Discussion on:

Five uninstallers that really work

Revo Uninstaller is FREE. Not just a free trial. The free trial is for the Pro version which you pay for. The free version does not have all the functions of PRO such as automatic updating.

Adding to what tombeall pointed out, the free trial is for the Pro version which has all the tools the others are offering - installation monitoring, forced uninstall, file shredder, autostart manager...
The Pro version also boasts of more advanced algorithms for determining left over registry entries, (something that was not mentioned regarding the others.)
Although I'm a satisfied long-time user of Revo, I'm not advocating it over the others which I have not tried. However, for the sake of completeness I'm throwing this in.

After reading this blog article, tried the IObit program.
Used it to remove several programs, one at a time (for results sampling afterward), rebooted after each. Going back in to registry and then file system, found numerous entries of the supposed uninstalled programs. More than just a few and not just obscure hidden entries.
Did you really test your recommendations out, or maybe just posting from companies ad blurbs?

I first used Revo (free version) to uninstall a try-it-and-see version of MS Office 2007 on V*sta. Residual items were stopping me from installing the paid version. It didn't work, I got my money back and am now using LO.

Since then I have very successfully used Revo several times to clean up uninstallations of other applications.

I've two questions:
1. What's the difference between uninstalling via Windows Control Panel and the uninstall program provided with some software?
2. Since reasonably effective third party uninstall software exists, why is it that the supplier of a major operating system can't do it properly using the built-in features?

I agree with Daddy Tadpole - Why can't Windows uninstall programs fully, including all their registry entries?

Why ask why?

Why ask why ask why?

I've been using Revo for quite some time, first the free version, and the Pro ( ZOMG ! I actually paid money for it ! ). I can't really praise it enough. I have it installed on 2 Win7 machines and it ( along with Iobit's Advanced System Care Pro https://www.trialpay.com/cart/?pp=fDfxf8f&c=5f57855 ) has saved my arse more than once.

Poll which is the Best?

A "review" without a conclusion or recommendation is just copying the sales text.

If you had to pick just one for your system, which would it be and why?

Can any of these utilities be used as a standalone on a utility USB stick?
A lot of my support requires booting outside the OS... there's been more than one occasion where I would have killed for any of these apps!

Hi Brien -- I am a bit surprised at your list of uninstallers, but instead of dissing some choices, let me simply offer that I would place Total Uninstall & Revo at the top of the list.

I am stunned, though, that you omitted Total Uninstall ( http://www.martau.com/ ) which is at least equal to Revo Uninstaller Pro and possibly superior.

FWIW, I have habitually purchased multiple applications that accomplish the same thing, to compare without limitations, and uninstallers are no exception.

Another free uninstaller tool is AppRemover, which is designed for security applications (antivirus, antispyware, etc.). Check it out at http://www.appremover.com

Would trust Revo Uninstaller only because they "recommend" [as per their web site] SpeedUpMyPC software. That software is fraudulent.

"Would trust Revo Uninstaller only because they "recommend" [as per their web site] SpeedUpMyPC software. That software is fraudulent. "
A) Because SpeedUpMyPC is fraudulent ( and it is ) That's why you "trust" ?
B) Don't think they actually "recommend" , it's a paid ad

Have learned many, many things by reading Brien Posey's works, but I think a program I've relied upon (in one v. or another) since 2002 should have made this list; I find it especially useful when used to create before & after snapshots during the installation of new software. The program is AShampoo's UnInstaller 4; it contains many other useful tools & features, including a fairly comprehensive suite of file & folder deletion/cleaning tools, a utility for "undeleting" files, a "behind-the-senes" real-time defragmenter with a companion boot-time defragger for system files like the page file, a real-time Installation Monitor, the ability to manage fonts, Windows Services (ala Sysinternal's Autoruns, but perhaps even MORE facile), IE Add-ons, and System Restore points (going CCleaner one better, it allows the deletion of ANY SysRestorePt, including the latest one). The Registry Cleaner facilities are pretty useful as well. There's more, but this comment is large enough w/o going into more detail, and AShampoo's available documentation is extensive. One of the features many users may like best is the very reasonable price for the full-featured v. of Uninstaller, for AShampoo is famously flexible about pricing. Also, they'll even sell you multiple-year warranty & support that really works, again @ a pretty-reasonable price. The company WILL try and sell you more of their useful products (I'm also a fan of their CAD software), but they don't inundate you with emails and popups as do so many progams these days.

It would of been informative to state if these programs needed to be installed themselves or if they can be run from a USB Drive (VERY handy for on site techs!) Otherwise - thanks for the heads up.

It's free but I suspect it uninstalled some things it wasn't supposed to. I haven't looked into it in detail.

Slim Clean unistaller from slimware utilities https://www.slimwareutilities.com/ . what I like about Slim cleaner is it works on new and old pc's and has a cloud apporach to uninstalling. It worked great on my machine and removed the bloat beautifully.

I saw a few comments wondering if any of these could be used on a USB stick (for IT people). AppRemover doesn't require any installation, so it can definitely be used on an external drive like a USB or CD.

You reviewed Revo Uninstaller. At the end of your review, you have a link to download a free trial of Revo Uninstaller, implying that you have to pay after a time. Revo Uninstaller is free. There is no trial period. Revo Uninstaller Pro is a paid upgrade, and has a free trial period.

I never see Comodo Program manager mentioned in these article. It is wicked fast, as much so as Advanced Uninstaller is painfully slow. CPM also monitors installations even if you forget to specifically use it to install something, although it uses a reg and file scan to find leftovers in that case.
It removes stuff that can't be forced be finishing the installations at next boot. I have had toolbars install with software, that I specifically unchecked, etc, and right away, I've used CPM to remove them, and there has never been a trace of anything shifty left over. It's like they never existed.

It's got cleaner and junk removers, and reg cleaner function also, and I have never had the slightest problem but for one time, out of many dozens, where it froze up. But when I killed it with Task manager, when I got it killed, the uninstall had still happened, so the stall was only the GUI.

Am I missing something, that I never see it reviewed or included? Thanks.

You missed the Ashampoo Uninstaller, which, im my opinion is one of the best uninstallers for Windows.

Nice collection of uninstallers.I know 4 of them and final one is new one to me.I also write the same article on my blog www.techlans.com