Windows 11 basics: How to uninstall apps

There are several reasons why you might want to uninstall applications and/or programs from your Windows 11 PC. You may be trying to free up disk space, or you no longer use this application, or the program came with your PC and you don’t really need it.

There are actually different ways to uninstall an app depending on what you want to remove. If one method doesn’t work, try another.

Be warned: Not every app can be uninstalled using the methods outlined here. Some built-in apps like Microsoft Edge can only be uninstalled using Command Prompt. Tom’s hardware has some instructions on how to do this, but since there’s some debate as to whether this would cause more problems with the operating system than it’s worth, you might want to just ignore its presence.

However, for most applications, the process is fairly simple.

Uninstall an app from the Start menu

It’s easy to uninstall simple apps, like many of those installed from the Microsoft Store, from the Start menu. For larger apps and programs that may store settings in the Windows registry and other locations on your system, you may need to perform a more formal uninstall. (Because Windows can store parts of your application in different parts of the system, it’s important to properly uninstall apps rather than simply deleting them.)

How to start:

• Click on that begin Button.
• Locate the app (you may have to click on it All apps in the upper right corner).
• Right click on the app and select it Uninstall.

• If you get a pop-up with the message This app and related information will be removedthen just press the Uninstall button and you’re done!

• If it is a more complex application, you will see a button with the inscription Uninstall. You will be brought to the Uninstall or change a program page in the control panel.

Uninstall an app from the Control Panel

If you prefer, you can also access this page by selecting and typing the search icon on your taskbar Switchboardclick on the app bar and then on Uninstall a program under the programs Subtitle.

• Scroll down to the program you want to remove. (If you can’t find it, you may need to uninstall it through Settings – see below for instructions on how to do this.)
• Once you find the listing of the program, click on it and then click the Uninstall button at the top of the page. You can also right-click and select Uninstall or just double click on the program.

• The next steps differ depending on the program. In some cases, the application will be removed and you don’t have to do anything else. A pop-up window may appear asking for confirmation. In this case, click Uninstall. A window may appear saying “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” click Yes. When you get an uninstall window, click Next or Continue and follow the steps in the window to uninstall the app.

• click End when you’re done

Uninstall an app using Settings

An alternative (and perhaps easier) way to uninstall a program is to use the Apps & Features section of your Windows 10 settings.

• Click the Start button.
• Select the gear to open it settings.
• Choose applications from the left column.
• Click on App & Features.
• Scroll down to the app you want to uninstall and click on the three dots on the right.

• Click on that Uninstall Button. (If the button is grayed out, it means you cannot uninstall it through the normal Windows interface.)
• A small pop-up window will appear. Click on that Uninstall Button.