This page is dedicated to accumulating information on removing unwanted software. I decided to put this page together as an off-site reference tool for myself after reading an article on the topic of how to remove "crapware". In particular, I was very interested in collecting this information after reading the article because I've been dealing with several family members' computers that regularly get "gunked up" with unwanted software.
Autoruns is a Microsoft utility that lists all programs that are started during the Windows boot process, then allows the user to disable or delete unwanted applications from startup.
CCleaner is a system cleanup tool that is highly effective at removing dead registry entries as well as supporting files that are sometimes left behind when an application is uninstalled.
PC DeCrapifier is a software removal tool specifically designed for removing unwanted applications, whether they came preinstalled on your system or were put there against your wishes later.
Revo Uninstaller not only removes programs you want to uninstall, but it can clean up files left behind by imcomplete or "botched" uninstalls.
SlimComputer can remove programs as well as perform some system tuning (e.g. disabling services, reordering startup items).
WinPatrol is a software detection utility that uses an extensive database to determine which installed applications are "crapware". While the author invites you to "Try it for FREE as long as you want", it is not freeware -- it is shareware (you pay for the software after trying it out). There is also a version that looks like it supports Windows 98 and 2000.
The Norton Removal Tool is a software app offered by Symantec for removing "a failed installation or a damaged Norton product". Since I consistently find the Norton antivirus software to be a significant resource hog on any system that has it, I usually remove it as soon as I find it.