uninstaller

Solid performance

This comprehensive system utility keeps your computer at peak performance by offering tools to manage processes, hard-disk space, and even Registry entries. When put to the test, it gave a solid performance, but we found inconsistencies with its trial period and in the overall design.

Innovative SysPack's main user interface is very easy to navigate. The main window has six prominent buttons for managing different tasks. There is a system optimizer, task manager, disk cleaner, start-up firewall, and tools to manage drives and to uninstall programs. But we found that each feature contained a different user interface. Granted, each … Read more

Part-time worker, full-time job

With a great premise and above-average looks, 1 Click Add n Remove falls flat with a sluggish feel and broken functionality. The interface itself goes beyond the norm with an entirely custom look, but the menus are annoyingly slow to deploy, and the window cannot be resized. There's also no way to filter the program list to hide things like Windows updates, and though there is a search option, it doesn't seem to work.

Particularly interesting is an option to hide items within your Start Menu, without deleting them. This function seems to work well, but unfortunately the … Read more

Uninstall like a pro

Where the built-in and sluggish Windows Add or Remove Programs option fails, freeware Revo picks up the slack. It builds out a useful feature set on top of a fairly light, 1.5MB installation. Launching Revo fires up the Uninstaller screen, which shows icons and titles of all programs installed on your machine. You can change the View to List or Details, if you'd like more information. Right-clicking gives users a list of choices, from the fundamental like Uninstall and Remove from list, to Search Google, Show the installation directory, and quick access to the app's Help file, … Read more

Featured Freeware: AppTrap

Sometimes the best interface is no interface at all. Compared with other Mac uninstall programs, AppTrap is simplicity itself--and it really does seem to provide the uninstall functionality that Apple "forgot" in OS X.

AppTrap is not actually an app but rather a System Preference pane, which you install and then it runs in the background (and you can set AppTrap to automatically start at log-in). Whenever you drag an application to the Trash, AppTrap will prompt you to delete all the application's related files, including any files installed in that application's cache, library, or application … Read more

Five killer software freebies you've (probably) never heard of

I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little spoiled by all the free software out there. Seriously, I feel for the developers working hard to make a buck when there's so much good freeware. Like these five gems, all of which I use almost daily and love dearly:

CrossLoop - Need remote access to another PC? It's hard to find a simpler solution than CrossLoop. Just run the small client app on your system, then instruct the friend/grandma/user at the other end to do likewise. Presto: You're connected, able to see … Read more

Featured Freeware: RegToy

Power-packed beyond Registry tweaks, RegToy focuses on Registry edits to optimize your computer performance--but novices shouldn't expect much hand-holding. Though the tweak options are carefully labeled, users must know the consequences of altering them, as the few onscreen notes don't provide adequate assistance. You can restore the Registry settings to the Windows default, but that's an emergency final resort, as it will undo many changes made by you and other programs. RegToy also includes a poorly explained feature for saving and loading settings.

Other features include a file renamer, a file shredder, a start-up manager, an uninstall … Read more

Featured Freeware: Glary Registry Repair

While the jury is still debating the efficacy of Registry cleaners, Registry Repair from Glary seems to do its main job quickly and accurately. True to its name, the utility scans your PC's Registry, then fixes any errors it finds. Some of the extras are worth noting, too.

The app's main interface is easy to grasp at first sight, letting you check and uncheck boxes when deciding which portions of the Registry to scan. For instance, the program looks for such entries as obsolete software, invalid fonts, bad shortcuts, and even spyware. It's also handy that Registry … Read more

Featured Freeware: AppCleaner

Correcting a long-standing oversight by Apple, AppCleaner completely removes unwanted programs from your Mac OS. Dragging applications to the Trash just isn't enough because almost every app installs various support files in several different places all over your computer.

AppCleaner is one of the best utilities around to help you track down and delete these files. It provides a slick, 3D interface and two options for deletion: you can either drag and drop applications onto AppCleaner's main window, or you can have AppCleaner list potential applications--and even widgets, plugins, and screensavers--to uninstall. The program will then show you … Read more

Featured Freeware: ZSoft Uninstaller

Although we love freeware Revo Uninstaller here at CNET Download.com, ZSoft Uninstaller should appeal to users who want something better than the native Windows installer, but don't need all the extraneous features. As the developer promises, ZSoft Uninstaller is indeed far superior to the native Windows program uninstaller. The freeware first runs the unwanted program's original uninstall option before cleaning up with its own technology. But for a more thorough uninstall, ZSoft Uninstaller offers an analyze function that you can use during the initial installation of programs to track exactly which files are being added to your … Read more