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 still be leftover files, folders, and registry entries taking up space. And I’m highly positive that you share the same frustration. I’ll show you the various ways to uni nstall programs on Windows 1 0 and 11. Let’s get into it!
Important Note:
I have structured all the methods in this article from the easiest to the most difficult, ensuring you start with the most straightforward approach before attempting more complex solutions.
How to Uninstall Programs on Windows 10/11
Let’s find out how to free up space on your Windows PC:
This is probably the easiest way to uninstall apps on Windows 10 and 11.
Note
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.
- 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!
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.
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!
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 any program on your Windows PC. Let’s speak about Auslogics BoostSpeed. Auslogics BoostSpeed is a comprehensive tool for optimizing and maintaining your PC. One of its numerous functions is Uninstall Manager:
- 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.
Note
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, which saves you time and avoids manual work like searching the registry or AppData folder.
- 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: If you are having installation errors or some programs can’t be deleted, it’ll appear in the Force Uninstall section. Just go there and click on it to delete. It’s that simple!
PRO TIP
Auslogics BoostSpeed ’s Uninstall Manager is a well-designed tool that helps you clean up installed programs, including stubborn ones, without leaving any leftovers behind.
Take note of this method if you’re facing the need to force uninstall multiple apps. It offers a one-click solution that works for deleting a single app or performing an extensive cleanup of your PC.
This utility simplifies the process, and, best of all, it’s compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and even older versions!
Method 3: 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 .
- Look for the program you want to delete, click on the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall .
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 Auslogics BoostSpeed and its multiple functions, including force uninstall.
Method 4: 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 h ow 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 .
- Select the program to be deleted and select Uninstall .
The program’s uninstall wizard may launch. Follow the steps to finalize the installation process. That’s h ow to uninstall apps on Windows 1 1 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 5: 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 h ow to uninstall programs on Windows 1 0 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.
If you wish to proceed, create a registry backup so you can restore it later if anything goes wrong.
- Type “Regedit” in the search bar to open the Registry Editor.
- Go to the following address, search for the program’s folder and remove it: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- Inside the folder you want to delete, double-click UninstallString and copy the path under Value data.
- Next, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box and paste the data you copied.
- This will launch the uninstaller. Click Yes to proceed.
You can also use this method to force uninstall apps or programs if they are not deleting.
Method 6: Uninstall apps using the Command Prompt
The other tricky way for advanced users to remove unnecessary programs is by using the Command Prompt. Let’s go through the steps:
Note
You can also use this method to remove programs that refuse to delete.
- Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
- Type “wmic” and press Enter.
- Then, type “product get name” to search for all the programs installed on your computer.
- Type “product where name=”program name” call uninstall” and press Enter. (Replace program name with the app you want to delete).
- Press the Y key to confirm the deletion.
How to force uninstall programs and apps
If you’re unable to delete the programs using the methods explained above, especially methods 5 and 6, use Safe Mode. Here’s what you do.
- Open the Run dialog box and enter “msconfig . ” Then, go to the Boot tab and select Safe Boot , then select Minimal .
- Click on Apply and select OK . Now, restart your computer; it’ll automatically boot into Safe Mode. You can then delete the app that’s causing issues.
Here’s a detailed guide to boot into Safe Mode:Safe Mode Made Easy: How to Boot Windows 10/11 in Safe Mode?
If this is too much to handle, you can still use Auslogics BoostSpeed ’s Uninstall Manager. It’s way simpler!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
For stubborn programs, I suggest booting your system into Safe Mode and attempting to delete the program from there. Sometimes, the app won’t uninstall because it’s running in the background. Use Task Manager to check if it’s active and end the task. Additionally, search for related programs and stop them as well.
If you’re tech-savvy, you can use the Registry Editor to remove the program. However, proceed with caution, as any mistakes could affect system stability.
The easiest, safest, and fastest way is to use Auslogics BoostSpeed‘s Uninstall Manager, which can handle stubborn programs and force uninstall them in just one click.
