About IObit Uninstaller

Thanks for choosing IObit Uninstaller!

IObit Uninstaller is a powerful utility built for software uninstallation and relocation. It offers a simple, secure way to remove unwanted programs, malicious/ad‑supported browser extensions, and pre‑installed Windows apps and components. It keeps your PC lean and clean while delivering a smooth, safe web‑browsing experience.

The following guide will help you get familiar with IObit Uninstaller quickly.

System Requirements

• Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11

• 300 MB of free disk space

• 1280*800 screen resolution and above

Install IObit Uninstaller

1) Click here to download the latest IObit Uninstaller.

2) Double-click the downloaded iobituninstaller.exe to start installation.

Activate IObit Uninstaller

Note: A valid license code is required to activate the Pro version. You can click here to purchase a new one, or click here to renew your expired license code. If you forgot your license code, retrieve it here.

Click the Enter Code link at the bottom left of IObit Uninstaller main screen, enter your license code, and click Register Now to activate the Pro version. Or you can visit here for step-by-step activation instructions.

After upgrading to the Pro version, you can click Options at the top right of the screen and select My subscription to check the license status, refresh your license, or export your license.

Launch IObit Uninstaller

Apart from the desktop shortcut, IObit Uninstaller offers three other launch methods for convenient program uninstallation across various scenarios.

1. Launch from Control Panel. Let's take Windows 10 as an example.

Start > Click Settings > Click System or Apps on the Settings menu > Select Programs & features or Apps & features from the left panel > click Powerful Uninstall to open IObit Uninstaller.

2. Right-click on the shortcut of the program you want to uninstall. Select Powerful Uninstall to launch IObit Uninstaller and start the uninstall.

3. Drag the shortcut of the program you want to uninstall onto the IObit Uninstaller shortcut. Then IObit Uninstaller will start automatically.

Uninstall IObit Uninstaller

Please follow the uninstall instructions to uninstall IObit Uninstaller.

Glance at Main Interface

The main window of IObit Uninstaller displays six main features: Programs, Software Health, Browser Extensions, Windows Apps, Toolbox, and Action Center.

Programs is shown by default when you open IObit Uninstaller.

Note: Windows Apps category only appears on Windows 8 and above.

At the top right corner of the IObit Uninstaller main screen, you can find icons for skin color modes and Options. Click the skin mode icon to switch between Light and Dark modes. And click Options to view the drop-down menu including Settings, Uninstall history, System restore, Export program list, User manual, Technical support, Feedback, Help us translate, What's new, Check for updates, About, and My subscription.

Programs

- Instruction for the Programs category

Programs are displayed under 5 tabs: All, Bundleware, Logged Programs, Large Programs, and Infrequently Used.

All - The left panel lists all the programs installed on your computer. The right panel displays the total number of programs and the three most recently installed programs.

Bundleware -Lists all bundleware installed on your computer.

When you install the main program, some other programs may also be installed without your notice. IObit Uninstaller can monitor program installation in real time and notify you when the bundleware is installed if you have the option Notify me when bundleware installed ticked in Settings.

Note: PRO users can remove all the bundleware easily and conveniently.

Logged Programs -Lists all programs whose installations were logged by Install Monitor.

Click the View log text link to further view the installation log and check all the files and registry entries created during the installation.

Note: PRO users can enable more thorough cleanup feature.

Large Programs - Lists the programs larger than 1GB (default).

You can choose to list programs larger than 300MB, 500MB, or 2GB.

Infrequently Used - Lists programs you haven't used in the past 6 months (default).

You can choose to list programs that you haven't used for 1 month, 2 months, or 12 months.

- How to locate your program quickly?

- Type part of the program name into the search bar (top center) to find it quickly.

- Click Filter by to filter the programs by drive.

- Click Sort by to list the programs by name, size, or installed date.

Once you find the program, click it to view its details in the right-hand panel.

Right-click it to access these options: Uninstall, Repair, Refresh, Open file location, Open in regedit, Search online, and Open the website.

- Uninstall a program

1. Select the unwanted program by ticking the checkbox in front of it. You can also select several programs to uninstall at the same time.

2. After selecting the unwanted program, you can click the trash icon or the Uninstall button to start the uninstall process. But before the uninstallation, two options are provided for you.

