Running your Windows desktop or laptop with dozens of unnecessary applications is never a good idea. These applications take up space and some of them even launch at startup and harm your computer’s performance. It’s important to occasionally review your list of installed applications and get rid of specific programs that you no longer need. Whether you use apps from the Microsoft Store or install programs from the web, check out the tips below to remove Windows apps in no time.
There are several ways to uninstall applications on Windows. You can either use the Start menu, Default Settings app, Control Panel, and third-party uninstallers to get the job done.
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You can use the Windows Start menu to remove applications in seconds. It’s the easiest way to manage your Windows applications. Follow the steps below to make changes.
- Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
- Find an app in the Pinned list or go to All apps menu.
- Right-click on an app you want to remove and select Uninstall. There are two possibilities here.
- If it is a modern native application for Windows, you will see a pop-up with This application and its associated information will be deleted message. Click on Uninstall to confirm your decision.
- If it’s a classic Windows app, it takes you to the list of installed apps in the Settings app. Find an app you can remove, click the three-dot menu next to it and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the process.
The steps to remove classic applications differ from one software to another. Some apps may convince you to reverse the decision or ask you to fill out a web form to explain why it was removed. Several programs even provide an option to delete associated application data during the deletion process. For example, when you delete Google Chrome, you will also notice an option to delete browsing data.
The above trick also works on default Windows apps like Get Office, Get Skype, Microsoft Photos, Money, News, Phone Companion, etc.
2. Remove Windows Apps from Settings
Microsoft is slowly moving away from the Control Panel and towards the Settings app. It is a feature-rich application for customizing and managing your Windows PC.
- Press Windows + I keys to open Settings.
- Select apps from the sidebar and open Installed apps.
- Browse the list of applications and programs installed on your PC. Scroll to a suitable app and click the three-dot menu next to it.
- Click the three-dot menu next to an app and select Uninstall.
Do you want to troubleshoot a Windows application by reinstalling it? You can access advanced options from the same More menu and try the Repair or Reset tools.
3. Use Control Panel to remove Windows applications
Do you still prefer the tried-and-true Control Panel menu to manage your applications in Windows? Follow the steps below to remove Windows applications using Control Panel.
- Press the Windows key, find Control Panel and press Enter.
- Select Uninstall a program under the Programs menu.
- Right-click on a program and select Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Repeat the same for other irrelevant apps and declutter your PC.
Clean up your Windows machine in no time
The methods built into Windows 11 should be effective enough for the majority to delete apps. Are you still running out of space on your Windows PC, even after spring cleaning? Check out our dedicated guide to freeing up space on Windows. If you’re looking for other apps to improve your workflow, take a look at our best productivity apps for Windows.
