However, Windows doesn’t provide any notice that it’s removed a program–the program will just appear to vanish from your system. Windows can clean them up and make sure they don’t cause problems. It looks like this feature is designed to help protect the average Windows user, who might have outdated programs installed.

If this happens, the “All of your files are exactly where you left them” screen will appear like normal–this screen always appears during major updates–but Windows will actually have removed some of your program files. If a program is known to cause crashes, bugs, or otherwise conflict with Windows, Windows may remove it to keep your system stable. As such, the process can be a little different depending where you got the software from in the first place.Windows may remove programs during an update for compatibility reasons.

Removing apps and programs from Windows 10 isn’t difficult, but it’s also not a universal process covering everything yet. In more recent versions of Windows 10, this should do the trick without ‘Control Panel’ opening, but in older versions you’ll probably still have to follow the step above as well. Find the one you want to remove and click ‘Uninstall’. Under ‘Apps & Features’ you’ll find a complete list of the apps and programs installed on your PC. If a custom installer needs to remove the software it will now run.Īlternatively, you can head into the ‘Settings’ app and locate the ‘Storage’ section inside ‘System’. Find the app or program again, ‘right-click’ on it and select ‘Uninstall’ or click the ‘Uninstall button’ at the top of the window. You will now be taken to the ‘Control Panel’ where the actual uninstall will happen. ‘Right-click’ on it and select ‘Uninstall’. Open the ‘Start Menu’ and locate the app or program you want to uninstall. But there’s still some crossover with the old faithful ‘Control Panel’. The good news is that in more recent versions of Windows 10, the process can be very similar to the steps above for Store-based apps.

(Image credit: TechRadar) How to uninstall apps and programs installed from outside the Microsoft Store on Windows 10Īpps and programs from outside the Microsoft Store are where some divergence comes in.

Delete programs windows 10