Battle Uninstaller clean-up comparison (Free Edition)

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HiBit, Revo, Wise, Geek, IOBit, Glarysoft

jackuars

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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\*
 

jackuars

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Expanded the testing to 9 other uninstallers - more details yet to be included. You can read my full review at Gizmo's Freeware as editor George.J in the next few days for the Best Free Uninstaller category. Note: Only free version of the softwares were tested.

Leftover files cleaning have been tested with
  • CCleaner,
  • Google Chrome,
  • Internet Download Manager,
  • Adobe Flash Player,
  • IrfanView,
  • MediaPlayer Codec Pack,
  • Imgburn,
  • Shareit,
  • Skype &
  • Winrar.
Will post more details later on.

Main featuresSub featuresHiBitBulkCrapRevoSoftorganizerWiseGeekIObitZsoftGlarysoft
Program ratingStars4.5/54/54/53.5/53/53/52.5/52/51/5
Program infoLicence typeFreeFree (c)FreemiumFreemiumFreeFreemiumFreemium
Uninstall typesBatch uninstallYesYesNoYesNoNoYes
Uninstall typesForce uninstallYesYesNoYesYesYesPartial
Uninstall typesManual uninstallYesYesNoNoYesNoNo
Uninstall typesContext menu uninstallYesNoNoYesYesNoYes
Uninstall typesSilent uninstallYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Uninstall typesDrag n drop uninstallYesNoNoNoNoNoPartial
Uninstall typesHunter mode uninstallNoYesYesNoNoNoYes
Uninstall typesConcurrent programs uninstallNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Uninstall typesRepair/modify installPartialYesPartialNoYesPartialYes
Leftovers & monitoringLeftover files cleaning9/107.5/109/106.5/105.5/105.5/104/10
Leftovers & monitoringLeftover cleaning by other uninstallerPartialYesPartialNoYesNoYes
Leftovers & monitoringAuto-clean leftover filesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Leftovers & monitoringVarious scan levels/modesNoYesYesNoNoNoNo
Leftovers & monitoringReal-time monitoringNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Leftovers & monitoringInstall apps with tracing & logsNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Leftovers & monitoringIgnore list - registry entries/filesNoNoYesYesNoNoNo
Leftovers & monitoringUninstall historyYes
Uninstall componentsWindows store apps uninstallYesYesYesYesPartialYesYes
Uninstall componentsProgram components managerYesYesYesPartialYesPartialPartial
Uninstall componentsWindows updates managerYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Uninstall componentsBrowser extension managerYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Uninstall componentsWindows universal apps managerNoYesNoNoYesNoNo
Uninstall componentsUnregistered apps managerYes
Uninstall componentsBundleware apps managerNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Backup & restoreCreate restore pointYesPartialYesYesNoNoYes
Backup & restoreCreate registry backupYesYesNoNoYesNoNo
Backup & restoreUndo changesYesPartialYesYesYesNoPartial
Backup & restoreExport install listYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Backup & restorePortable versionYesYesNoNoYesNo
Backup & restoreAuto updateYesNoYesYesNoNoNo
User interfaceSkinsYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
User interfaceThemesYesNoNoYesNoNoNo
User interfaceRemove program entry from UIYesNoNoPartialNoYesNo
User interfaceHide program entry from UIYesNoNoPartialNoNoNo
User interfaceHide original uninstallation entryYesYesNoNoNoNo
User interfaceRename install entryNoYesYesNoNoYes
User interfaceSearch featureYesYesYesYesYesPartialYes
User interfaceList viewYesYesYesYesYesNoYes
User interfaceIcons viewYesNoYesNoNoNoNo
User interfaceTree viewNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
User interfaceGroup viewNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
User interfaceFolder viewNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
User interfaceSort itemsYesYesYesYesYesPartialYes
User interfaceRefresh paneYesYesYesYesYesYes
App categoriesNew installPartialPartialPartialYesPartialPartialYes
App categoriesInfrequently usedNoPartialYesNoNoYes
Misc featuresVerified Uninstaller certificateNoYesNoNoNoNo
Misc featuresProtected uninstallerNoYesNoNoNoNo
Misc featuresApp user ratingsNoYesYesYesNoPartial
Misc featuresCopy app details to clipboardYes
Misc featuresBatch uninstall script - programsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Misc featuresPowershell un-script - windows appsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Misc featuresMSIesec uninstallNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Program infoInstall sourceNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Program infoInstall locationYesYesYesNoYesYesYes
Program infoRegistry infoYesYesYesNoYesYesNo
Program infoPublisherYesYesYesYesYesNoYes
Program infoVersionYesYesYesPartialYesPartialYes
Program infoType (bit)NoYesYesNoNoYesYes
Program infoInstall dateYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Program infoCommentYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Program infoSize on diskYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Program infoWebsite linkYesYesYesYesNoNoYes
Program infoHelp linkNoNoYesYesNoNoYes
Program infoUpdate linkNoNoYesYesNoNoNo
Program infoFind in GoogleYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Program infoTotal programsYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Program infoTotal program size on diskYesYesNoNoYesYesNo
Additional featuresRegistry cleanerYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresJunk files cleanerYesPartialYesNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresAdvanced disk cleanerYesNoYesNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresEmpty folder cleanerYesNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresShortcuts fixerYesNoNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresFile shredderYesNoYesNoNoYes
Additional featuresDisk wipeNoNoYesNoNoNo
Additional featuresProcesses managerYesNoNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresStartup managerYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresServices managerYesNoPartialNoNoNo
Additional featuresScheduler task managerYesNoPartialNoNoNo
Additional featuresContext menu managerYesNoNoNoNoNo
Additional featuresSystem restore managerYesPartialPartialNoNoYes
Additional featuresSystem informationYesNoPartialNoNoNo
Additional featuresWindows toolsNoNoYesNoNoNo
Additional featuresSoftware updaterNoNoNoYesNoNoYes
Help & SupportUser manualsNoYesYesYesYesPartialYes
Help & SupportVideo tutorialsNoNoYesYesNo
Help & SupportFAQNoNoYesYesYesNoNo
Help & SupportForumsNoPartialNoPartialYesPartialYes
Help & SupportEmail supportYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
 
