When I installed .NET Reflector for the first time, it was as easy as unzipping it, dragging the folder to the appropriate place on my disk, and launching it. From within the UI, I was able to configure things like Windows Explorer and Visual Studio integration. This was all very nice, and I used it extensively.
Now, I can’t use any of it anymore because Red Gate has decided not just to begin charging for new versions of its software, but to lock out all existing versions. My personal feelings about that have motivated me not to upgrade to the latest version, and in fact, not to use any Red Gate software at all. Fortunately, there are lots of great free and/or open source alternatives; I’ll be picking one of those.
The problem is that I can’t figure out how to completely eliminate of all traces of Reflector from my PC(s). I need to be able to open up the software so that I can ask it to remove itself from Explorer and Visual Studio before I go blindly deleting the folder from my disk. But I can’t do that because I’m not willing to pay for it or download a new version. Instead, I get this unhelpful and now-inaccurate message:
Yes, I could probably delete the executable, and then go hacking around in the Registry myself to remove the shell integration and all of the associations. But I’d prefer not to do that. The software should provide me with a way to remove it, like all other software, especially now that it’s no longer free.
So what is that way? Downloading the trial version just so that I can remove it is not a reasonable option.
To answer your main question, if you want to get rid of Reflector you can probably just delete it: the vast majority of people don’t use an installer to “install” it on their machines anyway, so deletion will do the job. If you did install using the .NET Developer Bundle installer you can get rid of it in the usual way via Add/Remove Programs (WinXP) or Programs and Features (Vista, Win7, etc.).
Now, as to there being no free version of .NET Reflector…
.NET Reflector 6.8 continues to be free, and is available to all users of Reflector 4.x, 5.x, and 6.x via auto-update. It does not expire and, as of 6.8.2, does not require registration – see http://www.reflector.net/2011/06/no-need-to-register-net-reflector-6-8-any-more/.
In other words, if as an existing user you wish to continue using Reflector for free, you can.
As you’re obviously already aware this wasn’t our original policy, but some time ago we decided we were wrong and reversed part of our charging decision. If you’re interested in the background you can find out more at http://www.reflector.net/2011/04/why-we-reversed-some-of-our-reflector-decision/.
Instructions for upgrading to .NET Reflector 6.8 from previous versions can be found here:
http://www.red-gate.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=13384
Basically it boils down to just click “Yes” when you’re asked if you want to download the free trial of v7, and it will download and install .NET Reflector 6.8.2, which is yours, free, forever. Just to be absolutely clear: it will not download a trial version of v7 – the message is incorrect – and there is no longer any need to register, as of 6.8.2, which was released on June 30th, 2011.
I hope that’s useful but if you have any other questions I’ll be happy to help.