need a good uninstaller - XP

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 964

Does anyone know of a FREE program for XP that will totally & thoroughly uninstall a program after it has been installed?

In other words, I have some programs I need to totally remove (especially the registry) that are already on the machine. I tried cleaning the reg but just to many entries.

goretsky · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:29 am Post subject:

Hello,

Here are a few programs you can try:

Ashampoo - Ashampoo Uninstaller
Final Uninstaller - Final Uninstaller
Gavrila Martau - Total Uninstall
Innovative Solutions - Advanced Uninstaller Pro
Nirsoft - MyUninstaller
URSoft - Your Uninstaller
VS Revo Group - Revo Uninstaller
Winner Tweak - Smarty Uninstaller

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 964

Thanks for the list but as far as I can tell ALL of these rely on a "snapshot" of the OS BEFORE the program was installed. So if (like in MY case) you already have the program installed, tough.

I had already tried the REVO (In it's most aggressive mode) & it didn't get it. CNET rated it "tops" so if it doesn't get it, I wonder about the rest. That is if I really want to trust CNET. - (they tested most of the list.)

What I need is something that will get ALL the junk left in the reg. after an uninstall. To put it back as if the program was never installed to begin with. & no out of pocket expense. (I know, I'm asking a lot)

BUT, I'm still checking these...

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2657

I've used Revo on an XP computer that had "features" installed (crapware) that I did not want. I did not have a pre-install snapshot. One of the items was a trial version of Norton Internet Security. I ran Revo and then to be safe, I ran the Norton Cleanup tool after this.

Use moderate mode to cleanup and be sure when it lists what it finds, you look over all the bolded items and select them; do not check/tick something that is not in bold type or you will be removing something that should remain.

Revo uses the programs own uninstaller so do not use add/remove from the control panel. After it has finished with the program's own uninstaller, then it starts scanning the registry for all the remnants left behind.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 964

That is the way I ran it (although I told it to delete EVERYTHING as I pretty much knew what they were & it was on a test drive that I did this) but there is STILL some reg key that isn't gotten as another install complains.

I DO know that keys can be "locked" so I suspicion this may be the case & I'm thinking of trying it again & do a "regedit" to see what may be left.

I also read that one can run CCLEANER after the uninstall, I may try that too.

Thanks - I'll post the results, although it may be a while...

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

I was working on a Toshiba Laptop today and it had the Viper anti virus program on it.
The owner wanted me to uninstall it and install AVG.
Viper would NOT uninstall. I tried taking it out manually. Even after the program folder was deleted, the program was still running in memory and kept popping up on the screen. It was as insidious as any virus.... worse than Norton. Twisted Evil

Finally I ran the Revo Uninstaller which was already on the laptop. It took out all the remaining pieces and parts of "Viper".

I'd have to give it an A+. And it's FREE.

Give it a try.
The Doctor Cool

EDIT: I just downloaded the FREE Revo Uninstaller and installed it on my PC.
I then used it to remove a program from my PC. It did so without a whimper.
Give it a try.

goretsky · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject:

Hello,

You could try the following actions:

Install the Revo Uninstaller application.
Configure it to monitor subsequent application installs.
Install the program you wish to uninstall, having the Revo program monitor its progress.
Have Revo perform an uninstall of the program you wish to remove, using the logs it generated when it was installed.

I know that seems a little convoluted, but this is a way to get around the concern about the Revo program not removing the other program(s) due to it not being present when they were originally installed.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 1012

I just went through this earlier this evening! I had time to spare, so I removed Anti-ver (Cleanse Uninstaller), and tried to install the new "fabulous" AVG 8. No go! So I removed it, and tried from safe mode. Still no go! And I couldn't put Anti-ver back in! Tried everything! Then, quite by accident, I found an old copy of AVG still installed! It didn't show up on "Add-Remove", or my un-installer! I had to just "kill" the directory, and run CC to clean up the "orphans". Rebooted, and reinstalled Anti-ver!