Last edited:

Stopspying

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Jan 21, 2018
814
Thanks for this, its getting more and more comprehensive.

Its also finally convinced me to try HiBit Uninstaller. I have a few intitial comments to make after trying it out.

It started scanning for software as soon as it ran, no chance to look over the GUI, check if there are settings I want to change etc etc. It also wanted to phone home as soon as the scan of installed software had been run. I tested it by removing Acronis TrueImageHome (it was the only software already installed that I wanted to remove). The clean up of registry entries etc seems to have been very thorough, there is one .dll file that can't be removed until after a restart. I tried to delete that file with the 'delete without a trace' context menu option of Privazer as an experiment, after that run it claimed to have removed it, that is not the case.
 

Tutman

Level 12
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Apr 17, 2020
542
Thanks for this, its getting more and more comprehensive.

Its also finally convinced me to try HiBit Uninstaller. I have a few intitial comments to make after trying it out.

It started scanning for software as soon as it ran, no chance to look over the GUI, check if there are settings I want to change etc etc. It also wanted to phone home as soon as the scan of installed software had been run. I tested it by removing Acronis TrueImageHome (it was the only software already installed that I wanted to remove). The clean up of registry entries etc seems to have been very thorough, there is one .dll file that can't be removed until after a restart. I tried to delete that file with the 'delete without a trace' context menu option of Privazer as an experiment, after that run it claimed to have removed it, that is not the case.
It harmlessly phones home to check for any updates and yes it pulls up the list of installed programs at start. I am spoiled by the program, I just right click on any crap app icon I want to uninstall and run the Hibit Uninstaller from there in the context menu. ;) I also love their Hibit Startup, it is installed on every system in the house and runs at startup to guard for any sneaky installers that try to force themeselves at startup when you install something!
 

Stopspying

Level 19
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Jan 21, 2018
814
I tested it by removing Acronis TrueImageHome (it was the only software already installed that I wanted to remove). The clean up of registry entries etc seems to have been very thorough, there is one .dll file that can't be removed until after a restart. I tried to delete that file with the 'delete without a trace' context menu option of Privazer as an experiment, after that run it claimed to have removed it, that is not the case.
After I restarted the PC the .dll file had been removed but there were still a couple of folders, albeit empty ones, left from the TrueImage installation.

@Tutman It may well be harmlessly phoning home to check for updates, but there have been instances of other software supposedly doing the same in the past while actually reporting back on a lot more. Its a new source of software to me, so I treat them all the same, with a lot of caution, until I'm convinced that they are sound. It might seem like I don't trust anyone, thats not far from the truth, its my computer and data so I trust nobody initially.

