6 BEST Uninstaller Software Programs for Windows (2024)
Jack Sullivan
Uninstaller software for Windows is necessary to completely remove stubborn programs, batch uninstallation, software residue cleaning, and registry cleanup. These software also monitors your installations, offers backup and restore, enhances privacy, and optimizes overall PC performance. However, not all uninstallers can provide services as per the required standard. Thus, selecting a poor application can lead to incomplete uninstallations, data loss, installation of unwanted software bundles, and system risk.
Therefore, we sat through over 100 hours reviewing several tools to bring you the best uninstaller software for Windows. Our research has helped us gain a thorough understanding of their capabilities and functionalities. We aim to offer our readers a genuine product hence, we present you with an unbiased review. This article consists of their features, pros and cons, and pricing. You can now jump into our uninstaller review and choose from these top picks. Read more…
IObit Uninstaller is a complete Windows unwanted program uninstaller software. IObit Uninstaller is designed to keep your system safe and clean. It helps in uninstalling piles of software at once, along with their associated files.
Best Uninstaller Software for Windows
| Tool Name | Windows versions | Maximum devices per license | Free version | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IObit Uninstaller | 11, 8, 8.1, 10, 7, XP and Vista | 3 | Lifetime Free version | Learn More |
| TotalAV | 11, 10, 7, and 8 | No info | Forever free versio | Learn More |
| Ashampoo Uninstaller | 7, 8, 10, 11 | 3 | 30 Days Free Trial | Learn More |
| CCleaner | 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, 2008 R2 | 3 | Lifetime Free version | Learn More |
| Wise Program Uninstaller | 11, 10, 3.2 | No info | Lifetime free Download | Learn More |
1) IObit Uninstaller
IObit Uninstaller is a complete Windows unwanted program uninstaller software. It helps in uninstalling piles of software at once, along with their associated files. Additionally, IObit creates a system restore point before uninstalling the software.
This software can display all your logged folders, programs, or leftovers like registries and more by scanning your device. The stubborn programs that are hard to uninstall are immediately removed without multiple attempts. You can simply right-click on “powerful install” for instant uninstallation.
Batch Uninstaller: Yes
Windows Update Uninstall: Yes
Supported Windows Version: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP
Free Trial: Lifetime Free Basic Version
Features:
- Safe and clean: IObit Uninstaller is designed to keep your system safe and clean. It removes malicious plug-ins and toolbars in web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Edge.
- Stop spam pop-ups: This application lets you stop disturbances like continuous notification pop-ups from websites. Whether you want to stop it from single or multiple sites, you can ban it using its list that displays websites you have allowed notifications on.
- Run Android apps easily: You can simply drag an APK file to its APK installer for easy Android app installation. You can also easily uninstall them just the same.
- Secure File shredder: It lets you shred and remove files permanently beyond the point of recovery. Thus, you can safely remove files forever so no one else can ever access them again.
- Stubborn program removal: It is the best uninstaller software for Windows that can remove over 2000+ stubborn programs. It removes programs like MPC-HC, Rockstar Games, and IntelliJ IDEA that remain hidden or are hard to uninstall.
- Windows Versions: IObit Uninstaller supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, XP and Vista.
- Support: I reached its support via a website form, and it also offers FAQs and uninstallation instructions.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
It is completely free to download and has a pro version with a fee. Its plans are as follows
| 1 PC Plan | 3 PC Plan |
|---|---|
| $14.77/ year | $15.09/ year |
Free trial: Lifetime Free Basic Plan
Lifetime Free Basic Plan
2) TotalAV
TotalAV is an antivirus software that can also remove Windows apps as it has an Uninstaller that comes as part of the product. It is a free software that offers cleaner, anti-malware, anti-ransomware, anti-spyware, and anti-adware.
With the capability to remove all malicious files from your Windows computer, it also offers real-time virus protection. Total AV also enables you to safely browse the internet and can protect a maximum of 6 devices.
Batch Uninstaller: Yes
Windows Update Uninstall: Yes
Supported Windows Version: Windows 11/10/8/7
Free Trial: Forever free version
Features:
- System Tune-Up: This antivirus software has a built-in cleaner and duplicate file finder. It cleans all your junk files and unused applications. Additionally, it also cleans your browser history cached items and manages cookies.
- Monitor viruses: It helps check downloads, executables, and installs of threats and viruses. This is done in real-time every time the threats try to access your system.
- Advanced cloud-scanning: Total AV offers advanced cloud-scanning functionality to instantly examine unknown zero-day suspicious files in real-time.
- Smart scans: It lets you set up smart scans with intervals so you can get continuous protection for your system. This Uninstaller also offers different scanning options and ensures your system does not lag.
- Quarantine files: TotalAV sends potential threat files instantly to the quarantine files area before they can cause any harm.
