Best Program Manager/ Installer...

For a clean uninstall that removes all leftover files, registry entries, etc. there are some popular programs like Revo Uninstaller, CCleaner, etc.

But for installing programs, I haven't found any. I don't like when programs modify Firewall rules, run background services, create scheduled tasks, etc. without user consent. And more so when a program automatically overrides user configurations.

Ideally, such a software installer program should be able to allow the user to do the following:

DURING INSTALLATION

1. Change the installation path.
2. Show the Services associated with the program, and allow the user to block/ disable them.
3. Show if the program would make changes to Windows Task Scheduler, and allow the user to block/ disable them.
4. Show if the program would start with Windows/ User Login, and allow the user to block/ disable them.
5. Show if the program would access the internet/ network, and allow the user to block/ disable them.
6. Block the program from making changes to Windows Firewall.
7. Block the program from overriding Windows UAC (User Account Control).
8. Block the program from sending commands/ intents to other apps installed in the system. For example, opening up a webpage automatically after install/ uninstall. This is done to send info back to the developer about the install/ uninstall activity.


POST INSTALLATION

8. Post installation, this software should also be able to list all services, scheduled tasks, startup behaviour, etc. associated with each installed program and allow the user to block/ disable them as required.

Is there a program that allows the user to control software installation as mentioned above?

I was also about to ask (kind of) the same question! I am looking for a software that could monitor installation of a software and give me a log of all and every modification done and files written to my PC.
Revo uninstaller pro has an option to monitor the installation of a software for a better uninstall. But apparently it is not able to uninstall the monitored software properly!

rezpower said:

Revo uninstaller pro has an option to monitor the installation of a software for a better uninstall. But apparently it is not able to uninstall the monitored software properly!

Click to expand...

Yes, thats what I read. Why do you say it is unable to uninstall everything related to the uninstalled software?

I have a query too with the program settings:





What are these 'Exclude' options?

By default, they are all ticked. Are these locations not scanned during uninstall?

I have unticked all of them, on the assumption that this program will scan all locations without exception, and delete all files related to the uninstalled software.

I've been using uninstall-tool for quite a while and it has not let me down. I often load up applications that I have no intention of keeping during support jobs and it has never let me down in monitoring installs and removing them after tests. It's not free but not super expensive either - it has a free trial if you want to try it

TheMystic said:

Yes, thats what I read. Why do you say it is unable to uninstall everything related to the uninstalled software?

Click to expand...

TheMystic said:

I have a query too with the program settings:

View attachment 13298

View attachment 13299

What are these 'Exclude' options?

By default, they are all ticked. Are these locations not scanned during uninstall?

I have unticked all of them, on the assumption that this program will scan all locations without exception, and delete all files related to the uninstalled software.

Click to expand...

Well let me give you an example: I installed "Internet download manager" using revo's installation monitor. The software had a 30 days trial. I uninstalled it with revo when the trial was over and installed it again. The software was still telling me that my 30 days trial is over. (Trust me this is not the reason I use revo as all softwares that I decide to keep and use are payed for and bought). But this shows that revo has missed something!

In the uninstaller and Junk files cleaner settings of revo (as you see in your screenshots) there are some folder and registry exclusions. The reason probably is to be safe and not delete something that shouldn't be deleted. But maybe this is exactly the reason some elements remain and don't get removed. Someone with more knowledge about windows and it's registry could maybe tell us what other keys and folders should be included!

I think most installers are like that for the majority, people like us who are on this forum have a greater interest in what goes on but sadly are not catered for as we are the few.
For uninstalling I use Revo and then scan with search everything, that shifts it.

rezpower said:

Well let me give you an example: I installed "Internet download manager" using revo's installation monitor. The software had a 30 days trial. I uninstalled it with revo when the trial was over and installed it again. The software was still telling me that my 30 days trial is over. (Trust me this is not the reason I use revo as all softwares that I decide to keep and use are payed for and bought). But this shows that revo has missed something!

In the uninstaller and Junk files cleaner settings of revo (as you see in your screenshots) there are some folder and registry exclusions. The reason probably is to be safe and not delete something that shouldn't be deleted. But maybe this is exactly the reason some elements remain and don't get removed. Someone with more knowledge about windows and it's registry could maybe tell us what other keys and folders should be included!

Click to expand...

IDM has been heavily pirated for years and years, perhaps the developers have learned one or two things in the process...
It´s a very good software, I have used it for years. Pay for it.

rezpower said:

Well let me give you an example: I installed "Internet download manager" using revo's installation monitor. The software had a 30 days trial. I uninstalled it with revo when the trial was over and installed it again. The software was still telling me that my 30 days trial is over. (Trust me this is not the reason I use revo as all softwares that I decide to keep and use are payed for and bought). But this shows that revo has missed something!

In the uninstaller and Junk files cleaner settings of revo (as you see in your screenshots) there are some folder and registry exclusions. The reason probably is to be safe and not delete something that shouldn't be deleted. But maybe this is exactly the reason some elements remain and don't get removed. Someone with more knowledge about windows and it's registry could maybe tell us what other keys and folders should be included!

Click to expand...

Developers are aware of the usual tricks used to extend shareware trials, and implement ways to bypass these. For sure, they would also be testing with the same tools to find ways to beat them. This is a cat-and-mouse game. The monitor isn't 100% reliable.

It's far more likely that 'Registration/Linecnsing data' is not recorded as a part of the installation process, but is recorded separately when the application is first run and registered, so that data will probably not be picked up by Uninstaller Software. IME an increasing number of programmes record encrypted user licences/software keys after uninstalls, especially if the software registration is locked to a specific PC.