Windows 10 Uninstall Programs

Uninstalling unwanted programs is one of the most common and important tasks that all PC users perform. However, if you’re new to Windows 10, you may not know how to remove every app. Previous versions of Windows required the Control Panel to uninstall a desktop program. The old-school Programs and Features and control panel menu that Windows 7 and XP users are used to still exists, but won’t actually delete newer kinds of apps.

Now, you can use the Start menu or the Settings app instead. Whether it is a desktop program, a Windows 8-style Modern app or a new-fangled Universal app, there’s one simple way to remove it. Here’s how to uninstall any program in Windows 10, even if you don’t know what kind of app it is.

Uninstall Programs via Start Menu

The quickest way to get rid of any desktop program or Windows Store app in Windows 10 is to head to the Start menu. You can uninstall programs directly - to do this, go to Start > All apps and find the app or program you want to uninstall. Right-click on the app or program and click Uninstall from the drop-down menu that appears.

If you don’t see Uninstall in the dropdown menu, the app may be a default app, in which case you’ll need to follow next guide to uninstall it. If you’re uninstalling a Windows 10 app, you’ll see a pop-up window telling you the app and its related info will be uninstalled. Hit Uninstall to complete the uninstallation.

If you’re uninstalling a desktop program, the Programs and Features window (from the Control Panel) will open. Find the app you want to uninstall on the list of programs, select it, and click Uninstall. A pop-up window asking if you’re sure you want to uninstall this program will appear - click Yes. Depending on the program, you may need to go through an uninstall wizard before the process is complete.

Managing apps from Settings

If you want a little more data before uninstalling, such as when a particular program was installed or how big it is, try the Settings app. To get started click on Start > Settings > System > Apps & features. Now give the app a little time to populate your complete list of desktop programs and Store apps.

Once your list is ready it will be sorted by app size, which totally sucks when you’re trying to uninstall an app. Instead, hit the Sort by size drop down menu and select Sort by name. Time to say goodbye to this program.

Now, just scroll down the list and find the program or app you want to uninstall. Alternatively, you could use the search box where it says Type an app name. Once you’ve found the program you want to dump, single click its name to highlight it and an Uninstall button appears.

Click that and you’ll get a pop-up warning that the program and all its data will be wiped out. Hit Uninstall again in the pop-up and the uninstall process will begin. As with the Start menu method, you may have to go through an uninstall wizard, which is typical for desktop apps.

Uninstall from the Control Panel

If you’re really devoted to using the Control Panel for uninstalls, that still works too, but only for traditional desktop programs. And with Microsoft moving to what the Linux world would call a rolling release model, who knows how long the old way of doing things will last?

To do this, right-click the Start button and click Control Panel. Go to Programs and Features (if your Control Panel is in Category view, go to Uninstall a Program). Find the program you want to uninstall, click it to select it, and then click Uninstall. You’ll see a pop-up window asking if you’re sure you want to uninstall this program, click Yes and click through the uninstall wizard, if applicable.