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Knowing how to uninstall programs on Windows 11 or 10 is a no-brainer. However, I understand why some users may struggle, especially if they are switching from a different OS. 

That said, what’s really frustrating, particularly for me, is that after removing the program, there’ll be leftover files, folders, and registry entries, taking up space. 

And I’m highly positive that you share the same frustration. I’ll share with you the various ways to uninstall programs on Windows 10 and 11. 

Let’s get into it!

How to Uninstall Programs on Windows 10/11

Let’s find out how to free up space on your Windows PC:

  • Method 1: Uninstall programs on Windows 10/11 using the Start menu

This is probably the easiest way to learn how to uninstall apps on WIndows 10 and 11. Press the Start button and search for the program you want to delete using the search field.

After that, right-click on the app and select Uninstall. That’s it!

Uninstall programs Start menu

One downside, though. This method doesn’t delete the application entirely. You’ll still have the app’s leftovers lingering on your PC and taking up space. 

The more you delete, the more unneeded files are left behind. If you want a thorough deletion, this may not be the best way.

It’s likely that you’ll receive a notification from some applications that uninstallation failed or that you can’t delete them. These programs are built to be linked to the operating system. 

The best you can do with these apps if you’re having issues is to repair them or just don’t use them.

  • Method 2: Uninstall programs on Windows 11 or 10 using the Settings app

Another simple way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to use the Settings window. Here’s how the process goes:

  • Press Windows + I to open the Settings window. 
  • Click on the Apps tab on the left side and select Apps & features. 
Apps & features
  • Look for the program you want to delete, click on the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall. 
Uninstall programs on Windows
Does the Settings app fully delete programs?

  • No. Just like the first method, uninstalling a program using the Settings app leaves empty folders, registry entries, and files behind. You can inspect the AppData folder and delete the folders yourself, but that is quite draining. The best option is to use the Windows Uninstaller tool.

Method 3: Uninstall programs on Windows 10/11 using Control Panel

The third built-in method for removing applications in Windows 11 and 10. However, keep in mind that you’ll still have the residues remaining.

Here’s how to delete apps on Windows: 

  • Start typing “Control Panel” in the search bar and click on the relevant results from the available options. 
  • When the window opens, click on Uninstall a program. 
Uninstall a program
  • Select the program to be deleted and select Uninstall. 
Select Uninstall

The program’s uninstall wizard may launch. Follow the steps to finalize the installation process. That’s how to uninstall apps on Windows 11 and 10. 

Interesting fact

Did you know that uninstalling programs can lead to fragmentation? The deleted app creates gaps in different parts of the hard drive. 

When new files are kept in these non-contiguous spaces, it leads to fragmentation. Luckily, there’s nothing disk defragmentation can’t fix!

  • Method 4: Use the Registry Editor

If you are still not satisfied with the methods we have listed above, You can use the Registry Editor to remove apps you don’t need. Here’s how to uninstall programs on Windows 10 or 11 using this option: 

Warning!
If you don’t know anything about the Registry Editor, skip this step. Even small changes you make incorrectly can affect your computer’s stability. 
  • Type “Regedit” in the search bar to open the Registry Editor.
Regedit
  • Go to the following address, search for the program’s folder and remove it: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
Windows current version uninstall
  • Inside the folder you want to delete, double-click UninstallString and copy the Value data. 
double-click UninstallString and copy the Value data
  • Next, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box and paste the value you copied. 
Run programs
  • A window will appear to uninstall the software. Click Yes to proceed. 

Also read: How to Back Up and Restore the Windows 10 Registry

  • Method 5: Uninstall apps using the Command Prompt

The other tricky way for advanced users to remove unnecessary programs is by using the Command Prompt: 

  • Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 
Command Prompt admin
  • Type “wmic” and press Enter. 
wmic
  • Then, type “product get name” to search for all the programs installed on your computer. 
product get name
  • Type “product where name=”program name” call uninstall” and press Enter. (Replace program name with the app you want to delete).
product where name=program name call uninstall
  • Press the Y key to confirm the deletion.
Interesting fact

Do you know why programs leave residues on your PC? And why does Windows allow it? The simple answer is that Windows is an open system. Anyone can install anything. 

