CNET Editors' review
Absolute Uninstaller is an intuitive program that promises to remove software components that the Windows Add or Remove Programs function cannot. The program's ease of use and effectiveness make it a great choice for this task.
First, let's talk about what Absolute Uninstaller doesn't do. If your computer is already a mess of cyber junk, Absolute Uninstaller isn't going to clean it up for you. We had multiple folders in our Program Files that should have been removed along with the program they came with, and Absolute Uninstaller couldn't help us with those. The program's interface is very similar to the Add and Remove Programs view, and although users can search for programs from within Absolute Uninstaller, it doesn't seem to search beyond that list. The program did, however, correct an invalid Registry entry, which was nice. To really put the program to the test, we reinstalled another program that, earlier in the day, had failed to uninstall completely on its own. Although Absolute Uninstaller hadn't been able to detect the left-behind components of this software after it was uninstalled manually, when we used Absolute Uninstaller to uninstall the program, it removed it completely. The program asked us if we wanted to remove the component in question, making sure that it wouldn't inadvertently remove something important to our system. Although the program's Help file was quite brief, the program's intuitive interface makes it easy to use.
Absolute Uninstaller is free. It installs and uninstalls without issues, and we recommend this program to all users.
Publisher's Description
From Glarysoft:
Absolute Uninstaller is similar to standard Windows Add/Remove program but more powerful. The standard Add/Remove program can't uninstall applications completely which often leaves broken registry keys, unnecessary files on the hard disk. The more junk files your computer has, the slower it runs. Absolute Uninstaller can wipe off all the junk files clearly in seconds. It offers a more user-friendly way to remove unneeded applications and to improve your computer efficiency.
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"Batch-uninstalled programs that were not checked"
Version: Absolute Uninstaller 2.8.0.636
Pros
Uninstalled a bunch of programs quite thoroughly
Cons
Started to uninstall at least three programs that were not checked, successfully uninstalled others without asking permission, and missed a whole bunch that were.
Summary
It's a pretty easy concept that an uninstaller should do as it's told and any deviation from that rule earns no more than a rating of "abysmal".
If you're looking for selective batch uninstalling, I highly discourage this program due to a lack of control of its functions.
*side note, I'm on a Windows 7 machine, perhaps it works better on older versions. -
"Does about the same good job as Revo but easier"
Version: Absolute Uninstaller 2.8.0.636
Pros
First, it lists a darn sight more programs than Windows Add/Remove. Simpler to use than Revo where after uninstall you have to tick all the registry items to remove, & then tick files to remove - this does all that itself but quicker & out of sight.
Cons
Like Revo, it still leaves a file or two behind, & some registry keys, so you need to use Windows Search & something like Registrar Lite to find them afterwards, and delete them manually.
Summary
I prefer this because it is an uninstaller only, whereas Revo comes with several other tools that I didn't want. Something I didn't realise at first is it is identical to the "Uninstall Manager" included with Glary Utilities - IF YOU HAVE GLARY UTILITIES, YOU DON'T NEED THIS AS WELL.
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"Did not find all programs even with search feature"
Version: Absolute Uninstaller 2.8.0.636
Pros
Seemed easy to use, simple interface and configurable
Cons
Didn't find several applications installed on my system, displays both the main application and the application's uninstaller utility - not very wise.
Summary
It didn't find Google Chrome for some reason, though Revo Uninstaller did. It also displays not only the main program but also the program's uninstaller utility as a separate program, for example it shows Microsoft Zune twice, with the same name but one having the regular Zune icon and the other with the standard Windows uninstaller icon. Very strange. I just didn't like or trust this app as user friendly as it is...
Forgot to add this little wrinkle: the installer asks if you want to install the "Ask" search engine toolbar. I don't like toolbars as they slow down the browsing experience so I clicked No. It installed it anyway in my Firefox! I had to uninstall it from the Add On folder within Firefox, then Revo Uninstaller found it again as an installed application - which Absolute Installer didn't (hmmm, ironic...). If I could go back and change my 2 stars to 1 I'd do it right now out of sheer annoyance.
Updated on Mar 9, 2010 -
"Doesn't always clean everything"
Version: Absolute Uninstaller 2.7.0.616
Pros
More thorough than windows uninstall.
Cons
Acts buggy on windows 7. Doesn't always catch leftover folders. Doesn't do much with leftover registry items either.
Summary
Not worth the time and effort. I found myself using windows uninstall more than this and just going in and manually deleting leftover stuff myself. I'm hoping they upgrade revo for win7 soon.
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"This is spyware!"
Version: Absolute Uninstaller 2.7.0.616
Pros
CNET editors rate this high.
Cons
But this program is nothing more than spyware.
Summary
It installs Glarysoft programs with it automatically. Plus, it did not uninstall Windows Media Player. Find another uninstaller.
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