As a computer store owner, there is one complaint I hear from my customers all the time: MY COMPUTER IS SLOW! And although slow computers can be caused by a variety of different things, much of the time it comes down to having too much unnecessary software. I often see brand new computers loaded with software fresh out of the box, doing nothing but slowing down the user’s computer and causing problems. Whether it is bloatware, adware, or just unknown programs, having to uninstall software one application at a time is a major headache.
One thing that makes the job of uninstalling unwanted software easier is bulk uninstallers. These are programs that you run from a portable file in order to save on space and remove software quickly. Let’s talk about some of my favorite uninstallers for ridding a PC of garbage programs.
PC Decrapifier
I mention this one first with a heavy heart, as it has sadly been discontinued. I have been saving an old version of this program on several backups around my shop to ensure I never lose it. The reason being is that this program works particularly well on older operating systems such as Windows 7 and earlier.
Since Windows 11 came out, I find myself reaching for this program infrequently, as there are better solutions.
BCUninstaller
Standing for “Bulk Crap Uninstaller” this tool is particularly useful for removing large amounts of unwanted applications quickly and easily. Even if you have very little technical knowledge, this tool is easy to use. From their official website, BCUninstaller can remove the following types of applications:
- Normal registered applications
- Hidden/protected registered applications
- Applications with damaged or missing uninstallers
- Portable applications
- Chocolatey packages
- Oculus games/apps
- Steam games/apps
- Windows Features
- Windows Store apps
Just load up BCUninstaller on a USB drive and you can use the application on any computer. The program excels at finding and uninstalling orphaned applications and unnecessary files. This program is also great for removing unused or empty directories and removing leftovers after the uninstallation of other programs.
BCUninstaller is also completely free and available in several languages. The DEV has really taken the time to make sure this program runs reliably and it has great support even on older operating systems as far back as Windows 7. As a computer repair store owner, I can definitely recommend this program.
Download BCUninstaller here.
Revo Uninstaller
Another application that has been recommended time and time again is Revo Uninstaller. What sets this application apart is they have a free version as well as a paid version, which offers a full suite of additional features.
My only complaint with this application is that you need to pay to access some of the features that the competing programs provide for free. Revo Uninstaller makes up for it by providing some unique capabilities nonetheless.
According to their website, Revo Uninstaller is also capable of removing browser extensions and unused Windows accounts. At the time of this writing, you can pick up the Pro version for just $10. Not a bad deal for a highly useful application.
Check out Revo Uninstaller here.
The Best Option: Just Reinstall Windows
Sometimes the easiest thing to do is start from scratch. Reloading the operating system entirely will reset your machine much better than any software removal tool. Many times this just isn’t feasible, especially when your client needs to retain certain programs or doesn’t want to have to reload their files. Still, it is worth mentioning as it is typically your best bet for solving software issues without having to dig deep into the root causes.
