The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Better Add/Remove Program than Windows?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Aryding, Aug 25, 2007.

  1. Aryding

    Aryding Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Is there a better third party program for adding and removing programs from xp and vista? If they are better, why so?

    Thanks guys!
     
    Aryding, Aug 25, 2007
    #1
  2. Predata

    Predata Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    On XP, I was using zonealarm to block running processes (virii & trojans) so I could remove them safely (so they wouldn't restart themselves denying me from deleting them). Other than that, I usually use the uninstaller that comes with the program rather than using add/remove programs under windows.
     
    Predata, Aug 25, 2007
    #2
  3. Predata

    Predata Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    There is a shyteload of tools out there, especially for XP, just hunt around on google.
     
    Predata, Aug 25, 2007
    #3
  4. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    744
    Messages:
    3,083
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    There are programs that can track all the changes done to a PC while a program is being installed [registry changes, library file (dll) updates, file and folder changes etc.]. I cant remember any names right now, but IĀ’m sure a little bit of googling will turn up few.
     
    PhoenixFx, Aug 25, 2007
    #4
  5. Aryding

    Aryding Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes I understand that, I'm just asking if there are ones that you might recommend and why you do recommend them.
     
    Aryding, Aug 25, 2007
    #5
  6. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    cCleaner - simple, free, and i can get right back to check for registry discrepancies after the software removal. all under the same "roof" :)

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Aug 25, 2007
    #6
  7. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    72
    Messages:
    1,037
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Though on Vista, I'd say the add-remove is thankfully revamped completely. I hated how it always took 10-15 seconds to display text of what programs were installed in XP.
     
    Waveblade, Aug 25, 2007
    #7
  8. Harper2.0

    Harper2.0 Back from the dead?

    Reputations:
    2,078
    Messages:
    3,108
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    for me..it takes even longer...(i'm using vista).
     
    Harper2.0, Aug 25, 2007
    #8
  9. slowdive

    slowdive Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    158
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I use Revo Uninstaller to remove programs. Removes traces left behind by the programs in the registry. But i've only been using it for a few days, so i haven't test it properly. It's freeware.

    Review
     
    slowdive, Aug 25, 2007
    #9
  10. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    2,618
    Messages:
    1,757
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I believe the built-in Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel simply runs the uninstall file that the installer provides. If none is present, Windows uninstalls it by its own means - which is not always the best way.

    Basically, it's simply a listing of installed programs and links to their uninstallers. I doubt there is a better application that does this, but I guess that is subjective...

    Matt
     
    Matt, Aug 25, 2007
    #10