How to uninstall apps and programs in Windows 11
There are plenty of reasons for uninstalling programs from Windows 11 PCs. Besides freeing up disk space on the computer's drives, it is also done to keep the system tidy or remove entries from context menus or the Start Menu.
Windows 11 supports several uninstallation options. Not all offer the same functionality, and some are easier to use than others.
This guide offers step-by-step instructions for common and uncommon program uninstallation methods on Windows 11 devices.
Removing programs from the Windows 11 Start Menu
One of the first options that Windows 11 users may encounter is uninstalling applications from the Windows 11 Start Menu.
All it takes is to click on the Windows icon, or use the Windows-key on the keyboard, and locate the program that you want to remove. If it is not listed directly, select "All Apps" at the top to display the full list of installed applications and programs.
Right-click on the program and select the "uninstall" option from the context menu to start the removal process. A confirmation prompt is displayed and you need to select the "uninstall" button to proceed.
It is rather interesting to note that this prompt as no cancel option under "all apps", but has a cancel option from the main Start Menu screen.
Apps are removed automatically at this point, programs may launch a dedicated uninstallation program, which may need further interactions.
Uninstall Windows 11 programs using the Settings app
The Settings application has its own dedicated uninstall page. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed Apps to display the list of installed apps.
A search and filter options are provided to find programs quickly. Just type the first few letters of the program name to find it quickly on the page.
Select the uninstall button to proceed with the removal of the selected application, or click anywhere else, outside of the prompt's box, to cancel the operation.
The main advantage of using the Settings application is that it supports a search and filters.
Uninstall programs from the classic Control Panel
The classic Windows Control Panel offers another option when it comes to the removal of programs. It is a bit more difficult to access, as it is not linked directly on the Start Menu or elswhere.
Open the Start Menu, type Control Panel and select the result. Now select "uninstall a program" in the main Control Panel window.
Windows lists all installed programs on the page, along with publisher names, their size on disk, version and installation date.
Left-click on an entry and select "uninstall" to remove it from the system. You may also right-click on an installed program and select the uninstall item from the context menu to start the removal process.
The main advantage of the Control Panel option is that it displays more information about the installed programs. The main downside that it does not list Windows apps.
Uninstall programs using Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal offers several options when it comes to the removal of software on Windows 11 devices. To get started, use the keyboard shortcut Windows-X to display the admin menu. Select Terminal (admin) from the list to launch a new elevated Terminal window.
One uninstall option is provided by winget, the Windows Package Manager. It is a handy tool to remove, install or update installed Windows programs.
Run winget list to display all installed programs on the system. To remove a program, use the command winget uninstall NAME. Replace NAME with the exact name of the application, as provided by the list command.
A second option is provided by WMIC, Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line. Run the command wmic to get started. The prompt changes, and you may now run the command product get name to get a list of installed programs.
Note that the response may take a moment. To remove a program, run the command product where name=”NAME” call uninstall. Replace NAME with the actual name of the program, as provided by the "product get name" command.
You need to confirm the removal, which is done with a tap on the Y-key on the keyboard.
Uninstall apps and programs with third-party solutions
First-party may be sufficient for most users, but there are third-party uninstallation programs available that offer a better feature set.
Notably, they may offer bulk removals of apps, which is the case for O&O's AppBuster application, or run a thorough clean-up after the removal to find and delete leftovers and traces. Programs like Revo Uninstaller Free or Geek Uninstaller provide this functionality.
Now You: how do you uninstall programs on Windows 11? (via PC World)
There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[
It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.
Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.
Worked perfectly. Thank OP.
Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.
Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:
“By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”
Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.
Worked for me just now
I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.
Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.
They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.
lol
Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!
Thanks man. The second method worked great!
I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.
Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
I will be back when I next have a problem.
Keep you the great work
W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.
Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.
@ MarineRecon,
Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.
It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/
How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.
Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]
This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}
Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.
Not sure what eye problems *you’re* having, but for me the exact opposite is true. Dark Mode is MUCH easier on my Eyes.
BTW- I’m 52, and have worked in IT all my life. Been staring at monitors for hours each day, most days of the week since the late 1980’s.
Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.
i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm
SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?
Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11
Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!
Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/
Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/
I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.
Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.
I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.
Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.
How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?
@ ilev,
Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/
With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.
Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?
@ Martin,
Does your gpedit hack also turn off all the other “subscribed content” shown in the registry screenshot? Do you happen to know what all those are?
Thank you, I used the fake email option, it worked great.
I wish I had read this article a few months ago, as I purchased two refurbished Windows 10 Pro PCs to replace two older ones. The 1st one I entered an existing Microsoft account I had and it imediately setup OneDrive, adding it to the path names for the common folders such as Documents, Music, video, etc. I tried to just disable OneDrive but then had odd problems finding my data copied from another older PC. long story short I was able to remove all the entries from the registry after un-installing OneDrive.
The second refurbished PC I didn’t connect the WiFi adapter so during installation I was able to click on the no Internet option. Basically I did as you suggested above; set up a local login, disabled OneDrive from running on bootup, and eventually unInstalled it. No problems with folder paths, etc.
The registry option worked for me, but only me, not any other users. How do I make this apply to all users? Yes, I have admin rights.
Just decided to create a Windows 11 system image (went OK) and then went to look for this Co-Pilot crap, but it’s nowhere to be found on my system even though I’ve got the Pro version.
What I did find though in User Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components –> Cloud Content was the option to turn off all that Spotlight stuff. Glad to see the back of that anyway.