IOBit Uninstaller is a free program uninstaller for the Windows operating system that scans for leftover files and Registry keys after the removal.
When it comes to the removal of software programs on a machine running Windows, it is often better to use dedicated uninstall tools than the default uninstaller that ships with the software.
Most third-party solutions scan for leftovers on the system after the default removal tool has run its course to make sure no traces of a software remain on it.
They usually do offer other benefits, such as the removal of software that cannot be uninstalled using the default removal tool.
IObit Uninstaller
IObit Uninstaller is a long standing program for the job and it has just been released as version 5.
It displays the list of installed programs on start after a quick installation of the program files on the Windows computer.
Note: The company’s Advanced SystemCare application will be installed by default unless you uncheck that option during setup. If you don’t want it, make sure you disable the option before you proceed with the installation of IOBit Uninstaller.
The application displays all programs by default, and you can use the search that is built-in to find a particular program easily.
You may also use filters on the left to display recently installed programs, large programs, or infrequently used software instead.
Apart from that, you may also click on a column header at any time to sort the table accordingly, for instance by size or install date.
You may select one or multiple items from the list to have them removed from the system in a single operation.
IOBit Uninstaller runs the native removal tool of selected programs first before it scans the system for leftovers files or Registry entries.
The program creates a system restore point prior to removal activities, runs the regular uninstallers and scans the system for leftovers afterwards which it displays then in a prompt. It is up to the user to remove all items shown during the operation or only some of them.
You may shred those for extra security (which makes them unrecoverable through normal means), and select none, some or all items for removal.
What’s new in IObit Uninstaller 5
The new Win Manager lists startup items, processes and Windows Updates that you can control using the program.
Startup items and processes may be disabled/terminated, and uninstalled right away. The manager displays only non-Windows processes and startup items. Windows updates may be uninstalled as well.
If you are running Windows 8 or 10, you may furthermore remove apps, default and user-installed, from the PC using IOBit Uninstaller.
Toolbar & Plug-ins
The toolbar and plug-in module of the program has been improved in the new release. A click on a supported web browser lists all extensions, plug-ins and injected programs, and provides options to remove select ones right from the list.
Please note that you may get programs listed here that you would not necessarily consider toolbars or plugins. For instance, AIMP and Bandizip were listed under the “all” section.
Uninstaller displays user ratings for known items which may help you in the decision making process.
Tools
The Tools menu finally lists four utilities related to software removals:
- Cleanup residual scans the system for invalid shortcuts, cleans the Windows patch cache and the download folder.
- Uninstall history lists all programs removed by IObit Uninstaller and provides access to a removal log.
- File Shredder to delete files permanently.
- Windows Tools offers quick access to core Windows management tools such as Services, Task Scheduler or Registry.
Another change is full support for Windows 10 including support for removing default system applications. This did not work properly during tests though. When I ran IObit Uninstaller 5 on a Windows 10 system, no applications were listed under all programs or anywhere else in the program interface.
Verdict
IObit Uninstaller 5 is an improvement over version 4. While it does not introduce new big features, it improves the program’s core functionality in several ways and adds new tools to it that some users may find useful.
If you have use a previous version you will certainly like the new one.