How to Uninstall Programs in Windows 10

Updated 15 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through removing unwanted software from a Windows 10 PC, using the built-in Settings app or the classic Control Panel. You’ll learn the correct steps for standard programs, plus what to do when an app refuses to uninstall normally.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with an administrator account (you’ll need admin rights to remove most programs).
If the program is currently running, close it completely before starting.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, or click the Start button and then the gear icon.
Go to Apps. In Settings, click Apps (labeled “Apps & features” in older builds).
Find the program. Scroll through the list of installed apps, or use the search box at the top to type the program’s name.
Select the program. Click on the app name to expand its options. You’ll see a Modify button and a Uninstall button.
Click Uninstall. Click the Uninstall button. A confirmation dialog may appear – click Uninstall again to proceed.
Follow the uninstaller. Many programs launch their own uninstall wizard. Follow the on-screen prompts, usually clicking Next or Yes to confirm removal.
Restart if prompted. Some programs require a reboot to finish removing files. Save your work and restart when asked.

Alternative via Control Panel:

Open Control Panel. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
Go to Programs and Features. Click Uninstall a program under the Programs section.
Select the program. Click the program name in the list, then click the Uninstall button at the top of the list.
Confirm. Follow the same uninstaller prompts as above.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the program folder directly. Dragging the installation folder to the Recycle Bin does not remove registry entries or other system changes. Always use the uninstaller.
Clicking “Disable” instead of “Uninstall.” Some apps (especially in Settings) show a “Disable” option for built-in apps. That only turns it off; it doesn’t remove it.
Forgetting to close the program. If the app is running, the uninstaller may fail or leave files behind. Close it from the system tray or Task Manager first.
Not restarting after uninstall. Some remnants are only cleaned up on reboot. If you skip it, you may see errors later.
Uninstalling from the wrong account. If you’re not an administrator, you’ll get a UAC prompt or an error. Log into an admin account.

Tips

Use the search box in Settings. Instead of scrolling through a long list, type the first few letters of the program name to filter instantly.
Sort by size. In Settings > Apps, click the “Sort by” drop-down and choose “Size” to see which apps take up the most space – useful when cleaning up.
Check for leftover folders. After uninstalling, look in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) for a folder with the program’s name. If it’s empty, you can delete it. Also check %AppData% and %LocalAppData% for leftover settings (these are safe to delete if you no longer need the app’s data).
Use the official uninstaller if available. Some programs provide a dedicated uninstall tool on their website. That’s often more thorough than the generic Windows uninstaller.
For built-in Windows apps (like Mail or Calculator), you can right-click the app in the Start menu and choose “Uninstall” – but you can also reinstall them from the Microsoft Store if needed.

Troubleshooting

“You do not have sufficient access” error. Make sure you’re logged into an account with administrator privileges. Right-click the Start button and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” to run an elevated uninstaller if needed.

The program doesn’t appear in the list. Some apps are installed only for the current user. Check under “Apps & features” and look for a filter that says “All users” or “This user.” Also check the Control Panel list – occasionally a program shows up there but not in Settings.

The uninstaller fails halfway through. Restart your PC and try again. If it still fails, run the uninstaller in Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4). Safe Mode prevents other programs from interfering.

“This app cannot be uninstalled because it is currently running.” Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find the process under Processes or Details, right-click it and choose “End Task.” Then try the uninstall again.

Leftover entries after uninstall. If the program still appears in the list, or you see errors about missing files, run Windows’ built-in Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter from Microsoft’s support page. It can detect and remove broken uninstall entries.

Program is a Microsoft Store app. Store apps can be uninstalled from Settings > Apps, but if that fails, open PowerShell as admin and run Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage (replace appname with the app’s package name). Be cautious – this removes the app for all users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the difference between uninstalling from Settings vs Control Panel?
A: Both do the same thing – they launch the program’s uninstaller. Control Panel is the older interface; Settings is the newer one. Use whichever you prefer.

Q: Can I uninstall a program if I don’t have administrator rights?
A: No, most uninstallers require admin privileges. You’ll need to ask the PC’s administrator to log in and do it for you.

Q: Will uninstalling a program delete my personal files created with it?
A: Usually no. Uninstallers remove program files, but your documents, photos, and other data are typically left untouched. However, some apps (like games) may ask if you want to delete saved data – read the prompts carefully.

Q: Why does a program still appear in the Start menu after uninstalling?
A: The shortcut may be leftover in the Start menu folder. Right-click the shortcut and choose “Unpin from Start” or “Delete.” It’s just a shortcut, not the program itself.

Q: Is it safe to use third-party uninstaller tools?
A: They can be helpful for removing stubborn programs, but they’re not necessary for most users. If you use one, download it from the official website and be cautious of bundled adware.

Q: How do I uninstall a program that has no uninstaller?
A: Some portable apps don’t have an uninstaller – you can simply delete the folder they’re in. But if it’s a standard installed program, look for an “Uninstall.exe” in its installation folder or run the Windows troubleshooter mentioned above.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.