Create a restore point before uninstall - With this option checked, IObit Uninstaller will create a restore point before uninstalling the program so that you can restore your system to the good status if any unexpected thing happens. But this process will take some time.

Automatically remove residual files - Checking it means all residual files found will be removed automatically after the built-in uninstallation completes.

Choose the option you need and then click Uninstall to start uninstalling the selected program.

You will be notified if the program you choose to uninstall is still running.

3. If the Automatically remove residual files option is not selected in the second step, IObit Uninstaller will scan for and list all leftovers after running the built-in uninstaller, allowing you to manually select and delete the items you do not need.

By ticking Shred files, it will shred the leftovers when deleting them. Thus these files will be wiped out completely & permanently and cannot be recovered by any recovery tool.

4. You have uninstalled the selected program successfully!

- Uninstall history

Uninstall history allows you to easily check the details and status for each uninstalled program.

Click Options on the top right of the screen and select Uninstall history. If the status is Scan for leftovers, you can click "Scan for leftovers" to further find and remove all leftovers. Click the View details text link to check the details of the uninstall history.

Software Health

Optimize all your software to make them run smoother and also reduce security risks.

It scans the health of your software across nine areas: Uninstallation Leftovers, Outdated Software, Software Redundant Files, Software Hibernation, Software Permissions, Disturbing Notifications, Programs with Uninstall Issues, Installation Files, and Malicious Software & Extensions.

- Uninstallation Leftovers: Delete uninstallation leftovers to free up more disk space.

- Outdated Software: Update outdated software to reduce security risks.

- Software Redundant Files: Clean up temp files and privacy traces generated while using the software.

- Software Hibernation: Put software you're not using into sleep mode for a faster PC.

- Software Permissions: Detect hidden permissions and disable unneeded permissions.

- Disturbing Notifications: Block popup notifications and unwanted Ads from interrupting you.

- Programs with Uninstall Issues: Fix uninstall issues to uninstall programs easily.

- Installation Files: Clean installation files to free up more disk space.

- Malicious Software & Extensions: Remove malicious software and browser extensions for a fast and secure PC.

The right panel displays the scan status and prompts you to perform a scan when necessary.

Click Scan Now to run a scan.

After a scan, you can click the Details text link to further check the issue details before the fix.

Note: Some issues require upgrading to Pro to be fixed.

Browser Extensions Removal

IObit Uninstaller automatically detects extensions of mainstream browsers and classifies them according to user ratings.

You will find 5 tabs in this interface: All, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer.

- All

Under the All extensions tab, you will find three categories: Trusted Browser Extensions, Ad-based Browser Extensions, and Malicious Browser Extensions.

Trusted Browser Extensions: Browser extensions displayed here will not harm your computer.

Ad-based Browser Extensions: These browser extensions may display advertisements, banner ads, etc.

Malicious Browser Extensions: These browser extensions, which may change your default browser and steal your private information, are classified as Malicious Browser Extensions and highlighted at the top of the screen so that you can easily find and remove them to get clean and safe online surfing.

Rate - You can rate browser extensions based on your experience with them. Your rating may be helpful for other IObit users when they have no idea of whether to remove browser extensions. Your rating will take effect in 7 days.

Windows Apps Removal

There are 3 tabs for Windows Apps: All, Microsoft Apps, and Third-party Apps.

Some of these may be built-in Windows apps that take up system space. You can uninstall them as needed to free up more space.

Note: The Windows Apps category only appears on Windows 8 and above.

Also, you can rate Windows Apps based on your experience with them. Your rating may be helpful for other IObit users when deciding whether to keep an app or not.

Toolbox

IObit Uninstaller contains 9 handy and powerful utilities: Install Monitor, Software Updater, Easy Uninstall, Force Uninstall+, Stubborn Program Remover, File Shredder, Software Relocator, Bloatware Remover, and Windows Updates Uninstall.

Install Monitor

Install Monitor detects and logs system changes during program installation, allowing you to view the modifications made by monitored programs during the installation process.

It provides two ways to monitor program installations: Auto Monitor and Manual Monitor.

-Auto Monitor: New program installations will be detected and logged automatically once you enable Auto Monitor. And you will get a notification when the installation is completed if you tick the option Notify me when installation log is created after the Auto Monitor in Settings.