- Windows version: This software uninstaller is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 7, and 8.
- Support: I reached out to its supported team using the website form. For existing users you get support within your account once logged in and users can also take help from knowledge base on its website.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
It offers a free download version and has three paid plans.
| Antivirus Pro | Internet Security | Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| $29 | $39 | $49 |
Free trial: Forever free version
Forever free version
3) Ashampoo Uninstaller
Ashampoo Uninstaller lets you decide what goes and what stays. It can conduct tests on software before removing them and ensure no leftover files stay behind when they are uninstalled. It monitors every voluntary and involuntary installation and ensures the unmonitored installations are also reversible.
You do not have to intervene at any point, as it can detect when installations are complete. It also handles cookies and comes with a drive cleaner that supports custom file filters. Basically, all its cleaners are updated to support the latest hardware and software.
Deleted:
Batch Uninstaller: Yes
Windows Update Uninstall: Yes
Supported Windows Version: Windows 11/10/8/7
Free Trial: 30 Days Free Trial
Features:
- Free up disk space: The Ashampoo uninstaller can clear disk space by moving your apps to SSDs to boost speed. It moves your apps instantly between drives and partitions without you needing to reinstall them.
- Track missing apps: This Windows uninstaller tracks installed and yet-to-be-installed programs. It allows you to export the list of installed applications and reimport them into it, thus helping identify gaps to find missing apps.
- Multiple ways of uninstallation: Using Ashampoo Uninstaller you can make uninstallation in five ways. It also offers in-depth registry scanning to clean deeply hidden orphaned entries. Its scan extends to a wide range, ensuring a truly thorough cleaning.
- Performance and customizability: This tool’s Internet Cleaner manages running browser processes that include a cookie whitelister. It deletes empty folders automatically and searches local drives at an exceptional speed.
- Boot Center: Its smart system startup shows you what happens in your PC while booting. You can analyze autorun entries and running processes and disable unnecessary programs and default apps.
- Windows versions: Ashampoo Uninstaller supports Windows 7,8,10 and 11.
- Support: This Windows cleaner support assisted me through its live chat and website form.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
Here are the pricing plans of Ashampoo Uninstaller
| Uninstaller Sub and Save | Uninstaller 14 |
|---|---|
| $17 per year | $40 one time |
Free trial: 30-days
30-Days Free Trial
4) CCleaner
CCleaner helps acquire junk-free systems, better performance, and fewer PC issues. This software can show what programs are installed on your computer and lets you enter the unwanted software in its “Programs to remove” list to delete them.
It not only helps you delete and uninstall programs but also helps in recovering deleted files. CCleaner keeps your PC health in check by tuning your computer’s performance and analyzing and fixing the system.
Features:
- Privacy protection: This Windows uninstaller app helps in removing data to keep your online activities secure and private. It can also auto-clear browser history as soon as you close it.
- Driver and software Updater: Its driver updater can maintain your PC’s internet connection and hardware. This feature also ensures the computer’s sounds and visuals are at their best. Its software updater updates apps for maximum security.
- Performance optimizer: CCleaner is designed to boost the performance of a PC speed by up to 34%. It offers a smart cleaning by removing all unnecessary junk automatically.
- Custom programs to be cleaned: In CCleaner, you can use include functionality to clean custom software like house app and OEM. It also has a custom clean function that allows you to customize how you would like the tools to clean different areas of your PC.
- Reports: This PC Cleaner application provides endpoint reports and technician reports. For endpoints, it offers reports like agents not uninstalled, agents requiring updates, clean scores, audit scores, and more. In technician reports, you get most files to remove, the oldest audit, most full disks, and others.
- Windows versions: You can use it on all 64-bit and 34-bit versions of Windows 11, 10, 8.1,8 7, and 2008 R2 and above.
- Support: I requested for support via its email for one-on-one help. It also offers community forums, and FAQs, and paid plans include priority support.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
CCleaner has a free version, and here is a list of its paid versions.
| Pro | Pro Plus | Premium Bundle |
|---|---|---|
| $29.95 | $49.95 | $64.95 |
Free trial: 30 days money back guarantee
30-Days Money-back Guarantee
5) Wise Program Uninstaller
Wise Program Uninstaller use this small and clean tool to remove apps from your PC. It supports batch uninstalling extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons for Microsoft IE, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.
It is a high-speed and efficient software with a user-friendly interface that can clean all software components. Download this program to remove unwanted files and free up your hard disk.
Features:
- Automatic Software Updates: It automatically updates software, ensuring you always have the latest security features and improvements.
- Complete uninstallation: It is a completely free removal tool that can uninstall unwanted programs (whether 64-bit or 32-bit programs).
