Battle Uninstaller clean-up comparison (Free Edition)

Compare list
HiBit, Revo, Wise, Geek, IOBit, Glarysoft

jackuars

Level 27
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Jul 2, 2014
1,688
Just did a testing of 6 free uninstallers to see their cleanup capabilities after un-installation. I used Rollback-RX to take the machine back to it's original state after each test.

HiBit Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller, IOBit Uninstaller, Geek Uninstaller, Wise Program Uninstaller & Glarysoft Absolute Uninstaller were used for the initial tests. The software that was used to do the testing on (install & uninstall) is Google Chrome. Here are the results and my rankings in order. It may not be conclusive as I haven't tested many programs for the verdict.

I will try to test by checking the effectiveness with other software's too as I just started with Google Chrome, and will update the list with paid uninstallers later on. Please let me know what other programs should I do the testing on.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERDICT

1. HiBit uninstaller
2. Revo uninstaller free
3. Wise program uninstaller
4. Geek uninstaller free
5. IObit uninstaller free
6. Glarysoft absolute uninstaller free

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETAILED TEST RESULTS
Spoiler
1. HiBit Uninstaller Free

Leftovers found
163 files and folders
71 registry entries
1 service driver

Deleted folders (includes all sub-folders)
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*

Deleted registry entries (includes all sub-keys)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

Service driver
Google Chrome elevation service

Net Leftovers after un-installation: None

2. Revo Uninstaller Free

Leftovers found
149 files and folders (217 in total, not sure how)
46 registry entries
1 service driver

Deleted folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*

Deleted registry entries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\*

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

3. Wise Program Uninstaller

Leftovers found
158 files and folders
3 registry entries (was surprised at this, but it was showing only parent values)

Deleted folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*

Deleted registry entries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\Update\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\*

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\

4. Geek Uninstaller Free

Leftovers found
151 files and folders
41 registry entries

Deleted folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\*

Deleted registry entries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*

5. IOBit Uninstaller Free (not recommended)

Leftovers found
0 Files and Folders
0 Registry entries
1 service driver

Deleted folders: None

Deleted registry entries: None

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

6. Glarysoft Absolute Uninstaller Free (not recommended)

Leftovers found
0 Files and Folders
0 Registry entries

Deleted folders: None

Deleted registry entries: None

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*
 

roger_m

Level 41
Verified
Top Poster
Content Creator
Dec 4, 2014
3,012
you think its safe to use uninstaller programs since there's no update for a year or so ?
Why wouldn't it be? It's important to keep software such as browsers updated, but for uninstallers I don't think it matters. Based on my testing, Total Uninstaller is better than any of the alternatives. I'd much rather use it, than a newer uninstaller that performs worse.
 

miguelang611

Level 2
Apr 13, 2020
99
Few days ago I made a similar test with just HiBit, iObit and Revo and got same results. Ironically, using manual search on Revo, I couldn't find anything if used HiBit, some of it if used Revo and lots if used iObit.
Worst thing is I used iObit for years. Hopefully, thanks to the hype on forum gave up on that garbage (and also give up of pop-ups and having to disable the service every once I had to use it)
HiBit seems to be an excellent tool. And the extra tools are also excellent. If it could include a scheduler of junk and registry cleaner would be just perfect!
 

jackuars

Level 27
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Jul 2, 2014
1,688
Hopefully someone will do a test with a better scale of programs especially with a huge amount of candy/pup

Am expanding this test to another browser, a game and a codec pack. Unfortunately the codec pack I used K-Lite codec pack complete didn't leave any leftovers. I would like to get suggestions for programs that leaves a lot of leftovers.

After this I will test with paid uninstallers.
 

JohnR

Level 2
Feb 19, 2020
75
Despite HiBit apparently uninstalling more thoroughly than most, am put off by the included junk and registry (EEEEK!) cleaners, although admittedly not forced to use either of those tools.
With possible exception of uninstall AV, a few 'useless' reg entries left behind and in excess of such removed by normal uninstall process are neither here nor there IMO and best left alone.
 

