How to Uninstall Apps on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your computer feels slower than usual or you’ve run out of storage space, it might be time to uninstall unwanted apps on Windows 10. Over time, apps, games, and software pile up — consuming disk space, memory, and background resources.

Fortunately, Windows 10 makes it easy to remove apps, whether they’re Microsoft Store apps, desktop programs, or system utilities. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every method to uninstall apps on Windows 10 — from simple Settings options to advanced PowerShell commands.

Let’s dive right in and clean up your PC the right way. 💻✨

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🧭 Summary: Quick Overview

✅ Best for beginners: Use the Settings method
✅ Best for older apps: Use the Control Panel
✅ Best for power users: Try PowerShell

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💡 Why Uninstall Apps on Windows 10?

Before we jump into the steps, let’s understand why removing unused software is important.

🚀 Benefits of Uninstalling Unnecessary Apps:

• Free up disk space: Old games and large software can occupy gigabytes

• Improve performance: Fewer startup programs mean faster boot times

• Reduce background processes: Frees up RAM and CPU usage

• Enhance security: Removes outdated or potentially risky apps

• Declutter your Start Menu: A cleaner, more organized interface

Simply put — uninstalling apps is like giving your PC a breath of fresh air.

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⚙️ Step 1: Uninstall Apps Using Windows Settings (Easiest Method)

This is the simplest way for most users to remove applications.

🔧 Steps:

1. Click Start → select Settings ⚙️

2. Go to Apps → Apps & features

3. Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the app

4. Click the app → select Uninstall

5. Confirm the action when prompted

Windows will automatically remove the selected app.

💡 Pro Tip:

Use the Sort by size option to identify the largest apps taking up your disk space.

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🧰 Step 2: Uninstall Programs via Control Panel (For Classic Desktop Software)

The Control Panel is the traditional way to uninstall software — especially programs that were not installed from the Microsoft Store.

🪜 Steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog

2. Type:

   control


   and press Enter

3. Go to Programs → Programs and Features

4. Find the program you want to remove

5. Right-click it → select Uninstall

6. Follow the on-screen uninstall wizard

Example: You can use this to remove programs like Adobe Reader, iTunes, or Microsoft Office.

⚠️ Note:

Some programs may open a separate uninstaller window — follow it carefully to remove all components.

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🖱️ Step 3: Uninstall Apps Directly from the Start Menu

This is the quickest way to remove apps without opening Settings or Control Panel.

Steps:

1. Click the Start menu

2. Find the app you want to uninstall

3. Right-click on the app

4. Select Uninstall

That’s it — Windows will automatically remove the app.

Example: You can use this to remove apps like Spotify, Zoom, or Netflix in just two clicks.

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🧮 Step 4: Uninstall Built-in Windows 10 Apps Using PowerShell

Some preinstalled Windows apps like Xbox, Mail, or Cortana can’t be uninstalled from the Settings menu. But with PowerShell, you can remove them easily.

⚠️ Note: Be careful while using PowerShell — removing critical system apps can affect Windows functionality.

🪄 Steps:

1. Press Windows + X → select Windows PowerShell (Admin)

2. Type a command from the list below and press Enter

📜 Common PowerShell Commands to Remove Built-in Apps

After running these commands, the selected app will be permanently removed.

💡 Tip:

To reinstall any removed app later, you can open Microsoft Store and download it again.

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🧹 Step 5: Use a Third-Party Uninstaller (For Deep Cleaning)

Sometimes, even after uninstalling apps, leftover files, folders, and registry entries remain. These can slow down your PC.
To clean them completely, use trusted third-party uninstallers.

🧾 Best Third-Party Uninstall Tools:

Steps (Example using Revo Uninstaller):

1. Download and install Revo Uninstaller

2. Launch it → wait for it to load all apps

3. Select the program you want to remove

4. Click Uninstall

5. Choose Advanced Scan to delete leftover files and registry entries

This ensures a complete cleanup of all traces of the app.