- Clean software: Wise Program Uninstaller is a perfect solution for uninstalling Windows programs, allowing you to uninstall applications quickly and completely using its simple and user-friendly interface.
- Other features: It allows you to remove or restore entries, clean & completely uninstall unwanted programs, and custom uninstall removes Unlisted Programs.
- Windows version: Wise Program Uninstaller supports Windows 11, 10 and 3.2.
- Support: I was able to contact its support through email response within 24 hours and online feedback form.
Pros
Cons
Free trial: 60 days money back guarantee
Download for Free
6) Advanced Uninstaller
Advanced Uninstaller helps protect your privacy apart from cleaning and boosting the speed. It takes care of the Windows registry and services and monitors installation and uninstallation.
This Uninstaller can remove any file permanently and delete duplicate files and browser history. It also has startup virus detection, log file remover, leftover cleanup, and memory dump.
Features:
- Daily health checkup: Advanced Uninstaller is great for real-time health checkups on a daily basis. It detects any kind of virus and monitors browser extensions, plus deletes any leftovers from the programs.
- Tailored to your needs: This Uninstaller is designed to understand all your needs. You can use it for all kinds of cleaning functionalities, like deleting stubborn or temporary files.
- Startup Manager: In its startup manager, you can find information about programs. It displays the software’s status, whether it is active or not, and also offers installation info, startup location, and ratings by users.
- Privacy Policy: Advanced Uninstaller is GDPR compliant and never sells your data to any outside parties unless it is their trusted third party.
- Pro features: Apart from the above features, the Pro version offers file and registry tools. It also has a duplicate file finder, a temporary file scanner, a file shredder, and a registry optimizer.
- Windows versions: It runs on Windows XP( 32-bit and 64-bit), Vista, 11, 8.1, 8, 10 and 7.
- Support: Advanced Uninstaller offered me quick support through its website form. The support team also puts daily health check customers on priority.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
It has a free version, and here are its paid Advanced Uninstaller Pro pricing plans.
| 30 Days | 1 Year Plan | 2 Years Plan |
|---|---|---|
| $9.10 | $10.15 | $15.60 |
Free trial: Free to download and 30-day money-back guarantee for paid plans
Download for Free
Why is it so hard to uninstall Windows programs?
Some of the reasons why uninstalling Windows programs is challenging are:
- User data: The programs often store user data and settings that do not get deleted in order to protect you from data loss.
- Complex software dependencies: Several Windows programs rely on various system libraries, registry entries, and shared components. Thus, the dependencies tend to get left behind when the program is uninstalled, which contributes to system issues.
- Bloatware: Most Windows PCs come with pre-installed programs called bloatware, and they hardly offer a straightforward uninstallation.
- User error: If a user is not an expert or does not have admin access some of the software may not entirely be erased.
- Incompatibility: Sometimes, when you uninstall certain programs they lead to compatibility issues with other apps. Thus, this issue gives rise to complications in uninstallation.
How to uninstall software manually?
Here are the three methods you can use for uninstalling software manually:
Method 1: Using Control Panel
Step 1) Start by pressing Windows+R, type Control Panel, and hit Enter/OK.
Step 2) Select Programs > Programs and Features, locate your target app, right-click, and choose Uninstall.
Method 2: Using Settings
Step 1) First press Windows+ I, which will open Settings
Step 2) Now, click on Apps > Installed Apps, find the app you want to uninstall, click on it, and choose Uninstall.
Method 3: Using Start Menu
Step 1) First, click on Start, type Add or Remove Programs, and click on it.
Step 2) Now, click on Apps on the left panel, find the app that you want to uninstall, and click Uninstall.
FAQs
Verdict
All of the above software remover tools help you delete and uninstall apps without extra effort. Some of our recommended tools among these top six uninstallers are:
- Ashampoo Uninstaller: One of the best uninstaller apps present in the market. It helps free up disk space instantly and tracks all the hidden apps.
- IObit Uninstaller: Using IObit, you gain an exceptional online experience, and it offers unique one-click uninstallations.
- Advanced Uninstaller: Its free version is perfect for using without limitations as it offers unlimited use for all plans. Additionally, it protects your privacy with SSL encryption.
Best Uninstaller Software for Windows
| Tool Name | Windows versions | Maximum devices per license | Free version | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IObit Uninstaller | 11, 8, 8.1, 10, 7, XP and Vista | 3 | Lifetime Free version | Learn More |
| TotalAV | 11, 10, 7, and 8 | No info | Forever free versio | Learn More |
| Ashampoo Uninstaller | 7, 8, 10, 11 | 3 | 30 Days Free Trial | Learn More |
| CCleaner | 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, 2008 R2 | 3 | Lifetime Free version | Learn More |
| Wise Program Uninstaller | 11, 10, 3.2 | No info | Lifetime free Download | Learn More |
