Sometimes, your Windows programs can seem like guests at the Hotel California — they can never leave. Show
After all, installing a new program is as easy as double-clicking the installation icon, but it's not obvious how to uninstall unwanted programs when they're no longer needed. One thing you should never do is simply find the program's folder and delete it. A Windows program contains many files that are installed in various locations on the computer. If you delete a program folder manually, you'll only be deleting some of the files, and will potentially cause problems with Windows. Here's the correct way to uninstall any program in Windows 10. Check out the products mentioned in this article:Windows 10 Home (From $129.99 on Amazon)How to uninstall a program on Windows 101. Start Settings from the Start menu. 2. Click "Apps." Open Settings to uninstall a program. Dave Johnson/Business Insider3. In the pane on the left, click "Apps & features." 4. In the Apps & features pane on the right, find a program you want to uninstall and click on it. Then click "Uninstall." You may need to confirm by clicking "Uninstall" in the pop-up window. Click Uninstall to remove an unwanted program. Dave Johnson/Business Insider5. Windows will uninstall the program, deleting all of its files and data. In some cases, the program may have its own custom uninstaller, which should open when you click "Uninstall." When it's complete, the program will disappear from the list. If the Uninstall button is grey and not clickable, that generally means it's built into Windows and can't be removed. Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.
i Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images Every program you install on your computer takes up space on your hard drive. In addition, various vendors enter into agreements with computer manufacturers to have their products installed on new computers. As space on your hard drive dwindles or your computer begins to exhibit problems after installing a new program, you may need to remove programs from your computer. In order to safely remove programs, you need to know how to identify which programs are safe to eliminate. Step 1Create a list of programs you use every day. Step 2Check your Start menu for programs you do not recognize. Note these on your list; most likely, they are safe to delete. Step 3Click "Control Panel" in the Start menu and select "Uninstall a program" if you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7. Click "Add or remove programs" if you are using Windows XP. Step 4Ignore the programs on your list or any other programs you see that you use often. Click on programs that you installed yourself but no longer use. You can safely uninstall them by using the "Uninstall" option. Step 5Open the "Program files" folder from the Start menu and locate the folder of the program you are unfamiliar with. Sometimes the program is contained in a folder for the creator of the software. For example, all Adobe programs are installed inside a folder labeled "Adobe." Open the program's folder. Step 6Locate the program's executable file, which is a file that ends with ".exe." Right-click on the file and select "Properties." Click the "Details" tab in the properties screen to view a detailed description of the program. Determine whether you have used the program recently. If not, return to the Control Panel and uninstall it. Tips
Writer Bio Isaiah Turning is a freelance writer living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. In his three-year career, Turning has written computer and technology articles for a number of websites, most recently eHow.com. How do I remove unnecessary programs from Windows 10?Use the uninstaller built into Windows 11, and Windows 10.. Open the Start Menu.. Click Settings.. Click Apps.. Select Apps & features from the left-hand side menu.. Select the Program or App that you want to uninstall from the list that appears.. Click the uninstall button that shows under the selected program or app.. How do I find what programs are on my computer?Find all your apps and programs. Select the search button on the taskbar and type the name of the app or program.. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and start typing.. What files can I delete from Windows 10?Windows suggests different types of files you can remove, including recycle bin files, Windows Update Cleanup files, upgrade log files, device driver packages, temporary internet files, and temporary files.
Is it better to delete or Uninstall a program?The uninstall feature differs from the delete function in that it safely and efficiently removes all associated files, whereas delete only removes part of a program or selected file.
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How do i know what programs to uninstall on my computer
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