Total Uninstall 5.6.1

Rated 40/50 by Morningdove at Feb 3, 2009

What happens when another program writes to the same areas of the registry between the install and the uninstall? If you're careful it's still a good way to go.

Rated 40/50 by ron_marz at Jun 1, 2009

My rating would be a "5," except there's still no ability to archive an installed program's files, settings and reg entries into a zip file or some other container before deleting, as was promised so long ago. Otherwise, works great.

Rated 50/50 by Lsavagejt at Jun 16, 2009

I like the "monitoring" component for testing new software. It doesn't remove everything in standard mode, but close enough.

Rated 40/50 by halc at Nov 15, 2009

Really nice timesaver and house keeping application for those who install, test and un-install a lot of software. It would get 5 stars if it it cleaned everything and if one could export import installed programs changes properly from an old system to a new system.

Rated 50/50 by Plumber at Jan 27, 2010

I adore this utility. I've been using it for years and would not be without it. Very highly recommended.

Rated 50/50 by ron_marz at Jan 27, 2010

Now with backup -- PERFECT!

Rated 50/50 by cowgaR at Feb 19, 2010

- for those new to Windows world, or new to "uninstaller world", this is the best tool avaiable bar none. Nothing comes even close! - it's like Foobar or Total Commander in its own category, well, if we haven't had Speedcommander in the latter case :) - the only "missing part" for me personaly, is the ease of use. When uninstalling application it is confusing for new user (or even experienced one), as he doesn't understand what is really going on. Mainly with registry settings... - e.g. is it going to recreate deleted keys? or return values to those that changed with installation? what if other application already modified them and it will screw those? what if I changed my keys myself and snapshot is 3 months old reflecting just the first change? the uninstall will just do more harm... But it's great for filesystem, where application have usually their own personall folders (unlike registry which is common in most parts) Still, other that running a virtual machine with sysinternal's proces monitor, this is the only way to see what application is doing and where it installs its garbage ;) P.S. don't forget to run application before stopping monitoring, as additional registry keys/folders will be created 4.5 stars

Rated 50/50 by emanresU deriseD at Feb 27, 2010

The reviewer below makes a good point, and this is something that has bothered me for years. You can verify what TU will do by looking at the configuration for the uninstall profile you're using, but it really should be easier. I think TU should offer a step-by-step uninstall wizard, and provide the option to show you what will be done each step of the way. You'd be able to see what registry changes would be made, and be able to uncheck the changes you didn't wish to make. Another problem with TU is that there is no interoperability (if that's the right word) between monitored programs. For example, if you monitor one program and it creates a particular registry key, or installs a particular file, TU will duly record those changes as being a "new registry key" or "new file". But what if you then monitor another program that relies on that key or that file, but doesn't have to create it, because it's already present? If you uninstall the first program, you will break the second. (The SharedDLLs values are not an answer to this, since they are highly fallible and not always used. Also, I do understand and appreciate that this is an extraordinarily difficult problem to solve.) Still, it's a very handy utility, but I would not recommend it to any user who could not understand how to use it safely, or one who simply doesn't want to deal with it.

Rated 10/50 by RYAN2679 at Mar 9, 2010

OVERPRICED GARBAGE. The guy who wrote this is a thief. I bought this when it was version 4.x and 2 months later the creator changed the version number to 5 and extorted me for another $30. This program was and still is EXTREMELY SLOW and INACCURATE. You used to be able to scan the entire registry, but after 4.x, he changed that to only certain parts of the registry. Do yourself a favor and get RegShot. It does the same thing except it's FREE, INCREDIBLY FAST and VERY ACCURATE. I use version 2.0.1.66 with Unicode Support, it has a slightly nicer GUI and more scanning options. All they have here is version 1.8.2, which is over 2 years old, but if you do a google search you'll find it.

Rated 50/50 by Plumber at Apr 23, 2010

This other reviewer is just plain wrong, and must have an agenda of some sort. The author of TU provides one full year of updates and upgrades. This means that if you purchased version 4, you could upgrade to version 5 for free if you were within your one-year purchase anniversary. There's no problem here. TU 5 does not scan only parts of the registry. It's totally configurable. You can scan select portions of the registry (and/or file system), the whole thing, or even create separate profiles for each. There's no problem here other than PEBCAK and/or knavery.

Rated 10/50 by YStevaert at Apr 25, 2010

This program does NOT do what you think it does, even if configured to scan the whole registry it will still skip many locations where the author knows many companies store their "days used" locations for their trial times.

Rated 10/50 by RYAN2679 at May 19, 2010

TOTAL CRAP! Plumber is totally LYING, he's probably the THIEF Gavrila Martau. You don't get free upgrades for a year, it costs $19 Standard and $25 Professional to upgrade from version 4 to version 5. It only takes a few seconds for someone with a brain to go to the website and see, http://www.martau.com/tu...php#Users_of_version_4x. YStevaert and I are telling the truth, the programs skip an entire registry hive and some of the most important registry locations to increase its SLOW SPEED, including the "days used" locations. If you want a FREE Uninstaller that's better than this GARBAGE, use ZSoft Uninstaller or RegShot.

Rated 50/50 by tayvallich at May 21, 2010

Excellent program. New interface is really crisp compared to earlier versions. Gives really accurate information about changes to files and registry when installing programs or just running a program. Easy to customize. Converts reg binary to text in the display which is really useful for searching. All in all a very useful program which I use a lot.