That also means these apps can make extensive changes to your PC. When you delete that software, it’s up to that program to undo all the changes it made and delete all the leftovers. 

Unfortunately, most developers pretty much don’t care, and Windows isn’t doing anything about it. Luckily, you can use third-party software to fix the issue!

  • Method 6: Use Windows uninstall tools—Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Uninstall Manager

Third-party tools are highly efficient at cleaning up the mess programs and apps leave behind after deletion. That’s why it’s the top option to uninstall programs on Windows 11 or 10. 

Let’s speak about Auslogics BoostSpeed. 

Auslogics BoostSpeed is a comprehensive tool for optimizing and maintaining your PC. One of the numerous functions is Uninstall Manager: 

Auslogics BoostSpeed 13
  • Deep Scan: The software’s uninstaller feature thoroughly scans your computer to remove not only the program but any traces the app left behind, like registry entries, folders, or files. All the methods we’ve talked about don’t have this feature, which makes this tool a must-have, especially if your goal is to get more storage.
  • Multiple Uninstall: Delete as many programs as you want at once. 
BoostSpeed delete multiple programs
  • Backup and Restore: One of the best things about the BoostSpeed Uninstall Manager is that you can create backups in case you want to revert the changes later. 
  • Force Uninstall: Help to force uninstall a program that is difficult to do through the methods discussed above.
BoostSpeed uninstall
PRO TIP
Auslogics BoostSpeed Uninstall Manager is a well-thought-out tool designed to help you clean up your installed programs without leaving any leftovers behind. Do you want to delete a single app or perform an extensive cleanup on your PC? This utility makes the process easy. And, oh, it works on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and older versions!
Download for Free Learn More

How to Uninstall Programs on Windows 10/11: Explained

If you want to uninstall programs on Windows 10 or 11, this article pretty much covers the major solutions.

We’ve covered the easiest and simplest way to remove any apps to the more complex method like the Registry Editor.

Choose the method that works best for you.

However, if the reason for deleting the applications is to free up space, you can use Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Uninstall Manager to absolutely remove programs and any files they leave behind!

FAQ

How do I completely uninstall a program on Windows 10?
The best way to delete programs without leaving any leftovers behind is to use Windows uninstall tools like Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Uninstall Manager, Geek Uninstaller, or PC Decrapifier. But if you don’t care much about leaving registry entries behind, you can use the Settings app or Control Panel to delete the applications. Check out this page for more.
Why won’t my apps uninstall on Windows 10?
It’s possible that your Windows uninstall tool is corrupted. Another reason could be issues with the Windows installer or that you don’t have administrative privileges. Verify the issues I’ve outlined and use a reliable third-party tool to remove the programs. You can also boot your system into Safe Mode to delete the programs.
How do I uninstall multiple programs on Windows 10?
You can’t delete several programs on Windows at the same time. There’s no feature like that. Having said that, you can use the uninstall feature in Auslogics BoostSpeed, Bulk Crap Uninstaller, and other reputable Windows uninstall tools.
How do I uninstall a program that is not in Control Panel?
If you can’t find the program in Control Panel, use the Settings window to delete the apps. You can also locate the application’s installation folder, which is usually C:Program Files or C:Program Files (x86). If you find it, search for the uninstallation file, which may be in the form of uninstall.exe or unins000.exe. The best option I recommend is to use a third-party installer.
How do I get rid of unwanted programs that won’t uninstall?
For such stubborn programs, I suggest booting your system into Safe Mode and trying to delete the program from there. Sometimes, the app won’t uninstall because it’s running in the background. Use the Task Manager to verify if it’s working and end the task. Also, search for related programs and stop them. If you’re tech-savvy, you can use the Registry Editor to remove the program. However, proceed with caution because any wrong move can affect system stability.