The Two Ways to Remove Apps From Windows 10

You can delete apps on Windows 10 in two ways: through the Settings menu (the easiest method for most programs) or through the Control Panel (older method that still works). Most apps you installed yourself should come off cleanly using Settings. Some built-in Windows apps can be removed the same way, though a few cannot be deleted at all.

The Settings method takes about 30 seconds per app. You do not need to restart your computer after removing an app, and the program files disappear when ready. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or the publisher's website.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Apps, then Apps & Features, find the program you want to remove, click it, and select Uninstall.
  • Some built-in Windows apps like Mail or Photos can be removed through Settings, but others like Cortana or Windows Defender cannot.
  • If an app does not appear in Settings, it may be a built-in system program that cannot be deleted, or it may need to be removed through Control Panel instead.
  • Uninstalling an app does not delete your files — only the program itself is removed.
  • If you cannot find an app in Settings or Control Panel, check your Programs folder or use the app's own uninstaller if it has one.

Deleting Apps Through Settings (The Standard Method)

Open the Windows Start menu and type Settings. Click the Settings app when it appears. Once Settings opens, click Apps on the left side of the window.

Click Apps & Features. You will see a list of all installed programs. Scroll down to find the app you want to remove. Click on it once to select it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. A confirmation window may pop up asking if you are sure — click Uninstall again to confirm. The program will disappear from your computer within a few seconds.

If the app has its own uninstaller window, follow the prompts it shows. Most apps straightforward remove themselves without asking questions. You do not need to restart your computer after the process finishes.

Removing Built-In Windows Apps

Windows 10 comes with apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, and Groove Music already installed. Many of these can be removed through Settings using the same method as above — find them in Apps & Features, click them, and select Uninstall. If you delete one and want it back later, you can reinstall it free from the Microsoft Store.

Some built-in apps cannot be removed this way. Cortana (the search and voice assistant), Windows Defender (the antivirus), and a few others are locked to the system and will not show an Uninstall button. These are considered essential to Windows and Microsoft does not allow their removal through normal means.

Using Control Panel If Settings Does Not Work

If an app does not appear in Settings or the Uninstall button is grayed out, try the older Control Panel method. Open the Start menu and type Control Panel. Click the Control Panel app when it appears.

Click Programs, then Programs and Features. You will see a different list of installed programs. Find the app you want to remove, click it once, and click Uninstall at the top of the list. Follow any prompts that appear. This method sometimes works for older programs that do not show up in Settings.

What Happens to Your Files When You Delete an App

Uninstalling an app removes only the program itself, not the files you created with it. If you used Notepad to write a document and then delete Notepad, your document stays on your computer. You can open it with a different text editor or reinstall Notepad later and your file will still be there.

Some apps store settings and data in a separate folder on your computer. When you uninstall the app, these folders usually stay behind. If you want to remove them completely, you can delete them manually, but this is not necessary for the app to be gone. The program will no longer appear in your Start menu or take up space in your Programs folder.

Reinstalling an App You Deleted

If you delete an app and want it back, the easiest way depends on where it came from. Apps from the Microsoft Store can be reinstalled free by opening the Microsoft Store, searching for the app by name, and clicking Install. Built-in Windows apps like Mail or Photos work the same way.

Apps you bought or downloaded from a publisher's website need to be downloaded again from that source. Visit the publisher's website, read the installer file, and run it. You may need to enter a license key or password if you paid for the app originally, so keep that information in a safe place.

Apps That Take Up Space and Are Safe to Remove

Some apps that come with Windows 10 are rarely used and take up disk space. Games like Candy Crush or Solitaire, the 3D Viewer, and some Microsoft Store apps can all be safely removed if you do not use them. Removing them frees up space on your hard drive.

Do not remove apps you are unsure about without searching for them first. System apps with names like "Windows Update" or "System Settings" should never be deleted. If you see an app with a name you do not recognize, search for it online before removing it — it may be something Windows needs to run properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an app slow down my computer?

Removing an app does not speed up your computer unless it was running in the background and using resources. Most uninstalled apps do not affect performance because they are not active. However, deleting large apps does free up disk space, which can help if your drive is nearly full.

Can I delete Windows 10 itself?

No. You cannot uninstall Windows 10 through Settings or Control Panel. If you want to remove Windows 10 from your computer, you would need to install a different operating system, which requires technical knowledge and erases everything on your drive.

What if I accidentally delete an app I need?

You can reinstall it. If it came from the Microsoft Store, search for it there and click Install. If you downloaded it from a website, go back to that website and read it again. Your files created with that app will still be on your computer.

Why does an app still appear in my Start menu after I uninstalled it?

Sometimes a shortcut remains even after the program is gone. Right-click the app in your Start menu and select Uninstall or Remove from this list. If that does not work, the app may not have uninstalled completely — try removing it again through Settings or Control Panel.

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

No. Windows 10 requires you to uninstall apps one at a time through Settings or Control Panel. Select each app individually, click Uninstall, and wait for it to finish before moving to the next one.