Tutman

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 17, 2020
542
Despite HiBit apparently uninstalling more thoroughly than most, am put off by the included junk and registry (EEEEK!) cleaners, although admittedly not forced to use either of those tools.
With possible exception of uninstall AV, a few 'useless' reg entries left behind and in excess of such removed by normal uninstall process are neither here nor there IMO and best left alone.
But it also has a very useful windows app cleanup/uinstall tool in the menu.
 

mlnevese

Level 26
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
May 3, 2015
1,531
A good test for any uninstaller is to have unrelated files with the name of the software you are uninstalling in another folder. For instance, have some Vivaldi mp3 files in your music folder then try to uninstall the Vivaldi browser. If the uninstaller finds and marks the mp3 files for deletion you know you must be careful with it.
 

Tiamati

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Nov 8, 2016
574
Just did a testing of 6 free uninstallers to see their cleanup capabilities after un-installation. I used Rollback-RX to take the machine back to it's original state after each test.

HiBit Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller, IOBit Uninstaller, Geek Uninstaller, Wise Program Uninstaller & Glarysoft Absolute Uninstaller were used for the initial tests. The software that was used to do the testing on (install & uninstall) is Google Chrome. Here are the results and my rankings in order. It may not be conclusive as I haven't tested many programs for the verdict.

I will try to test by checking the effectiveness with other software's too as I just started with Google Chrome, and will update the list with paid uninstallers later on. Please let me know what other programs should I do the testing on.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERDICT

1. HiBit uninstaller
2. Revo uninstaller free
3. Wise program uninstaller
4. Geek uninstaller free
5. IObit uninstaller free
6. Glarysoft absolute uninstaller free

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETAILED TEST RESULTS
Spoiler
1. HiBit Uninstaller Free

Leftovers found
163 files and folders
71 registry entries
1 service driver

Deleted folders (includes all sub-folders)
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*

Deleted registry entries (includes all sub-keys)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

Service driver
Google Chrome elevation service

Net Leftovers after un-installation: None

2. Revo Uninstaller Free

Leftovers found
149 files and folders (217 in total, not sure how)
46 registry entries
1 service driver

Deleted folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*

Deleted registry entries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\*

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

3. Wise Program Uninstaller

Leftovers found
158 files and folders
3 registry entries (was surprised at this, but it was showing only parent values)

Deleted folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*

Deleted registry entries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\Update\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\*

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\

4. Geek Uninstaller Free

Leftovers found
151 files and folders
41 registry entries

Deleted folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\*

Deleted registry entries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*

5. IOBit Uninstaller Free (not recommended)

Leftovers found
0 Files and Folders
0 Registry entries
1 service driver

Deleted folders: None

Deleted registry entries: None

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

6. Glarysoft Absolute Uninstaller Free (not recommended)

Leftovers found
0 Files and Folders
0 Registry entries

Deleted folders: None

Deleted registry entries: None

Net Leftovers after un-installation:
Folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\*
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\*
Registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\*
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\*
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\*

Any chance to expand the test with more uninstalls?
 

Tutman

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 17, 2020
542
Been using Geek for years, currently trying HiBit, so far I really like it although I think some of the other tools/cleaners included in it may get me into trouble.;)
I see others worrying but I have used all the tools and cleaners included and it's just as safe as Wise Care 365 IMHO. (But finds way more bits to remove!)
 

SumTingWong

Level 28
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 2, 2018
1,702
Why wouldn't it be? It's important to keep software such as browsers updated, but for uninstallers I don't think it matters. Based on my testing, Total Uninstaller is better than any of the alternatives. I'd much rather use it, than a newer uninstaller that performs worse.

Which one is the legit Total Uninstaller official site? There are two of them

 

SumTingWong

Level 28
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 2, 2018
1,702
Here here! I agree! (y)

Funny

Malwarebytes Browser Extension blocked Hibit Uninstaller download page
KTeQPq1sxU.png
 

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