Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 1/14
Remove apps you don’t needBy Aliya Chaudhry May 27, 2020, 4:46pm EDT
MICROSOFT HOW-TO REVIEWS
Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 2/14
Part of
The Verge Guide to Windows 10
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 3/14
There are several reasons you might want to uninstall applications and / or programsfrom your Windows 10 PC. You may be trying to free up space, or you no longer usethat application, or the program came with your PC and you don’t really need it.
There are actually several different ways to uninstall, depending on the app you’retrying to remove. If one method doesn’t work, try another.
Be warned: not every app can be uninstalled using the methods described here.Some built-in apps, such as Microsoft Edge, can only be uninstalled with a tool likeWindows PowerShell, which uses a command-line interface. Deleting these apps is amuch more complex process that you can follow here.
For most applications, though, the process is fairly straightforward.
UNINSTALL AN APP FROM THE START MENU
It’s easy to uninstall simple apps, like many of those installed from the MicrosoftStore, from the Start menu. For larger apps and programs, which may store settingsin the Windows Registry and other places around your system, you may need to do amore formal uninstall. (Because Windows can store bits of your application in various
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 4/14
parts of the system, it’s important to properly uninstall apps rather than simply deletethem.)
Here’s how to begin:
Click on the Start button.
Locate the app.
Right-click on the app and select “Uninstall.”
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 5/14
You can uninstall some apps directly from the Start menu.
If you see an “Uninstall” button along with the message “This app and its relatedinfo will be uninstalled,” in the pop-up window, then just hit the button and you’refinished!
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 6/14
Click on “Uninstall” again to remove the app.
If it’s a more complex application, you’ll see a button that just says “Uninstall.”You’ll be taken to the “Uninstall or change a program” page in the Control Panel.
UNINSTALL AN APP USING THE CONTROL PANEL
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 7/14
If you want to, you can also get to this page by typing “Control Panel” in the searchbar and then clicking on “Uninstall a Program” under the Programs subhead.
Scroll down to the program you want to remove. (If you can’t find it, you may needto uninstall through settings — the instructions are below).
Once you find the program, you can click on it and then on the “Uninstall” or“Uninstall/Change” button at the top of the page. You can also right-click andselect “Uninstall” or “Uninstall/Change” or just double-click on the program.
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 8/14
To uninstall an application, highlight it and then click on “Uninstall” or “Uninstall/Change.”
The next steps differ depending on the program. In some cases, the applicationwill be removed and you won’t have to do anything else. You may get a pop-upwindow asking you to confirm. In that case, click “Uninstall.” You may get awindow that says “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 9/14
device?” Click “Yes.” If you get an uninstall window, click “Next” or “Continue” andfollow the steps in the window to uninstall the app.
If prompted, follow the steps in the pop-up window to uninstall the program.
Click “Finish” when you’re done.
UNINSTALL AN APP USING SETTINGS
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 10/14
An alternative (and perhaps easier) method to uninstall a program is to use the “Apps& features” section of your Windows 10 settings.
Click on the Start button.
Select the cog to open up settings.
Open “Apps.”
Navigate to “Apps & features” by selecting it from the left-hand sidebar. (You canalso get here by searching for and clicking on “Add or remove programs” from thetaskbar search box.)
Scroll down to the app you want to uninstall and click on it to expand it.
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 11/14
Click on the app you wish to uninstall.
Click on the “Uninstall” button. (If the button is grayed out, it means that you can’tuninstall it via the normal Windows 10 interface.)
A small pop-up window will appear. Click on the “Uninstall” button.
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 12/14
You’ll get another pop-up window asking you to confirm that you want to uninstall the app.
Update May 29th, 1:40PM ET: This article was updated to add instructions fordeleting Microsoft’s built-in apps.
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 13/14
THE VERGE GUIDE TO WINDOWS 10
How to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free
Windows 10 basics: how to change your sign-in settings
Windows 10 basics: how to reset your system
How to take screenshots on your Windows PC
Windows 10 basics: How to pause updates
Windows 10 basics: how to customize your display
Windows 10 basics: how to use System Restore to go back in time
How to make and receive calls on your PC with the Your Phone app
TIPS AND TRICKS
9/24/2020 Windows 10 basics: how to uninstall apps - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/21267761/windows-10-uninstall-apps-programs-remove-delete 14/14
How to use Edge’s tools to protect your privacy while browsing
The 10 best apps for your new Windows PC
How to record your Windows PC screen using Xbox Game Bar
WHICH DEVICE TO BUY 7
