There are many tools around that can watch your system for certain changes and we’ve written about ones that can track changes during an installation in another article. The best way to make sure nothing gets missed after removing an application is to monitor and track the file and registry changes when you install the software so when it comes to removal, you have the chance to delete anything the original installer left behind. Many of us have third party uninstall tools to help scan for and get rid of this leftover data such as Revo Uninstaller, but although they can do a fine job, these are after the event tools and sometimes not quite as accurate as they need to be. Security software is a prime example which can often leave a ton of redundant data behind and in many cases this causes system instability until all traces have been removed.

Most of us know that when you install an application, it’s not that uncommon for it leave bits of itself behind on your system after you uninstall it again, even using the official uninstaller utility that came with it.

Windows 7 process monitor software