DonationCoder.com Forum

Main Area and Open Discussion => General Software Discussion => Topic started by: adi_barb on May 21, 2010, 07:39 PM

Title: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: adi_barb on May 21, 2010, 07:39 PM
What's the best software uninstaller... tool except CCleaner.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: techidave on May 21, 2010, 07:43 PM
Revo Uninstaller has worked well for me!  Looks like they got a new website too!  Check it out here (http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html)
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: lanux128 on May 21, 2010, 10:09 PM
there had been discussions about uninstaller tools, maybe they will provide some tips for you. i list some of the threads below..

• Uninstaller Roundup - Revo - Total - ZSoft & the less magnificent seven (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=17744.0)
• Looking for a good Uninstaller App (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=983.0)
• Uninstallers (a very short look at what I've tried!) (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=2479.0)
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: 40hz on May 22, 2010, 08:35 AM
IMHO Revo is the best. Gets the job done with no bad surprises.

It packs the most functionality without your needing to fiddle with it.   

Used in conjunction with CCleaner, MyDefrag, and the Glary Utilities and you have a complete day-to-day PC maintenance toolkit.
 8)

  
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Darwin on May 22, 2010, 10:21 AM
I'm still using Your Uninstaller (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ursoftware.com%2F&rct=j&q=your+uninstaller&ei=Tfb3S8j5MZKENIKXgIQI&usg=AFQjCNFdIP9YD9TbWegJXApMH9fAsjq16w) and Ashampoo Uninstaller (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&ved=0CBoQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ashampoo.com%2Ffrontend%2Fproducts%2Fphp%2Fproduct.php%3Fidstring%3D1003%26session_langid%3D20&rct=j&q=ashampoo+uninstaller&ei=aPb3S4Nupcwx2vjpgwg&usg=AFQjCNHVq96BwPPshZ26bjo_oclWPRCcSg). They take different approaches - YU thoroughly removes installed applications via the applications uninstaller and THEN scans the registry and file system for known changes based on the type of installer/uninstaller used. Works really well. Ashampoo I use very rarely, but do use it to create before and after snapshots of my registry when installing certain apps. I NEVER use it to actually perform an uninstall, though... Doing so is asking for trouble because any background process that is running while creating the uninstallation snapshot that makes changes to the registry during that time is going to be corrupted... but I digress...
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: doctorfrog on May 22, 2010, 11:27 PM
What about for 64 bit Windows?
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: 40hz on May 23, 2010, 07:20 AM
What about for 64 bit Windows?

+1 with Darwin on Your Uninstaller.

A 64-bit free version of Revo has been promised.

Some people report using the current version on 64-bit systems without experiencing problems. Can't vouch for how true that is since I haven't tried it.

When it comes to utilities that do system-level changes, I don't believe in pushing my luck too far. I'll just wait for Revo to tell me it works on '64' before I run it in that environment.

 8)


Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Darwin on May 23, 2010, 09:19 AM
What about for 64 bit Windows?

I'm running 64 bit Windows 7 and both Your Uninstaller and Ashampoo Uninstaller work flawlessly. NB they're both 32 bit applications.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: 40hz on May 23, 2010, 09:45 AM
^It's not so much an issue of the uninstaller being coded as a native 64-bit app as it is how well it recognizes and uninstalls 64-bit applications. 
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: tslim on May 24, 2010, 09:30 PM
YU thoroughly removes installed applications via the applications uninstaller and THEN scans the registry and file system for known changes based on the type of installer/uninstaller used. Works really well.
It depends on your level of demand.
If you are curious about what has been added to your computer or you want an absolute clean uninstallation later, using uninstaller like Ashampoo Uninstaller or Total Uninstall is always a better choice.

Ashampoo I use very rarely
Me too! It is too slow.
Instead I always use Total Uninstall which is much faster and can work in both ways that you have described.

I NEVER use it to actually perform an uninstall, though... Doing so is asking for trouble because any background process that is running while creating the uninstallation snapshot that makes changes to the registry during that time is going to be corrupted...

I think your 'believe' above is very misleading if not totally wrong.

1) Generally speaking, if there are background programs that need to write crucial info to registry while you are doing program installation - that implies you are not installing under recommanded mode... didn't you be informed/advised to turn OFF unneccesary applications prior to installation?

2) Even if there is exception, say you are unable to turn off some background programs/services that write to file or registry, those writting, normally are non-crucial records of temporary info. Throughout my life of installing so many applications (with proper monitoring of the process) I have never come across a case where I can't easily stop a software (prior to installation) that really write crucial' info at the background.

3) Any uninstaller like Ashampoo (or Total Uninstall) will normally offer feature to exclude background disturbances. I mean what you need to do is to simply create a snapshot of your system while you are not installing anything and do something you normally will while installing application, say open notepad, run window explorer and then just create another snapshot to find out those background I/O either to registry or files, the process is rather simple, what you need to do is just add those found items to the uninstaller's exclude list.

