Need GOOD Uninstaller/cleanup utility - HELP

Question

I just finished reinstalling XP (itself) and started loading my PC with backup programs. During Adobe CS2 installation I had a problem and had to uninstall CS2 (still using it for my little needs). But, as usuall, uninstall did not removed all parts and pieces of Adobe. So, I used CCleaner to the best of my understanding to cleanup the mess. I hope I did the right job. Adobe CS2 already installed back with no problems (yet...).

Personally, the best uninstaller I dealt in the past was... Norton System Works 2005 (NSW for further discussion), maybe newer versions are the same, don't want to buy them as well, Uninstall Program option. It was giving me the option to check file (checked for removal) association with any other files in the registry/system folder/etc. so I could decide - remove or not. Also, if I wanted, I could create bacup of the uninstalled program in case if something would go wrong (I remove some windows component or else). Usually after Uninstall with NSW, I used NSW utility to Scan for Windows problems (left overs after installation, like shortcuts, leftover registry keys and invalid paths, ActiveX Controls left alone end other issues as well) and fix them.

However, for using a few of these options I have to instal all NSW, which significantly degrades performance (due to the multiple running services and Giant memory foot print).

I don't like CCleaner Uninstall option, because it doesn't give me file association links, and it's Fix Issue option doesn't provide me with detailed explanation (NSW did) of the items to be removed - looks very crude. And, also, it seemed to be more radical method of fixing - I did have a problems in past after selecting all items checked for removal.

I also have Advanced Uninstaller PRO 2008 and used it before, but I am not so sure about it.

What are the recommended uninstall/cleanup utilities available (paid versions are o.k as long as they do the job correctly) similar to described NSW uninstall and cleanup utilities.

Also, what are the recomended registry cleanup/maintainance programs which can aid me in these processes.

I really don't want to mess up my new installation with junk things...

One more little thing not related to topic (I dont want to start a new one only for this). Some applications I had in the past, and now, will be installed back, were asking about installation/presence on PC of Microsoft .NET Framework. To my memory, some applications asked version 1.1 and some version 3, so (I guess I was wrong back then) I had installed multiple versions of Framework at the same time.

Question now, if some old program will ask me for 1.1 version and some new program for version 3, can I install the latest version only to prevent issues (and I had some of them with Active X Controls)?

Please advise.

Thanks a lot for the time spended on reading my letter.

Appreciated in advance for any help provided.

Further installation is halt untill I got some answers - My PC is so faster now in comparisson to 1 month ago! I want to keep that speed and leave the problems in trash can...

Edit1: Abosolutely forget.

I have troubles to find following drivers (cannot find discs as well):

Phillips dvd+rw 8701 - was given to exchange for the faulty 8631 model.

Screen Dell UltraSharp 1905 FP 19 inch.

I checked this place already, but nothing is there. Do I need to install drivers for those products - they seem to be working fine, but I did not tested yet writing copabilities of DVDRW.

Message Edited by kisianik on 08-29-2008 08:58 AM

PudgyOne · Answer

Try this but only click on the program you want to cleanup.   Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

kisianik · Answer

This only for

installation of a program that uses Windows Installer

What if it is not? like unwise.exe?

Is there any other suggestions? Also, how to cleanup the mess created by incomplete uninstall? Is Windows Installer Cleanup Utility is 100% bulletproof - doesn't leave anything behind?

Rebel9 · Answer

The Windows Installer Cleanup Utility does NOT remove programs or traces and remnants of an incomplete uninstall. It ONLY removes the Installation Configuration information for a particular application.   For example, each time the Windows Installer is used to install a program, a configuration file is created with data as to what components of an application have been installed, the location of the uninstaller for that application, the location of registry entries for that application, etc. If that configuration file becomes corrupted (which does happen), you may not be able to update the application, add new components (such as additional components of Microsoft Office), or uninstall it completely. The WICU simply erases this configuration information and allows you to install the application again. NOTE - if you run the WICU BEFORE you 'uninstall' an application via the conventional method, you WILL NOT be able to uninstall it. You MUST uninstall the application first, and then run the WICU. If you do happen to run this first, then you will have to install the application again (which creates a new configuration file) and THEN uninstall it.   In most cases, uninstalling a program which has been previously installed via the Windows installer results in a pretty clean removal. If the configuration file becomes corrupted however, the uninstall may fail completely or it may result in a partial removal. The most useful benefit of the WICU is it's ability to erase the configuration information, thereby allowing you to install the program again, and THEN uninstall it (if that's what you want. As I said before, it DOES NOT remove traces of an incomplete installation.

kisianik · Answer

@Rebel9 wrote: The Windows Installer Cleanup Utility does NOT remove programs or traces and remnants of an incomplete uninstall. It ONLY removes the Installation Configuration information for a particular application.   Thanks for the explanation Rebel9 (I actually was thinking the opposite - did not have any experience with WICU). I need exactly the opposite. As anyone read my first post it is easily seen that I am looking for good (the one which explains, gives more info and more options) uninstaller/cleanup utility, which by the way can deal with all types of installation utilities.I can hear everywhere that Symantec is bad because it is bloated, etc. but at this moment I am trying to find the substitution for it. That is exactly what I am looking for.   One more question, I am not that far away with my reinstallation routine - if I had some problems with some programs and had to reinstall them and attempted to clean the mess, or may be cleaned up the mess already - should I just go back and reformat and reinstall OS. My Idea was to install all trusted applications and create Acronis Image to prevent this (reinstallation) hard work. Now, everything is working fine, but I am paranoid, I guess - is there any utility to check is everything is alright???   Thanks for the help here Rebel9. I need more...   Appreciate in advance for any help and time spended here. Thanks

Rebel9 · Answer

Yes, I know what you're looking for, but I don't have any suggestions. I'm not that much of a "clean freak", and it doesn't really bother me if there are a few left over files or a few useless registry entries remaining after an uninstall. Apart from the fact that an unremoved registry entry may conflict with another application (which happens very rarely), I think that the main reason to rid the system of any of these leftovers is an increase in speed.

I used to use registry cleaners, 3rd party uninstallers, etc., but it's almost impossible to determine whether or not the use of these utilities actually resulted in an increase in speed (or even a perceived increase in speed). There has been much discussion lately (on this site and others) regarding the use of registry cleaners and whether or not there is any impact on performance. The consensus seems to be that any increase in performance is negligible at best, but the possible disastrous consequences of using one of these if you are not completely knowledgeable is indeed very real.

As for a utility to check "is everything is alright?" - I don't know of one. The best test is your use of the computer. Is everything functioning properly and without error? If so, then what more do you want? Are you being paranoid? In my opinion - yes - but that's my opinion. As for reformatting and reinstalling everything, that's up to you. I do agree that the use of an imaging program is an excellent idea, and if more people used such an application, many of the woes that we read of would be eliminated.Good Luck!

Rebel9 · Answer

I've come across one uninstaller (free) which has received some faourable comments on a few different forums. You might want to look at the Revo Uninstaller.

blindbatts · Answer

@Rebel9 wrote:
I've come across one uninstaller (free) which has received some faourable comments on a few different forums. You might want to look at the Revo Uninstaller.

+1

that is what I use for a clean uninstall.

kirkd · Answer

I agree, Revo is good. Allows you to select how deep it looks for program remanents.

Windows General

Need GOOD Uninstaller/cleanup utility - HELP

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