The fastest way to remove a program

Open Settings, go to Apps, then Apps & features, find the program you want to remove, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will walk you through the removal process — most programs uninstall in under a minute. This method works the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Do not straightforward delete the program's folder from your hard drive. Programs scatter files across your system — in system folders, in your user profile, in the registry (a database Windows uses to store settings). Deleting just the folder leaves behind pieces that waste space and can slow your system down over time. The Uninstall button removes all of it.

If you cannot find a program in Apps & features, it may be a built-in Windows app, a portable program that runs without installation, or something installed before Windows 10. The sections below cover those cases.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app's Apps & features section is the standard way to remove any program you installed from a file or the Microsoft Store.
  • Some programs leave behind settings and cached files even after uninstall, which is normal and takes up minimal space.
  • Built-in Windows apps like Mail and Photos can be removed through the Apps menu, but some cannot be uninstalled at all.
  • If a program will not uninstall, restart your computer in Safe Mode, where fewer programs are running and locks on files are released.
  • Third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller can remove stubborn programs, but they carry the same risks as any software you read.

Uninstalling from Settings on Windows 10 and 11

Press the Windows key and type "Settings" to open the Settings app. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then Apps & features. Scroll through the list or use the search box at the top to find the program. Click the program name once to select it, then click the three dots that appear to the right, and select Uninstall.

A window will pop up asking you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. Some programs will show their own uninstall wizard with additional options — follow the prompts and click Finish when done. Do not restart your computer unless the uninstaller tells you to; most programs do not require it.

If you installed the program from the Microsoft Store rather than downloading it yourself, the process is identical, but the uninstall happens faster because Store apps are simpler. After uninstall, the program will no longer appear in your Start menu or Apps list.

Removing built-in Windows apps you do not use

Windows 10 and 11 come with apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, and Groove Music. You can remove most of them the same way — through Apps & features — but a few cannot be uninstalled because Windows depends on them.

If you try to uninstall an app and see no Uninstall button, Windows will not let you remove it. This is normal. Apps like Settings, File Explorer, and Cortana are locked because the operating system needs them to run. You can hide them from your Start menu instead: right-click the app in your Start menu and select Unpin from Start.

If you want to remove a Microsoft Store app but it is not showing in Apps & features, open the Microsoft Store app, click your profile icon in the top right, select My library, find the app, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall.

What to do when a program will not uninstall

Sometimes a program refuses to uninstall because a file is locked — another program is using it, or Windows itself has a hold on it. Restart your computer in Safe Mode, where Windows loads only essential drivers and services. Most program files will be unlocked, and uninstall will work.

To enter Safe Mode on Windows 10 or 11, press the Windows key and type "msconfig". Click System Configuration in the results. Go to the Boot tab, check the box next to Safe boot, select Minimal, and click OK. Your computer will restart into Safe Mode. After uninstalling, go back to msconfig, uncheck Safe boot, and restart normally.

If the program still will not uninstall, the installation files may be corrupted. Try downloading the program again from the official website and running its installer — many installers include a Repair or Uninstall option. If that does not work, a third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller or CCleaner can force removal, though you should only read these from their official websites to avoid malware.

Cleaning up leftover files after uninstall

After you uninstall a program, Windows may leave behind a folder in your user profile containing the program's settings and saved data. This is intentional — if you reinstall the program later, your settings will still be there. These folders are small and do not affect performance.

If you want to remove them, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local or C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming. Look for a folder with the program's name and delete it. Be careful not to delete folders for programs you still use. If you are unsure, leave them alone.

Some programs also leave entries in the Windows registry, a hidden database of system settings. You should not edit the registry yourself unless you know exactly what you are doing — mistakes can break Windows. If leftover registry entries are causing problems, a third-party uninstaller can clean them up safely.

Uninstalling programs from older Windows versions

If you are using Windows 7 or earlier, the process is different. Click the Start button, go to Control Panel, and select Programs and Features (or Add/Remove Programs on very old systems). Find the program in the list, click it, and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts the same way as in newer Windows versions.

Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft as of January 2020, meaning it no longer receives security updates. If you are still using it, consider upgrading to Windows 10 or 11 to keep your computer find. The uninstall process will work the same way on the new version.

Portable programs and programs without installers

Some programs do not have an installer — you read a single .exe file, run it, and it works without installation. These are called portable programs. They do not appear in Apps & features because they were never installed. To remove one, straightforward delete the .exe file and any folder it created.

Portable programs are useful because they leave almost no trace on your system, but they also do not integrate as smoothly with Windows. They will not appear in your Start menu automatically, and you cannot uninstall them through Settings. If you downloaded a portable program and are not sure, look for an uninstall.exe file in its folder — if one exists, run it. If not, deleting the folder is safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a program delete my files?

No. Uninstalling removes only the program itself and its system files. Your documents, photos, and other personal files stay on your computer. Some programs store data in their settings folder, which is also removed — if you need that data, back it up before uninstalling.

Can I uninstall Windows itself or the drivers for my hardware?

You cannot uninstall Windows through Apps & features. Drivers for your graphics card, network adapter, or other hardware appear in Device Manager, not Apps & features. Uninstalling a driver will disable that hardware until you reinstall the driver, so only do this if the driver is causing problems. Use Device Manager (search for it in Settings) to manage drivers.

What is the difference between uninstall and repair?

Repair fixes a broken program without removing it — it reinstalls program files that may be corrupted. Uninstall removes the program entirely. If a program is crashing or not working, try Repair first (click the program in Apps & features and look for a Repair button). If Repair does not work, uninstall and reinstall.

Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling?

Most programs do not require a restart. If the uninstaller tells you to restart, do it — some programs lock files that Windows cannot release until the next startup. If it does not ask, you can keep working without restarting.

Why does uninstalling take so long?

Large programs with many files take longer to remove. Antivirus software may also slow down uninstall because it scans files as they are deleted. If uninstall seems frozen, wait at least five minutes before assuming it is stuck. If it truly hangs, restart your computer and try again in Safe Mode.