On Windows, the process of installing and uninstalling programs isn’t always as smooth running as it should be. Sometimes, users are frustrated by errors when attempting to remove specific programs from the system because they can’t be.
Several reasons exist, such as issues with the operating system or a disabled or damaged Windows Installer service. We’ll review the five possible solutions in this article if your Windows computer doesn’t let you delete a program.
Use Settings to Uninstall Windows 10 Programs
The most straightforward approach to uninstall installed programs is using the Settings app already included in Windows 10.
- Use the Windows + I keys to launch the Settings program on your computer.
- On the Configuration window, click Apps.
- All of your installed programs will be visible. Locate and choose the software you wish to uninstall.
- To uninstall a program, click Uninstall.
- When a dialogue appears, select Uninstall.
- Your software will be deleted if you follow the on-screen directions.
Use Control Panel to Remove Windows 10 Apps
Try utilizing the Control Panel if you cannot use Settings or if that app fails to uninstall your programs. The most common method of uninstalling programs from Windows PCs is this one.
- Open the Start menu, type “Control Panel” into the search bar, and then choose Control Panel from the list of results to open Control Panel.
- On the Control Panel window that appears, click Uninstall an application under Programs.
- Select the program you want to uninstall.
- On the top of the list of apps, click Uninstall.
- Select Yes when prompted to confirm that you want to delete the software.
- To complete the procedure, adhere to the on-screen directions.
Utilize Command Prompt to Uninstall Programs That Won’t Uninstall
You can also uninstall apps from your PC using the Command Prompt. This utility responds to your commands by removing the requested application from your PC.
- Launch the Start menu, type “Command Prompt” in the search bar, then click “Run as administrator” to begin Command Prompt.
- When prompted by User Account Control, choose Yes.
- Hit Enter after entering the following command in the Command Prompt window: wmic
- Press Enter after entering the following command: name given to the product. When the list appears, make a note of the program’s name.
- Use the following command to remove the troublesome program: call remove on a product where name= “PROGRAM” The name of the program that you noted above should be used instead of PROGRAM.
- The instructions are displayed on the screen.
How to uninstall a program on Windows 10 that won’t uninstall?
Most people know that uninstalling unwanted programs and apps can speed up and improve the stability of their computers.
However, some apps and programs may fail to remove altogether or may leave behind unwanted components of themselves. This can occasionally be attributed to applications that have developed bugs.
Applications that exchange files with other application entries run at a level where a regular user cannot influence them and write themselves into other programs.
Solutions To uninstall programs on Windows 10 that won’t uninstall
- Uninstall After Closing The Program Or App In Task Manager
- Run The Uninstall From Safe Mode
- Uninstall Programs From Start
- Use Programs And Features
- Run The Program Manufacturer Uninstall Tool
- Remove Problem Updates
- Run System Restore
- Run The Uninstall From Control Panel
- Clean Ghosts From The Control Panel
- Try Program Install And Uninstall Troubleshooter
- Use Default Program Uninstaller
- Remove Preinstalled Items
1. Uninstall after closing the program or app in Task Manager
Utilize Windows 11’s and Windows 10’s built-in Task Manager.
- Hold down the CTRL, SHIFT, and ESC keys to open the Task Manager simultaneously.
- It ought to be present on the processes tab already.
- Select the program or app you want to uninstall from the list of functions.
- End Task by doing a right-click on the program or application.
- Now attempt to run the program/uninstall the app’s position again.
2. Run the uninstall from Safe Mode
Start the machine in safe mode, then attempt to execute the uninstall there:
- To launch Settings, click Windows + I on your keyboard.
- Choose Settings after clicking Start if that doesn’t work.
- On the left panel, pick Recovery after clicking Update & Security.
- Hit Restart Now under Advanced Startup.
- On the Choose an Options box that appears after the pc restarts, tap Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Several options are displayed after the laptop restarts. For the pc to start in Safe Mode, press 4 or F4. Select 5 or F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking if you must use the Internet.
3. Uninstall programs from Start
The Start menu also allows you to uninstall applications and programs. Right-click the relevant software and choose “Uninstall” to complete the process.
To help you, here is a screenshot of the process.
4. Use Programs and Features
A feature of Windows is called Programs and Features. It aids in the management of your components and applications. It is most likely one of the best for quickly uninstalling unwanted apps.
The method is pretty straightforward, as you can see. You can add or remove specific Windows 10 features with this program (like Internet Explorer or .NET Framework, for example).
Select the features you want to add or remove by turning Windows features on or off.
- Type Control Panel into the search bar.
- Programs and Features can be accessed by opening the panel and selecting Programs.
- Select Uninstall an application.
- Ctrl-click on the application, you are looking for in the list. You could get a confirmation popup asking you if you’re sure you want to uninstall. Choose Yes. Hold off till the procedure is over.
