The fastest way to remove an app depends on your operating system
Deleting an app on Windows is different from deleting one on Mac, and both are simpler than you might expect. On Windows, you use the Settings menu to uninstall. On Mac, you drag the app to the Trash. The key difference is that Windows keeps leftover files after you delete an app, while Mac usually removes everything at once. Either way, the process takes less than a minute.
Before you delete anything, close the app completely. If it is still running in the background, your computer may not let you remove it fully. Check your taskbar or menu bar to make sure nothing is still open.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features, find the app you want to remove, and click Uninstall.
- On Mac, drag the app from your Applications folder to the Trash, then empty the Trash to complete the deletion.
- Some apps leave behind preference files or settings even after you delete them, which you can remove manually if you want to free up more space.
- Restarting your computer after deleting an app ensures that any leftover processes stop running.
Deleting apps on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Apps" in the left sidebar. You will see "Apps and Features" — click on that. A list of every installed program will appear, sorted by size.
Find the app you want to delete. Type its name in the search box at the top if the list is long. Click on the app name once to select it, then click the "Uninstall" button that appears. A window may pop up asking you to confirm — click "Uninstall" again. Some apps will show an uninstall wizard with options; the default choices are usually fine, so you can just click through to finish.
After the uninstall completes, you can close Settings. The app is now gone from your Start menu and your desktop. If you want to be thorough, restart your computer — this clears out any background processes the app was still running.
Deleting apps on Mac
Open Finder and click "Applications" in the sidebar on the left. You will see a folder full of all your installed apps. Find the one you want to delete, click on it once to select it, then drag it to the Trash in your dock. You can also right-click the app and choose "Move to Trash".
The app is now in your Trash but not yet permanently deleted. To finish removing it, click the Trash icon in your dock, then click "Empty" in the top right corner of the window. Once you empty the Trash, the app is completely gone and cannot be recovered.
Some Mac apps come with an uninstaller inside the Applications folder. If you see a folder with the app's name and an "Uninstaller" file inside, you can double-click the uninstaller instead of dragging the app to Trash. This sometimes removes preference files more completely.
Removing leftover files after deletion
When you uninstall an app on Windows, the program itself is gone, but small preference files and settings may remain on your hard drive. These take up very little space, so most people leave them alone. If you want to remove them, you need to find the AppData folder, which is hidden by default.
To show hidden files on Windows, open File Explorer, click "View" at the top, then check the box next to "Hidden items". Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local and look for a folder with the app's name. You can delete this folder, but only if you are certain you will never use the app again — some apps share settings folders, and deleting the wrong one can cause problems.
On Mac, preference files are stored in the Library folder inside your home directory. This folder is also hidden by default. Most people do not need to find these files — Mac apps are designed to clean up after themselves. If you want to remove them anyway, you can use a third-party app cleaner, but it is not necessary.
What to do if an app will not uninstall
Sometimes Windows will not let you uninstall an app because it is still running or because you do not have permission. Close everything and try again. If it still will not work, restart your computer and try when ready after it boots up, before other programs have time to start.
If the app is a system program that came with Windows, you may not be able to uninstall it through Settings. Instead, go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features and look for it there. Some built-in apps can be removed this way; others cannot, and that is by design.
On Mac, if an app will not move to Trash, it is usually still running. Check your dock and your menu bar at the top of the screen for the app's icon. Click it and choose "Quit" from the menu. If you still cannot delete it, restart your Mac and try again when ready after startup.
Freeing up space by deleting large apps
If your laptop is running low on storage, deleting large apps is one of the fastest ways to free up space. On Windows, the Apps and Features list shows the size of each app next to its name, so you can see which ones are taking up the most room. Games and video editing software are usually the largest.
On Mac, you can see app sizes in Finder. Click "Applications", then click the gear icon at the top and choose "Get Info". This shows you the size of each app. You can also click "View" at the top and choose "Sort by Size" to see your largest apps first.
Before you delete something large, make sure you actually want it gone. You can always reinstall it later, but if you have files you created with that app, deleting it will not delete your files — they will stay on your computer even after the app is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app remove the files I created with it?
No. Deleting an app removes only the program itself, not the documents, photos, or other files you made with it. Your files stay on your computer. If you want to open those files again later, you will need to reinstall the app or use a different program that can open that file type.
Can I recover an app after I delete it?
Yes. You can read and reinstall any app from the internet, from the Microsoft Store on Windows, or from the App Store on Mac. If you paid for the app, you usually do not have to pay again — your purchase is tied to your account.
What is the difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?
Uninstalling removes the app completely. Disabling keeps it on your computer but prevents it from running or showing up in your menus. On Windows, some built-in apps can only be disabled, not uninstalled. Disabling takes up less space than uninstalling but more than removing it entirely.
Should I delete apps I do not use to speed up my laptop?
Deleting unused apps frees up storage space, which can help if your hard drive is almost full. However, it will not make your laptop run faster — having apps installed does not slow down your computer unless they are actively running in the background. Check your startup programs instead if your laptop feels slow.
Is it safe to delete preference files and settings folders?
It is safe to delete preference files for apps you have already uninstalled and will not use again. However, if you are unsure whether a folder belongs to an app you want to keep, leave it alone. Deleting the wrong folder can cause other programs to stop working properly.