preferably some freeware, but i'll take anything more reliable than the stupid add/remove thing in the control panel 
anyone know of a reliable uninstaller?
- Thread starter spidergoolash
- Start date
What specific problems are you having?
FWIW, if I have to resort to using an uninstaller, I've never had a problem with that portion of Norton CleanSweep.
I'd avoid using their registry cleaner, though, as I've seen it reduce stable systems to crash-prone messes.
FWIW, if I have to resort to using an uninstaller, I've never had a problem with that portion of Norton CleanSweep.
I'd avoid using their registry cleaner, though, as I've seen it reduce stable systems to crash-prone messes.
hmm! i usually just delete the folder. never THOUGHT about another uninstaller...
you brat :D
not having any problems really, just want to be able to delete all traces of unwanted crap
Originally posted by spidergoolash
not having any problems really, just want to be able to delete all traces of unwanted crap
This is why I like to do a total format and reinstall about once a year
If you're not afraid of using regedit, you can remove the installed software components just by deleting the entries. Before starting, do the normal uninstall thing in the control panel->add/remove programs.
1) Start->run->regedit->OK
2) Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder by selecting the +.
3) Expand the software folder by selecting the +. Here, you will see all of the applications that you have installed.
4) If you see applications you have uninstalled but are still listed here, just delete the entries, here.
Just be VERY VERY careful mucking with the registry. If you screw it up, you might as well format and reinstall windows from scratch. Oh, and it's a VERY good idea to backup your registry. When in the Registry Editor proggy, just go to Registry->Export Registry File.
Another place to look would be your C:\Windows\system or C:\Windows\system32 directory, but the add/remove should usually clean all of that up.
This leads me to a question. Would it be possible to completely back out an install by doing a backup of those two directories and also exporting the registry file before the install, and then just overwrite the existing directories and registry with the backups after the install?
1) Start->run->regedit->OK
2) Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder by selecting the +.
3) Expand the software folder by selecting the +. Here, you will see all of the applications that you have installed.
4) If you see applications you have uninstalled but are still listed here, just delete the entries, here.
Just be VERY VERY careful mucking with the registry. If you screw it up, you might as well format and reinstall windows from scratch. Oh, and it's a VERY good idea to backup your registry. When in the Registry Editor proggy, just go to Registry->Export Registry File.
Another place to look would be your C:\Windows\system or C:\Windows\system32 directory, but the add/remove should usually clean all of that up.
This leads me to a question. Would it be possible to completely back out an install by doing a backup of those two directories and also exporting the registry file before the install, and then just overwrite the existing directories and registry with the backups after the install?
Originally posted by spidergoolash
not having any problems really, just want to be able to delete all traces of unwanted crap
I'd say Norton CleanSweep is what you're looking for. It works best if you have it running during software installs, since it monitors all files and registry entries, and allows you to simply remove an app via it's logging. Pretty thorough.
It's also handy because even if it didn't log the install, it can still search your system, and track down related files and registry keys and remove then from the system, just by tracing dependences from the Start Menu shortcut for that program.
thanks for the help guys
