Software in a box?

[L815]

I'm kinda crazy in keeping my pc clean , but I like trying all kinds of software.

I am wondering if there is a type of software which will allow me to install a program inside it, but instead of uninstalling it (which leaves junk) I can just delete the "box" i installed it in. Does it make any sense? I guess like a sandbox, but I don't know if I can do that with a sandbox.

Kind of how a Virtual Machine works (everything inside the HDD image), but without having me to use a virtual machine.

I'm also open to uninstall program suggestions (free if possible).

[Firebytes]

Returnil is free and will allow you to install and test programs, as long as they don't require a reboot to run. Returnil virtualizes your system partition. When system protection is active any program you install and any changes made to your system will be gone after you reboot your computer.

As far as uninstallers go, there are two free ones that I have tried and liked. Revo Uninstaller runs a program's own uninstaller and then searches for items left behind by the uninstaller and allows you to delete them. ZSoft Uninstaller scans your system before an install and then again after and logs changes made, which it can then remove when uninstalling the program. Personnaly, I prefer Revo out of those two. Your mileage may vary.

[WSFuser]

You can do that with Sandboxie. It may not work well for all programs/installers though.

[bigc73542]

Originally Posted by L815

I'm kinda crazy in keeping my pc clean , but I like trying all kinds of software.

I am wondering if there is a type of software which will allow me to install a program inside it, but instead of uninstalling it (which leaves junk) I can just delete the "box" i installed it in. Does it make any sense? I guess like a sandbox, but I don't know if I can do that with a sandbox.

Kind of how a Virtual Machine works (everything inside the HDD image), but without having me to use a virtual machine.

I'm also open to uninstall program suggestions (free if possible).

Most aftermarket uninstallers monitor the install of programs and can uninstall all of the changes the install created, in effect it is like the program was never installed

[lodore]

if i want to test software i use imaging software
create an image install software try it then restore image and then there is no trace at all.
may not be ideal for what you want to do thou.

[HURST]

See this thread:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=205140

[L815]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll look through and see which one works best for me. I'll post my results after..



EDIT:

With sandboxie, if I install a program inside, will it write items to the registry, or keep them inside the box?

[Dave49]

I think there is a free VMWare now.

~Dave

[L815]

Yeah vmware server which seems slower than workstation, and there's always virtualbox, but i want to leave that as a last resort.

[WSFuser]

@L815, the registry entries would stay in the box.

[farmerlee]

Altiris software virtualization solution can do exactly what you've described. Its what i use to install software i want to trial. You install it in a virtual layer and from there you can keep it, export it to for use elsewhere or simply delete it without needing to reboot the system.

[Longboard]

As above, and:
??
RollbackRx
Mojopac
Moka5
Thinstall
Easy vmx and VMPlayer, just copy your original VM...keep your VMs on an external drive..
Returnil in VMWare

Set up a partition for dual boot..have test bed imaged..format partition when required and reinstall image...

..sorry in a hurry...just suggestions

OH for the lost FDISR..

You are possibly not going to get past an initial install of some "device" or 'primary set-up' but if you put it on a separate bootable partition or a bootable USb..then image the baseline or incrementals as required..

make a live cd of XP ..

lots of options..

Sandboxie will not allow install of driver.

[L815]

The sandbox thing didn't work at all like I expected. I did a run where I installed a random app, and it went through the entire process, but there was nothing installed in the end. Not a problem, just not an option anymore.

As far as rollback images and having a resource using monitoring program, that seems a bit much for the simplicity I'm after.

For now I've settled back to Revo because it's quicker than comparing before and after (doesn't always get those extra files after using the app)

And Vmware is also the second best option for really worrisome situations. I've used this in the past and is a hair from exactly what I want

[Huupi]

Originally Posted by Longboard

As above, and:
??
RollbackRx
Mojopac
Moka5
Thinstall
Easy vmx and VMPlayer, just copy your original VM...keep your VMs on an external drive..
Returnil in VMWare

Set up a partition for dual boot..have test bed imaged..format partition when required and reinstall image...

..sorry in a hurry...just suggestions

OH for the lost FDISR..

You are possibly not going to get past an initial install of some "device" or 'primary set-up' but if you put it on a separate bootable partition or a bootable USb..then image the baseline or incrementals as required..

make a live cd of XP ..

lots of options..

Sandboxie will not allow install of driver.

For sure SBIE wont allow that,cause many malware comes with their own driver [security measure].

[HAN]

I use an image like lodore. Takes approx 10 minutes or less to have things back to the way they were before the new software with zero leftovers...