How to Uninstall a Program on Windows 11

To uninstall a program on Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the three dots next to the program, and select Uninstall. Confirm, and follow any steps the program’s own uninstaller shows.

Microsoft lists three built-in ways to remove software: Settings, the Start menu, and Control Panel. This guide covers all three with what to expect, plus the winget command, what to do when a program refuses to go, and how to clean up afterward. You need to be signed in with an administrator account to remove most desktop programs.

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Uninstall From Settings

Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Select Apps, then Installed apps. The list shows each app with its size and install date where available.
Search for the program, or change Sort by to Size (large to small) to find the biggest ones.
Select the three dots next to it and choose Uninstall.
Select Uninstall again to confirm. Store apps disappear from the list within seconds. Desktop programs may open their own uninstaller, so follow its prompts and approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears.

Windows 11 Settings Apps page with Installed apps (Uninstall and manage apps on your PC) at the top — Screenshot of the Apps page in Windows 11 Settings, with Installed apps at the top.

These steps match Microsoft’s uninstall guide, which also notes that some apps built into Windows can’t be uninstalled, and suggests trying a repair first if a program just isn’t working right. If you only want an app off your desktop, see how to remove apps from the desktop without deleting them.

Uninstall From the Start Menu

Select Start, then All apps, and find the app. You can also type its name.
Right-click it and select Uninstall. Store apps ask you to confirm. Many desktop programs open Programs and Features in Control Panel instead.
If Control Panel opens, select the program there and select Uninstall.

Uninstall From Control Panel

Microsoft notes that some apps can’t be uninstalled from Settings yet. Use Control Panel for those. It only lists traditional desktop programs, not Store apps.

Open Control Panel.
Select Programs > Programs and Features. If you see icons instead, set View by to Large icons and select Programs and Features.
Right-click the program and select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change, then follow the prompts. The program disappears from the list when it’s done.

Illustration of ways to uninstall a program in Windows 11: Settings Installed apps, the Start menu, Control Panel Programs and Features, and fixes when a program will not uninstall — Illustration: which uninstall method to try, from the most common to the fallback options.

Uninstall With a Command (winget)

Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin).
Type winget list and press Enter to see installed programs and their exact names.
Type winget uninstall "App Name", using the name from the list, and press Enter. winget runs the program’s uninstaller and reports when it’s finished.

Microsoft explains the options, including uninstalling by ID, in its winget uninstall reference.

Uninstall an App or Unwanted Program in Windows 10

Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the app, select it and choose Uninstall. Confirm, then follow the app’s own removal wizard if one opens. Back up any files stored inside the app first, and restart if asked. Check the list again to make sure the app is gone. Microsoft’s uninstall guide covers Windows 10 as well as 11.

For unwanted preinstalled apps, remove only ones you recognize and don’t need. Some built-in components and apps managed by your organization can’t be removed. Traditional desktop programs can also be removed from Control Panel with the steps above.

Remove Xbox, Teams, Google Drive, or Another Unwanted App

For the Xbox app, Microsoft Teams, or Google Drive for desktop, close the app, save any local work, then use Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for the app’s name, open its three-dot menu, select Uninstall, and follow the prompts. Check that it’s gone from the list. Removing an app doesn’t close your online account or cancel a subscription. Don’t remove Gaming Services or other supporting apps just because you’re removing Xbox.

Before removing Google Drive, make sure your cloud files have finished syncing and keep a separate copy of any files you need offline.

If a Program Won’t Uninstall

Save your work and back up any files stored inside the app. Then try these in order:

Restart and retry. Close the app, restart Windows, and try Settings or Control Panel again. Write down any error message.
Repair, then uninstall. In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, open the app’s three-dot menu, select Advanced options, then Repair. Desktop programs may offer Repair or Change in Control Panel instead. See Microsoft’s app repair instructions. Skip Reset unless you’re fine losing the app’s data and settings.
Use the publisher’s removal tool. For a broken uninstaller, check the publisher’s support site for removal steps or a removal utility. Security suites often need one.
Try a clean boot. If other software may be interfering, follow Microsoft’s clean-boot steps, retry the uninstall, then restore normal startup.
Use winget with the exact ID. If winget uninstall finds several matches, run winget uninstall --id "Exact.App.Id" --exact --interactive with the ID from winget list.

A grayed-out Uninstall option usually means a protected Windows component or a policy set by your organization. On a work PC, ask your IT administrator.

If the app looks suspicious, start with a Windows Security scan. For one stubborn app, use the publisher’s support route before considering a Windows reset, which affects much more than that application.

After You Uninstall

Restart if asked. Some programs finish removing files after a restart.
Leftover folders: uninstallers can leave settings or empty folders behind in Program Files or your user folder. Check for saved data before deleting anything there.
Further cleanup: use the publisher’s documented cleanup steps when needed. A third-party registry or leftover scan is not required for ordinary removal.
Check your space: see how to see what’s taking up space on your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Uninstall button grayed out?

Some built-in Windows apps can’t be removed. On work PCs, an administrator may also block uninstalling.

Does uninstalling delete my files?

Files saved separately often remain, but app-local data and settings can be removed. Export important work and read the uninstaller’s data-removal options first.

Can I reinstall a program later?

Yes. Reinstall Store apps from the Microsoft Store and desktop programs from the maker’s website. You may need your license key for paid software.

Should I uninstall programs that start with Windows?

Only if you don’t use them. To keep a program but stop it from launching, see how to change startup programs in Windows 11.

How do I remove Microsoft Edge?

See how to remove Edge from Windows 11.

Not sure what’s on your PC? See how to find installed apps and programs in Windows 11.

Matthew Burleigh

Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.

Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are checked step by step against the device or app maker’s own documentation and tested on his own devices whenever he has the hardware or software, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.

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