Eclipse IDE usually doesn’t appear in Apps & features, because its installer just copies it into a folder. To remove it, close Eclipse and delete that folder, usually in your user folder. Then remove its shortcuts, and delete its settings and workspace folders if you don’t need them.
Applies to: Windows 10. Keep in mind that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Security updates now come only through the Extended Security Updates program, which stops on October 12, 2027.
Check Apps & features first
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Type Eclipse in Search this list.
- If it’s listed, select it and select Uninstall. You’re done. If it shows We couldn’t find anything to show here, keep going.
Delete the Eclipse folder
- Close Eclipse.
- Open File Explorer and go to your user folder, such as C:\Users\Alex. Most installs are in a folder named eclipse there.
- Select the Eclipse folder and select Delete.
- Right-click any Eclipse shortcuts on the desktop or Start menu and remove them.
Find the Eclipse folder quickly
If you’re not sure where Eclipse is, right-click its desktop or Start menu shortcut and select Open file location. For a Start menu shortcut, do it once more on the shortcut that opens. File Explorer opens the folder that holds eclipse.exe.
The Eclipse Installer usually puts each version in its own folder, such as C:\Users\Alex\eclipse\java-2026-06\eclipse. Delete the version folder, or the whole eclipse folder if you’re removing every version.
Remove its settings and workspace (optional)
- .p2 in your user folder holds shared Eclipse files. Delete it if you don’t use any other Eclipse versions.
- eclipse-workspace holds your projects. Copy anything you want to keep before you delete it.
- .eclipse in your user folder holds the installer’s settings. Delete it if you’re removing Eclipse completely.
Do I need to remove Java too?
Only if nothing else uses it. Other apps may need Java, so it’s often best to keep it. To remove it, find it in Apps & features. You can set Java up again later by installing the JDK on Windows 10.
If the folder won’t delete
- “The action can’t be completed because the file is open”: close Eclipse, then open Task Manager and end any eclipse.exe or javaw.exe tasks.
- File names are too long: open Command Prompt and type
rd /s /q "C:\Users\Alex\eclipse"with your own path. It deletes the folder without asking, so check the path first. - Access denied: if Eclipse is in Program Files, you need an administrator account to delete it.
Install a fresh copy later
To start again, download the Eclipse Installer from the Eclipse Foundation’s download page. Your old workspace can be opened in the new version if you kept it.
Frequently asked questions
Will deleting Eclipse delete my code?
Not if your projects are in a separate workspace folder and you keep it.
Does deleting Eclipse remove my plugins?
Yes. Plugins live inside the Eclipse folder and the .p2 folder, so they go with them. Make a list of the plugins you use if you plan to reinstall, so you can add them back quickly.
What about my Git repositories?
Eclipse usually keeps Git repositories in a git folder in your user folder, not inside the Eclipse folder. Deleting Eclipse doesn’t touch them, but check before you delete the workspace.
Can I keep my settings for a new install?
Yes. Keep your workspace folder. Its hidden .metadata folder stores your preferences, and a new Eclipse opens it with most settings intact.
What about the .m2 folder?
That’s Maven’s download cache, and other Java tools use it too. Leave it unless you’re sure nothing else needs it; it’s safe to delete, but projects will download their files again.
Do I need to restart after removing Eclipse?
No. Eclipse doesn’t install services or drivers, so it’s gone as soon as the folder and its shortcuts are deleted.
Most other apps do uninstall normally. Uninstalling programs on Windows 10 and Microsoft’s Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows cover those.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.