Advice Request Best programs for recording registry, folder, file changes made by a new installation?

Please provide comments and solutions that are helpful to the author of this topic.

conceptualclarity

Level 21
Thread author
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Content Creator
Well-known
Aug 23, 2013
1,072
Thanks gentlemen. Lots of good info. I have used some of the programs directly and indirectly referred to. The whole business of make a "before" system snapshot and then an "after" system snapshot can be very time-consuming. I love System Explorer, but I found its snapshots too time-consuming. You may spontaneously decide to install a program, say a giveaway that's about to expire, and not want to wait for the "before" snapshot to get finished.

So is there a good program that can accurately monitor installation changes without needing to run a "before" snapshot?

Maybe not. Which ones are quickest with the snapshots?

Total Uninstall will do that. When you install software, it takes before and after snapshots, so it can see exactly what files and registry keys were created or changed. I tested a number of uninstallers which create snapshots, or do monitoring of installs, a while ago and I found Total Uninstaller to be far superior to anything else - including Revo. The only downsides are that there is no free version and when installing software, you need to right click on the installer and select Monitor with Total Uninstall (otherwise depending on the filename of the installer, it may not be monitored). However, you can get it heavily discounted, if you buy it from BitsDuJour.
.

Thank you roger_m, for alerting us to Total Uninstall. You're very sharp, and I'm always glad to see that you're joining in on a thread.

That BitsDuJour special is for the Essential edition. Here's the features comparison.
TU.png


Maybe the Standard and Professional are on sale somewhere. On the developer website they are $30 and $40 respectively. I may well do a trial.
 
Last edited:

roger_m

Level 41
Verified
Top Poster
Content Creator
Dec 4, 2014
3,014
So is there a good program that can accurately monitor installation changes without needing to run a "before" snapshot?
Comodo Programs Manager does this well, but has issues under Windows 10 and was abandoned years ago. The new version 9 of IObit Uninstaller Pro and Install Monitor, as far as I know, are the only other installers which actually monitor changes, rather than taking snapshots. However, they need some work and can miss files and registry keys, so neither of them are good options, in my opinion.
Which ones are quickest with the snapshots?
Total Uninstall doesn't take long to create snapshots. It's take just 20 seconds to create a snapshot on my laptop. It helps that my laptop has a SSD.
That BitsDuJour special is for the Essential edition.
I didn't notice that. However, from time to time, other versions are on sale at the same link.
 

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top