To uninstall a program on Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Select the program, select Uninstall, then select Uninstall again to confirm. Follow any steps the program’s uninstaller shows.
You can also right-click the program in the Start menu and select Uninstall. The same shortcut works in Windows 11; see how to uninstall a program in Windows 11 for the full steps there.
Applies to: Windows 10. Some programs need an administrator account. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Uninstall from Settings
- Select Start > Settings > Apps.
- Under Apps & features, find the program. You can search the list or sort it by size.
- Select the program, then select Uninstall.
- Select Uninstall again to confirm.
Uninstall from Control Panel
Older desktop programs often show here too.
- Press Windows + R, type
appwiz.cpl, and press Enter. - Right-click the program and select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change.
- Follow the steps on screen.
Select Start, right-click the program in the list, and select Uninstall. Store apps are removed right away. Desktop programs open Programs and Features. For a worked example with one app, see how to remove Skype from Windows 10.
If a program won’t uninstall
- Close it first. Quit the program, including its icon near the clock, and try again.
- Restart your PC and try again.
- Use its own uninstaller. Open the program’s folder in
C:\Program FilesorC:\Program Files (x86)and run a file such asuninstall.exe. - Try Safe Mode. Programs that load at startup can block removal. See how to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode.
- Use Microsoft’s troubleshooter. The Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter fixes broken uninstall entries. It’s linked from Microsoft’s guide below.
Antivirus programs often need their maker’s removal tool. Get it from the company’s own website.
Uninstall with a command
- Store apps (PowerShell as administrator):
Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Remove-AppxPackage - Most apps, if you have winget:
winget uninstall "App name"
Only use these if you know the exact app name.
Apps you can’t uninstall
Some apps are part of Windows, such as Microsoft Edge and Settings. Their Uninstall button is grayed out.
Clean up after uninstalling
Some programs leave settings behind in your user folder. See how to open the AppData folder in Windows 10. Only delete folders for programs you’ve removed.
Frequently asked questions
Does uninstalling delete my files?
Usually not. Documents you made stay in your folders. Some programs remove their own saved data, so back up anything important first. Games often keep their saves separately, so check how to uninstall games on Windows 10 before removing one.
Can I get an uninstalled program back?
Only by installing it again. Your license or account usually still works.
Should I disable a program instead?
If you only want it to stop opening when your PC starts, see how to disable startup programs in Windows 10.
To remove Word, Excel, and the other Office apps, see how to uninstall Microsoft Office in Windows 10.
To add apps instead, see how to install apps and software in Windows 10.
To remove the Copilot app, see how to turn off Copilot in Windows 10.
If you removed OneDrive and need it again, see how to reinstall OneDrive on Windows 10.
Internet Explorer 11 is removed differently, through Optional features. See how to disable or uninstall Internet Explorer on Windows 10.
To see everything that’s installed first, see how to see all installed apps in Windows 10.
If a program leaves a service behind, see how to delete a service in Windows 10.
If Teams is acting up, clearing its cache may fix it without uninstalling. See how to clear the Teams cache in Windows 10.
If you uninstalled Outlook and want it back, see how to install Outlook on Windows 10.
For step-by-step help removing one browser, see how to uninstall Chrome on Windows 10.
For an example with a work app, see how to uninstall Citrix Workspace on Windows 10.
For a game launcher, see how to uninstall Steam on Windows 10, which explains how to keep your games.
Microsoft’s guide is Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: How to remove Wave Browser from Windows.
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.