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🧩 Step 6: Remove Microsoft Store Apps for All Users

If multiple user accounts exist on your PC, uninstalling an app for one user won’t remove it for others. To remove apps system-wide, use PowerShell with a global command.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell (Admin)

2. Type:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage


   Example:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage


This removes the app for every user on your Windows 10 computer.

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🔄 Step 7: Reinstall or Restore Default Windows 10 Apps (If Needed)

Did you accidentally uninstall a system app? No problem! You can restore all built-in Windows apps easily.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell (Admin)

2. Enter the command below:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}


3. Press Enter

This reinstalls all default apps like Mail, Microsoft Store, and Photos.

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🧠 Step 8: Identify Which Apps to Uninstall (Tips & Tools)

Unsure which apps to remove? Use these tips to identify unnecessary ones.

🔍 How to Spot Unnecessary Apps:

• You haven’t opened it in months

• It consumes large storage (check under “Apps & features”)

• It came preinstalled (bloatware)

• It runs in background (visible in Task Manager → Startup tab)

🛠️ Useful Tools:

• Storage Settings: Go to Settings → System → Storage

• Task Manager: View resource-hungry apps under “Processes”

• Disk Cleanup: Delete temporary and leftover files

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🧾 Quick Comparison: Uninstallation Methods

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⚠️ Common Uninstall Errors and Fixes

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🧩 Optional: Disable Apps Instead of Uninstalling

If you’re unsure about removing an app completely, you can disable it instead.
This stops it from running in the background but keeps it installed.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

2. Click Startup tab

3. Right-click the app → choose Disable

This helps improve performance without permanent deletion.

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🧼 Step 9: Perform a System Cleanup After Uninstalling

Once you’ve removed unwanted apps, let’s finish with a cleanup to remove residual files.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S → type Disk Cleanup → open it

2. Select your system drive (C:)

3. Check boxes for:

   • Temporary Files

   • Recycle Bin

   • Previous Windows Installations (optional)

4. Click OK → Delete Files

For deeper cleaning, use Storage Sense (Settings → System → Storage → Configure Storage Sense).

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🏁 Conclusion

Uninstalling apps on Windows 10 is one of the simplest — and most effective — ways to optimize your PC’s performance.
Whether you prefer the Settings app, Control Panel, or PowerShell, each method serves a purpose.

Here’s a quick recap:

• ✅ Use Settings → Apps & features for most apps

• ✅ Use Control Panel for traditional programs

• ✅ Use PowerShell for built-in system apps

• ✅ Use third-party uninstallers for deep cleaning

Removing unnecessary software helps your PC run faster, boot quicker, and stay clutter-free.

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❓ FAQs About Uninstalling Apps on Windows 10

1. How do I uninstall multiple apps at once?

Use a tool like IObit Uninstaller or Revo Uninstaller to batch-uninstall several programs at the same time.

2. Can I uninstall built-in Windows 10 apps like Cortana or Xbox?

Yes, but you’ll need to use PowerShell commands. Be cautious — removing essential system apps may cause errors.

3. What’s the difference between deleting and uninstalling an app?

Deleting only removes shortcuts or icons. Uninstalling removes all associated files and registry entries.

4. How do I reinstall an app after uninstalling it?

Simply go to the Microsoft Store or the app’s official website and download it again.

5. Why can’t I uninstall some programs?

Some system apps and drivers are protected by Windows. To remove them, use PowerShell (Admin) or safe third-party tools.

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🧩 Key Takeaways

• 🧹 Uninstall unused apps regularly to keep your PC fast and clean

• ⚙️ Use the right tool depending on the app type (Settings, Control Panel, PowerShell)

• 🛡️ Always download uninstallers from official sources

• 🔄 Restart your PC after uninstalling for best performance

• 🧠 Be careful removing built-in apps — they may affect system stability

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Uninstalling apps on Windows 10 isn’t just about freeing space — it’s about creating a smoother, faster, and more efficient computing experience. Follow this step-by-step guide, and your PC will thank you with better performance and reliability.