Quick Answer
revouninstaller.exe is safe. It's the official Revo Uninstaller executable that helps remove programs, clean leftovers, and repair traces left in the registry and filesystem.
Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\VS Revo Group\Revo Uninstaller
Warning
Multiple processes may run during an uninstall
Each cleanup step may spawn child processes for thorough removal
Can I Disable?
YES
Close the UI or disable startup to reduce background activity
What is revouninstaller.exe?
revouninstaller.exe is the main executable for Revo Uninstaller, a utility designed to uninstall programs and aggressively remove leftover registry entries, files, and traces. It provides forced uninstall, cleanup wizards, and a portable cleanup engine to improve system tidiness.
Revo Uninstaller operates with a cleanup engine that scans after uninstall to detect remnants. It runs lightweight processes to analyze program traces, registry keys, and filesystem artifacts, then offers guided removal and cleanup steps.
Quick Fact: Revo Uninstaller has been offering thorough leftover removal since the early 2000s, using a combination of built-in scanners and manual cleanup options.
Types of Revo Uninstaller Processes
- Uninstaller UI Process: Main interface for uninstall sessions and cleanup actions (1 instance)
- Monitoring Service: Background watcher that tracks installed programs and triggers scans
- Cleanup Engine: Core module that detects leftover registry keys and files
- Updater/Background Task: Checks for updates and license status in the background
- License Helper: Validates the product license and enables premium features
- Logging/Telemetry: Writes diagnostic data to logs for troubleshooting
Is revouninstaller.exe Safe?
Yes, revouninstaller.exe is safe when downloaded from the official VS Revo Group site (revo-uninstaller.com) or bundled with a legitimate installer.
Is revouninstaller.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real revouninstaller.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes uses similar names to mislead users.
How to Tell if revouninstaller.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\VS Revo Group\Revo Uninstaller or C:\Program Files (x86)\VS Revo Group\Revo Uninstaller. Any revouninstaller.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click Revouninstaller.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "VS Revo Group" as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.5-3% CPU and 20-70 MB memory. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Revouninstaller.exe should run during uninstall sessions or when opened by the user. Unprompted background activity suggests malware.
Red Flags: If revouninstaller.exe is located outside the expected Program Files path, runs without user interaction, lacks a digital signature, or spawns unusual network activity, run a full antivirus scan. Watch for similarly named files like "revouninstaller32.exe".
Why Is revouninstaller.exe Running on My PC?
revouninstaller.exe runs when you start Revo Uninstaller, perform a uninstall, or when the background monitoring tasks are enabled to check for leftover traces and initiate cleanup.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Uninstall Session: You initiated an uninstall or cleanup; the process runs to complete the removal and scan for leftovers.
- Background Monitoring: The tool monitors installed programs to detect remnants after uninstall, triggering scans when needed.
- Startup Launch: If configured, the application may start with Windows to check for updates or license status.
- Background Cleanup Tasks: Scheduled cleanup tasks may run to prune temporary files and registry entries related to previously removed software.
- Updater or License Check: Background updater checks for new versions or licensing information, which may briefly run revouninstaller.exe.
Can I Disable or Remove revouninstaller.exe?
Yes, you can disable revouninstaller.exe. You can stop its UI, disable startup, or uninstall Revo Uninstaller if you no longer need it.
How to Stop revouninstaller.exe
- End Uninstall Session: In the Revo Uninstaller UI, end the current uninstall process or cancel the operation.
- Close the Application: Exit the Revo Uninstaller window and ensure no background tasks remain running.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable Revo Uninstaller entry if present.
- Stop Background Tasks: Within Revo, disable any background monitoring or cleanup options; otherwise the process may relaunch.
- Prevent Background Services: If the product provides a background service, set its startup type to Disabled in Services.msc.
How to Uninstall Revo Uninstaller
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Revo Uninstaller -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Revo Uninstaller -> Uninstall
- ✔ If prompted, choose to remove leftover data and registry traces during the uninstallation
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If revouninstaller.exe is consuming excessive resources during an uninstall or cleanup:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Active uninstall session with long cleanup tasks: Wait for the process to complete or cancel in the UI; avoid starting multiple uninstall operations at once
- Background monitoring enabled: Disable monitoring in Revo Uninstaller settings to reduce background activity
- Conflicting antivirus or security software: Temporarily whitelist Revouninstaller.exe or adjust security software to allow cleanup actions
- Outdated version: Update to the latest Revo Uninstaller version from the official site
- Large leftover registry or file cleanup: Limit scans to the selected program during uninstall; run a targeted cleanup in the UI
- Multiple plugins or modules active: Disable optional modules you do not need in the Revo settings
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Revo Uninstaller Task Manager to identify active uninstall tasks
2. Run cleanup for a specific program rather than global cleanup
3. Update Revo Uninstaller to the latest version
4. Whitelist Revouninstaller.exe in your security software
5. Restart the computer to ensure a clean state before trying again
Frequently Asked Questions
Is revouninstaller.exe safe?
Yes. The legitimate Revouninstaller.exe is part of Revo Uninstaller and should reside in C:\Program Files\VS Revo Group\Revo Uninstaller. Always verify it is signed by VS Revo Group.
Why is revouninstaller.exe using so much CPU?
CPU spikes usually occur during active uninstall or in-depth cleanup scans. Check which program is being uninstalled and limit background scans if possible.
Can I delete revouninstaller.exe?
You should not delete revouninstaller.exe directly. If you no longer need Revo Uninstaller, uninstall the whole program via Windows Settings or Control Panel.
Can I disable revouninstaller.exe?
Yes, you can disable startup and background monitoring. Do not disable essential cleanup functions if you still rely on the tool for uninstalling software.
How do I uninstall Revo Uninstaller completely?
Use Windows Settings -> Apps -> Revo Uninstaller -> Uninstall and follow prompts to remove all components and registry traces.
Why does revouninstaller.exe run on startup?
If configured, Revo Uninstaller may launch at startup to check for updates or monitor installations. Disable startup entry if you don’t want it to start automatically.