How to Uninstall Programs in
Windows 10 & Windows 11

5 Ways to Uninstall Programs in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Uninstalling software you no longer need is one of the best ways to keep your PC fast, secure, and clutter-free. Windows 10 and Windows 11 both offer several built-in methods to remove applications — and there are excellent third-party tools that go even deeper.

Whether you're removing a Microsoft Store app, a classic desktop program, or stubborn bloatware, one of the five methods below will get the job done.

How to Uninstall Programs via the Settings App in Windows 10 & 11

The Settings app is the modern, go-to method for uninstalling both traditional desktop programs and Microsoft Store apps. It's clean, fast, and works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Steps for Windows 11

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then select Installed apps.
3. Use the search bar at the top to find the program you want to remove.
4. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to the app name, then click Uninstall.
5. Confirm the dialog. The uninstaller will run and remove the application.

Steps for Windows 10

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Apps → Apps & features.
3. Scroll through the list or use the search field to locate the program.
4. Click on the app to expand it, then press Uninstall.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal.

How to Uninstall Programs Using Control Panel in Windows 10 & 11

Control Panel is the legacy Windows tool for managing installed software. It's especially reliable for older desktop applications that may not appear correctly in the modern Settings app.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
2. The Programs and Features window opens, listing all installed desktop software.
3. Click the program you want to remove to select it.
4. Click Uninstall (or Uninstall/Change) in the toolbar at the top of the list.
5. Follow the program's own uninstall wizard to complete the process.

How to Uninstall Programs Directly from the Windows 10 & 11 Start Menu

The Start Menu method is the fastest way to remove a single application — no settings panels required. It's especially useful for Microsoft Store apps pinned to your Start screen.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Click the Start button or press Win to open the Start Menu.
2. Locate the app in the pinned tiles or scroll through the full app list.
3. Right-click the app icon to open the context menu.
4. Select Uninstall from the menu.
5. Confirm the removal in the dialog that appears.

How to Uninstall Programs Using PowerShell in Windows 10 & 11

PowerShell is the most powerful built-in tool for removing software — especially Microsoft Store apps, pre-installed bloatware, or programs that refuse to uninstall through the normal interface.

Uninstall a Microsoft Store App via PowerShell

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) — or Terminal (Admin) in Windows 11.
2. List all installed Store apps to identify the exact package name:

PowerShell — List all installed Store appsGet-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName

1. Remove the app using a wildcard match (example: uninstalling the Xbox app):

PowerShell — Remove a specific Store appGet-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage

Uninstall a Classic Desktop Program via PowerShell

PowerShell — Uninstall a Win32 program (example: VLC)$app = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*VLC*" }
$app.Uninstall()

Remove a Store App for All User Accounts

PowerShell — Remove app for all usersGet-AppxPackage -AllUsers *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage

Best Third-Party Uninstallers for Windows 10 & 11 in 2026

Built-in Windows uninstallers often leave behind registry entries, residual folders, and temp files. Third-party tools scan for and remove these automatically — giving you a truly clean system.

Top Recommended Uninstaller Tools

1. Revo Uninstaller — Runs a post-uninstall scan for leftover registry keys and files. One of the most widely trusted tools available. Free version is available at revouninstaller.com.
2. IObit Uninstaller — Supports batch uninstalling, browser plugin removal, and includes a junk file cleaner. Ideal for managing a large number of programs at once.
3. Bulk Crap Uninstaller (BCU) — Free and open-source. Handles Steam games, portable apps, and Windows Store apps with ease. Available at bcuninstaller.com.
4. GeekUninstaller — Lightweight and fully portable — no installation required. Perfect for a quick, deep uninstall on any Windows PC.

How to Remove Leftover Files and Registry Entries After Uninstalling a Program in Windows

A standard Windows uninstall often leaves traces behind. Follow these steps to clean them up manually and achieve a completely fresh result.

Step 1 — Delete Leftover Program Folders

Open File Explorer and check these locations for any folders belonging to the removed application:

Common leftover file locationsC:\Program Files\
C:\Program Files (x86)\
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\
C:\ProgramData\

Step 2 — Clean Registry Entries (Advanced)

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Use Ctrl + F to search for the application name and delete any keys that belong to the removed software:

Registry paths to inspectHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\

Step 3 — Run Disk Cleanup

After removing programs and leftover files, run the built-in Disk Cleanup utility to clear temporary files and reclaim additional storage space:

Run Dialog — Win + Rcleanmgr

Comparison Table: Best Way to Uninstall Programs in Windows 10 & 11

Use the table below to choose the right uninstall method for your situation at a glance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Removing Programs in Windows 10 & Windows 11