In this article, many tools will be presented that reveal the question “ how to uninstall a program from a computer". There are a lot of such utilities, but here I'm going to put everything together and summarize, talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each program. Which one to use subsequently is up to the user to decide. Since the functionality of many uninstallers is similar, it is difficult to determine exactly the best utility, but the user can choose to his liking.
Why do we need uninstaller programs? Such tools are able to remove unnecessary software along with the garbage that they leave in different places on the system disk and registry entries. Add or Remove Programs is a built-in Windows feature that prevents you from doing this. In fact, it only deletes the folder located on the C drive.
How to uninstall a program using the Uninstall Tool
How do I completely remove a program from my computer? Of course, . This is the tool I use the most, but that doesn't mean it's the best.
The latest versions have a pleasant and user-friendly interface that will be understandable even for a beginner. The programs are arranged in a list, and the columns contain information about the size, installation date. To remove any program, just double-click on the item.
There is an autorun function where you can disable the software that starts when Windows starts.
Below there are tabs where you can switch between installed programs, system, hidden, Windows Store Apps and recently installed. Yes, you can even uninstall Windows applications.
CCleaner - system cleaning and optimization
There are two versions - free and paid. The first is enough for the average user. Many people know CCleaner. It is able to clean the system of garbage, remove old and damaged registry entries, and remove programs, including Windows Apps. There are functions for startup, system recovery, erasing disks.
How to uninstall a program using Revo Uninstaller
Another program to remove programs. A good tool that has proven itself. There is a Russian language, it is supported by any version of the Windows family, even XP.
In the main window you can see icons of programs that can be removed. It also has a program tracking function. For example, if you are not aware of what software is running in the background, using the "Hunter Mode" something like a sight will be displayed on the screen, which can be aimed at any phenomenon caused by an unknown program. If an error message or notification appears, aim the sight at the window and a menu will appear with the ability to stop the unknown.
There is also a paid reaction, in which there is the possibility of mass removal of programs, but here a free one is enough.
How to uninstall a program in Windows 10? With IObit Uninstaller, of course. But the utility works on any version of Windows. After removing unnecessary software, a scanner is launched that finds leftovers, and then cleans the system of them. The interface is designed in dark colors, and the programs are arranged in a list that can be sorted by size, name, or installation date.
The program is Russian, and also has the function of deleting data without the possibility of recovery. A sort of function for the paranoid. There is an option to create a restore point before deleting, which is useful. A restore point will help you return the system by date to the state when it was working.
How to uninstall a program using Ashampoo Uninstaller
Another utility has arrived. Products from the company are mostly always paid, so it's up to you whether to spend money on a utility if there are free analogues. By the way, this particular program can be downloaded for free, more on that below.
Like other analogs, Ashampoo Uninstaller removes software along with garbage, and has additional tools, which include:
- Optimizing your disk by cleaning up trash;
- Optimization of the registry;
- Clearing browser data and cache;
- HDD defragmentation function;
- Other.
Another feature is tracking the installed software. You can install via Ashampoo Uninstaller, after which the utility will track all program actions. This helps to better clean the system from residues.
By the way, the program has been free for several years. And you can download it at this link. To get it for free, you need to register an E-Mail to receive an activation key.
Removing programs with Advanced SystemCare Free
This tool has a set of features aimed at optimizing the system, but the function of removing programs with cleaning traces is also there. In addition, there are the following options:
- Registry cleaning and HDD defragmentation;
- Cleaning up garbage in any system directories;
- General optimization for Windows performance;
- Removal of viruses;
- Blocking ads;
- Diagnostics of disks;
- Internet acceleration;
- Cleaning junk files of browsers;
- And much more.
Of course, some users had problems with this program, but there are also positive reviews. If interested, you can try.
How to uninstall a program from Total Uninstall
In principle, there is nothing to say about this program, since the interface and capabilities are similar to Uninstall Toot or Revo Uninstall. But there is one possibility that distinguishes it from the indicated ones - it is the transfer of installed programs to another PC. The utility analyzes the system, then creates a backup, which includes not only files and folders, but also registry entries. To restore this copy, you need to install Total Uninstall.
According to user reviews, the program slows down, but this is only the first minute. By the way, the license of the program is paid and costs almost $ 30.
Uninstall programs with Geek Uninstaller
I also reviewed this utility in one of my articles. Quite a good thing with a minimalistic interface. There is nothing superfluous in the main window, just a list of software. ().
