How to Remove Apps from Windows
"Apps" on Windows can mean traditional desktop programs, Microsoft Store apps, or pre-installed software that came with your PC. Each type is removed slightly differently, so this guide covers all three so you can clear out anything you no longer use.
Removing Traditional Desktop Programs
Desktop software installed via an .exe or .msi file is removed through Settings > Apps > Installed apps or Control Panel > Programs and Features. Locate the app, click the three-dot menu or right-click it, and choose Uninstall. Our detailed walkthrough on uninstalling a program on Windows 10 covers this step by step.
Removing Microsoft Store Apps
Apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, like Xbox or built-in tools such as Weather, are removed differently. Right-click the tile in the Start menu and choose Uninstall, or find it under Settings > Apps and select Uninstall the same way as a desktop app. For a deeper look including apps that resist removal, see our guide on uninstalling Windows Store apps.
Removing Pre-Installed Bloatware
Many PCs ship with manufacturer-installed apps you never asked for. Most can be uninstalled the same way as any Store app, though a few system components are hidden from the standard list and require PowerShell commands. Learn more in our article on what bloatware is and how to remove it.
Removing Apps That Don't Appear in the List
Sometimes an app installed itself outside the normal registration process and won't show up anywhere. If that happens, our guide on removing a program not listed in Control Panel explains manual removal options.
Batch-Removing Multiple Apps
If you're clearing out several apps at once, a dedicated uninstaller can queue multiple removals and clean leftover data after each one, saving time compared to uninstalling apps individually through Settings. See our Revo Uninstaller overview for how batch uninstalling works.
Double-Checking What's Left
Once you've removed the apps you no longer want, run through our guide on how to find programs installed on Windows to confirm nothing unwanted remains.
Removing Apps with winget
For desktop apps that were installed through a standard installer, the winget command-line tool offers a fast alternative to clicking through menus. Open Terminal (Windows key + X, then choose Terminal) and run winget list to see every recognized package. Then run winget uninstall --id <PackageId> using the exact ID from the list to remove it. This is particularly useful when reinstalling several tools during a system rebuild or setting up a new PC image.
Removing Apps Using PowerShell for Store Packages
Some Microsoft Store apps, including certain preinstalled ones, don't offer an Uninstall option in the right-click menu at all. For these, open PowerShell as Administrator and run Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage, replacing "appname" with part of the package name found via Get-AppxPackage | Select Name. Some system components are protected and will return an error if Microsoft doesn't allow their removal, which is expected behavior rather than a mistake on your part.
Apps That Reinstall Themselves After Removal
Occasionally a Store app you uninstalled reappears after a Windows update, since Microsoft sometimes reinstalls default apps for new user accounts on the same PC. If this happens repeatedly, check Settings > Accounts > Family & other users for additional profiles, or use Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage in an elevated PowerShell session to stop it from being provisioned for new accounts on the device.
Removing Apps on a Shared or Family PC
On a computer used by multiple people, an app removed under one account may still appear for others if it was installed for all users. Check whether you're signed in as the account that installed it, and use an administrator account if you need to remove it system-wide rather than just for your own profile.
Confirming an App Is Fully Gone
After removing an app, search the Start menu for its name to make sure no shortcut remains, and check Settings > Apps > Installed apps once more to confirm it no longer appears in the list. If it still shows up after a restart, the removal likely failed silently and may need a repeat attempt or a manual cleanup pass.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an app and a program on Windows?
Windows uses the terms fairly interchangeably today, though "app" often refers to Microsoft Store software and "program" to traditional desktop installs.
Can I remove apps that came pre-installed by my PC manufacturer?
Most can be uninstalled like any other app, but a few system-level components may require PowerShell commands or cannot be removed at all.
Will removing a Microsoft Store app delete my saved data in it?
Typically yes, uninstalling clears the app's local data, though anything synced to a Microsoft account may still be recoverable if you reinstall.
Is there a way to remove several apps at the same time?
Third-party uninstaller tools let you select multiple apps and remove them in sequence, which is faster than uninstalling one at a time through Settings.
Part of our Windows software removal series. Start with the Windows uninstaller guide or read the overview of Revo Uninstaller.
Revo Cleaner is an independent information resource. Revo Uninstaller is developed by VS Revo Group Ltd.; download the software from the developer's official website.
