ZSoft Uninstaller v2.5 *BETA* (aka 'please help test the new release')

[Admin]

I've started the work on ZU v2.5 and it is not even close at being done ().
However, I have added a few things, and I might as well get your feedback asap

You can grab the new beta here: http://www.zsoft.dk/downloads/Beta.rar

This is what's planned for v2.5 (strike-through means added)

• New tool: Empty folder searcher
• New tool: Autostart-program-manager
• New tool/feature: A merge of the 'scan-registry-feature' in a previous beta (note that this was removed in the final release of v2.4), the 'is-this-the-folder'-feature from when uninstalling and the folder wasn't removed and a new one that scans the start-menu and desktop for leftovers - all as a 'after-uninstaller-scan' (it should also be possible to launch it without a 'real uninstall' so you can use it to uninstall programs that doesn't have an uninstaller, or where the uninstall function doesn't work) (partially finished)
• Show info about selected program on the left (partially finished)
• Backup-routine so you can undo a 'delete' from the Installed Programs list
• In-program help

[Majomo]

• Backup-routine so you can undo a 'delete' from the Installed Programs list

ZU have a backup feature (TMP Finder) that the common cleaners don't have (e.g. CCleaner). To uninstall feature it hasn't... So it is welcomed.

A general "backup registry uninstall info" it seems a good idea too (just in case of...). A "backup uninstall manager" where these two kinds of backups and the analysed'logs backups can also to be include is an idea. Through that the user would to see/delete the unnecessaries uninstall backups.

[Admin]

Good idea.

[adchia]

Hmm...In this build, it seems that when using the tmp file finder and the empty folder finder, there is a tiny lag in the beginning before actually searching. The tmp file finder never did this before on my comp. Maybe it is just me?

[Admin]

I haven't changed the temp file finder, so it must be just a coincidence...

[Admin]

New build uploaded.

[adchia]

Hmm...the search in registry function has a lot of false positives. I know its still in development so I'm not expecting that much. But it looks very promising!

Other than that, I think its just me, but every once in a while, the entire program freezes (when uninstall apps)

[Admin]

Other than that, I think its just me, but every once in a while, the entire program freezes (when uninstall apps)

I hope it's just you as well
Anyone else experienced this?

About the false positives... at the moment the publisher is added to the search which (might) give false positives... you can try removing it yourself and see if it helps (in a later version it won't be added)

[NiteShdw]

A few notes about the TMP file finder:

1. The vertical scroll bar has a minor display issue - the bar overlaps the down arrow

2. After the scan, there are no obvious controls to do anything with the files.  I right clicked on a file and found the context menu.  I don't think the context menu is the right control to use because the menu items apply to everything in the list, regardless of which item you right click on.  A context menu normally provides functions for selected items only.  A better option may be to add a group box with the four commands as buttons.

3. Settings group box should be just below the Start Search button to make it clear that the options should be looked at before searching.

4. What does "Backup & Delete" do?  Does it allow a restore afterward?

EDIT: Oops, I didn't notice that the TMP search wasn't new in the BETA.

[Admin]

1. Not much I can do about that (I think)...

2. I think the right-click menu is a pretty good match. You can rightclick without having anything selected, but then a click won't do nothing. And if you have a single file selected the right-click action only affects that file...

3. ---

4. The backup & delete function copies the file to a folder inside the ZU install folder and deletes the original file (or, actually it just moves the original file, but the outcome is the same)... You can then - by pressing the 'Backups' button restore the files if needed...

[Majomo]

Empty Folders Finder:

It's a handy tool. 
Maybe "Start Scan" and "Removed Selected" buttons are too long. And maybe the two buttons should be in the same line (where is "Start Scan").

Search:

If I have a app. named Acrypt it's found entries like (between others):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\System.Security.Cryptography.DSACryptoServiceProvider

If I have a app. named Copier it's found entries like (between others):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator\5.0\CDCopier.exe
HKU\...\Software\Adaptec\Adaptec Shared\CDEngine\Devices\Roxio Disc Copier

If I have a app. named Adobe Reader it's found entries like (between others):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\Foxit Reader.exe
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\FOXITR~1.EXE\shell\FriendlyCache ; Data : Foxit Reader
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{...}\(Default) ; Data : System.Threading.ReaderWriterLock
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{...}\(Default) ; Data : IAsyncReader
HKU\...\Software\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader
HKU\...\Software\MGShareware\FreeRIP\CDReader
HKU\...\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\Reader SpeedUp!


So, I think that the 1) "DisplayName", 2) Uninstall Entry Name, 3) Installation Folder Name (not the path), 4) "Publisher" should be removed from the standard (default) search.

When I do that the result is far more reliable. And I think it's better for the common user - that doesn't must to know registry issues (he only wants that the application does a good work).

[Admin]

Hmm... by removing all those strings there's not much left... I agree that the publisher should be removed though...

The other errors could, as I see it, be remedied if the search-term was removed if it is to short / common, and the results only added to the list if contains the entire search-term (actually I thought this was the case already... better go look at the code ), and uses a 'whole words only' thing...

What have I gotten myself into

Oh, and as said in another thread I'm busy right now, so don't expect a new version right away

[Admin]

New build uploaded.

[Majomo]

Just in case...

When the user double click (or enter), the uninstaller application process begin. It will better a ZU prompt firstly.

Something like when prompt after "Delete" button registry entry:

---------------------------
Are you sure?
---------------------------
Are you sure you want to uninstall ?
---------------------------
Yes   No   
---------------------------

And the worst - after the user click NO (bis: NO) in app uninstaller'prompt - comes out this sometimes (very dangerous):

---------------------------
Folder might not be gone
---------------------------
I think that this was the folder the program was installed into:

C:\(...)
Is that correct?

Do you wish to remove this directory? (This can't be reversed!)
---------------------------
Yes   No   
---------------------------

And "Yes" is highlight by default!... Uff...

 

[Admin]

New build uploaded.