Is add/remove unreliable

satire.Guy · 11-21-2007, 06:31 AM

Is it true that when you uninstall applications through add/remove that it doesn't completely remove the program? If so is there a more efficient way?

PC eye · 11-21-2007, 06:41 AM

That will depend a lot on the program's own uninstaller that the add/remove uses automatically. One retail product for taking care of any leftover folders as well as registry entries is called Cleanse Uninstaller. Manual removal of folders left in case of a program being reinstalled later is often needed since programs leave those behind containing things like personal settings and game saves. A good automatic registry cleaner is advised since you would be surprised at what a good one will find!

addle_brains · 11-21-2007, 07:32 AM

All add/remove does is reference the program's uninstaller. It's the same way as running the programs uninstaller directly. If it doesn't have one, then you might run into trouble.

PC eye · 11-21-2007, 10:39 PM

The add/remove option does remove programs when no uninstall option is seen in the Start>Programs menu folder. Many small programs simpy create that and registry entries where the uninstaller is then accessed by way of the add/remove in the Control Panel.

The Cleanse Uninstaller program is a retail software designed for cleaning up after any uninstaller is used. The shareware version receives the "no bugs found" award by Softpedia whcih carries programs for various OSs. http://www.softpedia.com/progClean/C...ean-33946.html

Another similar program is the Free Uninstaller 1.1 available at http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/U...nstaller.shtml

wwwkingwww · 11-22-2007, 06:22 AM

the stander windows add/remove can not remove the left over info,if you wanna a completely remove ,there are some the third software in the market,google the keyword "perfect uninstaller"

diroga · 11-22-2007, 09:55 AM

here is a list of some recomended applications for the job. http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/11...-replacements/
i have not used them but you should read the commnets on the page and on digg to learn more(click the yello thing with numbers)

PC eye · 11-23-2007, 02:09 AM

After using the uninstaller directly or the add/remove here I often run RegCleaner for any leftover entries in the registry along with CCleaner for removing the installer's temp folder. RegCleaner's main window you see when first going to use it displays all non MS programs installed and their main registry keys for manual removal as well as having and automatic registry cleanup tool.

If you run a search on freewares you will find a ton of sites. One thing to watch out for however is the bugs that are written into some of seemingly good freewares. I never even bother with reviews since a download is evaluated here to see what the story is. I've used a number of downloads from the site there including XP's SP2 and no bugs found in anything.

11-21-2007, 06:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
satire.Guy New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 20	Is add/remove unreliable Is it true that when you uninstall applications through add/remove that it doesn't completely remove the program? If so is there a more efficient way?

11-21-2007, 06:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	That will depend a lot on the program's own uninstaller that the add/remove uses automatically. One retail product for taking care of any leftover folders as well as registry entries is called Cleanse Uninstaller. Manual removal of folders left in case of a program being reinstalled later is often needed since programs leave those behind containing things like personal settings and game saves. A good automatic registry cleaner is advised since you would be surprised at what a good one will find! __________________ Turning the Tongue into a Device Controller http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Sma...ory?id=5647175 Is EBay going out of the Auction Business? http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5626840&page=1

11-21-2007, 07:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
addle_brains Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Highfields, QLD, Australia Posts: 304	All add/remove does is reference the program's uninstaller. It's the same way as running the programs uninstaller directly. If it doesn't have one, then you might run into trouble. __________________ ASUS P5K Deluxe /Wifi API Intel Core2 Duo E6750@3.37GHz 2 x 1Gig 667 RAM Inno3D iChill Nvidia 8600GTS XStriker3 2 x Seagate 250Gig SATA HD Samsung DVD-RAM Thermaltake Beetle CPU cooler Thermaltake 850watt Toughpower CoolerMaster Mystique Silver Aluminium Case

11-21-2007, 10:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	The add/remove option does remove programs when no uninstall option is seen in the Start>Programs menu folder. Many small programs simpy create that and registry entries where the uninstaller is then accessed by way of the add/remove in the Control Panel. The Cleanse Uninstaller program is a retail software designed for cleaning up after any uninstaller is used. The shareware version receives the "no bugs found" award by Softpedia whcih carries programs for various OSs. http://www.softpedia.com/progClean/C...ean-33946.html Another similar program is the Free Uninstaller 1.1 available at http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/U...nstaller.shtml __________________ Turning the Tongue into a Device Controller http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Sma...ory?id=5647175 Is EBay going out of the Auction Business? http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5626840&page=1

11-22-2007, 09:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
diroga Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WA,USA Posts: 863	here is a list of some recomended applications for the job. http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/11...-replacements/ i have not used them but you should read the commnets on the page and on digg to learn more(click the yello thing with numbers) __________________ How to be a h@(%er 1. turn off computer 2. read a book 3. ???? 4. proffit

11-22-2007, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
wwwkingwww New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 10	the stander windows add/remove can not remove the left over info,if you wanna a completely remove ,there are some the third software in the market,google the keyword "perfect uninstaller"

11-23-2007, 02:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	After using the uninstaller directly or the add/remove here I often run RegCleaner for any leftover entries in the registry along with CCleaner for removing the installer's temp folder. RegCleaner's main window you see when first going to use it displays all non MS programs installed and their main registry keys for manual removal as well as having and automatic registry cleanup tool. If you run a search on freewares you will find a ton of sites. One thing to watch out for however is the bugs that are written into some of seemingly good freewares. I never even bother with reviews since a download is evaluated here to see what the story is. I've used a number of downloads from the site there including XP's SP2 and no bugs found in anything. __________________ Turning the Tongue into a Device Controller http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Sma...ory?id=5647175 Is EBay going out of the Auction Business? http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5626840&page=1

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