Revo Uninstaller is a freeware software utility program for Windows. It was developed by the VS Revo Group and aims to be a much more powerful upgrade to the standard Add/Remove Programs function. The primary difference between Windows uninstalling software and Revo Uninstaller doing it is that Revo’s objective is to also get the leftover registry entries left behind.
In many cases, when using Add/Remove Programs in Windows, the leftover registry files can still cause havoc on a system. Revo Uninstaller wants to eliminate the hassle Windows users have when Add/Remove Programs is not enough.
Revo Uninstaller also has a variety of other features bundled into it for maintaining your computer. These features include:
- Auto Run Manager – Managers auto-run programs and services.
- Junk Files Cleaner – Deletes temporary files from programs.
- Browser Cleaner – Deletes temporary files from browsers.
- Windows Cleaner – Deletes temporary files from Windows.
- Evidence Remover – Overwrites free space on hard drive to prevent restoration of files.
- Unrecoverable Delete – Deletes folders and files to prevent restoration.
- Office Cleaner – Deletes temporary files from Microsoft Office.
Let’s take a look at Revo Uninstaller in action.
How to use Revo Uninstaller
Once you have installed Revo Uninstaller, you want to go ahead and open it up. You do not need to do any set-up or tinker with any settings for the program to begin using it.
When it first loads, you will be on the Uninstaller tab. This will list every program you would normally see under the Add/Remove Programs in Windows. You can click on any program you want to uninstall.
You will be asked to confirm you want to uninstall the program. Click “Yes” to continue.
Revo Uninstaller will give you four options to uninstall any program. These include built-in, safe, moderate and advanced. Moderate is your default selection. Built-in simply runs the uninstaller that came with the software when you installed it. Safe utilizes the built-in uninstaller but also looks for leftover registry files.
Moderate uses the built-in uninstaller, looks for registry files but also looks for leftover temporary files and profiles. Advanced uses the built-in uninstall function, hunts down leftover registry files and also does a deeper scan on your computer to find any files associated with the program to delete them.
For most users, choose “Moderate” and click “Next” to continue.
Revo Uninstaller will begin the process by first creating a system restore point and then do a scan of the application data to know what to look for. It then will begin using the built-in uninstaller for the software.
You will be prompted by the software if you want to uninstall it in a separate window. You want to go ahead and clicks uninstall or whatever it prompts you to. Once it finishes the uninstall process, click back on the Revo Uninstaller window and click “Next.”
Now, Revo Uninstaller will begin to search for hidden files, leftover registry files and more left behind during the uninstall process. This is where Revo Uninstaller shines. It may take several minutes for Revo Uninstaller to hunt down everything still on your computer. When it finishes, click “Next” to continue.
You will be alerted to what registry files were leftover, where they were located and how many are there. You can then choose to delete them or not. Simply click the box next to the registry area where the files are located and click “Next” to continue.
You will then be alerted to any leftover links. You check the box next to them and click “Next.”
Revo Uninstaller will let you know it has finished. Click “Finish” to return to the main screen. You have now successfully uninstalled and ensures all leftover files have been deleted from your computer.
Revo Tools – Autorun Manager, Windows Tools, Junk Files Cleaner
Uninstalling software is not the only thing Revo Uninstaller can do. Click on “Tools.” You are given three tools to use in the free version: Autorun Manager, Windows Tools and Junk Files Cleaner.
Autorun Manager
Click on “Autorun Manager.”
This allows you to manage certain startup programs. When you turn your computer on, it automatically runs certain programs to make it easier to get started with them. You can disable any of the programs in this section by checking the box next to them.
Windows Tools
Now, click on “Windows Tools.”
This area of Revo Uninstaller will give you access to a handful of Windows tools you can use to get information about your operating system. You have access to the original Add/Remove Programs in Windows, as well as Disk Defragmenter and Services. These are all areas of your Windows-based operating system you have access to via the Control Panel.
Junk Files Cleaner
Finally, click on “Junk Files Cleaner.”
Click “Scan” on the toolbar menu to get started. Revo Uninstaller will take some time to scan your operating system for junk files.
When it is finished, you will be given a list of junk files to choose to keep or delete. Check the boxes next to the ones you want to delete, then click “Execute” in the toolbar menu to delete them.
Revo Uninstaller – Other Useful Tools
Now, click on “Tracks Cleaner.” This gives you a host of other cleaning tools to use in Revo Uninstaller, including: Browsers, Microsoft Office and Windows. You also have access to Evidence Remover and Unrecoverable Delete here, too.
Click on “Browsers Cleaner.”
You can work with Internet Explorer, Opera and Netscape in Revo Uninstaller. Simply click what you want to delete for each, and then click “Execute” to clean your browsers.
Click on “Microsoft Office Cleaner.”
Click which programs within the Office suite you want to delete history from. Then, click “Clear” at the top menu bar.
Click “Windows Cleaner.”
Check what you want to clear from within Windows, and then click “Execute” on the top menu bar.
Click “Evidence Remover.”
This allows you to permanently delete folders and files off your computer. This basically physically deletes files and folders you have placed in the Recycle Bin. If you use this function, these files can never, ever be recovered.
Simply click what drive you want to remove evidence from and click “Execute.”
Click “Unrecoverable Delete.”
This feature allows you to add files and folders you choose to permanently delete. Once you have used this feature on a file or folder, it can never be restored. Simply add your files and folders, and then click “DELETE FOREVER.”
If you click on “Hunter Mode,” you will be given a bull’s eye to place on a file, program or folder on your desktop.
This allows you to uninstall it by click on it. This feature should only be used by more advanced Revo Uninstaller users because you can accidentally delete or uninstall something you do not want to get rid of.
You can use AutoUpdate on the top menu bar to check for updates to Revo Uninstaller at any time.
Pros of Revo Uninstaller:
- Eliminates registry and hidden files left behind during the Windows uninstall process.
- Gives you several options for how you want to proceed with an uninstall.
- Makes it easy for anyone to truly uninstall a program and manage temporary files in Windows.
Cons of Revo Uninstaller:
- Can take up to 15 minutes to fully uninstall a large program depending on the type of leftover files involved.
- If Hunter Mode is activated by accident, it can confuse computer users.
Conclusion – How Revo Uninstaller makes a difference.
Revo Uninstaller offers a free version which this walkthrough details but it also has a paid version. While the paid versions offers more features, the free version of Revo Uninstaller gives you everything you need to truly uninstall any program you install on your computer. For any level computer user, Revo Uninstaller is easy to use and can be a benefit when uninstalling programs.
If you are looking for a way to eliminate any leftover files, temporary files and registry files after uninstalling a program, Revo Uninstaller is the way to go and really makes a difference when cleaning up your operating system from clutter left behind.
