How to Uninstall Programs on Windows 10

Uninstalling programs on Windows 10 frees up disk space, improves performance, and removes software you no longer need. This guide shows you the built-in methods to remove apps and desktop programs, plus what to do when a standard uninstall doesn’t work.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with an administrator account (most home PCs have this).
Any open files or documents saved from the program you’re removing — close them first.
Optional: a product key or license info if you plan to reinstall the software later.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon labeled Settings. Alternatively, press Windows + I on your keyboard.
Go to Apps. In the Settings window, click Apps (it may be labeled “Apps & features” on some builds).
Find the program. You’ll see a list of all installed apps. Use the search box at the top to type the program’s name, or scroll through the list. The list is alphabetical by default.
Select and uninstall. Click on the program you want to remove. A button labeled Uninstall will appear. Click it.
Confirm the action. A pop-up will ask “This app and its related info will be deleted.” Click Uninstall again to confirm. (For some programs, Windows may ask for administrator permission — click Yes.)
Follow the uninstaller wizard. Many programs launch their own uninstaller window. Follow the on-screen prompts, usually clicking Next or Uninstall. Some ask why you’re leaving — you can skip or select a reason.
Restart if prompted. Some uninstallers ask you to restart your computer to finish removing files. Save your work and restart when convenient.

Alternative method via Control Panel: If you prefer the classic view, open Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu), then go to Programs > Programs and Features. Select the program and click Uninstall at the top of the list.

Common Mistakes

Clicking “Disable” instead of “Uninstall” — Some apps (especially from the Microsoft Store) have a “Disable” option that only hides the app, not removes it. Look for the word “Uninstall” specifically.
Deleting the program’s folder manually — Dragging the program’s folder from Program Files to the Recycle Bin doesn’t uninstall it. It leaves registry entries and can cause errors. Always use the official uninstaller.
Ignoring leftover files — Even after a successful uninstall, some programs leave behind settings in AppData or registry keys. This is normal but can be cleaned with a third-party tool if you’re concerned about privacy.
Uninstalling while the program is running — If the app is open in the background, the uninstaller may fail or leave files locked. Close the program first (check the system tray for icons).

Tips

Sort by size. In Settings > Apps, click the “Sort by” drop-down and choose “Size” to see which programs take up the most space. This helps you prioritize what to remove.
Use the search box. Instead of scrolling, type the program name — it’s faster and less error-prone.
Check for bloatware. New Windows 10 PCs often come with trial software (like antivirus or games). Uninstall anything you don’t use to speed up your system.
Reinstall if unsure. If you’re not sure whether you need a program, uninstall it — you can always reinstall later from the manufacturer’s website or the Microsoft Store.
Use a cleanup tool for stubborn leftovers. After uninstalling, you can run a free tool like Revo Uninstaller or BCUninstaller to scan for leftover files and registry entries, but this is optional.

Troubleshooting

“You need administrator permission” error. If you see this, your user account may not have admin rights. Try right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”, then type appwiz.cpl and press Enter. This opens the classic uninstaller with admin privileges. If that fails, ask the PC’s owner for admin access.

The program doesn’t appear in the list. Some portable apps (that run from a folder without installation) won’t show up. To remove them, simply delete the folder they live in. If it’s a Microsoft Store app, try searching for it in the Store and see if it says “Launch” — if not, it may be a system app that can’t be uninstalled.

The uninstaller fails halfway. This often happens when files are in use. Restart your PC and try again. If it still fails, boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4). In Safe Mode, only essential drivers load, so the program’s files are less likely to be locked.

“Windows cannot find the uninstaller” error. This means the uninstaller file is missing or corrupted. Try reinstalling the program (if you have the installer), then uninstall it again. If you don’t have the installer, you can try a third-party uninstaller tool that can force-remove the entry.

The program reappears after restart. Some software (like certain antivirus or driver tools) has protection that re-installs itself. Check for a “self-protection” or “tamper protection” setting in the program’s own settings and disable it before uninstalling. Also check Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) for background processes from the program and end them first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I uninstall pre-installed Windows 10 apps like Cortana or Xbox?
A: Some built-in apps can be removed via PowerShell, but they may come back with major updates. For most users, it’s safer to just disable or ignore them. Right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” lets you run commands like Get-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage to remove them, but this is not officially supported and may affect system stability.

Q: What’s the difference between “Uninstall” and “Disable” in Settings?
A: “Uninstall” removes the app completely. “Disable” (if shown) hides the app from most places but leaves it installed. Disabling is useful for built-in apps you can’t uninstall, but it doesn’t free up space.

Q: Will uninstalling a program delete my personal files?
A: Usually no. Uninstallers remove program files, but your documents, photos, and saved games in your user folders (like Documents or AppData) are typically left behind. However, some uninstallers ask if you want to delete user data — read the prompts carefully.

Q: How do I uninstall a program that’s not listed in Settings or Control Panel?
A: Check if it’s a portable app (no installation). If so, delete its folder. If it’s a driver or system component, it may not be meant to be uninstalled. For stubborn entries, use a third-party uninstaller that can scan for leftover registry entries.

Q: Can I uninstall multiple programs at once?
A: Windows doesn’t have a built-in batch uninstall. You must uninstall each one individually. Third-party tools like BCUninstaller can queue multiple uninstalls, but they still run them one by one.

Q: What should I do if I accidentally uninstall a program I need?
A: Reinstall it from the original installer (download from the official website) or from the Microsoft Store if it was a Store app. Your settings may be lost, but your personal files should still be intact.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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