A little understanding goes a long way...

Jarvoworld

Hello, been trying your uninstaller out and does indeed seem to be more efficient than say Revo as an example.
My question is does your and other uninstallers start by addressing the same "uninstall" files/logs, if present, that "windows" creates when installing a program and then go on to do a more thorough job than Windows can do OR does your program address the issue in a completely different way from the first click?

I came across Uninstalr after an issue with windows uninstaller leaving Kaspersky internet security 50% removed and even there own removal tool failing in the task.

Regards Paul

jv16

Uninstalr works in an entirely different way than any other uninstaller that I'm aware of.

Firstly, Uninstalr scans the entire system to look for installed apps and leftovers while other uninstallers don't really do that, other than Bulk Crap Uninstaller. That is why other uninstallers cannot typically detect things such as portable apps. What they do is basically just read the same registry keys that Windows Installed Apps listing does, that is why they can display the list of installed apps instantly while Uninstalr typically takes a couple of seconds to scan the system.

Secondly, Uninstalr uses a custom uninstallation engine to perform the final uninstallation. Most other uninstallers simply run the app's own uninstaller and then perform some kind of leftover scan afterwards. This is why their uninstallation performance is so poor, and why they cannot display a list of paths to be removed before the uninstallation starts.

So yes, Uninstalr works in a completely different way from the first click.

Jarvoworld

Thank you for very interesting reply. Another plus point of your software in my opinion is the concise way it lists all the left overs. Even with a large number, much simpler to read than a full "hierarchy" list with every single key and value.
You stress the importance of checking the full list of items to be removed, so far using uninstalr I have had no false positives, unlike Revo that led to a blue screen after use. Interestingly, following a system recovery from a "restore point", was able to recreate and and compare your software's list vs Revo. Used Unistalalr for the first time efficiently removed Acronis product no issues.
Best wishes Paul London UK

jv16

Thank you very much! We are currently updating the UI on the final screen before the uninstallation starts, to make it even easier to unselect paths from being removed during the uninstallation. I expect this updated version to be released soon, as I consider it a high priority update.

Jarvoworld

So in the circumstances where you want to uninstall a program (in my case "Kaspersky standard", which I have had mixed results with standard windows uninstaller in the past), are you suggesting one use "Uninstair" from the start to uninstall any software and side-line windows own?

jv16

I'm afraid I don't quite understand your question. But since this is an antivirus product, uninstalling it with any third party uninstaller is not recommended, as antivirus products are protected against automatic removal (otherwise any malware that gets in to your system could simply uninstall your antivirus program and fully take over your system).

If you attempt to uninstall this with Uninstalr, you should see an additional warning that it is not recommended to proceed.

I would recommend you to uninstall any antivirus products using their own uninstaller. Some of them also provide an additional "removal tool" which can be used to remove the said antivirus in case their uninstallation fails somehow. For example, this is Kaspersky's own removal tool: https://support.kaspersky.com/common/uninstall/1464

Jarvoworld

Thank you and of course that makes sense in the case of an Anti-virus/internet security piece of software, had not thought of that.
Sorry if previous question not written clearly.
So for other software (excepting anti virus/malware etc, for which you should use windows or software supplies own uninstall package), do you recommend using Windows Uninstaller first and then if any problems use your Uninstair to clean up OR use Uninstair from the start, as an example Acronis True Image?
Regards Paul.

jv16

It depends on the case. For example, if I need to uninstall many software in a batch, I would use Uninstalr to do that. But if I'm just uninstalling a simple one app, I would first always run its normal uninstaller via Windows Installed Apps feature, and only if that fails, would use Uninstalr to do so.