Battle Best Free Uninstaller App (& Difference vs CCleaner, etc)

[vertigo]

I'm looking for the best free uninstaller in terms of safety (not deleting stuff it shouldn't) > performance (deleting as much as possible of what it should). I've never used a dedicated uninstaller program before, nor have I really felt the need to. I install tons of programs, and I've rarely had difficulties removing them, certainly nothing a reboot didn't help resolve. And I've typically just used CCleaner periodically to clean up extra crap left behind. That said, I'm interested in trying one or two, but it's not important enough for me to pay for, let alone an annual fee, hence why Revo isn't an option (the free version of it doesn't have full x64 support and I seem to recall reading another issue with the free version). Here's my options and what I like and don't like about each (and please explain why you prefer a certain program):

Primo / Regshot (Primo is a newer fork of Regshot)
+Completely free & open-source
+Use snapshots (I realize this isn't a perfect way of doing it and has potential drawbacks, but to me it seems like it would be the most thorough and accurate)
+Seem to have a good reputation
+Portable

Mirekusoft Install Monitor
+Realtime monitoring of installations (don't have to remember to manually take a snapshot before and after)
-Realtime monitoring (having a program always running just to monitor the occasional install seems counter-productive, and I'd probably lose more performance from this than I would gain from the cleaner uninstalls)
-Freeware according to majorgeeks but have to buy from mirekusoft website, which doesn't specify license duration, so that's not very encouraging (only reasons I'm considering this despite it costing $ is due to the monitoring and if it's a lifetime license, not a subscription)

ZSoft Uninstaller
+Completely free
+Uses snapshots
-Doesn't seem as widely used/regarded as others

Soft Organizer
+Uses snapshots
-Not free and website doesn't specify duration of license, probably won't use but if it's a lifetime license and really good I might

Geek Uninstaller Free
+Good reputation
+Seems to do well in reviews
+Portable
-Free version is limited

Wise Program Uninstaller
+Free
+Wise products appear to be well-liked
-Says "No need to install it" on download page but then gives you a setup file

IObit Uninstaller
+Many people seem to really like it
+/-Free(mium)
-People don't like IObit*

CCleaner / Kerish Doctor / Wise Care 365 / PrivaZer
What's the difference between using an uninstaller program, which runs the official uninstaller then cleans up what's left, vs running the official uninstaller through add/remove then using one of these programs to do the clean up? Is it just that the uninstaller apps have a more limited, and therefore safer, scope, or is there more to it, i.e. do the uninstaller programs use "definitions" to know what to look for and where vs just looking randomly for trash or use some other method that goes beyond what these programs do?

*From what I can tell, people take issue with IObit over them stealing MWB's definitions years ago. I don't know much about that, or if it was even proven, but if it is indeed true I wouldn't want to give them my business. However, since this is a free app, if that's the only issue people have with them, I see no reason not to use it if it's good. So is that it, or are there other reasons to avoid their products? I ask not only in regards to this but their Unlocker program which I use.

OT, when I tried posting this with too many tags, I got the following error:

• You may only apply 10 tags to this content.
• This content may only have 5 tags in total.

Huh?? Which is it, 5 or 10 (it's 10, BTW)?

 

[vertigo]

Question about the polling: what do the options "display votes publicly" and "allow the results to be viewed without voting" do? My initial assumption was that the first one makes it so everyone can see the results, not just me and the second one makes it so the results would be visible right away, without having to vote first, but then I thought maybe the first one makes it so they're visible right away and the second one decides whether voting is required to show them. Which is it?

 

[frogboy]

For good or bad I use IObit Uninstaller - Best Free Software Uninstall Tool for Your Windows XP/7/8/10 PC Plus Geek Uninstaller - the best FREE uninstaller suits my needs just fine.

 

[Rengar]

Revo Uninstaller

 

[Faybert]

I wore the Wise Program Uninstaller, and always made your work well, the others cited I've never tested.

 

[vertigo]

For good or bad I use IObit Uninstaller - Best Free Software Uninstall Tool for Your Windows XP/7/8/10 PC Plus Geek Uninstaller - the best FREE uninstaller suits my needs just fine.

