The free edition of Revo Uninstaller is more than enough to
satisfy the requirements of users looking to eliminate applications and
potential leftovers. However, compared to it, the professional version includes
mode advanced scanning algorithms for leftovers, a real-time monitor for system
changes during app installations, forced uninstall, batch uninstall, and so on.
The setup operation takes place quickly and requires minimum
effort. Revo's interface is pretty intuitive. The main window supports multiple
tabs and it lists all installed programs at startup, broken down into two
categories: new and other.
The viewing mode can be toggled between icons, list and
details. Using a real-time search function comes in handy when having numerous
programs installed, and they can be filtered by name, company or comment.
Selecting an entry from the list shows the app's install date, size, version,
and company.
More options are accessible from the context menu. For
example, it is possible to look up a program's name or developer on Google,
open links ("About," "Help," "Update"), view its
location in Explorer, open corresponding registry keys, insert a comment,
change the icon, as well as add the respective app to a group
("Internet," "Games," "Multimedia," or
user-defined).
Uninstalling a program is done in several steps, and it is
possible to create a queue of multiple tools to remove immediately. Firstly,
the utility creates a full registry backup in addition to a system restore point,
thus enabling users to restore settings within working parameters if Windows
starts experiencing issues afterward.
Secondly, Revo runs the program's built-in uninstaller,
after which it presents three scanning modes for the leftover files, directories
and registry entries: safe, moderate, and advanced (depending on the scrutiny
level).
Scan results show all identified traces neatly preserved
with their original folder structure. One or multiple items can be selected for
quick deletion or, alternatively, excluded from all future scans. It is also
possible to view a key's position in Registry Editor and file's location in
Windows Explorer, together with file content and properties, as well as to
generate an HTML report with the selected items.
Through the forced uninstallation module, programs can be
eliminated by pointing out any file that belongs to them, or by writing their
exact name. The rest of the process is carried out just as in the previously
described steps, provided that the app's default uninstaller is identified.
Quick uninstall operations can be performed on one or
multiple applications. Unlike the normal method, this one automatically
eliminates all leftovers without prompting the user, but shows total deleted
entries.
Installing new programs adds them to a monitoring schedule
which tracks their impact on the system to find out the exact files and
registry keys that are created. Once the setup is done, it is required to run
the app, make the necessary configuration and close it, after which Revo's
tracker can be closed from the upper part of the screen.
Logs are saved to files, accessible through the "Traced
Programs" tab. Registered activity includes the author, creation time,
last modification date, estimated size, registry keys and values, folders and
files. The list of files, folders and registry items can be exported to HTML
format, files and directories can be renamed or deleted, while keys can be
excluded from leftover scans.
A special database contains a list of logs of traced
programs that are compatible with the current Windows system. These are created
and maintained online by Revo's developers, providing users with fast access to
removing programs with one click.
The logs database and traced programs areas permit custom
uninstall, a feature that can restore system changes to default parameters,
prior to the installation of a monitored tool.
Hunter mode displays a small box on the screen that can be
dropped onto any window, icon or taskbar item to uninstall the corresponding
application, to kill its process (with or without deleting it), open the
containing folder, and so on.
Other tools of Revo Uninstaller Pro include a manager for
entries which automatically run at system startup, evidence cleaner (wipes free
space and focuses only on deleted data to make it unrecoverable), as well as
cleaners for junk files (with preset and user-defined file formats), web
browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera) and Windows
(registry and hard disk traces).
A backup manager, file shredder and quick access to some
important Windows utilities are available too.
By default, Revo creates a system restore point and a full
registry backup before attempting to remove programs, but this setting can be
changed from the "Options" panel, along with the default backup
folders.
Full registry backups can be automatically created daily,
while files and folders can be sent to the backup folder or permanently
removed, instead of moved to Recycle Bin.
Meanwhile, the time frame for the new programs category can
set by establishing total days or taking into account the Revo's last startup.
Apart from managing lists for excluded keys, included and excluded processes,
it is possible to opt out of preset formats and include new ones for the junk
files cleaner, create a folders exclusion list, as well as customize the
interface theme, background and selection colors.
Verdict
Pros
Revo Uninstaller Pro offers support for multiple languages
and hotkeys. Operating system compatibility extends from Windows XP to Windows
8 and 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit). The app displays helpful hints throughout the
interface and includes complete user documentation.
Advanced users can tinker with the forced, custom and quick
uninstall modes to suit their preferences. Monitoring system changes comes in
handy for finding out the exact files and registry keys installed by an
application, and even identifying potential compatibility OS issues.
Revo's activity can be consulted via log files. Tasks are
carried out rapidly, while CPU and RAM consumption is kept to a minimal. A wide
array of configuration parameters are available.
Cons
The interface may seem confusing to inexperienced users,
especially when all toolbars are displayed. Identifying functions which pertain
only to particular features can be tricky in the beginning.
Professional reviews:
- "This one's found a quick home among my must-haves." -- Lifehacker Editorial Review
- “A practical and useful utility that helps you to uninstall software and delete temporary files, remove usage tracks and other history items.” – Softpedia Editorial Review
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