Why and when to delete an process
Delete an process when you no longer use it, when it takes up storage space you need, or when you want to remove it before selling or giving away your device. Deleting an process removes the program files and frees up the space they occupied. On most devices, deleting an app also removes its settings and saved data unless you back those up first.
Some applications come pre-installed on your device and cannot be deleted — you can only disable them so they stop running and no longer appear in your app list. Other applications you installed yourself can be fully removed. The method differs depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, use Settings > Apps > Apps & Features to uninstall, or use Control Panel for older versions.
- On Mac, drag the process to the Trash from the Applications folder, or use the uninstaller that came with the app.
- On iPhone, press and hold the app icon, select Remove App, then choose Delete App to remove it completely.
- On Android, open Settings > Apps, select the process, and tap Uninstall; some pre-installed apps can only be disabled.
- Deleting an app removes its files and data, so back up anything you want to keep before you delete.
Deleting applications on Windows
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, go to Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select Settings from the results. Click Apps in the left menu, then click Apps & Features. Scroll through the list to find the process you want to delete, click it once to select it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Uninstall again.
Some applications will open their own uninstaller window with additional options. Follow the prompts and click Finish when the uninstall is complete. The process and its files will be removed from your computer.
If you use an older version of Windows, open Control Panel instead. Type "Control Panel" in the search box, select it, then click Programs > Programs and Features. Find the process in the list, click it, and click Uninstall at the top of the list. Follow the same confirmation steps.
Deleting applications on Mac
The simplest way to delete an process on Mac is to open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, find the process you want to remove, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Empty the Trash afterward to permanently delete it. This method works for most applications you installed yourself.
Some applications come with their own uninstaller. Look in the Applications folder for a file named "Uninstall [process Name]" or similar. Double-click it and follow the prompts. This uninstaller removes the process and any files it created during installation.
If an process will not delete or you want to remove all traces of it, including settings files stored elsewhere on your Mac, you can use a third-party uninstaller process. These tools search your entire Mac for files related to the process and remove them all at once. Popular options include AppCleaner (free) and CleanMyMac X (paid).
Deleting applications on iPhone
To delete an process from your iPhone, find the app on your home screen or in the App Library. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears. Select Remove App, then select Delete App from the confirmation menu. Tap Delete again to confirm. The process will be removed from your iPhone when ready.
If you want to keep the app but remove it from your home screen, select Remove App and then choose Remove from Home Screen instead. The app will move to the App Library but remain on your phone and can be reinstalled later without downloading it again.
Some applications that came with your iPhone, such as Stocks or Reminders, can be removed from the home screen but not fully deleted from the device. If you delete an app and later change your mind, you can reinstall it from the App Store at no cost if it was free, or you can restore your purchase if it was paid.
Deleting applications on Android
Open Settings on your Android phone and scroll down to find Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap it to see a list of all installed applications. Find the process you want to delete, tap it, and look for an Uninstall button. Tap Uninstall and confirm when prompted. The process will be removed from your phone.
Some applications that came pre-installed on your Android phone cannot be fully uninstalled. Instead, you will see a Disable button. Tapping Disable removes the app from your app drawer and stops it from running in the background, but the app files remain on your phone. You can re-enable it later if you change your mind.
If you cannot find the app in Settings, try pressing and holding the app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options including Uninstall. Tap Uninstall and confirm. This method works the same way as uninstalling through Settings.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an process, the program files are removed from your device. On most devices, the app's saved data, settings, and login information are also deleted. If you reinstall the process later, it will start fresh as if you had just installed it for the first time.
Before you delete an process, think about whether you want to save anything it contains. If the app stores photos, documents, or other files you created, export or back them up first. For example, if you delete a note-taking app, export your notes to a text file or email them to yourself. If you delete a photo editing app, save the edited photos to your phone's photo library or cloud storage.
Some applications sync their data to the cloud or to your account. For example, if you delete Gmail from your phone, your emails remain on Google's servers and you can access them again by signing back in. Check the app's settings before you delete it to see whether it backs up your data automatically.
Freeing up storage space after deletion
Deleting an process frees up the storage space it occupied, but the space may not appear available when ready. On Windows, run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files. Press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup", select it, choose your main drive, and click OK. Check the boxes next to the file types you want to remove, then click Delete Files.
On Mac, the space is usually freed automatically. If you want to see how much space you have available, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look at the Storage tab. On iPhone and Android, the space becomes available as you use the device, though you can speed this up by restarting your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an process and then reinstall it later?
Yes. On Windows and Mac, you can reinstall from the original installer or read it again from the publisher's website. On iPhone, you can reinstall free apps from the App Store at no cost. On Android, you can reinstall from the Google Play Store. Your login information and some settings may need to be re-entered.
What is the difference between deleting and disabling an app?
Deleting removes the process files from your device and frees up storage space. Disabling stops the app from running and hides it from your app list, but the files remain on your device. Disabling is common for pre-installed applications that cannot be fully deleted. You can re-enable a disabled app at any time.
Will deleting an app remove my account or login information?
Deleting the app removes the stored login information on that device. However, your account with the service (email, social media, etc.) remains active on the company's servers. When you reinstall the app, you can sign back in with your username and password.
How do I delete an app if the uninstall button is grayed out?
On Windows, the app may be running. Close it completely and try again. On Mac, the app may be in use by another program. Restart your Mac and try deleting it. On iPhone and Android, restart your phone. If the button remains grayed out, the app is likely a system app that cannot be deleted, only disabled.
Does deleting an app delete my photos or documents?
Deleting the app removes only the process itself and its settings. Photos and documents you created in the app are deleted unless you exported them first. Before deleting, check the app's folder or export your files to your phone's main storage, a cloud service, or your computer.