Revo Uninstaller

Any particular reason? And as I said in the post, Revo isn't a consideration for me, so do you have a preference from the given options?

 

[frogboy]

Any particular reason? And as I said in the post, Revo isn't a consideration for me, so do you have a preference from the given options?

Mainly because both seem to be very thorough. Getting most if not all the leftovers.

 

[Electr0n]

Been a long time user of revo uninstaller l prefer it because it does a really good job to remove leftovers of the uninstalled program and the hunter mode is really useful when getting rid of a bunch of programs from a machine.
Edit : sorry, didn't see that revo was out of option. In that case I would prefer windows add remove followed by CCleaner.

 

[Deletedmessiah]

Iobit Uninstaller free. I have Revo pro and I think I prefer Iobit even over Revo pro.
If you get worried about Iobit spying or something, just disallow connections in firewall. People have issues with the company and some of their other products but the program itself is great.
I think Revo's free version supports 64 bit for a while now.

 

[roger_m]

The free version of Revo has had 64 bit support since v2 was released in August of 2016.
Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Version History

I've used every uninstaller and based on my experience, Comodo Programs Manager is by the far the best. It automatically monitors installs, without causing any loss in performance while doing so. However, I'm using it on a Windows 10 computer and from time to time it stops working and needs to be reinstalled.

From your list of uninstallers, I prefer IObit Uninstaller. It does a very good job of finding leftovers, can scan for leftovers after rebooting and has a batch uninstall mode, which lets you uninstall multiple programs, one after the other, and then it will show the list of leftovers it found for every program.

 

[BoraMurdar]

I didn't try the first 4 in the poll so I cannot speak for them.
Among others IObit finds the most leftovers when the program which is about to be uninstalled is scattered in multiple places : Program Files, Program Data, %Users% ,App Data etc.

I have to mention BC Uninstaller. It is probably the best in doing what it does. Like IObit it has batch uninstall mode, but BC has a nifty option to uninstall a bunch of programs without user intervention (Clicking OK, I agree, I understand etc.) It can show Windows updates and Metro Apps, but also some Windows components like .net and Gadgets (Win 7).
When you install MS Office for example, and choose to install only Word, PowerPoint and Excel, installers for other components will sit on your disk aswell, in a case you change your mind and want to install additional programs in a future. Well, BC will detect those also. Of course, wanting to uninstall those will cost you to remove all preconfigured program protections in BC advanced settings.
When uninstalling is done, searching for a leftovers begins and BC can sort which items are safe and which items are questionable to remove from the system.

Personally, I don't expect of Uninstaller program to sit in a background and wait for a installation, creates a snapshot and boom, a miracle happened. That way, later uninstallation is the most accurate, yes, but only for the people who test software on real / host machines and don't want any interference. And that should be rare on many levels.

 

[TairikuOkami]

What's the difference between using an uninstaller program, which runs the official uninstaller then cleans up what's left, vs running the official uninstaller through add/remove then using one of these programs to do the clean up? Is it just that the uninstaller apps have a more limited, and therefore safer, scope, or is there more to it, i.e. do the uninstaller programs use "definitions" to know what to look for and where vs just looking randomly for trash or use some other method that goes beyond what these programs do?

The official uninstaller basically only removes the entry from Installed apps and basic files and that is it.
3rd party uninstaller tries to remove everything related to it (config, logs), some leftovers might cause issues.
Zemana, even portable version, leaves 2 services running, imagine, what it might cause, if you install other AV.

hence why Revo isn't an option (the free version of it doesn't have full x64 support

Revo added 64-bit support eventually, since many apps are 64-bit anyway, the free version would not make much sense otherwise.

*From what I can tell, people take issue with IObit over them stealing MWB's definitions years ago. I don't know much about that, or if it was even proven, but if it is indeed true I wouldn't want to give them my business. However, since this is a free app, if that's the only issue people have with them, I see no reason not to use it if it's good. So is that it, or are there other reasons to avoid their products? I ask not only in regards to this but their Unlocker program which I use.

I for one do not like false advertising, like 100% malware protection, increased performance by 900%, etc.
IoBit software can trash Windows. Not to mention, that IoBit products are inferior, but very well advertised.