-Manual Monitor: It allows you to manually add or drag a setup file to log its installation.

At the bottom right corner of Install Monitor, you can click the Logged Installations text link to check the logged programs.

Software Updater

Outdated programs create severe security vulnerabilities and operational risks. Software Updater helps you get your important programs up-to-date easily and efficiently to reduce security risks.

Note: PRO users can click Update All to update outdated programs with just 1-click.

Easy Uninstall

Easy Uninstall allows you to quickly uninstall a program by dragging the Easy Uninstall icon to the program's opened window, desktop icon, or system tray icon.

Two methods to enable Easy Uninstall feature:

1. Open IObit Uninstaller > click Tools > select Easy Uninstall

2. Use hotkey: Ctrl+Alt+U. You can change your hotkey in Settings.

Force Uninstall+

Force Uninstall+ helps you uninstall a program that cannot be uninstalled in a routine way due to missing uninstall registries or built-in uninstaller errors, and clean all related files easily and thoroughly.

You can Browse... or drag and drop a file or folder to delete or uninstall its related program. Then click Uninstall to start the force uninstall process.

You can also trigger Force Uninstall+ by dragging and dropping a file or folder into IObit Uninstaller main screen. Then the Force Uninstall+ window will pop up and you can click Uninstall to start the process.

Stubborn Program Remover

Easily check and remove the programs that you may not find an uninstall entry at other places.

Note: Official Remover Database is free for all users, but Supported Programs Database is only available for PRO users.

File Shredder

Files deleted in a routine way can be recovered even after disk formatting. File Shredder helps you remove unwanted files safely and permanently.

File Shredder now supports multiple shredding methods for more thorough and irrecoverable file shredding.

Quick Mode: Overwrites data with zeros before deletion.(Secure and Quick)

Advanced Mode: Overwrites data with random characters and repeats the overwriting several times before deletion. (More Secure and Slower)

Expert Mode: Overwrites data with random characters and repeats the overwriting tens of times before deletion. (Most Secure and Slowest)

Click + Add file… or + Add folder… to add files or folders you want to shred. Then please click the Shred button to shred and delete them completely.

Besides, Windows XP and Windows 7 users can browse to find the files or folders, select them, and click the File Shredder button in Explorer to add them into the shred list.

Software Relocator

When the drive space (especially the system drive) runs out of space, the system performance will degrade. Software Relocator helps you move installed software to other drives without reinstallation, freeing up space on critical drives and speeding up your PC.

How it works:

When you select software and its associated data to move to a target disk, Software Relocator creates a junction at the original installation location pointing to the new location. When you use the software, the system automatically accesses the files and data at the new location via the junction. Consequently, although the actual storage location has changed, the software normal operation remains unaffected.

The junction occupies negligible disk space but plays a crucial role in connecting the original and new locations; therefore, it cannot be deleted.

How to relocate:

Step 1: Run Software Relocator from Toolbox; it scans for the relocatable software automatically.

Step 2: Click the drive where your program is installed, select the software, and click the green Relocate button

Step 3: In the pop‑up window, select the destination folder to move the software to.

You can view the relocation history by clicking the text link at the bottom‑right corner.

In the Relocation history, you can roll back the moved software to its original path.

Note: Software Relocator only works when your system has at least two drives.

Bloatware Remover

Bloatware Remover helps uninstall pre‑installed Windows apps and system components to achieve a leaner, faster‑running PC.

It lists the apps and components under three categories: Windows Accessories, Windows Features, and Windows Apps. Simply check the items and click the Uninstall button to remove them.

Some apps are marked with the following tags:

-Installed: The app is present on your system.

-Permanent: This app has been permanently uninstalled and cannot be restored.

-Warning: Uninstalling this app may cause system instability.

Windows Updates Uninstall

Here is a list of all the installed Windows Updates on your computer. You can uninstall the unwanted Windows Updates to free up more disk space.

Note: Uninstalling Windows updates may cause system instability, so please uninstall the update only if it is no longer needed.

Action Center

Some well-known IObit software or good programs from IObit Partners will be recommended here. You can install them to get better security protection and system performance.

