---A-
File Details Changed from
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check.job -  Size=294  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:12:04 2016  Attributes=---A-
to
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check.job -  Size=294  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:46 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:18:14 **
Important Executables and Driver Files
Files Deleted :-
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check.job -  Size=294  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:46 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:18:29 **
Important Executables and Driver Files
Files Deleted :-
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-auto.job -  Size=300  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:50 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================

So I deleted them:

=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:18:14 **
Important Executables and Driver Files
Files Deleted :-
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check.job -  Size=294  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:46 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:18:29 **
Important Executables and Driver Files
Files Deleted :-
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-auto.job -  Size=300  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:50 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================
** Sunday 31/01/2016 02:19:00 **
Important Executables and Driver Files
Files Deleted :-
c:\windows\tasks\Health-Check-deep.job -  Size=302  Date=Sun Jan 31 02:17:54 2016  Attributes=---A-
=======================================================

The following had to be blocked from dialling out:

​

I have to say that the program works well when it comes to uninstalling software. It also uses a background process that runs at all times (checker.exe) to monitor software changes. This is not the same as "Monitored Installation"

Example: Ran Ccleaner 64bit and used it to uninstall SIW x64

It missed a folder that got picked up by the background process which displayed the following above the system tray once Ccleaner had done it's uninstall:

​

So it works well but there are a few things to watch out for when installing.

Plus it has extra features that will screw up your system if not used correctly including a "Daily health check" with a "One click fix" button that is best avoided. See deleted scheduled tasks above.

There is the ability to fully monitor an installation but it's really only suitable for advanced users as it monitors all changes including those that do not directly relate to the software installation.

On the plus side it does detect "Partial installs" just like Comodo Programs Manager that has been mentioned in this thread. I used to use Comodo Programs Manager but it stopped working for me and the program has been discontinued. Some users report that it still works for them.

 

[whs]

Isn't that awful that you have to go thru all those steps just to get a clean installation of a program.

 

[Callender]

Isn't that awful that you have to go thru all those steps just to get a clean installation of a program.

Yes it is awful. I suppose that they want to make money somehow from their "free" software. The unwary will get caught out!

 

[torchwood]

Ho Hum

Ive used IObit for ages.
Never actually had any probs with it, and its latest incarnation ASCU9, AV + tools uses the bitdefender database under licence, using it on my w10tp.

I find that its Uninstaller is better than Revo.

BUT to stop any/all extra's i select custom install and REMOVE the live updater file.

Roy

 

[maxseven]

Well on the advice of a couple other experienced members I installed Advanced Uninstaller Pro (free)...

There is the ability to fully monitor an installation but it's really only suitable for advanced users as it monitors all changes including those that do not directly relate to the software installation.

On the plus side it does detect "Partial installs" just like Comodo Programs Manager that has been mentioned in this thread. I used to use Comodo Programs Manager but it stopped working for me and the program has been discontinued. Some users report that it still works for them.

I'm one of those for whom Comodo Programs Manager continues to work, and I have it installed on an old XP, and several new W7HP and Pro x64 machines as well. I found that the newer betas became problematic, but fwiw the last non-beta v1.3.2.30 is the version that works. It doesn't always monitor EVERY installation, as if that capability was thwarted by some particular installer methods, but I've found that on any PC that I haven't installed it to, I miss it. In fact I'm addicted to it such that I right-click every installer (by muscle-memory now) and select "Install and monitor setup using CPM" and that results in a fully-monitored installation most times, as opposed to an unmonitored or should I say "standard" installation which relies solely on the proggie's Uninstaller to uninstall later. The joy of Monitored is that when you want to uninstall a program using CPM, the uninstaller runs, then CPM displays what *it* will/would uninstall if you continue, incl showing all files/folders/registry entries, and you can continue (or not) as you see fit.

Thanks for telling about AIP and let us know if you like it.

 

[Callender]

[
Thanks for telling about AIP and let us know if you like it.

Yes I do like it but I don't think much of the effort needed to clean install it.

It does monitor installations on demand. It also scans for software changes in real time so if you uninstall software using another program it still notifies on leftovers.

It's possible to leave "installation monitor" running at all times but I prefer not to.

 

[Layback Bear]

Chris, thank you for all the work checking out those programs.

I personally don't have a problem with a company offering free programs with added goodies. As long as the added goodies are shown as a option in a plain understandable fashion.
When one accepts the added goodies that is all they get.
I have downloaded programs and selected (NO) to all the added goodies and I still got them.
So what I do is wright down all the goodies I indicated (NO) to and do a search through my system looking for them.

 

[maxseven]

Chris, thank you for all the work checking out those programs.

I personally don't have a problem with a company offering free programs with added goodies. As long as the added goodies are shown as a option in a plain understandable fashion.
When one accepts the added goodies that is all they get.
I have downloaded programs and selected (NO) to all the added goodies and I still got them.
So what I do is wright down all the goodies I indicated (NO) to and do a search through my system looking for them.

It does seem that AUPro is (maybe far) worse than most. I do wonder if, when it updates, the other junk will have to be protected-against installing again. I also wonder if the program clean-uninstalls ITSELF or if when you uninstall it, the other junk is left behind.

Anyway now that I've looked at it again I think I will pass on that one.

 

[Layback Bear]

If a program has it's own uninstaller you can bet your bottom dollar it will leave junk behind.