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 964

I tried reinstalling REVO & the programs on the "test" drive I mentioned. Did another uninstall, even ran CCLEANER & "FIX-IT" & then I ran regedit after each, I lost count of over 20 entries in the KEYS. So, quite frankly, I've come to the conclusion that the companies of these programs are doing SOMETHING to prevent a clean uninstall. Either that or it's a M$ thing. Either way I'm sick of it & just gonna take the test drive, clean everything off & reinstall & HOPE I have enough space on it to get the job done.

Thanks to all for the "brainstorming" - but I'm out of time & patents to do more!!!

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2657

Doc, if you need to remove VIPRE av & antimalware combo, ask. I was a beta tester since it was CounterSpy and have successfully removed it from several computers.
I removed it from my desktop in late Sept. or early Oct. and installed AntiVir with no problem.

I have the directions printed out and saved, just in case I ran into a problem.

I don't know anything about the Sunbelt firewall but I do know VIPRE.

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 489

There's an ad for Vipre on the back of the latest TechNet mag from MS. I was gonna download it and give it a try, because the per-seat licensing is pretty attractive. Now I'm having second thoughts.

goretsky · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:03 am Post subject:

Hello,

Sunbelt Software, the developer of VIPRE, has been around for many years is well known in the server administration and security fields.

The problems removing with removing their software are possibly due to a damaged or incorrectly installed copy, or perhaps due to a conflict with a previously (or subsequently) installed security software.

Many security programs interact with the operating system at a low level, so it is always a good idea to check with the developer's support department for any specific tips when installing or uninstalling their software or tools you may wish to have before your proceed (e.g., the Symantec Norton Removal Tool, McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool and so forth).

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

Well, I'll certainly NOT be trying any of those 'also-ran' programs.

AVG 9.0 FREE is out and working just GREAT!
I've installed it several times now with NO problems what'so'ever.

I've even upgraded the PRO version on my main PC to ver. 9.0 and it accepted my existing two-year key.

AVG also provides a 'Removal Tool' for if and when the program may need to be removed.

People keep touting CCleaner, but every time I've tried it, over the years, it's screwed up my registry so badly that I have had to reinstall Windows (or Restore a Ghost backup Image)
The ONLY safe registry cleaner I've ever found is "Easy Cleaner 2.0" from Toni Arts. If it's going to err, then it errs on the side of caution, not taking out an entry that 'might' cause a problem.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor Cool

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 964

Yeah, reg. cleaner or even fixer MUST be used with caution as most are very agressive & have confusing setting as to how they SHOULD be set. So whenever I use one, I use it as a last resort & with the thought that it may very well screw things up. But I take the precautions for that. (one reason why I did my testing on a test drive)

BTW: I got my problem about resolved - got one more thing to do & I should be back to normal operations.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

You mentioned "confusing settings" and I can relate to that.
Even Spybot S&D has settings that most users never even see, because they run the program in Normal mode. Go to advanced mode however and there are a LOT of settings that add to the functionality of the program.
I have created a full sheet of instructions on how to properly set up that program.
Unfortunately, there are NOT such good instructions on how to run CCleaner and many other programs and the user if just left to fend for themselves.

That's just one more thing I love about "Easy Cleaner 2.0", , , there are no settings to fuss with as far as the registry cleaner is concerned.

Making the settings for the Junk Files Cleaner is simple, I just select everything. Wink

(junk is junk..... kill'em all !!! )

For other apps like taking out the Temporary Internet Files, MRU's, Cookies and History there are NO settings, they are just ONE-Click apps. You either run them or you don't.
It don't get much simpler than that.

But with years of experience with the program and having run it on literally hundreds of PC of all types, sizes, capabilities and OS's, I have no fear of running any of the apps, knowing darn well they are not going to corrupt windows.

NOTE: Do not run Easy Cleaner 2.0 on Vista 64 bit or Windows 7, 64 bit.
It runs well, on all 32 bit Windows OS's.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor Cool