Best Program Manager/ Installer...


TheMystic

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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?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Razer Blade 17
    CPU
    Intel i7-12800H
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5 4800 MHz dual-channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti
    Sound Card
    Steinberg UR44
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD (M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes
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!
Yes, thats what I read. Why do you say it is unable to uninstall everything related to the uninstalled software?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I have a query too with the program settings:

20211111_205549.png

20211111_205558.png

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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release Preview] [Win11 PRO HighEnd MUP-00005 DD]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS to my design
    CPU
    AMD RYZEN 9 7950X OEM
    Motherboard
    *3XS*ASUS TUF B650 PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    64GB [2x32GB Corsair Vengeance 560 AMD DDR5]
    Graphics Card(s)
    3XS* ASUS DUAL RTX 4060 OC 8G
    Sound Card
    On motherboard Feeding SPDiF 5.1 system [plus local sound to each monitor]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    3XS Samsung 980Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe4 4 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 8TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    3XS Corsair RM850x 850w Fully Modular
    Case
    FDesign Define 7 XL BK TGL Case - Black
    Cooling
    3XS iCUE H150i ELITE Liquid Cool, Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitec MX Keys + K830 [Depending on where I'm Sat]
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitec - MX Master 3S +
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security [Latest]
    Other Info
    Also run...
    Dell XPS 17 Laptop
    HP Laptop 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64 HP 15.2"
    Nexus 7 Android tablet [x2]
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview 10.2 Tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Samsung S9 Plus Smartphone
    Wacom Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom ExpressKey Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest release]
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 17 9700
    CPU
    i7 10750H
    Motherboard
    Stock
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Stock Intel + GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    Stock 4 speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Stock 17" + 32" 4K 3840 x 2160 HDR-10
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400 HDR touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock Aluminium / Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock + 2 fan cooling pad
    Mouse
    Stock Trackpad +Logi Mx Master 3 or MX Ergo Trackball
    Keyboard
    Stock Illuminated + Logi - MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2021
    Other Info
    Also use an Adjustable Support for Laptop and Adjustable stand for monitor
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:

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.
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!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Razer Blade 17
    CPU
    Intel i7-12800H
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5 4800 MHz dual-channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti
    Sound Card
    Steinberg UR44
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD (M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
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!
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
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!
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    macOS (plus VMs: Windows XP, 7, 10 Home/Pro, 11 Home/Pro, Linux Distros)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    a) Apple MacBook Pro (Intel) - 2019 b) Apple MacBook Pro M1 MAX - 2021
    CPU
    a) Intel i9 b) M1 MAX (ARM)
    Memory
    a) 16GB b) 32GB
    Hard Drives
    a) 1TB SSD + 256GB SD Card b) 1TB SSD (+ 1TB SD Card)
    Browser
    a) Safari/Vivaldi/DuckDuckGo b) Safari/DuckDuckGo
    Antivirus
    -
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (plus VirtualBox VMs: Windows 11 Pro & Linux Distros)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    a) Microsoft Surface Book 2, b) HP Spectre X360
    CPU
    a) i7, b) i7
    Memory
    a) 16GB, b) 16GB
    Hard Drives
    a) 1TB SSD, b) 1TB SSD
    Browser
    a) MS Edge, b) MS Edge
    Antivirus
    a) Defender, b) Defender

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