IMO, if one doesn't find uninstaller like Ashampoo Uninstaller or Total Uninstall good (or find them very troublesome to use), he/she generally has very low expectation on how much he/she can monitor a program installation, i.e. I think Windows's ordinary install and uninstall procedure from the control panel is good enough for him/her.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Darwin on May 24, 2010, 10:33 PM
I use Ashampoo Uninstall to monitor changes that *some* installers make to my system. Your Uninstaller very safely handles the uninstallation of most of the applications that I remove. I occasionally refer to the Ashampoo logs to remove more difficult/hidden elements of some software that I feel it necessary to *completely* remove from my system. So, overall I am curious about what changes an application's installer makes to my system. I just don't feel that it is necessary to monitor every installation that I make on my system.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: MilesAhead on May 24, 2010, 10:49 PM
Hmmmmmm, I can't remember the one I used.  All I know as every time I ran it the thing disappeared. :)
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: CleverCat on May 25, 2010, 02:41 AM
With Total Uninstall, you can control what gets deleted during uninstall.  :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: 40hz on May 25, 2010, 06:23 AM
With Total Uninstall, you can control what gets deleted during uninstall.  :Thmbsup:

I didn't know it could do that. That feature could be very useful. Thx! :)
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Curt on May 25, 2010, 06:58 AM
For some time I was using Ashampoo Uninstaller version 3. I found it to be a bit annoying because of the nagging "scan now?" pop ups, so I didn't use it as often as I aught to. Nevertheless I didn't hesitate to upgrade to version 4. This one however, I hate! To find a solution I purchased a copy of Total Uninstal Standard version 5 because so many people will recommend it. But I don't like that one either. It may be good, but I think it really is a confusing piece of software. I even fail to see why I should upgrade to the Pro version.

So for half a year I have been using the free REVO only. For some reason Revo will always stop and wait for the user to click 'next' - which I really think is needless and a total waste of time - so I also tried the Revo_Pro version. But what is it with the Pro version? It is a like a completely different program! Tedious and tiring, I think.

I do remember using My Uninstaller several years ago, but now I think I will try Your Uninstaller. Do You mind?  I see some good men recommending it, so apparently You will let others use it as well!  
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: cyberdiva on May 25, 2010, 08:35 AM
So for half a year I have been using the free REVO only. For some reason Revo will always stop and wait for the user to click 'next' - which I really think is needless and a total waste of time - so I also tried the Revo_Pro version. But what is it with the Pro version? It is a like a completely different program! Tedious and tiring, I think.
I too have been using the free version of Revo for quite a while.  Can you say briefly what's so different about the Pro version?  

Many thanks.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Darwin on May 25, 2010, 08:39 AM
Heh, heh - as we have discussed elsewhere, Curt, those Yiggles! are insidious! I've upgraded all sorts of Ashampoo apps that I have using them... and I didn't need to! Oh well, "found" money, right? With the exception of Ashampoo Uninstall Suite 4, I no longer have any Ashampoo software installed. I think that Ashampoo Uninstall Suite 2 was very good, with the caveats outlined above, of course.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Curt on May 25, 2010, 08:49 AM
... Revo ... Can you say briefly what's so different about the Pro version? 

-not really, I am afraid. The advert (http://www.revouninstaller.com/benefits-using-revo-uninstaller-pro.html) makes it sound as if is sooo easy to use. I don't think it is that easy. But a "30-day fully functional free trial" is available  so you may judge for yourself...
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Curt on May 25, 2010, 08:55 AM
... those Yiggles! are insidious! ...

insidious
adj.) crafty, cunning, deceitful; subtly treacherous or dangerous; deadly while appearing to be harmless
-Babylon

haha, yeah.
----

Your Uninstaller is Pay First and a little expensive, so I want to ask if you ever use the other features it is offering (clean this & that)?
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: tomos on May 25, 2010, 09:22 AM
So for half a year I have been using the free REVO only. For some reason Revo will always stop and wait for the user to click 'next' - which I really think is needless and a total waste of time - so I also tried the Revo_Pro version. But what is it with the Pro version? It is a like a completely different program! Tedious and tiring, I think.
I too have been using the free version of Revo for quite a while.  Can you say briefly what's so different about the Pro version? 

I havent used the Pro version but I know that if you're on Windows 7, the regristry 'cleansing' is only offered by the pro version
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: ha14 on May 25, 2010, 12:39 PM
Well I also use Revouninstaller and it was my first free uninstaller that I started using it but I found that for some soft left ober Reg keys, because I use Regseeker and search by words. So I found out another free uninstaller Advanced Uninstaller Free 10.1.1
 http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-Uninstaller-Free/3000-2096_4-75157230.html?part=dl-85782&subj=dl&tag=button
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: tomos on May 25, 2010, 02:55 PM
So I found out another free uninstaller Advanced Uninstaller Free 10.1.1
 http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-Uninstaller-Free/3000-2096_4-75157230.html?part=dl-85782&subj=dl&tag=button

ha14, did you get to try it out ?
I couldnt find any info on their website about the free version (was trying to figure out the differences between the $40 pro version & this one)
Home page:
http://www.innovative-sol.com/index.htm

the Forum doesnt inspire, yet. There only two replies & one says that it's not working on 64bit Win7. The official looking intro post says The author of this program appears to be "Innovative Solutions" which seems a bit odd - my emphasis btw... )
http://www.innovative-sol.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4941
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: MilesAhead on May 25, 2010, 05:00 PM
For awhile I used the last free version of TotalUninstall.  But due to the "diff mechanism" used I found that to be too risky.  Esp. if some days elapsed between the install and the uninstall.

