How to Uninstall an App on Windows 11?
Are you wanting to get rid of some applications on your Windows 11 PC? There are all kinds of reasons why you might need to uninstall an app – some example, you could be running out of space on your hard drive; perhaps you don’t need that app anymore; or maybe you simply never used it in the first place, as it came installed with the PC – some laptop brands preinstall proprietary software. Whatever your reasons are, there are a number of ways to uninstall an app. Some apps may only be able to be uninstalled with a specific method, so it is well-worth knowing all the different ways to do it.
One Microsoft Partner we spoke to, called TechQuarters, had some advice regarding uninstalling apps. TechQuarters provides IT services London businesses rely on, and in their experience, if an app cannot be uninstalled by any of the official methods, it is best to leave it along. There are some apps on Windows 11 – such as Microsoft Edge – that cannot be uninstalled unless you use the command prompt to erase it from a PC. Doing this may produce unpredictable side effect relating to the OS, so it is best to only uninstall apps that worth with the normal methods.
Uninstall Apps from Start
Some apps are pretty straightforward to uninstall, because they are either small apps or very simple. However, some larger apps and programs might have settings and other data stored in the Windows Registry, as well as throughout your PC’s system. In this situation, you don’t want to leave behind files and folders relating to the app you remove (as that would take up space unnecessarily). Deleting an app will not uninstall it, so you first follow these steps to perform an uninstall:
- Open the Start menu.
- Locate the app via Search, or by opening All apps.
- Right-click the app, and click Uninstall.
- You get a pop-up saying “This app and its related information will be removed”. You can simply press Uninstall once again.
This method of uninstalling works for most basic apps, but if it is a more complex app, you may be taken to the Control panel.
Uninstalls apps from Control Panel
The Uninstall or change a program page in the Control Panel is capable of performing more complicated uninstalls. If you prefer, you can use this as your primary method of uninstallation, as it will work most of the time.
- Open the Control Panel via Search in the Start Menu.
- Open Programs and select Uninstall a program.
- Locate and select the program you want to uninstall from the list.
- With the program selected, click Uninstall/change.
Once you have done this, the program will either be removed without the need for any further action from you. However, a pop-up message may appear, asking you to confirm that you want to uninstall – simply confirm by clicking Uninstall. You may then get a pop-up message that says “Do you want to allow this app to make change to your device?”. Confirm by clicking Yes. You may then get an uninstall window appear, in which case, simply click through and follow each step for uninstalling the program. At the very end of the process, simply click Finish – this will complete the process and close the window.
Uninstall Apps from Settings
The final method of uninstalling an app on Windows 11 that you should know about is doing it via Settings. This is probably the easiest method of doing so, and it is still suitable for uninstalling more complex programs, in additional to simple ones.
- From the Start menu, open your Settings, by clicking the cog icon, or searching for Settings.
- From your Settings, select Apps from the left-hand menu.
- Open Apps & features.
- Locate the app you want to uninstall from the list.
- Click the ellipses icon on the right of the program, and select Uninstall. Note: Some applications will have the ellipses icon greyed out – this means that the application in question cannot be uninstalled.
- A pop-up window will appear near the ellipses. Click Uninstall again.
This method is quite hands-off and straightforward to do, therefore it may be the best method of uninstalling an application. Ultimately, use whichever method you prefer.
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Last Updated on May 11, 2022
