The fastest way to uninstall an process

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select Settings from the results. Go to Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll through the list until you find the program you want to remove, click it once, and a button labeled "Uninstall" will appear. Click that button and follow any prompts that appear — most programs uninstall in under a minute.

This method works for almost everything you installed from the Microsoft Store or downloaded as an installer file. A few older programs may not appear in this list, which is why the other methods below exist.

If you are not sure whether you need a program, do not uninstall it yet. Look up the program name online first — some programs run in the background and removing them can break other software you use.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app (Apps & features) is the main way to uninstall programs in Windows 10 and works for most software you have installed.
  • Some programs leave behind files and settings even after uninstall, which is normal — they take up very little space and do not slow your computer down.
  • If a program will not uninstall from Settings, try uninstalling it from Control Panel (Programs and Features) instead, which sometimes works when Settings fails.
  • Restarting your computer after uninstalling a program is often necessary, especially if the program was running when you removed it.

Uninstalling from Control Panel if Settings does not work

Some older programs do not show up in the Settings app. If you cannot find what you want to remove, try Control Panel instead. Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel", and open it. Click Programs, then Programs and Features.

Scroll through the list, find the program, click it, and click Uninstall at the top. Follow the prompts. This method sometimes works for programs that Settings cannot find, though the result is the same — the program is removed from your computer.

If a program appears in both places, use Settings. It is the newer system and handles uninstalls more cleanly.

What happens to leftover files after uninstall

After you uninstall a program, you may notice folders or files with the program's name still on your computer. This is normal. Most programs leave behind settings files, user data, or configuration folders so that if you reinstall them later, your preferences are still there.

These leftover files take up very little space — usually less than 1 megabyte — and do not slow your computer down. You can safely delete them by hand if you want to, but there is no reason to unless you are trying to free up space on a very full drive. If you delete them and then reinstall the program, it will start with default settings instead of your old ones.

Some programs also leave entries in the Windows registry, which is a database that stores system settings. These entries are harmless and do not affect performance.

Removing programs that will not uninstall normally

Occasionally a program will not uninstall through Settings or Control Panel. This usually happens when the uninstall file is corrupted or when the program is still running in the background. Try restarting your computer first, then attempt the uninstall again from Settings.

If that does not work, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Look through the list for any process related to the program you want to remove. Click it and select "End task" at the bottom right. Then try uninstalling again from Settings.

If the program still will not uninstall, you can delete its folder by hand. Press the Windows key and type "%ProgramFiles%", then press Enter. Find the folder with the program's name, right-click it, and select Delete. This removes the program files but may leave registry entries behind — these are harmless and will not affect your system.

Built-in Windows programs you can remove

Windows 10 comes with several built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, Maps, and the Store itself. You can uninstall most of these from Settings the same way you would uninstall any other program. straightforward find them in the Apps & features list and click Uninstall.

A few core programs like Notepad, File Explorer, and Windows Defender cannot be uninstalled because Windows needs them to run. If you try to uninstall one of these, the Uninstall button will be grayed out.

If you uninstall a built-in app and later want it back, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store for free. Search for the program by name and click Install.

Restarting after uninstall and checking if it worked

After uninstalling a program, Windows will often ask you to restart your computer. Do this as soon as you can, especially if the program was running when you removed it. Restarting clears the program from your computer's memory and removes any remaining connections it had to Windows.

To check that a program is truly gone, look for it in the Start menu. Press the Windows key and type the program's name. If nothing appears, the uninstall worked. You can also go back to Settings > Apps & features and scroll through the list — the program should no longer be there.

If the program still appears in the Start menu after uninstalling, right-click it and select Uninstall. This removes the shortcut without affecting the actual program files, which you already removed.

Uninstalling Microsoft Store apps versus desktop programs

Windows 10 has two types of programs: older desktop programs (also called Win32 applications) and newer Microsoft Store apps. Both uninstall the same way through Settings, but they behave slightly differently.

Desktop programs often come with their own uninstaller that runs when you click the Uninstall button. You may see a window pop up asking questions about what to remove — answering these questions is fine, and clicking Next or Uninstall will complete the process.

Microsoft Store apps uninstall when ready with no questions asked. They also take up less space and do not leave as many leftover files behind. If you have a choice between a desktop version and a Store version of the same program, the Store version is usually cleaner to uninstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a program speed up my computer?

Only if the program was running in the background and using memory or processor power. Most programs you do not use do nothing when they are not open, so removing them will not make your computer faster. Restarting your computer is more likely to improve speed than uninstalling unused programs.

Can I uninstall Windows 10 itself?

No. Windows 10 is the operating system that runs your computer — removing it would leave your computer unable to start. You can upgrade to a newer version of Windows, but that is a different process and requires a restart and installation time.

What if I uninstall something important by mistake?

If you uninstalled a program and your computer is not working properly, you can reinstall it. Go to the Microsoft Store or search online for the program name and read it again. If you deleted a desktop program's folder by hand, you may need to read the installer from the program's website.

Do I need to uninstall a program before updating it?

No. Windows and most programs update without uninstalling the old version first. The update process replaces the old files with new ones automatically. You only uninstall when you want to remove a program completely, not when you want a newer version of it.

Why does a program still show in my Start menu after I uninstalled it?

The uninstall removed the program files, but the shortcut in the Start menu is still there. Right-click the program name in the Start menu and select Uninstall to remove the shortcut. If that does not work, right-click it and select Remove from this list.