How To Remove Applications, Programs, and Updates in Windows 11, and Windows 10

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Method 1: Run the program manufacturers uninstall tool
3. Method 2: Run the uninstall from the Control Panel
4. Method 3: Uninstall after closing the program or app in Task Manager
5. Method 4: Run the uninstall from Safe Mode
6. Method 5: Run the Microsoft Install or Uninstall troubleshooter
7. Method 6: Use a third-party Uninstaller
8. Method 7: Run System Restore
9. Method 8: Remove Preinstalled Items
10. Method 9: Clean ghosts from the Control Panel
11. Method 10: Remove Problem Updates

Introduction

Removing your unused applications and programs can make your computer run quicker and with fewer problems.

However certain applications and programs leave unwanted parts of themselves behind or do not uninstall. This is down to:

• Applications and programs that have become faulty
• Applications and programs that share files with other applications and programs
• Entries that write themselves into other applications and programs and that run at a level that a common user cannot affect them

I have listed ten different methods to remove stubborn applications, programs, and updates. Methods that fully remove those that are no longer of any use on your computer.

Method 1: Run the program manufacturers uninstall tool

Most third-party software now comes with a purpose-built uninstaller tool. This can commonly be found by going to the start menu and scrolling down the all programs list until you find the appropriate program or app. Open the folder, and the uninstaller is listed there. Double-click the uninstaller and follow the on-screen instructions.

Sometimes you must open the Explorer program and go to the location of the program. The uninstaller is listed there as an .exe file. Again, double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2: Run the uninstall from the Control Panel

Use the uninstaller built into Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Click Settings.

3. Click Apps

4. Select Apps & features from the left-hand side menu.

5. Select the Program or App that you want to uninstall from the list that appears.

6. Click the uninstall button that shows under the selected program or app.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall.

Method 3: Uninstall after closing the program or app in Task Manager

Use the Task Manager built into Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Press down the CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys together to open the Task Manager.

2. It should already be on the processes tab.

3. Select the Program or App that you want to uninstall from the list under processes.

4. Right-click the Program or App and select End Task

5. Now try running the uninstall on the Program or App again.

Method 4: Run the uninstall from Safe Mode

Boot the computer into safe mode and try running the uninstall from there:

• How to Boot to Safe Mode in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Method 5: Run the Microsoft Install or Uninstall troubleshooter

Download the uninstall troubleshooter program from Microsoft:

• Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed 

1. Open the troubleshooter program on the affected computer.

2. Click the Advanced link on the window that opens.

3. You can run the repairs automatically by clicking next, to be more specific clear the Apply repairs automatically box, then click next.

4. Select uninstalling.

5. Select the program that you are having trouble uninstalling from the list. (Where it is not there, check for an entry marked Not Listed and uses that instead.) Then click next.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

   1. When it finishes, it gives the option to try uninstalling the program again.

   2. It tells you it could not identify the problem and that you can give feedback on the program and to close it. However, you can click the link to View detailed information to receive a report.

   3. After clicking next on the report screen, it will take you to a screen. This is where you can select the repairs that you want to run on the program you want to uninstall. Ensure that the program is there, and the check box marked.

   4. Click next for it to run through these repairs.

   5. You should then get a report if this was successful or not.

Method 6: Use a third-party Uninstaller

Use a search engine like Google or Bing to find a third-party installer. You can usually find either a generic third-party removal tool, or one that is specific to the Program or App you are trying to uninstall.

Dell does not recommend using third-party software unless you are sure of the supplier and are confident in its use. These programs are often sources of infection to your computer. They can cause operating system issues to occur on your computer if used in an improper manner.

Method 7: Run System Restore

If you have enabled Restore Points on your computer, you can use System Restore. This method allows you to take your computer back to a previous date before the particular piece of software was installed. However, this does remove any other programs that are installed in that same period. You can find out more on the following link:

• How to Use System Restore in Microsoft Windows

Method 8: Remove Preinstalled Items

You can right-click the App icon in the Start Menu and select uninstall.

However, if this is not available or does not work, you can also use Command Prompt or PowerShell which are Command-Line Interfaces (CLI). Command Prompt and PowerShell are powerful tools and you can make changes which may affect your computer.

Dell does not recommend using a CLI unless you are experienced in its use. You may want to ensure you have a backup of your computer, before you start using commands in a tool like this.

1. First you must open the CLI with Administrator rights

   1. You can find this in the start menu.

   2. Alternatively, you can right-click the start menu button to open a power users' menu and select it from there.

   3. Or you can click the start menu and type Command Prompt, or PowerShell and select it from the list that appears.

2. Enter the following command (Where AppName is the name of the App you want to remove.):

   Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Remove-AppxPackage

3. You can generate a list of AppNames by entering the following command:

   Get-AppxPackage | ft name, PackageFullName -AutoSize

Method 9: Clean ghosts from the Control Panel

When using Control Panel, you may see references to Programs and Apps that are already uninstalled.

This is usually because there remains some part of the Program or App in the Registry. We do not recommend going into the Registry and deleting strings.

You can use a search engine to find a third-party registry cleaner to remove these leftover strings.

However as with any third-party software, you run the risk of infecting your computer.

Most Registry cleaners react to your anti-virus and conversely, so you must be careful of what they quarantine or delete.

If you cannot identify what the string does, I would not recommend using a cleaner either. Deleting the wrong thing in the registry can cause operating system issues to your computer.

Method 10: Remove Problem Updates

You can uninstall recent windows update files from the Apps & features page of the Control Panel, as you would any Program or App.

For anything more serious I would recommend going through the article on the following link:

• Fix Windows Update issues