The fastest way to uninstall an app on Windows 10
The quickest method is through Settings, which takes about 30 seconds. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Apps in the left menu, then Apps & features. Scroll through the list until you find the program you want to remove, click it once, and a button labeled Uninstall will appear. Click that button and follow any prompts that appear.
Windows will ask you to confirm the removal. Some programs will show additional options — like whether to keep your settings or remove them completely. If you are unsure, choose the default option (usually "remove everything"). The program will disappear from your computer within seconds, though you may need to restart Windows afterward if the program was running when you uninstalled it.
This method works for almost every program you installed yourself. The only exception is built-in Windows apps like Mail or Calculator, which use a different removal process described below.
Key Takeaways
- Settings > Apps > Apps & features is the standard way to remove most programs, and takes less than a minute.
- Right-clicking a program in the Start menu and selecting Uninstall is faster if you can see the program there.
- Built-in Windows apps like Mail or Calculator must be removed through the Microsoft Store app, not Settings.
- If a program refuses to uninstall, restart your computer first, then try again — programs cannot remove themselves while they are running.
- Uninstalling a program does not delete your files; it only removes the program itself from your system.
Uninstalling from the Start menu
If you can see the program in your Start menu, this is often the fastest route. Click the Windows key to open the Start menu, find the program you want to remove, right-click it, and select Uninstall. A window will open asking you to confirm — click Uninstall again, and the program will be removed.
Not every program shows an Uninstall option when you right-click it. If you do not see that option, use the Settings method instead. Some older programs do not support this shortcut, but most modern software does.
Removing built-in Windows apps like Mail and Calculator
Windows 10 comes with apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, and Calculator that cannot be removed through Settings. To remove these, open the Microsoft Store app (search for it in the Start menu). Click your account icon in the top right corner, then select My library. Find the app you want to remove in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall.
Some built-in apps cannot be uninstalled at all — Windows will not let you remove them because the system depends on them. If you do not see an Uninstall option, that app is required and must stay on your computer. You can hide these apps from your Start menu instead by right-clicking them and selecting Unpin from Start.
What to do if a program will not uninstall
If you click Uninstall and nothing happens, or you get an error message, the program is probably still running in the background. Restart your computer completely — do not just log out, actually shut down and turn the machine back on. Once Windows has fully restarted, try uninstalling again through Settings.
If the program still will not uninstall after a restart, check whether another program is using files from it. Close your web browser, email client, and any other programs you have open, then try again. If it continues to fail, the program may be corrupted. In that case, restart once more and try the uninstall a third time — this usually works.
Do not delete the program folder manually from your hard drive. This leaves behind settings files and registry entries that clutter your system. Always use the uninstall method, even if it takes a few tries.
Understanding what happens when you uninstall
Uninstalling a program removes the program itself and its settings from your computer, but it does not touch files you created with that program. If you used Photoshop to edit an image and then uninstall Photoshop, the image file stays on your computer. You just cannot open it with Photoshop anymore unless you reinstall the program.
Some programs leave behind a folder with your saved data even after uninstall. You can delete these folders manually if you want to free up space, but Windows does not remove them automatically. These folders are usually in your Documents or AppData folder and are safe to delete if you are certain you do not need the data inside.
Checking how much space an uninstall will free
Before you uninstall, you can see how much hard drive space a program is using. Open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & features, and look at the size listed next to each program. Large programs like video editors or games can use several gigabytes. Uninstalling them can free up meaningful space if your hard drive is running low.
Keep in mind that the size shown is only the program itself, not including files you created with it. If you have a folder full of video projects, those files are stored separately and will not be removed when you uninstall the video editor.
Reinstalling a program you removed
If you uninstall a program and later decide you need it again, you can reinstall it. For programs you bought or downloaded from the internet, go back to where you got it originally — the publisher's website, the Microsoft Store, or wherever you first found it. Download and run the installer again, and the program will be restored to your computer.
Your settings and saved data from before the uninstall will not come back automatically. If you deleted the program's settings folder, those are gone permanently. This is why it is a good idea to back up important files before uninstalling programs you use regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling a program delete my files?
No. Uninstalling removes only the program itself. Files you created with that program stay on your computer. You just cannot open them with that program anymore unless you reinstall it. Your Documents folder, photos, and other personal files are never touched by uninstalling.
Can I uninstall Windows itself or system programs?
No. Windows will not let you uninstall the operating system or critical programs it needs to run. If you try to uninstall something and do not see an Uninstall button, that program is required for your computer to work properly. You can hide these programs from your Start menu instead.
What if I uninstall something by mistake?
You can reinstall it. Go to the website or store where you originally got the program and download it again. If you paid for the program, you usually do not need to pay again — your purchase is tied to your account. Reinstalling takes a few minutes and restores the program to your computer.
Will uninstalling a program speed up my computer?
Slightly, but only if the program was running in the background or using a lot of hard drive space. Most programs do not slow down your computer just by being installed — they only use resources when they are actually running. Uninstalling programs you never use can free up disk space, which helps if your hard drive is nearly full.
Can I uninstall Windows updates?
Yes, but you should not unless an update is causing a specific problem. Open Settings, go to Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. Click the update you want to remove and follow the prompts. Your computer will restart. Only do this if an update broke something on your system.