Wise Program Uninstaller
-Says "No need to install it" on download page but then gives you a setup file

The portable version is in the download section, though not on the main page, I guess not many people use it anyway.

WiseCleaner Downloads - Download Free Registry Cleaner, Download Free Disk Cleaner, Download Wise Care 365

I prefer Wise, because of Forced Uninstall, not many freeware allow that, it is ussually a paid feature.

 

[frogboy]

The official uninstaller basically only removes the entry from Installed apps and basic files and that is it.
3rd party uninstaller tries to remove everything related to it (config, logs), some leftovers might cause issues.
Zemana, even portable version, leaves 2 services running, imagine, what it might cause, if you install other AV.


Revo added 64-bit support eventually, since many apps are 64-bit anyway, the free version would not make much sense otherwise.


I for one do not like false advertising, like 100% malware protection, increased performance by 900%, etc.
IoBit software can trash Windows. Not to mention, that IoBit products are inferior, but very well advertised.


The portable version is in the download section, though not on the main page, I guess not many people use it anyway.

WiseCleaner Downloads - Download Free Registry Cleaner, Download Free Disk Cleaner, Download Wise Care 365

I prefer Wise, because of Forced Uninstall, not many freeware allow that, it is ussually a paid feature.

Have you ever tried IOBit uninstaller reading between the lines I am guessing not, very quick to come down on a software you have not tried first.

 

[roger_m]

I for one do not like false advertising, like 100% malware protection, increased performance by 900%, etc.
IoBit software can trash Windows. Not to mention, that IoBit products are inferior, but very well advertised.

I agree with you about the misleading advertising. But, their products are safe to use these days, as I got them to fix false positives with the registry cleaner in ASC a few years ago. Personally, I feel that IObit Uninstaller is much better than Wise Program Uninstaller. But, I do have both installed on my system and I'm sure that WPU will continue to improve with future releases.

 

[TairikuOkami]

Have you ever tried IOBit uninstaller reading between the lines I am guessing not, very quick to come down on a software you have not tried first.

How else could I comment on it? I check virtually every software about once a year, because they tend to change.
Iobit driver updater is definitely a garbage, it finds nothing compared to other driver updaters, yet it is promoted as the best.

 

[Sunshine-boy]

I prefer Wise, because of Forced Uninstall,

Me too.also, it's completely free while others are not:notworthy: another good choice is Soft Organizer but it has a little FP.

 

[TairikuOkami]

I have just did a quick roundabout, since I am going to reinstall within a week anyway, and it is time to change allegiance.

Firefox was a nice software for testing, after using Wise, IoBit and Soft, I was greeted with this before the next setup.



After using Geek Uninstaller, Firefox started fresh. I am going to try some more software, but since it also has forced uninstall for free. It looks like a winner.

 

[AtlBo]

Comodo Programs Manager/Revo Free Portable.

CPM doesn't record all installations (about 95%). Unrecorded I use Revo Portable. CPM is essentially brilliant honestly after 6 years using the program, but it can be difficult to manage. Bluescreens from other events and other system calamities can break its functionality, which can be restored but requires some effort. Happens once every two years maybe, so it doesn't bother me. CPM also requires some configuration to function on Windows 10.

Tried Iobit, Wise, Z-Soft, Advanced Uninstaller Pro, but CPM is different than all but Iobit. The difference is CPM is safe to use and not a bantering security hole like Iobit UI seems to be and the engineering is better in CPM. For example, it detects shared .dlls and notifies the user of them so user can keep them (rare event). Otherwise, I haven't once run into an issue deleting everything without a second thought. I can't explain CPM, but it is apparent to me that there are serious considerations in the monitoring/recording engineering.

Sometimes I don't understand how a company like Comodo comes up with something like CPM out of the blue. It's sophisticated enough at its core to give me long term hope for Comodo Firewall lol. @TairikuOkami Geek uninstaller sounds good. Haven't tried it, so maybe I will try it. Looking for another go to program.

 

[Duotone]

Vote goes to Geek Uninstaller: This help me a lot when I was still using AX64 Time Machine it removed all the previous install of AX64 that's been causing some conflict that even REVO didn't find/removed.

 

[212eta]

Geek Uninstaller and Revo when it comes to Freeware.