Everything here is according to the standard - uninstalling the program, cleaning up the garbage, plus spying on new installations.
The interface is made in a style that is understandable for any user, there is even a rating of installed programs. The view can be made as a list or as a list ().
There is also a function that allows you to restore what was deleted.
If you wondered how to uninstall a program in Windows Absolute Uninstaller is also suitable for this purpose. Here you can delete in groups, you can create backups and restore on a new system. This is a free option with features found in the paid versions.
The interface has a convenient list with information about the publisher, installation date and size. The software that the user has just installed will be marked "New!"
Should I Remove It?
This utility allows you to search your computer for those programs that users most often remove. The information is taken from the database. The deletion status is shown in the Removal column. If the color is red, then such a program is removed most often, which means that something is wrong with it.
And this tool allows you to uninstall NVIDIA drivers. It will come in handy in cases when, after deleting with the above utilities, it is not possible to install a new driver for a video card on a new one. The program also cleans up all traces of the driver, and after rebooting the system, you can try to install the driver again.
The peculiarity is that you need to use it in safe mode, then a restore point is created and deleted.
conclusions
Undoubtedly, there are many other programs for removing other programs. Uninstallers, unlike the standard feature in Windows, completely rid the computer of unnecessary files and records, so do not miss this opportunity.
If you do not clean the system in time, the consequences are obvious - over time Windows will slow down, errors may occur, and this, in turn, greatly affects the user's productivity in any activity.
Not every novice computer user knows that it is necessary to delete an old, no longer necessary, program from a computer, strictly "according to science." Otherwise, the computer may malfunction.
Recently I was surprised by a friend who decided to delete the program with the Delete button. He easily removed the shortcuts from the desktop, found the program folder in Program Files and also wanted to delete this folder with the Delete button. But it didn't work!
So, let's proceed to the correct removal of the program from the computer.
Press the Start button 1. On the tab that opens, click the Control Panel button 2. 
In the window that opens, we find the button Programs and Features and press it. 
A window will open with a list of programs installed on your computer. Find the program you want to uninstall and click on it. The program will be highlighted in blue, and a button will appear above the list of programs Delete... Click on the button Delete.
A window will appear in which you will be asked again "Do you really want to delete ...". Also, there is a line here Delete user data. If you put a check mark in front of this line, then, together with the program, all information accumulated during the use of the program will be deleted.
If you are not going to use this program anymore, then it is better to delete all data so that it does not litter the system. If you just want to reinstall the program, then it is better not to delete user data. They will still be useful to you.
Removing programs in Windows XP
Now let's see how you can uninstall the program in Windows XP. 
Press the Start button 1. On the tab that opens, press the Control Panel 2 button 
On the tab that opens, we find the button Installation and removal of programms and double-click on it. 
A window will open with a list of programs installed on your computer. Find the program you want to uninstall and click on it. The program will be highlighted in blue, and a Delete button will appear on the right. Click on the button Delete.
In the window that opens, you will be asked: "Do you really want to delete ...". Click the Yes button and the program will be removed from the computer.
Remove the program from the computer- it would seem, what is easier? Using standard Windows tools, this is done through a special item in the Control Panel.
For Windows 7 and Windows 8 go in:
Start - Control Panel - Programs and Features (when viewing "Large / Small Icons")
Start - Control Panel - Uninstall a program (when viewing "Category")
For Windows XP:
Start - Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs.
the uninstaller will start, which is included with the program itself, and you can safely uninstall, guided by the prompts in the window.
You can also uninstall the program using a special file, which is most often called Uninstall and is located in the program folder in the Programm Files. But this method is for more inquisitive perverts, as well as if there is no name of this program in the list of installed programs in the Control Panel.
This is how most novice users delete. And it's good if they know where this item is in the Control Panel. And it happens that they do not know. But that's another story ...
But this method has one drawback. The fact is that during installation, the program not only creates its own folders and files (which can be immediately seen in Programm Files, on the Desktop, in the Start menu, Quick Launch Bar, etc. - it depends on the program and how you yourself want ), but also writes its paths to, adds itself to startup, creates additional folders, adds an item to the context menu, creates and much more. It depends on the program itself. These are collectively often referred to as "tails" or "garbage".
