Revo Uninstaller is a Windows program for removing installed software more completely than the standard Windows uninstall routine. It runs a program’s own uninstaller and then searches the Registry and the disk for what that uninstaller left behind. The program comes in a free edition, also available as a portable build. A paid Pro edition includes tracing, forced removal, batch uninstalls and a multi-level backup system. Pro is also sold as a portable version for use from a USB stick.
Removing a program and its leftovers
The main Uninstaller window lists installed programs in Icons, List or Details view, with a search field for names and publishers. Starting an uninstall sets off a fixed sequence. Revo Uninstaller first creates a Windows System Restore point unless that option is turned off. It then launches the program’s own uninstaller. When it finishes, Revo Uninstaller scans for leftovers at one of three depths:
- Safe looks only for Registry entries and files that are safe to delete and is the fastest.
- Moderate adds an extended scan of common Registry and disk locations.
- Advanced adds a deep scan of the whole Registry and disk and takes the longest.
Reviewing what the scan finds
Results come in two pages. Registry items appear first as a tree. Entries that the removed program created appear in bold. Plain entries appear only to give context. Revo Uninstaller never deletes them, even when checked. Users can add a key to an exclude list to protect it from future deletion. Files and folders follow on the next page. Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin by default.
Windows Apps and Hunter Mode
A separate list covers built-in Windows apps and those installed from the Microsoft Store. Removing an app follows the same pattern as a desktop program: a Registry backup and restore point, the app’s default uninstall, then a leftover scan. Pro can also queue several apps at once, remove an app for every user account and reset an app to its default state when it misbehaves.
Hunter Mode handles software that is visible on screen but hard to identify in the program list. The main window hides and a small blue target appears in the corner of the desktop. Dragging that target onto a desktop shortcut, a system tray icon or an open window brings up a menu. Its commands are Uninstall, Stop Auto Starting, Kill, Kill and Delete, and Open Containing Folder.
Cleaning and startup tools
Beyond uninstalling, Revo Uninstaller bundles a set of maintenance tools:
- Autorun Manager lists programs and services that start with Windows, with checkboxes to enable or disable each one and commands to run, kill or remove entries.
- Junk Files Cleaner scans chosen drives for files matching junk extension patterns. By default it skips files accessed in the last 24 hours and can send deletions to the Recycle Bin.
- History cleaners clear browser history and temporary internet files, recent-file lists in Microsoft Office programs, and Windows traces such as Run history, recent documents, temporary files and the thumbnail cache.
- Evidence Remover overwrites a drive’s free space three times with random data so that previously deleted files cannot be recovered.
- Unrecoverable Delete permanently erases selected files and folders instead of moving them to the Recycle Bin.
Installation tracing and the Logs Database in Pro
Revo Uninstaller Pro can monitor a program during installation and record every system change it makes into a trace log. Uninstalling a traced program later uses that log to remove exactly what was added. Users can choose complete removal or Custom Uninstall, where they pick individual files, folders and Registry entries by hand. A trace log can also be exported as a self-contained file and imported on another computer.
For software that was not traced locally, the Logs Database supplies trace logs prepared by the Revo team for many common programs. They work like user-made traces, for one-click or custom removal.
Forced, batch and extension removal in Pro
Forced Uninstall deals with programs whose uninstaller is missing or broken, partial installations, and leftovers from software removed earlier by other means. The user enters the program’s exact name, points to its folder, or both. Revo Uninstaller Pro then runs its leftover scan against that target, also consulting the Logs Database.
Quick Uninstall queues several programs or Windows apps together. Pro creates a single Registry backup and restore point for the whole queue. It tries to run each built-in uninstaller silently, then performs an automatic leftover scan and removal. A Browser Extensions module lists add-ons grouped by browser, covering Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Internet Explorer, and removes them.
Backups and uninstall history
Both editions can create a restore point before removal, but Revo Uninstaller Pro layers further safeguards on top. It backs up the full Registry at the start of each uninstall. Its Backup Manager stores every deleted leftover Registry entry so that users can restore all or selected entries later. Pro also keeps an Uninstall History of completed and partial operations.
