The Two Ways to Remove Programs From Windows

You can delete an process on Windows through Settings or through the Control Panel. Settings is the newer method and works the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Control Panel method is older but still available. Both remove the program files and free up disk space, though some leftover files may remain in your user folder.

The method you choose does not matter much — they reach the same uninstall process. Settings is slightly faster if you know the program name. The Control Panel is useful if you want to see all your programs listed at once before deciding what to remove.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Apps, then Apps & Features, search for the program you want to remove, and click Uninstall.
  • Some programs ask you to confirm the removal or choose which parts to delete — follow the prompts that appear.
  • A few programs leave behind settings files in your user folder even after uninstalling, but this does not affect performance.
  • If a program will not uninstall, restart your computer and try again, or check the program's website for a removal tool.
  • Deleting a program shortcut from your desktop or Start menu does not actually remove the program — you must uninstall it through Settings or Control Panel.

Removing an App Through Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. On the left side, click Apps. Then click Apps & Features.

Type the name of the program you want to remove in the search box at the top. When the program appears in the list, click it once. A button labeled Uninstall will appear to the right. Click Uninstall.

A window may pop up asking you to confirm the removal or to choose which parts of the program to delete. Click the button that says Uninstall or Remove to finish. The program will delete itself and remove its files from your computer. This usually takes less than a minute.

Removing an App Through Control Panel

Open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key, typing "Control Panel", and clicking the result. Click Programs, then Programs and Features.

You will see a list of every program installed on your computer, sorted by name. Find the one you want to remove and click it once. A button labeled Uninstall will appear at the top of the list. Click it.

Follow any prompts that appear. Some programs ask which parts to remove or whether you want to keep settings files. Click the button that says Uninstall or Remove to finish. The program will delete itself.

What Happens When You Uninstall a Program

Uninstalling removes the program files from your computer and frees up disk space. It also removes the program from your Start menu and from the list of installed programs. Shortcuts on your desktop will no longer work.

Some programs leave behind a folder in your user folder that contains settings or saved data. These leftover files are usually small and do not affect how your computer runs. If you want to remove them, you can delete the folder manually, but this is not necessary.

A few programs create entries in the Windows registry, a database that stores system settings. Uninstalling through Settings or Control Panel removes these entries automatically. You do not need to do anything else.

When a Program Will Not Uninstall

If you click Uninstall and nothing happens, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes a program is still running in the background and will not let itself be removed until you restart.

If restarting does not work, check the program's website or support page. Many programs have their own removal tool that you can read and run. This tool is designed to remove the program completely, including parts that the standard uninstall process might miss.

If you still cannot remove the program, it may be a system program that Windows needs to run. Do not force-delete it. Instead, search the program's name plus "how to uninstall" to find specific instructions for that program.

The Difference Between Uninstalling and Deleting a Shortcut

Deleting a program's icon from your desktop or Start menu does not remove the program. It only removes the shortcut — the link that opens the program. The program files stay on your computer and still take up space.

To actually remove a program, you must uninstall it through Settings or Control Panel. Uninstalling is the only way to free up the disk space the program uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a program delete my files?

No. Uninstalling removes only the program itself, not files you created with it. A document you wrote in Word, for example, stays on your computer even after you uninstall Word. You can still open that document with a different program.

Can I uninstall Windows updates or built-in programs?

Some built-in programs like Notepad cannot be uninstalled. Others, like Microsoft Edge, can be removed through Settings. If you do not see an Uninstall button, the program is part of Windows and cannot be removed.

What if I change my mind after uninstalling?

You can reinstall the program by downloading it again from the publisher's website or from the Microsoft Store. Your settings and files will not come back, but the program itself will work the same way as before.

Does uninstalling a program speed up my computer?

Uninstalling frees up disk space and removes programs that might run in the background. If a program was using a lot of memory or processing power, removing it may make your computer feel faster. The effect depends on which program you remove.

Can I uninstall multiple programs at once?

No. You must uninstall each program one at a time through Settings or Control Panel. There is no option to select multiple programs and remove them together.