IDEA: programs that I have uninstalled

[techidave]

After reading today the thread about UltraExplorer, I wondered if I had ever tried it before in the past, but then uninstalled it.  So I was wondering if there was a way to tell if I had installed a program and then after a trial period, uninstalled it.  Would almost be nice to have comments on an uninstaller so you would know why you didn't like it.

maybe something already exists but haven't found anything yet.

Thanks!

whoops.  I just realized I posted it in the wrong place.  sorry about that.

[mouser]

Rather than look for a fancy technical solution to this, i would recommend a simple habit of keeping notes of everything you install and why (and making a note of why you uninstalled).

Think of it like a computer diary -- and keep track also of any tricks you discover, registry changes you make, etc.

It makes putting together a new pc easier.

[40hz]

What a great idea!  

Mouser is right about just keeping your own log if it's just your machine. But I couldn't help thinking of a bigger picture.

An uninstall log would be extremely useful for forensic and postmortem support analysis functions. I can't tell you the number of times I've had to troubleshoot a system, where the problem was caused by a piece of software that was no longer on the machine. If I knew somebody had installed and removed something in my personal 'rogues gallery' of ill-behaved applications, I'd be way ahead of the game. So if there was a way to keep an automatic audit trail of all installs and uninstalls, I'd be more grateful than words could tell.

Thought: Maybe you could suggest it to somebody the VS Revo Group if you don't want to develop the idea yourself? They make the excellent freeware Revo Uninstaller. They're usually quite receptive to suggestions for product improvements.

http://www.revouninstaller.com/contacts.html

EDIT: If you want to keep a handy tech journal on your computer, check out the freebie Advanced Diary:
Link:  http://advanced-diary.uptodown.com/en/

It's a great little app. I have a copy on each machine I own for keeping notes, registration codes, etc. You could also use any one of the free tree-type note organizers if you don't like the daybook metaphor.

[rjbull]

This feature is partially present in Total Uninstall, where uninstalled apps appear greyed-out in the list, but in the old version 3.83 I run there's no place to add notes on why they were uninstalled.

[techidave]

I have tried a paper log in the past, it gets misplaced or lost and then I don't have it anymore.  I have tried a word document and then I cannot find it in my unorganized directory structure.

Since windows usually keeps track of almost everything, I thought surely it has something like "uninstalled applications" buried somewhere.  I just didn't know where to look for it or how to read it if it does exist.

I did look at the Revo uninstaller and noticed it can do alot but not what I want.  I didn't think about contacting the developer.

I will investigate Advanced Diary and Total Uninstall later on.

[suleika]

I like this idea.  It would become one of my essentials - first installs on a new system.  I'd love a really basic monitoring app that would simply log in a text file various changes including installed apps - with a choice of which events to monitor. 

I'm not thinking detailed registry stuff, nor file changes (ala filehamster).  I'm thinking more of logging not only apps installed, updated or uninstalled, but perhaps the creation, renaming or deleting of directories, also of new shortcuts (in startup, desktop, quicklaunch etc) - perhaps "new hardware" and drivers too, and any renaming or remapping of discs or network folders - etc.  How about changes in file associations too - more than once in the past I could have done with that being logged!  It would ease the stress of everyday organisational tweaking to know that some of these things would be automatically noted and logged, and when dealing with someone else's machine, it could make detective work much easier and faster.  No frills - just a plain text log.

Great idea.  Perhaps it already exists - I've never looked before..

[edbro]

I second the idea of using Total Uninstall. I like to monitor my installs to ensure I get a full uninstall.

There have been several instances where I went to install a piece of software when I noticed that I already have a uninstall log by the same name. My memory isn't what it used to be.

A bit off topic but I've started keeping a spreadsheet with a list of all the books I have read. Quite a few times I've gotten 50 pages into a book when I realize that it is starting to sound familiar.

[cmpm]

Found this at Major Geeks.
You have to be registered to download that zip file though.
If you click on register all you need to give is a user name and password I think.
I haven't tried it.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=99577

[techidave]

cmpm, as near as I can tell the file will only give you a list of applications ionstalled and those that havce an uninstaller.  explaination Not quite what I was looking for but at least some one wrote a batch file to read that registry key.

[techidave]

I did get a reply back from the developers at Revo.

hank you very much for your feedback and suggestion. We will have it in mind.
We continue to improve Revo Uninstaller so stay up to date.
Thank you very much!

[CleverCat]

This is useful http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/Misc__Utilities/SoftCAT.html

I have the Plus version.

[techidave]

Nice find CleverCat!  I have just d/l it and looks very promising. If SoftCat will allow the addition of a couple of fields like uninstall date; reason for uninstall or something like that, then it is very promising.

I do like the auto catalog feature as well. It found 115 programs but with the evaluation part only allows 15 to be cataloged.

[CleverCat]

I have the paid for version which lets you auto catalogue everything!

And yes you can make custom fields....

[cranioscopical]

Thanks for the info, CleverCat! 

[Curt]

... So I was wondering if there was a way to tell if I had installed a program and then after a trial period, uninstalled it.  ...

- sounds like an extension to skrommel's ShortcutTip
I bet it would be easy for skrommel to extend ShortcutTip, to make it include the wanted features.

[CleverCat]

Thanks for the info, CleverCat! 

Pleasure...