5. Run the program manufacturer uninstall tool
Nowadays, the majority of third-party software packages include an uninstaller program. The most common way to perform this is to open the start menu, then scroll down the list of all programs until you discover the desired program or app. The uninstaller can be found there when you open the folder. Ctrl-click the uninstaller and adhere to the directions displayed on the screen.
On occasion, you must launch the Explorer software and navigate to the program’s location. There is an a.exe file for the uninstaller indicated. Ctrl-click the file once more, then follow the on-screen directions.
6. Remove Problem Updates
Recent Windows update files can be removed from the Control Panel’s Apps and Features page just like any other program or app.
7. Run System Restore
You can use System Restore if you’ve enabled Restore Points on your machine. Using this technique, you can restore your computer to a time before installing a specific piece of software. However, other apps that were installed during that time are removed by this.
- Type reset into the Start Windows search box.
- Pick Reset this PC (System Setting).
- Choose to Get Started under Reset this PC.
- Tap “Remove Everything” from the menu.
- Select remove my files if you plan to keep this machine. Remove files and clear the drive if you’re recycling the PC.
- To finish the reset procedure, adhere to the on-screen directions. Your device will restart after some waiting period.
8. Run the uninstall from Control Panel
Utilize the Windows 11 and Windows 10 built-in uninstallers.
- Activate the Start Menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Apps.
- Choose Apps and Features in the menu on the left.
- From the list that appears, pick the program or app you want to uninstall.
- The uninstall button will appear under the chosen software or application; click it.
- To finish the removal, adhere to the directions displayed on the screen.
9. Clean ghosts from the Control Panel
When using the Control Panel, you can find references to previously uninstalled programs and applications. This is typically due to a portion of the program or app in the registry. We do not suggest deleting strings from the registry.
To eliminate these lingering strings, utilize a search engine to locate a third-party registry cleaning. However, you incur the danger of infecting your computer, just like with any third-party program.
It would help if you were cautious about what registry cleaners quarantine or delete because they frequently react to your antivirus software and vice versa.
I would not advise employing a cleaner if you cannot determine what the string performs. If you delete the incorrect item from the registry, your computer may have system problems.
10. Try Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter
When you cannot install or remove apps, Microsoft offers a free utility tool called “Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter” that can assist you in resolving the problem. In addition, it restores damaged registry keys. Repairs made by the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter include:
- Registry key corruption on 64-bit operating systems.
- Registry key corruption that affects the updated data.
- Issues that prohibit the installation of new programs.
- Problems that make it difficult to uninstall or update existing apps entirely.
- Complications prevent you from removing an application from the Control Panel’s Add or Remove Programs (or Programs and Features) menu.
Let’s now examine how to use the Windows 10 Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter to resolve issues that prevent programs from being downloaded or eliminated:
- Start your web browser and install the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter.
- The Microsoft program Install and Uninstall.meta.diagcab file should be double-clicked.
- Click Next to access the Troubleshooter wizard after it has opened.
- Click on the Removing option from the “Are you experiencing trouble installing or uninstalling a program?” box.
- A list of all downloaded programs on your laptop will now appear. Select the program that you want to remove.
- Choose “Yes, try to uninstall,” and this tool will quickly delete the program from your computer.
11. Use Default Program Uninstaller
- Expand the directory in which the specific application or program is installed. Typically, these applications are installed in the following directory:
C:\Program Files\(Name of that program) or C:\Program Files (x86)\(Program Name)
- You can now search for the uninstaller executable (.exe) file or uninstall utility within the app folder.
- The uninstaller is typically integrated into the installation of this software and is generally titled “uninstaller.exe” or “uninstall.exe.”
- The uninstaller will start when you double-click the executable file.
- To remove the apps from your system, adhere to the on-screen directions.
12. Remove Preinstalled Items
The App icon can be uninstalled by right-clicking it in the Start Menu.
But if this isn’t available or doesn’t function, you could also use Command Prompt or PowerShell, which are Command Line Tools (CLI). Being powerful tools, Command Prompt and PowerShell allow you to make adjustments that might impact your machine.
Dell advises against utilizing a CLI unless you have prior expertise with it. Before you begin using the commands in such a tool, you might want to ensure you have a laptop backup.
1. The CLI must first be opened with Administrator access.
- It is located in the start menu.
- Alternatively, you can choose it from the power users menu when you ctrl-click the start menu key.
- Alternatively, you can put Command Prompt or PowerShell into the start menu’s search bar and choose the result from the list.
2. The command to uninstall an app is as follows, where AppName is the name of the application you want to delete:
Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Remove-AppxPackage
3. Input the following command to draw up a list of AppNames:
Get-AppxPackage | ft name, PackageFullName -AutoSize
Conclusion
The healthiness of your Windows 10 computer and your peace of mind benefits from routine software removal. Even if you haven’t used a dormant program in years, it can still consume a surprising size of the storage area under the guise of hidden files, storage folders, and other content.
Thanks to the freed-up disc space, your desktop will run more quickly or can be utilized to store more vital files. Additionally, you enjoy knowing that Windows 10 is functioning flawlessly, as it should!