I've played around with it a bit more since, trying to work out if its as good as Revo, though that may not be a fair test as I have the Pro version of Revo Uninstaller, but as its what would get replaced by HiBit if its proved to be worthy of doing so I wanted to find out about this. I went to Shareware On Sale to see what software they are offering for free, based on a hunch I have that some of the software there might have a few extra installation files left over from the downloading software you have to use to get software from that site. I'm not sure if this is true with all software from there, but I did notice a lot of extra files left over when helping a friend clean up a bad install from software they'd tried to download using the SOS download tool. HiBit left a few extra files behind compared to Revo, this is by no means a scientific comparison, its just based on one installation and one uninstall process managed by each software.
 

Tutman

Level 12
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Apr 17, 2020
542
After I restarted the PC the .dll file had been removed but there were still a couple of folders, albeit empty ones, left from the TrueImage installation.

@Tutman It may well be harmlessly phoning home to check for updates, but there have been instances of other software supposedly doing the same in the past while actually reporting back on a lot more. Its a new source of software to me, so I treat them all the same, with a lot of caution, until I'm convinced that they are sound. It might seem like I don't trust anyone, thats not far from the truth, its my computer and data so I trust nobody initially.

I've played around with it a bit more since, trying to work out if its as good as Revo, though that may not be a fair test as I have the Pro version of Revo Uninstaller, but as its what would get replaced by HiBit if its proved to be worthy of doing so I wanted to find out about this. I went to Shareware On Sale to see what software they are offering for free, based on a hunch I have that some of the software there might have a few extra installation files left over from the downloading software you have to use to get software from that site. I'm not sure if this is true with all software from there, but I did notice a lot of extra files left over when helping a friend clean up a bad install from software they'd tried to download using the SOS download tool. HiBit left a few extra files behind compared to Revo, this is by no means a scientific comparison, its just based on one installation and one uninstall process managed by each software.
I understand completely about being cautious! Have you checked out the other features? It has a very comprehensive junk /temp file cleanup tool! Can't beat it for free.
 

Stopspying

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I'll give HiBit a (y)for having those tools, I have alternative apps available for all of them but having it all in one place appeals to me. I've checked out the Browser Ext Manager, Start Up Manager (is this as good as the seperate HiBit Startup Manager software?), System Restore Manager and the Context Menu Manager. I'll play around some more with it tomorrow, but as I started work today 16 hours ago I'm going to hit my 'sleep' setting soon. The junk/temp file tool is one I will check out, as I'm not convinced that the Privazer/Wise Care 365 Pro/BleachBit combo currently being played off against each other here finds everything I want removed, or leaves what I want left behind.

Your for free point is very valid, they guy behind it sounds genuine too.
 

ChoiceVoice

Level 6
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Oct 10, 2014
284
these are such difficult tests to carry out and evaluate. like an AV, finding more "things" leftover doesn't necessarily mean that is better. it very well could make it more dangerous, if it is making the metaphoric AVs `false positive" equivalency, and you delete a needed registry key - ouch. obvious services and app data are a no-brainer, and if missed it indicates a true miss. registry keys can be a bit more tricky. i commend you on excellent testing and very interesting post. a good indicator would be to run a snapshot program (before and after) the installation (like the paid revo or advanced uninstaller). then to compare the free after-the-fact leftover scanners with those results: that might pinpoint any false positives. ccleaner would be good to add to the mix (it has a built-in uninstaller too) and advanced uninstaller free.

edit: i see you included ccleaner subsequently :)
 
Last edited:

show-Zi

Level 36
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these are such difficult tests to carry out and evaluate. like an AV, finding more "things" leftover doesn't necessarily mean that is better. it very well could make it more dangerous, if it is making the metaphoric AVs `false positive" equivalency, and you delete a needed registry key - ouch. obvious services and app data are a no-brainer, and if missed it indicates a true miss. registry keys can be a bit more tricky. i commend you on excellent testing and very interesting post. a good indicator would be to run a snapshot program (before and after) the installation (like the paid revo or advanced uninstaller). then to compare the free after-the-fact leftover scanners with those results: that might pinpoint any false positives. ccleaner would be good to add to the mix (it has a built-in uninstaller too) and advanced uninstaller free.

edit: i see you included ccleaner subsequently :)
I mainly use revo, but in the registry deletion item, all the keys including the relevant item are selected, so I feel that it will be a disaster if you click rhythmically and proceed.
 