Now I feel safer just uninstalling with MyUninstaller and using CCleaner to remove any registry residue.  I do an ERUNT snapshot every day so I don't feel too queasy about using CCleaner.

Of course if it's something of a questionable install in the first place then I do a restore point prior to setup.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Darwin on May 25, 2010, 06:49 PM
Your Uninstaller is Pay First and a little expensive, so I want to ask if you ever use the other features it is offering (clean this & that)?

Hi Curt - not really. I don't use any such services anymore, to be honest. However, I have used the Start Menu cleaner and it worked really well. The other tools look good - I've looked at them but haven't "run" them.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Curt on May 26, 2010, 01:42 AM
... (clean this & that)?
... I don't use any such services anymore, ...

You've stopped installing This & That, so you don't need to clean This & That.
-Makes sense!  ;)
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: CleverCat on May 26, 2010, 02:54 AM
With Total Uninstall, you can control what gets deleted during uninstall.  :Thmbsup:

I didn't know it could do that. That feature could be very useful. Thx! :)

Yes, during uninstall, you get windows popping up to ask if you want to delete certain folders etc - If I'm reinstalling again to fix a problem I'll leave some bits.....
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: ha14 on May 26, 2010, 04:50 AM
Hi
Here is a picture that compares Advanced Uninstaller Free and pro version
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: Curt on May 28, 2010, 02:17 AM
Today's giveaway is Cleanse Uninstaller Pro 6.5 from Zards Software (http://www.zardssoftware.com/uninstaller/Uninstaller.html)

The initial scan was just as slow as Windows' Add/Remove_Programs!  :o
-but it also opens with a lot more informations ready.   ;)

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/cleanse-uninstaller-pro-6-2/
-the link says "6.2" but it really is version 6.5.1

No 'monitor install'-feature.  :down:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]


click for large:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]


Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: 40hz on May 28, 2010, 07:09 AM
Looks like iObit has joined the party with a free and portable uninstaller that appears to copy Revo's approach pretty closely. Works with Windows 7 but I didn't see anything specific about 64-bit. gHacks just did a write-up on it:

Link: http://www.ghacks.net/2010/05/26/uninstall-software-completely-with-iobit-uninstaller/

IObit Uninstaller is another application that tackles those uninstallation leftovers. The portable software uninstaller displays a list of installed programs in its interface. The sidebar contains several other useful shortcuts to only list toolbars, programs that have been recently installed, large programs, rarely used software and Windows Updates.

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

I downloaded it and gave it a try. Looks to be a workable solution. And the fact it's a portable app makes it a good candidate for inclusion on an all-purpose tech tool USB key. :Thmbsup:

Download link: http://iobit.com/downloadcenter.php?product=advanced-uninstaller
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: sajman99 on June 19, 2010, 02:12 PM
Putting aside the issues I've had with IObit in the past, I figured I would try the free and portable IObit Uninstaller. Like most of their products, it does look good.

Right away I noticed the installation dates are wrong. For example, Revo Uninstaller and MyUninstaller can correctly recognize that I updated XnView a few days ago, but IObit still thinks my installation is three years old.

So IObit can't get this basic info correct, but I'm supposed to trust it to select the correct registry entries to remove? Well crud, I'll stick with the proven Revo and MyUninstaller for now.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: sajman99 on August 02, 2010, 02:47 PM
Comodo has now gotten into the act with their free Comodo Programs Manager (http://programs-manager.comodo.com/). In the last couple years it seems Comodo has a software for just about everything.

Currently it looks like the download is 8.27 MB; I haven't tried it and will probably resist the temptation. Revo and MyUninstaller have served me well, but curiosity may overwhelm at some point.
Title: Re: What's the best software uninstaller tool?
Post by: superboyac on August 02, 2010, 02:54 PM
And the fact it's a portable app makes it a good candidate for inclusion on an all-purpose tech tool USB key. :Thmbsup:
I love my USB toolkit.  My first job in college was a troubleshooting computer guy for the campus.  I used to take a backpack sized bag with me as my toolbox.  It had a zip drive in there, all types of cables, some floppy disks.  On the zip drive were the installation files for certain programs I might need.  It's great to have that all on a keychain now, and nothing to install, but run directly from the usb.  As a bonus, I have my amazing LBC menu for the portable programs.  one of my favorite mouser creations.