The fastest way depends on your operating system

Windows and Mac both have built-in tools to remove programs, but the steps are different. On Windows, you use Settings or the Control Panel to uninstall. On Mac, you drag the program to the Trash or use an uninstaller app if one came with the software. Linux varies by distribution but usually relies on a package manager. The method matters because some programs leave behind files if you delete them the wrong way, and some require you to close them first.

Before you delete anything, close the program completely — not just the window, but the entire application. This prevents errors during removal and ensures the uninstaller can access all the files it needs to remove.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find the program, and click Uninstall.
  • On Mac, drag the program from Applications to the Trash, or use the uninstaller that came with it if one exists.
  • Some programs leave behind settings files and folders even after uninstall; you can delete these manually if you want a complete removal.
  • Third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller (Windows) or AppCleaner (Mac) can find and remove leftover files automatically.

Deleting programs on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then click Apps & Features. Scroll through the list to find the program you want to remove, click it once to select it, and a menu will appear with an Uninstall button. Click Uninstall and follow any prompts that appear.

If the program does not appear in Apps & Features, it may be older software or a system tool. Try the Control Panel instead: press Windows key + R, type "control panel," and press Enter. Click Programs, then Programs and Features. Find the program in the list, click it, and click Uninstall at the top of the list.

Some programs will ask you to restart your computer after uninstalling. Save your work first, then allow the restart. This ensures all files are fully removed and no parts of the program remain running in the background.

Deleting programs on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll through the list to find the program you want to remove. Click it once to select it, then drag it to the Trash in your dock, or press Command + Delete. The program is now in the Trash but not yet permanently deleted.

Some Mac programs come with their own uninstaller. If you see an Uninstall icon or file inside the program's folder, double-click it and follow the prompts. This method is more thorough because the uninstaller knows which files belong to that specific program.

To permanently delete the program, empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in your dock and selecting Empty Trash. Until you do this, the program still takes up space on your computer.

Finding and removing leftover files

Even after uninstalling, programs often leave behind settings files, caches, and configuration folders. On Windows, these are usually hidden. Press Windows key + R, type "%appdata%" and press Enter to see application data folders. Look for a folder with the program's name and delete it if you want a complete removal. Do the same with "%localappdata%" for local application data.

On Mac, open Finder, press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files, then navigate to the Library folder in your home directory. Look for folders named after the program in Library/Application Support, Library/Preferences, or Library/Caches. Drag these to the Trash if you want to remove all traces of the program.

This step is optional. Leaving these files behind does not harm your computer, and some programs use them to remember your settings if you reinstall later. Only delete them if you want a completely clean removal.

Using third-party uninstallers for deeper removal

Programs like Revo Uninstaller (Windows) and AppCleaner (Mac) scan your computer for leftover files after uninstalling and remove them automatically. Download Revo Uninstaller from its website, install it, open it, find the program you want to remove in the list, and click Uninstall. Revo will run the program's own uninstaller first, then scan for leftover files and ask if you want to delete them.

AppCleaner works similarly on Mac. Download it, drag it to Applications, then open it. Drag the program you want to remove into AppCleaner's window, and it will show you all the files associated with that program. Click Remove and AppCleaner will delete everything at once.

These tools are useful if a program is not uninstalling cleanly or if you want to be certain nothing is left behind. They are not required for normal use, but they can save time if you remove programs frequently.

What to do if a program will not uninstall

If the uninstall button is grayed out or the uninstaller crashes, the program may be running in the background. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows to open Task Manager, find the program in the list, click it, and click End Task. Then try uninstalling again. On Mac, open Activity Monitor (search for it in Spotlight), find the program, click it, and click the X button to force quit it.

If the program still will not uninstall, restart your computer in Safe Mode. On Windows 10 or 11, hold Shift and click the Power button, then click Restart. On the next screen, click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings, then restart and press 4 for Safe Mode. Try uninstalling from Safe Mode, where fewer programs are running.

On Mac, restart and hold Command + S to boot into Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, try uninstalling the program again. If it still fails, the program may be corrupted or protected by system settings, and you may need to contact the software maker for help.

Uninstalling built-in Windows programs

Windows comes with programs like Mail, Photos, and Cortana that you cannot remove through the normal uninstall process. To remove them, open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin)), then type a command like this: Get-AppxPackage *mail* | Remove-AppxPackage. Replace "mail" with the name of the program you want to remove.

This method works for most built-in apps but not all. Some system programs cannot be removed because Windows depends on them. If you try to remove something critical, Windows will prevent it. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall built-in apps from the Microsoft Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a program remove all my files made with it?

No. Uninstalling a program removes the program itself but not the files you created with it. A Word document, a photo edited in Photoshop, or a spreadsheet will remain on your computer. You can still open these files with other programs or reinstall the original program later.

Can I delete a program if I do not have the password?

On Windows, you need administrator access to uninstall most programs. If you are not the administrator, ask whoever set up the computer to remove it for you. On Mac, you may be asked for your password when dragging an app to Trash; this is a security feature to prevent accidental deletion.

What happens if I just delete the program folder?

Deleting the folder directly removes the program from view, but it leaves behind settings files, registry entries (on Windows), and other data that can clutter your system. Using the uninstall tool is cleaner because it removes everything the program installed, not just the main folder.

How much space will I free up by deleting a program?

Most programs take between 50 megabytes and a few gigabytes. Large programs like video editors or games can take 10 to 50 gigabytes. You can see how much space a program uses before uninstalling: on Windows, go to Settings > System > Storage > Apps & Features and click the program name. On Mac, click the program in Applications and check its file size in the Finder info panel.

Is it safe to delete programs I do not recognize?

Be cautious. Some programs are system tools or dependencies that other programs need. If you are unsure, search the program name online before deleting it. If it is malware or bloatware, removing it is safe and recommended. If it is a system tool, uninstalling it may cause other programs to stop working.