Rated 10/50 by Firenze at Jun 22, 2010

I can only rephrase what ryan is saying, even if you configured TU to scan the maximum you want, this crap program DOES NOT detect changes. You can easily test it out by doing a pre-install scan, open regedit and start adding some bogus test keys in the registry trees Ryan explained, do the after-install scan, and see for yourself, it DOES NOT detect them. I can also concur about the lame moneysick policy the French author is using, I registered a few days before the year before he "updated" to version 5 (that is, replace the interface with the crappy ribbon one.... YEP, that's what Gavrilau wants you to believe a major update), and I could pay the full price once again, only to find out that this program does not what you think it does. Perhaps he is acting under pressure from governments or copyright commissions, but that is NO REASON to blatantly lie to his paying customers.

Rated 50/50 by Lsavagejt at Jun 22, 2010

I've used this a longtime now. It still gives me goose bumps. Am I high?

Rated 10/50 by CHD2879 at Jun 23, 2010

BOYCOTT THIS PROGRAM! AUTHOR HAS THREATENED TO SUE ME. Use ZSoft Uninstaller, RegShot or even Revo Uninstaller (Revo doesn't detect all registry changes) - ALL FREE. The author of this program routinely has his flunkies (Plumber and others) troll this site and others pretending to be paying customers and giving his overpriced turd positive reviews, while lying about its effectiveness and criticizing others that leave it negative reviews, claiming hypocritically that THEY have an agenda. Update: The author G Martau has threatened to sue me if I don't retract my negative reviews. He's found me guilty of Defamation and Libel, unfortunately for him he doesn't know the meaning of the words. Reviews are only opinions (given by REAL PEOPLE that don't work for a company) and covered under free speech. I could only be found guilty of Libel if something that I have said is untrue. I stand by everything I've said. Maybe I could be found guilty in his country FANTASY LAND, but not in mine. Should I pay you in Monopoly Money? I could also sue you for false advertising. Sincerely, Ryan2679/CHD2879 P.S. All I want is for you and your people to stop lying and produce a product that does what it's supposed to. How hard is that?

Rated 10/50 by TomWibbaert at Jun 23, 2010

Haha, I'm a registered user of TU, and even if my update policy for a new MAJOR version has passed, when I when to update from 5.6.1 to 5.7.0 it tells me "The new version will be installed in trail mode" LOL, get lost you thief, you don't get any cent from me anymore !

Rated 40/50 by gmartau at Jun 23, 2010

I'm the author. I just want to specify some facts. Ryan: 1. You purchased version 4 in 19 Nov 2007. At that time, the upgrade policy was free update until a major release. Version 5 was released in 22 Oct 2008. 2. You are not aware about registry structure. The default profile includes all the registry hives. Scanning all that Regedit shows is a waste of time and source of unwanted duplicates. For details see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986 I recommend to test the speed of Total Uninstall, and you will be surprised that you are wrong (TU is faster). Also test the accuracy of the detected changes and if you find something wrong say it clearly the exact path. The program has no hidden exclusions except hard links to avoid duplicates. Firenze: When the version 5 was released despite the old policy (free updates in the same major release) the users of version 4 that purchased in the last 6 months got a free license for version 5 PRO. The upgrade is optional, not theft. Old versions works as long as it is not installed on newer operating systems that weren't available at the time of TU release. 40% - 50% upgrade discount is not full price again.

Rated 10/50 by terryjackson at Jun 24, 2010

I'm need trying to feed the negative reviews, TU has its value, but as been said, if you need to ditch out money yearly for almost the same thing, where only few lines of code have changed, it's not worth it anymore. I've switched over to Revo Uninstaller, and first few install monitors have made me happy, I'm really not missing much and I'm no more getting milked by the author of TU.

Rated 10/50 by RYAN2679 at Jun 29, 2010

BOYCOTT THIS GREEDY LYING COMPANY. AUTHOR THREATENED LAWSUIT IF YOU LEAVE BAD REVIEWS. PRODUCT DOESN'T DO WHAT THEY CLAIM. Use ZSOFT UNINSTALLER or REGSHOT (BOTH FREE) Does this program scan the entire registry? NO. It scans 2 out of 5 Registry Hives by default and another if you set it to do so, not to mention the MANY EXCLUDED KEYS. FACT. In the options menu under Monitored Programs-Scanning Profiles-Default-Registry Tab you'll see only: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE HKEY_USERS Open Microsoft Registry Editor and you'll clearly see that there are 5 registry hives: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT HKEY_CURRENT_USER HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE HKEY_USERS HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG Prior to version 5.x, were "MAJOR UPGRADES" Free? NO. Only until recently 5.x was the author forced to give people "One Free Year Maintenance Period". FACT. If you bought version 4.9.5 and version 5 came out a day later, you would have to buy the product again. Are people THAT WORK for this company (gmartau and Plumber) posting positive reviews, claiming litigation against anyone that leaves negative reviews and REMOVING USERS REVIEWS. YES. Read the other review for yourself. FACT. If you don't believe me, find a program with a 30 trial period, install the product with Total Uninstall with before and after snapshots, wait a couple of days, uninstall the 30 trial program with Total Uninstall and then Re-Install the program. You'll find that you have 28 - 29 days left on your trial. If it removed all registry traces then the second time you install the trial program you would have 30 days left on your trial.