And when you uninstall programs in the standard way, it is not always possible to clean these very tails, even if the uninstall program asks for a restart (and I strongly recommend that you agree with this point). But the program is still deleted, but the garbage remains. You do not notice him because he does not bother you. And over time, this rubbish becomes quite a lot (with frequent installation and removal of programs) and from it the computer starts to "slow down", conflict, disk space decreases, etc.
For these purposes, special cleaning programs have been invented, but about them in another article. And now I will give you a couple of good free programs with a Russian interface that will help you fully delete the program along with its tails and leftovers.
IObit Uninstaller- great program for uninstalling programs that does not require installation.
to select the Russian language, click on the link above More- Language - Russian
An excellent program that can easily replace the standard uninstallation of programs. You can "throw" it on a USB flash drive.
You can just put it on the desktop and run it when uninstalling.
What else is good about it:
and many more interesting things.
When uninstalling, it will display a confirmation message, then delete it and ask you to do a "Powerful scan" in which it searches for all the garbage left over from the program.
Video from Americans about this program
You can download this wonderful program at the link from.
Revo Uninstaller- this product is much more serious than the previous one and the size of the installation file is almost 5 times larger. And all this is due to its components:
In general, this is just a combine, the basis of which is the removal of programs, and then the auxiliary modules, which are described above.
And everything would be fine, but such a program simply cannot be without a catch and there is one - this is the fact that it is free for 30 days. But I think this time will be enough for you to do everything you wanted with her help.
Video from the developers of the program, about its innovations
Download the program for "smart" removal of programs along with the garbage - you can follow the link with.
GeekUninstaller - a program for removing programs and their "tails". It does not require installation (portable) and works under all versions of Windows 7/8 / XP / Vista / 2003/2008.
The program interface is outrageously simple:
It immediately shows the list of installed programs. Below there is a search by name (you need to enter). The lower bar shows how many programs there are in total and their size.
The list of programs can be exported to HTML file for later viewing in.
On the menu Actions you can find out the program entries in and the folder of the file location (they will open themselves when selected).
In addition, you can delete an entry from this list and search for the name of this program in the Google search engine.
You can simply uninstall the program ( Actions -> Uninstall), then the uninstall wizard of the program itself will start and will uninstall in the standard way, and then the program will display a message about possible "tails" and offer to remove them.
You can also choose Forced deletion, which is useful for uninstalling programs that require a password to uninstall or when the program is not uninstalled in the standard way.
As a result of the actions of these options, the scan will start
then a window will appear containing a report on the found "tails"
Well, after pressing the button Delete the program will issue a successful completion
The overall impression of the program is pretty good. Especially when you consider that you do not need to install and can be carried with you. Everything that is needed is present and removes efficiently and completely.
I will add that it is better to use programs to completely remove programs.
Many novice users use the Wrong removal of programs from the computer. They understand where a program was installed on the computer (for example, by default to the Program Files folder on the system drive) and when a program is no longer needed, they simply find the folder with the files of this program and delete it.
Of course, in this way, most of the files of this uninstalled program will be deleted. But, at the same time, some files may still remain on the computer, which during the installation of the program were placed in other places on the computer (besides the Program Files folder). And if they are not removed too, they can interfere with the correct operation of the computer. For example, it can visibly affect the performance of the computer when many programs have been uninstalled incorrectly.
Therefore, in this article we will talk about the correct removal of programs from your computer. Let's first consider uninstalling programs using standard methods available without installing additional tools for the correct uninstallation of programs. And then let's talk about an even more reliable way to uninstall programs using special applications.
1. Removing programs through the Start menu
If during the installation of a program in the installation settings it was specified that the shortcuts for launching the program and its uninstallation (removal) were also placed in the Start menu, then you can uninstall the program via the uninstall shortcut (if it is present there).
For example, let's take a look at a snapshot of the Start menu shortcuts of some installed programs. Note that some programs ( AIMP3 and Any Video Converter) there are uninstall files Uninstall... When you click on this shortcut, uninstallation of the selected program will start:
But, we also see that some programs ( 7-Zip and avast! Free Antivirus) shortcuts to remove them from the computer - no.
Therefore, we turn to the consideration of the second method of removing programs from the computer - through Program Files.
2. Removing programs through the Program Files folder
Programs are installed where we define them during installation, and usually it is in the folder Program Files on the system disk, i.e. on the disk where the operating system is installed.
