Best Program Uninstaller? Windows 10

[CC268]

Hey guys,

 

I'm picky about keeping my computer as clean as possible. I am wondering if the Windows Program Uninstaller is sufficient or if I should be using something like Revo Uninstaller, Ashampoo Uninstaller 7, etc.

 

Thanks.

[vanished]

The trouble with more thorough ones is they can go too far and break stuff, and despite that, they still might not get everything anyway.  It's probably not the answer you want but the best option is to just not install things if it can be avoided (and make sure you have a boot SSD   I remember the days of having to reinstall windows every year or two because it had bogged down to a crawl but since SSDs, that just doesn't happen any more... every day is as fast as new!)

[The Pizza Thief]

6 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

The trouble with more thorough ones is they can go too far and break stuff, and despite that, they still might not get everything anyway.  It's probably not the answer you want but the best option is to just not install things if it can be avoided (and make sure you have a boot SSD   I remember the days of having to reinstall windows every year or two because it had bogged down to a crawl but since SSDs, that just doesn't happen any more... every day is as fast as new!)

Is there a way to reinstall windows and keep the programs/games installed? 

 

[Jimkirk363]

I just use CCLeaner after an uninstallation, backup the registry and perform a registry clean it should get rid of any unneeded registry entries.

[Firewrath9]

Just now, Brynjar said:

Is there a way to reinstall windows and keep the programs/games installed? 

 

transfer games to NAS/External storage, or other HDD,

or be smart and put windows on a 32GB partition solo.

I have windows and chrome on a 32gb partition, a 450GB partition for important stuff and a 1TB raid for games. NAS for backup and word documents and stuff like that.

 

[vanished]

1 minute ago, Brynjar said:

Is there a way to reinstall windows and keep the programs/games installed? 

 

No, anything that requires an installation will, by definition, need to be installed after reinstalling the OS.  Reinstalling while keeping your Program Files directory however is a great way to find out what things actually need to be installed.  Just try running stuff and see what still works.  If it does, then you don't need to reinstall that program

[CC268]

12 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

The trouble with more thorough ones is they can go too far and break stuff, and despite that, they still might not get everything anyway.  It's probably not the answer you want but the best option is to just not install things if it can be avoided (and make sure you have a boot SSD   I remember the days of having to reinstall windows every year or two because it had bogged down to a crawl but since SSDs, that just doesn't happen any more... every day is as fast as new!)

Oh yea trust me I try not to install things unless I absolutely have to. I accidentally installed a program I didn't need lol. Just did a clean install of Windows 10.

[homeap5]

9 hours ago, CC268 said:

Hey guys,

 

I'm picky about keeping my computer as clean as possible. I am wondering if the Windows Program Uninstaller is sufficient or if I should be using something like Revo Uninstaller, Ashampoo Uninstaller 7, etc.

 

Thanks.

Do not waste your time by keeping Windows "as clean as possible". Many users like you ends with broken Windows because they remove too much. Few unnecessary registry entries, few files more etc don't make your Windows worse. Instead of cleaning and worry about that, use your computer for better things. It's computer, you can (and should) be able to install and remove tools and programs as much as you want. Let system keeps everything smooth - it's his job. Reinstalling Windows because one program is way too much.

[Roamable]

CCleaner is my preference, but like someone else said you can go too far and actually do damage.

 

When using programs like that it's smart to make backups before you do so, especially registry entries etc.

[homeap5]

Cleaning registry is dangerous myth described on many websites. It may help in really rare situations (like when system can't boot after YEARS of using and only safe mode works).