How to Uninstall Apps in Windows 11

Lee Stanton May 11, 2022

Uninstalling an app is the best solution when it conflicts with other software or is no longer required. And uninstalling many unused apps will regain you some precious storage space. In Windows 11, you can quickly get rid of third-party and built-in apps. There are a few techniques that you could use, including via the “Start” menu or entering commands.

Read on to learn how to uninstall your unwanted apps safely.

How to Uninstall Apps Using the Start Menu

The quickest way to uninstall an app in Windows 11 is using the “Start” menu. Follow these steps to see how:

Click on the Windows icon to open the “Start” menu.
If the app you wish to remove is displayed, right-click it, then choose “Uninstall.”
If the app isn’t in the list, choose “All Apps” on the right of the pinned apps group to see a comprehensive list of apps.
Find the app you want to delete, right-click it, then select “Uninstall.”
A confirmation pop-up will appear asking if you’re sure. Click “Uninstall” if you are.

How to Uninstall Apps Using Settings

You also have the option to uninstall apps from “Settings,” follow these steps:

Click on “Search” from the taskbar.
Type “Apps and Features” in the search box, then click on the result.
Find the app you wish to remove in the “Apps and Features” group.
Select the “menu” icon on the app’s right, then select “Uninstall.”
Click “Uninstall” again if you’re sure you want to remove the app.

How to Uninstall Apps Using Control Panel

Control Panel also caters to this type of change. Here’s how to remove an app via Control Panel:

Launch “Control Panel.”
From the “Programs” group, click “Uninstall a program.”
Find the app you wish to uninstall from the list that appears.
Right-click on the app and select “Uninstall.”
A confirmation message will appear. Click “Continue” again to confirm.

How to Uninstall Apps Using Windows Terminal

For a slightly techy way to delete an app, use Terminal. Here are the steps:

In the taskbar, right-click the Windows icon and select “Windows Terminal (Admin).”
To uninstall an app, you’ll need to use the (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) utility. To use WMIC, enter the following command: wmic
You’ll need to type the app name as it appears in the app list. To display the app list, run the following: product get name
Make a note of the app’s actual name, then run the following command:
product where name= "program name" call uninstall
Replace “program name” with the app name. For example, if I want to delete “Surfshark,” I would enter the following: product where name= "Surfshark" call uninstall
After running the command, you’ll be asked to confirm the uninstall. Enter “Y” to confirm.

How to Uninstall Apps Using Registry Editor

Now a method for the tech enthusiasts out there, or if you’re having trouble uninstalling the app using the other techniques, use the Registry Editor. Here are the steps to uninstall an app via Registry Editor:

Launch the “Start” menu.
Enter a search for “Registry Editor,” then open it.
If you want to remove a 32-bit app kept under C:\Program Files (x86), enter the following location in the Registry Editor:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
If you want to uninstall a 64-bit app under C:\Program Files, then enter the following location:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
When you find the “CurrentVersion” folder (of the 32-bit/64-bit app), go to the “Uninstall” folder and expand it.
Here you should see all your installed apps. However, sometimes an app may have been given a random name of alphanumeric characters. Therefore, to find an app’s real name, you’ll need to open the folder and open its “DisplayName” subkey from the right.
In the “Edit String” window, the app’s name will display in the “Value Data.”
Once you’ve confirmed the app you want to delete, find “QuietUninstallString” or “UninstallString” on the right. Some apps may only have “UninstallString.” You could use either of these subkeys to uninstall the app.
Double-click on either the “QuietUninstallString” or “UninstallString” file, then copy what’s in the “Value Data” field. For example, if I want to uninstall the “Surfshark” app, my “Value Data” will look like this: “C:\Program Files\Surfshark File Stream\53.0.8.0\uninstall.exe”
Open the “Start” menu and enter a search for “Command Prompt.”
Initiate “Command Prompt” as an administrator.
Paste the value copied earlier and hit “Enter.”
If you chose the “UninstallString” method, you might receive some additional confirmation dialog boxes. Be sure to reply “YES” or “OK.” In the case of “QuietUninstallString,” confirmation may not be necessary.

Keep Your Windows Tidy

Nowadays, there seems to be an app for almost anything, and the choices are colossal, with the Microsoft Store having over 800,000 apps alone. Because of all these choices and the accessibility of apps, we may end up with a load we no longer use, or some apps may conflict with others. Windows 11 allows several ways to uninstall an app, from right-clicking it via the “Start” menu to using commands for that hacker experience.

What method would you use to remove your unwanted apps? Tell us in the comments section below.