Note: Click Hide at the top right of the window if you do not want the recommended programs. You can click Show at the top left to display them again when you change your mind.

Customize IObit Uninstaller

Configure UI

To configure the UI to the one you like, please click the Options icon at the top right of the main screen and then click Settings to open the Settings screen.

- Click the drop-down menu of Current Language to select your language manually.

- IObit Uninstaller provides two skins: Dark and Light. You can choose the one you like.

- Click the Font size you need to change if the default font size doesn't suit you.

- You can change the Hotkey for Easy Uninstall here.

General

Don't show system run-time components: By checking this, System components like Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and Microsoft XNA will not be shown in Programs.

If you are using the PRO edition, you can also set Update automatically to always enjoy the latest version automatically.

Uninstall

Create a restore point before uninstall: By checking this, IObit Uninstaller will create a restore point before uninstalling the program.

Enable Quick Uninstall to confirm requests from program's original uninstall routine automatically (if possible): By checking this, IObit Uninstaller will automatically confirm the requests from programs' original uninstallation (if possible).

Automatically remove residual files: All residual files found will be removed automatically.

Delete leftover files to Recycle Bin: Files will be deleted to Recycle Bin instead of being permanently deleted from your computer so that you can recover them when needed.

Automatically delete leftovers of program uninstalled by other uninstaller: If a program is uninstalled by a third-party uninstaller or Windows uninstall, IObit uninstaller will automatically remove all its leftovers.

Add Powerful Uninstall option to Windows context menu: It enables you to easily launch IObit Uninstaller and start the uninstall from Windows context menu.

Add Shred File button to Explorer: With this feature, you can shred files from their location directly by clicking the File Shredder icon in Explorer. Note: Windows 8 and above system don't have this option.

Software Health

Notifications

Notify me when bundleware is installed: Once there is any bundleware installed while IObit Uninstaller window does not open, you will get a notification.

Notify me when malicious software/extensions are installed: Once there is any malicious software or extension installed on your computer, you will get a notification to remove it.

Notify me when software updates are available: You will get notifications when there are available software updates.

Notify me when detecting residual files left by other uninstaller's uninstallation: You will get notifications when there are leftovers of program uninstalled by other uninstallers.

Notify me when the leftovers of uninstalled programs are detected: You will get notifications when leftovers of program uninstalled are detected.

Notify me when system disk free space is below 10%: You will get notifications when your system disk free space is below 10%.

Notify me when installation log is created after the Auto Monitor: If you enable Auto Monitor, you will get a notification when the installation log is created.

Notify me when popup notifications are detected: You will get notifications when popup notifications are detected.

Notify me when unneeded installation files are detected: You will get notifications when unneeded installation files are detected.

Notify me when software redundant files are detected: You will get notifications when software redundant files are detected.

Ignore List

Here is an ignore list of Bundleware. The ignored items won't be detected as bundleware until you remove them from the Ignore List.

Thank You

Thanks to all IObit Uninstaller users and beta testers who motive us to make this product and make it better and better.

Thanks to IObit Forum Administrators, Super Moderators, and Moderators who are selflessly dedicated to providing assistance to forum users timely.

Thanks to the following volunteer translators who greatly help improve IObit Uninstaller user experience and introduce it to more users worldwide:

Enis Özsaruhan, Scannan, MFM Dawdeh, Alan, Jan Szotkowski, Lars Andersen, Kris Van Damme, Veikko Muurikainen, Chris Verberne, Roland LALIS, Nacho Lomidze, Sarakael Fallen, George Vardakis, Eli Ben David, Brechler Zsolt, Hevesi János, Purwo Adi Nugroho, Daniele Carraro, Nagai Tsuneo, JaeHyung Lee, Marius Kundrotas, Markflynn, Thor Stange, Mohammadmahdi Mansouri, Staszek, Przemysław Siekiera, Igor Rückert, Fernando Santos, Cosmin Barna, Marina Salitska, Kuanysh Moldabek, Ilija Komljenović, dedko58, Marjan Mirai, Miquel Costa, Annelie Pernheden, Yurii Zamotailo, Le Tien Dat Nguyen, Nguyên Hùng Lâm, Antonín M.Příkaský, Jean Riget Helming, VIctor, Per, Hans-Juergen Koppatz, Stathis Doukas