Let's find, for example, a folder with program files. In this case, the file that launches the removal of this program from the computer is designated as: uninstall.exe:
Other programs may have something similar: uninstal.exe, uninst.exe, unins.exe or something similar, where there is a mention of uninstallation ( uninstall) with the addition at the end of the extension .exe.
As you can see from the example of this 7-Zip program, in the Start menu we did not find an opportunity to remove it, but in the folder Program Files she is. Although for some programs in this folder, we may not find an opportunity to delete them.
So, for example, in avast! Free Antivirus we do not find a shortcut to uninstall in the start menu, nor an uninstal file in the folder Program Files... How, then, to remove such programs? For example, this can be done using special Windows tools for uninstalling programs.
3. Removing programs through the Control Panel
We go through the Start menu in Control Panel:
After that, a list of programs installed on the computer will be provided, in which we can select the program that we want to remove and click on the link Delete / Change, and then confirm the deletion:
As you can see, in this case we have already found how to uninstall the program when there is no way to uninstall it using one of the first two methods described above.
We used all these three methods without installing additional applications on the computer to uninstall programs. And any of these methods, of course, is better than simply deleting the folder with all the installed program files, for example, like this:
In general, I will mention again that it is wrong to delete this way! Better to use one of the above methods. But, even better (more convenient and more efficient), remove programs using special programs.
4. Free program to uninstall programs
According to some experienced users, the standard deletion in the above methods still does not completely remove all files related to the program to be removed. Therefore, it is recommended to use special programs (free) such as CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller.
We will probably talk about Revo Uninstaller sometime in a separate article, since it is a little more difficult for novice users to use than CCleaner. And, so it remains only to consider how to remove programs using it.
We go in the CCleaner program to the section Service->, select the program you want to uninstall, click on Uninstall and confirm the deletion:
Removing programs this way (using CCleaner) is more convenient and efficient than the above methods. But, nevertheless, it is also useful to know about them.
It's easy enough to figure out how to uninstall a program from your computer. But files, configurations, registry entries, saves (if it's a game), tools (if it's a graphics or video editor) and so on may remain from it. They take up disk space.
Under no circumstances should you erase the utilities directly by moving them to the trash. Use dedicated services for this.
Usually, an uninstaller is installed along with the program. It automatically cleans up almost all application data. If you created a utility folder in the taskbar, open it. There should be a file that initiates the deletion.
Here's how to remove unnecessary programs from your computer if they are not in the Start menu:
- Go to the application directory.
- If you don't remember where you installed it, right-click on its shortcut.
- Select Properties.
- The "Object" field will contain the path to the directory.
- Open it and find the executable file "Uninstall.exe". This is the generic name for uninstallers. Used in many applications. But the name may be different: for example, "Uninst.exe"
- Open it and follow the instructions.
- The uninstallation process is different for each utility. In some cases, you need to click "Next" several times. Or select the items to be erased. Sometimes they ask you to indicate what does not suit you in the software, and why you decided to remove it.
Windows built-in tools
Here's how to remove unnecessary programs from your computer using the built-in tools of the operating system:
- Go to "Control Panel". It can be opened via the Start menu.
- If it is not there, right-click on the taskbar and select "Properties".
- Start tab.
- Customize button.
- In the list that opens, find "Control Panel" and put a marker in the "Display" checkbox.
- Save your changes.
- Now you can go to the "Control Panel".
- In it, open the "Uninstall Programs" (or "Programs and Features") menu.
Click on "Programs and Features"
- Find the utility you want to get rid of in the list.
- Select it. A Delete button appears above the main work area.
- Or right-click on the required line. The "Delete" option will also be available in the context menu.
Click Delete
- Further steps depend on the application. Follow the instructions of the uninstaller.
Third party software
Even if the utilities are correctly erased, some data, registry entries, files with saved settings will still remain. The most practical option is to use removal utilities. Specialized software will not only remove the application, but also destroy all traces of it in the system. So they will not take up extra space and clog up the OS.
The following programs are suitable:
- Revo Uninstaller. Completely erases utilities, temporary files, cleans the registry, etc. There is the so-called "Hunting mode": press the button, a sight appears, point it at the program (more precisely, at the program file) and click. The apps are added to the Revo list.
- IObit Uninstaller. It independently determines what data is left after the "standard" deletion. There is a built-in uninstaller.
