Junkware Removal Tool for Windows

Thisisu's Junkware Removal Tool purges your system of PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) like adware and toolbars almost as easily as they find their way into your system. It's not uncommon for freeware to come bundled with other programs that you can usually decline to install, but it's also not unusual for one to sneak past your defenses. Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) is a one-step system cleaner that targets PUPs, adware, toolbars, and other malicious, suspicious, and pernicious system parasites, removing not only the unwanted program but also any traces left behind in your Registry and other places where debris accumulates. JRT is portable freeware, so it leaves no traces behind, either. It's also very basic, from the user's point of view: There are no settings or options, and the Command Line-style interface might not appeal to some users. But it's fast and effective, and it produces a detailed log of its actions.

We extracted JRT's executable file and clicked it. The program opened in a Command Line interface. Following JRT's instructions, we closed our browser and other open programs and pressed a random key to continue. JRT created a registry backup and began scanning our system, checking Startup, Modules, and so on, in sequence. It's normal for various windows to open and close quickly when JRT is running. The whole scan took about five minutes and found, removed, and scrubbed up a pair of PUPs. JRT automatically saved a text log to our desktop. It detailed everything the program did. Of course, if there's a toolbar or PUP that you actually want to keep, you'll need to reinstall it every time you run JRT since it offers no exclusion list.

Junkware Removal Tool's super-basic interface and all-or-nothing process limit its appeal somewhat, though we have no complaints about JRT's effectiveness. But similar tools that offer more options are available. We ran some popular cleaners after running JRT. Far from being redundant, JRT added powerful, targeted cleaning to our security lineup. JRT is free and safe, so you have nothing to lose by trying it, except of course for those pesky PUPs!