Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE makes it incredibly easy to remove programs without leftovers. This is achieved through the integrated installation monitor that creates detailed installation logs.
Overview
Navigation
This section hosts shortcuts to the available program modules. Simply click an entry to jump to the corresponding module.
Feature quick access
This section provides status information on installed programs, plugins etc. Click the tiles to quickly access the affected program module.
History
The most recently installed programs are listed here including uninstall buttons. Tiles for installations that have been monitored with Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE display an additional icon on a blue background.
Program module structure
All modules follow a similar structure: A summary of selected entries is displayed at the top along with the ability to filter and search through them. Entries are displayed in the center and features applicable to said entries are displayed at the bottom.
Ratings
Many module support star-based ratings, e.g. to rate the usability of a program. These ratings are based on an online database and are regularly updated through Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE. You can supply your own ratings by clicking the stars to bring up the corresponding dialog. Depending on the amount of available ratings, selected stars may appear either blue or yellow.
Applications
Select "Applications" on the overview page to access the list of applications currently installed on your PC. Use the subtopics to filter the last, e.g. by size. Either click an entry to uninstall the affected program or use the check boxes to uninstall several applications in a row. Click "Uninstall" the remove the selected items from your PC.
You may also uninstall recently installed applications using the corresponding buttons for the list of most recent installations on the overview page.
Filter
Use the drop-down menu to hide common installation, e.g. the .NET Framework. Use the text field to filter results by specific terms.
Log file
Additional features are available for log files created with Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE here.
Show log file
Displays details, e.g. modified registry entries, for the selected installation.
Export file list
Creates a text file with the paths of all program files for the selected installation.
Export registry changes
Creates a .reg file with all registry modifications for the selected installation.
Delete log without uninstalling
Deletes the log file without uninstalling the program. The program can still be uninstalled but will be treated as an "unmonitored" installation.
More functions
Delete entry
Removes the entry from both the program and the Windows-default overview of installed applications without uninstalling the program.
Edit uninstall command line parameters
If needed, you can adjust the parameters used with the uninstallation script here.
Search online
Performs an online search with the selected entry using your default browser.
Rate online
You may rate the program on a scale from 1 to 5 stars here. Alternatively, you can also click the stars behind a list entry to use this feature.
Download database
Updates the local ratings database through the Internet.
Select none
Deselects all entries.
Settings
Opens the settings for this program section.
Refresh
Reloads the list of installed applications.
Create report
Creates a table view of all installed applications and opens it in the default browser.
Import logs
Imports UnInstaller 4 log files.
Open logs folder
Shows the folder containing the log files in Windows Explorer.
Uninstall
Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE can perform additional in-depth cleaning to remove files created by an application during use. This feature is enabled by default. Usually, Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE detects when the uninstallation process is complete. However, you may have to manually notify the program using the corresponding button in some cases.
Uninstalled
In the left navigation bar, "Uninstalled" lists all recently uninstalled applications and allows you to either delete the uninstall log file or perform in-depth cleaning, in case you had disabled this feature during the uninstallation.
Install
Either drag the affected setup file into the area below "Install" or use the "Browse" button there to select it manually.
During installations, you'll see a notification at the top of your screen. Simply follow the steps outlined by the affected setup. Usually, Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE will detect the end of the installation automatically. In some cases, you may have to manually stop the logging process by clicking "Installation completed". You'll then see a brief summary of the changes made during the installation.
Windows-Apps
This module list all installed Windows apps including system apps and allows you to remove them. Note that Windows-default apps can only be restored by reinstalling Windows.
More functions
Uninstall
Removes the selected apps from your PC. System apps ("critical apps") can either be partially or completely removed. Partial removal results in the app no longer showing up in the list of apps while retaining the app archive.
Rate online
You may rate the program on a scale from 1 to 5 stars here. Alternatively, you can also click the stars behind a list entry to use this feature.
Search online
Performs an online search with the selected entry using your default browser.
Open folder
Shows the folder containing the app in Windows Explorer.
Refresh
Reloads the list of installed apps.
Reinstall all default Windows apps
Restores all partially uninstalled system apps.
Tools
These tools help you clean your system, remove no longer needed and leftover files and to defragment your drives. Note that some modules that delete files and folders will always move them to the recycle bin first with the exception of File Wiper. This allows you to restore files/folders in the event of malfunctions. However, if you set your recycle bin to always delete files this will also affect these modules in Ashampoo UnInstaller FREE.