- CCleaner. Designed to clean the disk, registry and system from "junk" data. If you erase programs through it, there will be no mention of them.
Removing programs in CCleaner
- Ashampoo Uninstaller. When deleting, you must put a tick next to the item "Search for folders / files / entries in the registry".
- Portable modification with a simple interface.
How do I manually clear the registry?
If you do not use special software that "cleans up" the remnants of the program, references to it in the registry will not go anywhere. This is not a big deal since they don't lead anywhere. The deleted utility will not be restored without your knowledge. But if there are too many "useless" entries in the registry, problems will arise. The system will work slowly, slow down. You will have to wait a few minutes to open a document.
It is necessary to periodically clean the registry from entries that indicate non-existent utilities. It is better to use applications designed for this: for example, Registry Fix or Advanced SystemCare. You can also clean it by hand. But this is a risky business. Better to try other ways.
If you decide to figure it out yourself, first create a backup copy of the registry. So that it can be restored.
- Go to Start - Run, in the window that opens, enter "regedit" without quotes and click "OK". The Registry Editor will appear.
- Click File - Export. In the save window, specify the path and come up with a name for the file. Subsequently, it will be possible to restore the registry from it by selecting the "Import" command.
Now start cleaning:
- In Registry Editor, click Edit - Find. Or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F.
- In the input field, write the name of the program that you recently erased.
- A list of items related to this utility will appear on the right. You need to get rid of them (right-click - delete).
- If something goes wrong, you can restore the registry to its previous state.
If the program is not removed
You run uninstall and it gives an error? Most likely, the utility is currently "busy" - it is being used by other applications or services. Here's how to uninstall a program that won't uninstall:
- Open Task Manager (keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Del or Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- In the Applications tab, shut down everything related to the utility.
- Go to the "Processes" section.
Go to the Processes section
- Find the program you want to remove in the list. Usually the name of the process is the same as the name of the executable file used to launch the application.
- Complete the process. It may reactivate after restarting your PC if you don't uninstall the utility.
- Try erasing the application again.
If the program still remains on the computer, it may be a virus. Scan your system with a good antivirus.
Chinese programs
The Chinese utilities are especially worth highlighting. They are installed on the PC in the background without asking for user permission. It is very difficult to get rid of them. But they cannot be counted among the malware family either. Such applications include baidu - a kind of antivirus. Even if you erase it, it will boot up again.
And it's not so easy to figure out the uninstaller. There are only hieroglyphs in it. Here's how to uninstall a Chinese program:
- Open Task Manager (keyboard shortcut Shift + Ctrl + Esc).
- Processes tab.
- "Show all" or "Show all users" button. Such utilities are often disguised as system processes.
- Find all the services of the unwanted application. In our case, baidu.
- Better to order the lines by image name or description. To do this, click on the top of the column.
- There can be many processes. But everyone has hieroglyphs in the description. And the name should include the name of the program.
- Right click on one of the processes.
- Select "Open storage location".
- Save the path to the folder in some text file.
- Repeat this for all baidu processes. Even if the directories are duplicate.
- End the processes related to the application.
- You can erase a program using Windows functions. Go to the "Control Panel". Open the Programs and Features (or Uninstall Programs) menu. Find the unwanted app and get rid of it.
- The uninstaller will contain hieroglyphs. Unfortunately, you have to act "by touch." But there are several factors that will help you decide. The function of undoing deletion is usually highlighted additionally: in color or volume. As in Russian installers, the "Next" button is on the right, "Back" - on the left.
- After uninstalling, restart your computer. During power-on press the F key.This is necessary to initiate another boot mode. Select "Safe Mode".
- Now the Chinese utility will not be able to activate its processes. And you can remove them.
- Open the file where you saved the paths to baidu.
- Go to the folders indicated there. To do this, open the "Start" menu, copy the path into the input field at the bottom (it usually says "Find files") and press Enter. The desired directory will appear.
- Erase everything that is in it. Better yet, delete the directory itself.
- Repeat for each path.
For a comprehensive system cleaning, use special uninstallers. So you don't have to "catch" files and registry entries yourself. And there will be no risk that any element of the hated utility will remain in memory.
It's up to you how to completely remove the program from your computer and what software to use for this. You can limit yourself to the built-in Windows tools. But in this way, unnecessary melons and links that were not erased along with the application will accumulate in the system. It is better to install special utilities designed to remove programs and the garbage left after them.
