Installing and uninstalling programs can be easy and quick when it's just a one-off, but what about when you need to perform this action in bulk? It can be a hassle and a time consuming process, so we're going to teach you how to do it in a flash.
There's nothing inherently wrong with installing programs in turn from the developer's website or using the native Windows uninstaller to remove them. Actually, it's sometimes better for single instances to do it like that. But it's not efficient en masse.
Installing In Bulk
Installing a single program might take a couple of minutes out of your day, but imagine how much time you're burning when doing that multiple times over. The problem is that you have to sit at the desk, manually clicking through the prompts and downloading the necessary files.
This could happen when you get a new system, wipe your current one or are setting up a network of devices. There's really no need to go through the repetitiveness thanks to an excellent program called Ninite.
Ninite is a mass installer that's easy to use and works like a charm. You simply select the programs you want to install, download one executable and Ninite will do the rest.
Downloading And Using Ninite
First of all, head to the Ninite website. You'll be presented with a list of some of the most popular programs on the web – browsers, messengers, image editors, storage utilities and more. It obviously can't cover everything under the sun, but chances are it'll have nearly everything you need.
Tick the programs you want and click the bright green Get Installer button. A unique exe will be compiled and all you have to do is run it. That's literally it. You don't have to press anything else. Go off, make a cup of tea, and everything will be installed without your input.
One great thing about Ninite is that it automatically detects the bit version of your operating system, meaning compatibility isn't a worry. It'll also decline any bloatware the installer might want to attach, like toolbars, meaning you get exactly what you ask for.
Ninite is purely an installer, so it won't clog up your system. You can keep the executable on your system, though – simply run it again and all the programs will be updated if necessary. And because all the files are automatically updated by bots, you can be safe in the knowledge it's the latest version.
Uninstalling In Bulk
On the opposite end of the scale, you might want to remove a load of programs all at once. The Windows uninstaller is serviceable, but it isn't excellent. It can sometimes leave folders and bits of data left over; occasionally it might run into a bug that stops it uninstalling something altogether.
There are lots of different programs available that'll all help you uninstall in bulk, but we'll mainly take a look at two of the most popular.
Absolute Uninstaller
Absolute Uninstaller (our review) is a tool to remove programs without a trace.
Navigate to the Absolute Uninstaller website and download the free program that is still regularly updated. When you run the program it'll compile a list of everything that you've got installed on your system.
Although you can remove individual programs, that's not what we're here for. Hit the Batch Uninstall button and checkboxes will appear next to every program. Mark everything you want removed and press the Uninstall Checked Program… button when you're ready.
Absolute Uninstaller can do more than that, however. Although you might know which specific programs you want gone, you also have the ability to sort them by those recently installed, rarely used and large in file size. If you're looking to clear hard drive space or spring clean then those functions will come in very handy.
IObit Uninstaller
Pop over to the official website for IObit Uninstaller and download the free and wonderfully small file. On launch it'll show everything installed, including the size, install date and version.
One of the first things you'll notice about the uninstaller is how slick it looks, but that doesn't mean it's skimped on features. To remove in bulk, tick Batch Uninstall and checkboxes will appear in the program list. Tick those to bin and click the glowing green Uninstall button when it's time to go.
Like Absolute, IObit also lets you sort by programs recently installed, large in size and infrequently used. The program was recently updated with some powerful new options, too. If you play games on your computer, for example, then you might be surprised just how much space they take up – and if you don't play them anymore, it's probably best to take them off your drive.
There's No Need To Pay
Absolute and IObit not only work well, but they're also entirely free. You'll find many more uninstallers on the market, but you might be surprised to hear that some of them cost.
This is usually because they offer more advanced features than just the ability to bulk uninstall. While that serves a purpose for some, if all you're looking to do is remove lots of programs at once then there's definitely no need to pay for that to happen.
Do you think we missed Revo Uninstaller? Yes, we have previously recommended it as one of the best third party uninstallers. Unfortunately, mass uninstall is a premium feature.
Removing Preinstalled Windows 8 & Windows 10 Apps
This one is just for those running Windows 8 or Windows 10. You might have noticed that the operating system comes with a lot of apps preinstalled. And if you've upgraded to 8.1 then that list has grown even more.
That's fine if you make use of them, but some users might consider them bloatware and want them gone. That's where a handy and free utility called Windows 8 App Remover comes in. You can bulk uninstall all the Windows apps like Bing Finance, Reading List and Zune Music.
Launch the utility, select the apps it's time to nuke and then hit Remove Apps. You can Select All, but that's not recommended – it'll remove some apps like Communication that can be difficult to get back if needs be. Once the process has begun it won't take long before the apps have been removed from your system entirely.
It's Time To Bulk Up
The chances are, once you've discovered the ability to install and uninstall in bulk, then you won't go back to the standard method. It's just so quick and simple to do it all at once. System admins will find the ability to deploy the same set of programs to multiple computers a joy, while trigger-happy installers will love the ability to swiftly ditch some useless downloads.
Not sure which programs you should remove? There's an app called 'Should I Remove It?' for that!
Do you use a bulk installer or uninstaller and if so which program do you recommend?
Image Credits: Forex Money for Exchange in Currency Bank by epSos .de, licensed under CC BY 2.0