Windows 11: How to uninstall software completely?

Windows 11: How to uninstall software completely?

I noticed that uninstalling software like ACDSee doesn’t fully remove its modified settings. For example, if ACDSee is reinstalled after being uninstalled, it retains the previous settings and options instead of starting with the default settings as if it were being installed for the first time on the machine.

How can I completely uninstall software, including all of its associated settings?

I read here months back about BCUninstaller and have been using it since. I'm not 100 sure it will do what you want but I think it works better tan iobit.. Revo... And wise.. But that's just me.

I think you would normally need to use the software itself to remove any modifications you have made before you uninstall it (by whatever method).

Some programs when uninstalling will ask you if you wish to retain settings or data. Some programs do not and just leave it there anyway. It is up to the developer of the software. A lot of programs do offer a way to reset settings back to default in their settings menus.

Revo uninstaller free is a nice program that will wipe out all traces of software should you want them easily gone without manually do it yourself and poking in places you don't understand.

These leftover settings and files for example could be stored in the registry, in hidden folders like app data under your user profile folder, documents folder etc.

But in general, there is no issue leaving these leftover files unless you are having a problem.

Some options:

1) Search the Internet to see if the software manufacturer has an uninstaller tool

2) Contact the software manufacturer to inquire about an uninstaller and troubleshooting steps

3) Reinstall the software then attempt uninstallation while in safe mode

4) Uninstall using third party software uninstallers like Revo

As others have said, Revo Uninstaller is a good tool. I use the Pro version. Revo has a junk file cleaner which typically finds heaps of junk at C:\users\[user name]\appdata\local.

I also keep multiple system backups on USB hard drive using AOMEI Backupper so that if any issues arise for cleaning out junk files, I can restore my system easily.

^^^^^^#4 above ALWAYS if you want to get rid of leftover junk. I've been using it close to 15 years. Do an advanced scan after uninstall and remove everything Revo finds, both files and registry entries.

This site gives an interesting chart and other information about uninstaller apps: Uninstalr. I've used it several times with what appears to be a good result.

I also found this one: HiBit Uninstaller. It works faster than Uninstalr but may not be as thorough. The ir domain indicaator suggests it is in Iran - which maybe an issue for some people.

@glasskuter, do you use Revo Pro or Revo Free?

Use Revo and when finished go to C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Local\ACD Systems and delete the whole folder. It holds the catalogue data etc. If Revo didn’t catch it.

@TraderGary I used installed Revo Free for years on every system I worked on and all my own as well. Free also comes in a portable version, too, that for some reason Revo says is not suitable for a usb stick. (To me, portable is portable but that's what they say). They say Pro Portable is designed for usb stick. Just last year I bought RevoPro Portable on the cheap for $8.97 on Black Friday(just to appease my curiosity) and put it on a flash drive.
TBH As an uninstaller, there's not one lick of difference between the way Free and Pro Portable works. Their interface is slightly different. Pro does tout a feature called Forced Uninstall but I've never used it.

In both Revos you can do more than just uninstall. Both have a number of native Windows tools grouped together in one place which I guess could come in handy to save time accessing them individually in Windows but I don't use the tools from there. I do like the benefit of updating once and done, whereas the installed version has to be updated on every device. And they do seem to throw out an update on the regular. Back when I did install it I never updated it every month, though. I did have to register Pro Portable once, but only once no matter how many devices I've used it on, mine and others.

But to pay full price for Pro over Free, I would not. But I guess the company has got to make money somewhere. Whatever version, I always give it a good recommendation. It just works.

According to the Revo Uninstaller website PRO has these additional features over the free version.

I was so impressed with Revo I bought the Pro version.