REMOVE-IT Version 2,

a review by Jerry Kuklewski / Alamo PC

Hard drives are getting bigger every day, but so are the programs. With all the applications, fonts and drivers each new program places on your hard disk it doesn’t take long for DISK FULL to appear. You now make a choice. Get a bigger disk drive or clean up the old one.

Trying to find and removing the old unwanted DOS and window programs can be a monumental task. Windows based programs make modifications to the system files, add fonts, and drivers that most of us are unaware of. One product on the market that certainly helps ease the pain this clean up action is Vertisoft’s Remove-it.

Prior to installing Remove-it, it is strongly recommended that you run Scandisk to locate lost clusters, crossed linked files, etc. Then defragment your hard drive. This will help insure your drive is free of any pre-existing hard disk problems.

Most of us like to just jump in and get the program up and running without reading the manual. Due to the fact that you could do a lot of damage with indiscriminate fooling around with the program I would recommend reading the manual before installing Remove-it. It comes with an excellent manual that gives a thorough explanation of all the program features. It will help you get a better feel of the program.

One of the best features of the program is its elaborate backup functions. Any time a file or application is removed a backup copy is made so you can undue what you did. You can over-ride this function but you have to make an effort to do it. By default, the program backs up in compressed form, any files you remove.

The program sports a knowledge of nearly 850 applications so that it can uninstall them correctly and completely.

This version has an application that prepares your system for the upgrade to windows 95. This module first catalogs your 3.1 windows directory and groups, then offers to move them either individually or en mass to windows 95. It removes all the unneeded pieces of windows 3.1. The installation is very easy, a standard windows install. Clicking on the remove-it icon starts the program and shows the main menu screen. You are presented with a dozen different tools with which to maintain your hard drive.

Clean-up Coach: Step by step removal Wizard

New users can start with a clean up coach that guides you through the other modules or you can start each module separately. For the first time user this is probably best to start with the coach. Its the best way to learn the program and get comfortable with it. It presents a series of dialogue boxes that have different views of the files and applications on the system that could be removed. It guides you through all the different program modules.

Remove-it

This is the key module of the program, uninstalling Windows and DOS applications. Remove-it works best if it is installed on your system before you install new applications, because it logs everything the installation does and then reverses the actions when you uninstall. Removing programs that are on the system prior to the installation of remove-it are a little more involved. but with the undo feature you can get back to where you were if things go wrong.

Clean-it Removes fonts, drivers, and other files it creates backup copy of the removed files and allows you to print a removal report.

Find-it

Lets you find and delete duplicate and unreferenced files

Log-it

Log and remove program installations

When activated it runs in the background and automatically records the details of each new software application installation. When the time comes to uninstall the program it uses this install information to remove the program and all the bits and pieces.

Watch-it

Monitor file usage and delete unused files This module uses the file and application access information gathered by the Smart disk custodian to create a statistical average of the usage on every file and application on your system. you can use this information to remove infrequently used files and applications if you so desire.

Store-it

Create an active application archive Allows you to archive selected applications, yet retain their icons on the desktop. the application is in compressed form but can be activated by clicking on its icon.

Transfer-it

Create self-installing backups. In this form the application can be installed on any other licensed computer with out Remove-it having to be installed on that computer.

Reinstall-it

Restore removed data from backup reinstalls files, applications, and data that you previously backed up and was removed from the system

Recover-it

Create an emergency recovery disk. This bootable disk can be used to reboot you system in the event that you accidentally remove files that are essential to the operation of your computer.

Undo-it

Reverses a prior removal. This reverses the most RECENT removal. Not to be confused with Re-install-it function which reinstalls files, applications, and data that was removed from the system. At first I was very leery of any program the can mess with my flies. After getting over my initial paranoia I feel quite comfortable with the program. I still have some things to learn but I can now sleep with out the night light. This is one program that delivers what it says it will.

Local street price is around $40.