CNET Editors' review
Portable uninstallers rank as some of the most useful tools to have on a USB drive, especially if you're the person who helps technophobic friends and family with their forehead-slappers. We looked at IObit Uninstaller, which is portable freeware. Among its advantages are the ability to find and eliminate leftover files and its Toolbars Uninstallation Module, which targets those pesky adware toolbars that sneak into your system via cleverly configured installers and setup wizards. These toolbars can be a royal pain in the cache, and a free tool that gives them the heave-ho sounded like a winner.
As portable freeware, IObit Uninstaller requires no installation itself but runs when you click its program file. A compact, colorful interface quickly populated with our system's installed programs, displaying the size and installation date of each. A useful selection of sorting options runs along the left-hand side, letting users select All Programs, Toolbars, Recently Installed, Large Programs, Rarely Used, and Windows Updates. Commands are labeled Uninstall, Forced Uninstall, Manage, and Clean PC, though the last entry merely accesses another of the developer's downloads. Under Manage, we could manage the log, export the application list, and view the restore point, while the Uninstall command offered Standard and Advanced modes; we selected the latter. Anxious to try the toolbar zapper, we clicked Toolbars and selected two of the four entries, the other two being Firefox add-ons we wanted to keep. We clicked Uninstall, and a dialog appeared indicating that IObit was creating a system restore point, uninstalling the selection, and optionally scanning the Registry for leftover items. We opted to initiate the scan after the selected programs were removed. Including the restore point and pop-up notifications, the process takes a bit longer than the standard Windows add/remove program tool, but then it does more than Windows does as well. We also found that we had to close browser pages that solicit user feedback when a program is removed to allow the uninstaller to proceed in a couple of instances, so be on the lookout for that.
IOBit Uninstaller is one of the most powerful uninstallers we've seen in some time. It takes longer than other tools of its type, but it's thorough. Unwanted toolbars are harder to get rid of than bedbugs in a cheap motel. Just being able to throw those bums out earns IOBit Uninstaller a place in our toolkit.
Publisher's Description
From IObit:
Integrated with up to date uninstall technology, IObit Uninstaller helps you remove unneeded programs easily even when Windows "Add or Remove Programs" fails. Besides removing unwanted applications, it also scans and removes leftovers easily. The most attractive part is that it makes a restore image before every uninstallation. With the new added Toolbars Uninstallation Module, IObit Uninstaller helps you remove unwanted toolbars thoroughly.
More Popular Uninstallers downloads
- Revo Uninstaller
15,736 downloads
- Your Uninstaller
11,442 downloads
- Advanced Uninstaller Pro
9,236 downloads
- SlimComputer
3,763 downloads
- IObit Uninstaller
1,262 downloads
-
All versions:
4.3 starsout of 152 votes
-
Current version:
4.8 starsout of 11 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Does a very good job, but use with caution..."
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
-Advanced un-install mode which scans for and allows the removal of left over registry keys, hidden files and folders, saved games, shortcuts, et cetera.
-Very fast, and surprisingly effective.
-It's FREE.Cons
-Software that are linked in some way but installed (or uninstalled) separately can confuse this software, causing it to overclean. For example, software by the same developers, game expansions, or even application add-ons.
Summary
IObit Uninstaller is surprisingly effective, and finds pretty much all of the stray folders and files that are often left behind by the default uninstallers.
I consider this one of my must-have pieces of software - but like I said use with caution, and check the files it lists before hitting delete. -
"I am glad I downloaded IObit Uninstaller"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
Removes all files left behind.
Cons
None that I have found.
Summary
I did not know that some programs left behind a lot of files when uninstalled, this removes them and keeps your hard drive clean.
-
"Best freeware uninstaller I've used"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
Far faster than Revo Uninstaller
Cons
None I can think of
-
"Very easy to use."
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
Quick, and light on resources.
Cons
None I can think of.
-
"it is a very good program"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
works very well and efficiently does what its supposed to do-completely deletes unwanted material
Cons
none I can see
-
"exceptional uninstaller"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
seems to work safely
Cons
does not indicate when finished
-
"Simple and efficient..."
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
Speed, and registry scan for leftovers
Cons
I could not find aby
Summary
Use it...
-
"Does what is Says without a bunch of bloat"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
Works exactly as it should
No Bloatware
No complex ideals behind it. Simple or complex, your choice.
Really FREECons
Wish it would have an install feature, but being the type of program it is, that would be ironic.
Summary
A long time fan of Revo Uninstaller, I moved to this when Revo started missing things, deleting things it shouldn't, and started charging for the things that used to be free.
-
"A Great App. Easy to use. Very good unistaller"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
Easy to use.
Cons
I don't fine any reason no to utilize this program.
-
"i love this app"
Version: IObit Uninstaller 2.2
Pros
they asked me
Cons
they asked me
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
