Many experienced Windows users do not use the default Uninstall A Program control panel applet in Windows.
Not so much because it is not comfortable to use but more because of it solely relying on the uninstall routine of the application itself to remove it from the computer.
Data leftovers in the Registry and file system tend to clutter the system and can influence a system’s stability in worst case.
Software uninstallers such as Revo Uninstaller or IOBit Uninstaller perform a scan of the operating system after the removal to catch leftovers so that you can get those removed as well if you want.
These uninstallers have another advantage over the standard Windows uninstallation Control Panel applet as they provide the user with additional information about the installed programs.
Uninstall A Program
First, to open the uninstallation window on Windows, you need to do the following:
- Tap on Windows-Pause on your keyboard. This opens the System Control Panel applet.
- Select Control Panel Home.
- Select Programs and Features on the screen that opens.
Uninstall A Program displays up to five bits of information about each program: Name, Publisher, Installed On, Size and Version. It does not display information about the program path, date the program was last used on, installation source and multiple other bits that may be useful to the computer users.
uninstall a program control panel
Revo Uninstaller, one of the most popular uninstallation programs, displays those additional information which adds to the usability of the application.
Improving Uninstall A Program
Users who are stuck with – or have to use – the Uninstall A Program applet can extend the information that is displayed in the table. A right-click on the header row in the window displays a context menu with a more link as the last entry.
uninstall program options
The more link opens a new window in which you can add or remove details from the program uninstallation window.
The details provided are extensive ranging from the program location on the local hard drive to contact information, installation source and readme or support information.
A click on a checkbox next to each detail will enable or disable the information in the software uninstallation window depending on its previous state.
uninstall program details
The same configuration window can be used to change the order of columns in Uninstall or change a program. The same effect is also available by dragging and dropping column headers directly in the main window.
Adding details to the software uninstallation control panel applet adds valuable information to the process. The installation location can for instance be important if multiple versions of the same program have been installed.
Not all details that are enabled provide information on every software entry on the other hand.
Windows can retrieve some information like the last used date or installation location but developers are responsible for contact and support information for instance.
uninstall program
The image above shows a modified uninstallation applet in Windows that displays the software name, publisher, size and installation location.
The same mechanism applies to uninstalling updates in Windows as well. It is possible to add and remove information from the window in the same way.
uninstall windows update
It can for instance be helpful to add the location of each installed Windows Update to the list so that identification and manual processing becomes easier.
Do you have additional tips about the standard Windows software and update uninstallation applet? Let us know in the comments.