Tutman

Level 12
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I'll give HiBit a (y)for having those tools, I have alternative apps available for all of them but having it all in one place appeals to me. I've checked out the Browser Ext Manager, Start Up Manager (is this as good as the seperate HiBit Startup Manager software?)
No not as good... almost same function but the Startup Manager tool itself has live real time monitoring! Nothing compares to it that is free. I have tried all the other freebies and not so free ( for example, Startup Star ) and they don't alert you to all startup installs and task schedulers that try to sneak in or else they are flaky and bloated (Startup Star) (This is the closeset thing to the abandoned WinPatrol there is!)

See example of alert:


1595988568333.png
 

roger_m

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Dec 4, 2014
3,176
See example of alert:
That looks quite impressive and I'm going to install it now. I don't use HiBit Uninstaller on my main computer as I use Total Uninstall, but am using on other computers alongside IObit Uninstaller. For programs that IObit monitors the install of, I use IObit to uninstall them. For everything else I use HiBit, as it does a much better job of finding leftovers.
 

Stopspying

Level 19
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Jan 21, 2018
814
No not as good... almost same function but the Startup Manager tool itself has live real time monitoring! Nothing compares to it that is free. I have tried all the other freebies and not so free ( for example, Startup Star ) and they don't alert you to all startup installs and task schedulers that try to sneak in or else they are flaky and bloated (Startup Star) (This is the closeset thing to the abandoned WinPatrol there is!)

I'd almost forgotten WinPatrol, I used it for years, a another example of a good piece of software losing its way when taken over by someone else.
The way that HiBit seems to be really on the ball with monitoring start ups and scheduled tasks is impressive. I'm more and more inclined to give this Uninstaller a really good trial period. Thanks for the feedback on comparitive abilities of the built in start up manager and the dedicated software, I'll put that on my 'to-do' list.

HiBit startup monitoring is one of the best. It monitors a lot of registry autorun entries where malwares can start, task scheduler entries etc.

Thanks, that is another good reason to use it full time.
That looks quite impressive and I'm going to install it now. I don't use HiBit Uninstaller on my main computer as I use Total Uninstall, but am using on other computers alongside IObit Uninstaller. For programs that IObit monitors the install of, I use IObit to uninstall them. For everything else I use HiBit, as it does a much better job of finding leftovers.
I'll be interested in how you rate the monitoring by HiBit when you've had the chance to test it out properly.

Trend Micro+Kerish Doc+O&O SSD

I used TM many years ago and still have a soft spot for them. KD is a software that I've never got on with, not really sure why, I've had the full version several times to check it out, it has a great range of tools but it has often felt like it wanted to take over my devices. I've probably not given it enough time, or myself to read through all the help/FAQs before playing with it. I've never used O&O SSD but have used several of their other products and rated them highly. I'll check it out on a SSD that I'm installing soon on one of our devices.
 
Jul 29, 2020
4
Thank you for the nice and informational thread.
We are the Official representative of Revo Uninstaller.
I mainly use revo, but in the registry deletion item, all the keys including the relevant item are selected, so I feel that it will be a disaster if you click rhythmically and proceed.
There would be no need to be worried, as our product does have implemented security measures, which excludes system entries from such leftovers to be listed.
Additionally, we would like to add some clarification regarding our product Revo Uninstaller Freeware:
We do offer a Portable version of the program,as well it is completely free to be used for end users, without obtrusive ads in it.
 

paulderdash

Level 6
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Apr 28, 2015
271
Thank you for the nice and informational thread.
We are the Official representative of Revo Uninstaller.

...
Additionally, we would like to add some clarification regarding our product Revo Uninstaller Freeware:
We do offer a Portable version of the program,as well it is completely free to be used for end users, without obtrusive ads in it.
Excellent!
And thanks for posting here. (y)
 

jackuars

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Jul 2, 2014
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Thank you for the nice and informational thread.
We are the Official representative of Revo Uninstaller.

There would be no need to be worried, as our product does have implemented security measures, which excludes system entries from such leftovers to be listed.
Additionally, we would like to add some clarification regarding our product Revo Uninstaller Freeware:
We do offer a Portable version of the program,as well it is completely free to be used for end users, without obtrusive ads in it.

I thought the portable version was only limited to the Pro version, but I can see that it's offered in the free version now as well. Was it any different before?

Because the "suitable for use with USB stick" is not checked under Revo Uninstaller Freeware under this link.

Revo Uninstaller Products comparison link
 

show-Zi

Level 36
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Jan 28, 2018
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