Cynthia asks us about removing security applications with a program she found on the internet
In searching for some answers online, I stumbled across an application that impressed me and was wondering if you guys would check it out. It’s called AppRemover by OPSWAT Inc. It is for the complete removal of security type software. So often when one removes security programs the tentacles run deep and everything is not removed which can cause problems. This application says it will remove all those leftover things. It appears to be free.
Our answer
Sometimes we’re surprised when a reader finds a program we never heard of and it turns out to be something useful and special. Such was the case with AppRemover. Great find, Cynthia!
For those, like us, who’ve never heard of AppRemover, it’s not just another program uninstaller – for that purpose you can’t beat Revo Uninstaller. AppRemover is designed to remove security applications like antivirus and antispyware programs, and remove them completely. Security software tends to extend a lot of tentacles deep inside your computer and into your registry, making complete removal difficult. So difficult in fact, that McAfee, Norton, and AVG (and maybe others) have a special “uninstall tool” you have to download in order to get them completely off your computer. But why search around for the uninstall tool you need? AppRemover removes all major antivirus and antispyware programs. The nice thing about it is, you only need one program – you don’t need to download a special “uninstall tool” to remove a security program from your computer.
AppRemover is a really handy program to have especially if you’re trying out different antivirus programs or antispyware programs – or if your unhappy with your current security software and want to remove it and install something else.
AppRemover is for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista (32bit and 64bit) and Windows 7 (32bit and 64bit). It’s a 3.3 megabyte download. You can learn more about AppRemover and/or download it here.
Great find, Cynthia. Thanks for bringing AppRemover to our attention.
You’ve always been straight-forward with people, that’s why your so well trusted. Over the many years I’ve been with you, I’ve found that to be true. Now that the ‘schmoozing’ out of the way, I came to get your “appremover” and got sent to “Gears by Opswat”. Should I get the stand alone ‘appremover’ or the small ‘Gears’ package? ‘Gears’ interface seems like more than I want. I think I want to get rid of AVG (Which I originally got from you guys, when it & Avast were free & just Anti-virus). Its ‘suite’ snuck up on me, like my old, old McAfee, well, you know I’m coming from. I’d like an answer if possible
We recommend using the AVG uninstall tool, run in safe mode, to completely remove it from your computer. Almost every antivirus company now offer specialized uninstallers and that’s about the only way to really completely remove antivirus programs. One would think Geek or Revo could do it, but some antiviruses have self-protection modes that resist being shut-down and removed. The surest way to remove antivirus programs is with the removal tool from the company who makes the antivirus program.