Registry Optimizer always creates backup. Should you experience any issues once cleaning is finished you can always revert any changes through <a href="#backups">Backups</a>.
Internet Cleaner
Right click a result to access the context menu. You may then specify the entry as an exception to exclude it from future searches. You can remove exceptions in the settings for this module. If needed, right-click an entry and use the context menu to specify the affected cookie as secure so it will no longer show up in future search results. This allows you to keep settings such as login data for your webmail account from being deleted every time you use Internet Cleaner so you won't have to input it again. You can modify the list of secure cookies in the settings for this module.
StartUp Tuner
This module lists all applications that launch with Windows. Use the check boxes to enable/disable individual entries.
Refresh
Updates the list of entries.
Add / Edit
Allows you to add a program to the Windows startup sequence. Either a name and select the EXE file for the program or manually input a command line sequence.
Download Ratings
Use this button to update the ratings in case you disabled auto-downloads in the settings for this module.
Delete
Deletes an entry from the Windows startup sequence.
Rate online
Allows you to rate an entry. Your rating will be shared with the community to make it available to other WinOptimizer users.
Service Manager
Services are background programs required by Windows and other applications to work properly. This module lists all installed services and provides a rating on their usefulness. It also allows you to modify start types individually.
Refresh
Updates the list.
Download ratings
Use this button to retrieve current ratings in case you disabled auto-downloads.
Details
Displays details such as service dependencies.
Start
Starts a service.
Stop
Stops a service.
Start type
Allows you to modify the start type of a service:
Deactivate
The service is permanently disabled. Use the ratings to ascertain whether a service is vital to the functioning of your system first.
Manual
The service is inactive and started automatically as soon as it is needed.
Automatic
The service will start with Windows.
Automatic (delayed)
The service will start once Windows has finished loading to avoid slow downs.
Rate online
Allows you to rate a service. Your rating will be shared with the community to make it available to other WinOptimizer users.
File Associator
File Associator allows you to associate file types with viewer/editor programs. File types that are currently unassociated are marked red. Click an entry to select it or hold down Shift to select multiple entries starting with the first selected entry or Ctrl to select multiple entries individually.
Settings
Opens the module settings.
Refresh
Updates the list of available file types.
Undo changes
Restores the original program association for the selected file types.
Edit
You can select the icon to be used on the Desktop and Windows Explorer and the viewer/editor for the selected file type here.
Delete
Deletes the selected file type from your system.
Apply changes
Applies your modifications.
Backups
Use this module to undo changes made by WinOptimizer, e.g. through Registry Optimizer, should the changes have lead to undesired system behavior.
Delete old backups
Deletes backups that are older than 7, 14 or 30 days. Click the arrow to select a time interval.
Refresh
Updates the list of available backups.
Show backup folder
Opens the backup folder in Windows Explorer.
Restore
Restores the changes of the selected backup.
Delete
Deletes the selected backup from your system.
Switch view
Toggles between a quick overview and a detailed list of your backups.
File Wiper
When Windows deletes a file, the affected disk space is marked as reusable. As long as it isn't used for new data, the original data is still there and can be recovered easily. FileWiper overwrites these areas with data such as zeros so the data can no longer be recovered.
Settings
Opens the module settings.
Add
Folder
Adds a folder to the list that will be permanently erased.
File(s)
Adds one or more files to the list that will be permanently erased.
Trashcan contents
Adds the contents of the recycle bin to the list.
Free disk space
Overwrites free disk space on the selected drive to render previously deleted files/folder unrecoverable.
Clear list
Deletes all entries from the list.
Remove from list
Deletes the currently selected entry from the list.
Abort
Cancels the current operation.
Wipe data
Overwrites the selected areas permanently.
Settings
Basic functions
Use these settings to select a different program language or look.
UnInstaller
Select whether system components like graphics drivers should be listed under "Applications".
Internet Cleaner
Select the file types to be deleted for each brother and adjust the list of secure cookies here.
File Associator
These settings affect the formats that will be listed for each filter category. To include a file type, simply add its extension, e.g. "bak", to the desired category. Use commas to separate multiple formats.
File Wiper
To render files irrecoverable, they have to be overwritten multiple times as specified by each deletion method.