Uninstalling an app on Windows 11 usually takes less than a minute once you know where to look. The easiest way is through the Settings app, but you can also do it from the Start menu or the older Control Panel if you prefer. Here’s how to remove a program on Windows 11, no matter which method works best for you.
Quick steps
- Select Start, then All apps (or search for the app).
- Right-click the app you want to remove.
- Select Uninstall, then confirm when prompted.
Before you start
A few things to check before you delete an app on Windows 11:
- You need to be signed in with an account that has permission to install and remove software. On a work or school PC, an admin may need to approve the removal.
- Some apps that came preinstalled with Windows, or apps tied to a device driver, can’t be uninstalled the normal way, or removing them may not be recommended.
- Uninstalling an app removes the program itself, but it won’t always delete files you created with it, like documents or saved projects. Back those up first if you want to keep them.
- If the app is a Microsoft 365 or Office installation, Microsoft has a separate troubleshooting tool for a clean removal, covered further down.
Uninstall apps on Windows 11 using Settings
This is the main way to uninstall applications on Windows 11 and works for both traditional desktop programs and apps from the Microsoft Store.
- Select Start, then open Settings (you can also press the gear icon or search for “Settings”).
- Select Apps in the left-hand menu.
- Select Installed apps.
- Find the app you want to remove. You can scroll through the list or use the search box at the top of the page to find it faster.
- Select the three-dot menu (…) next to the app’s name.
- Select Uninstall.
- Confirm the action if a prompt appears, then follow any on-screen instructions to finish removing the app.
Newer versions of Windows 11 also let you trigger this same Installed Apps process when you right-click a Win32 app and choose Uninstall, so you may see the same confirmation screen whichever route you take.
Uninstall an app from the Start menu
If you don’t want to open Settings, you can remove most apps directly from the Start menu.
- Select Start.
- Select All apps in the top-right corner to see your full app list, or find the app’s tile if it’s pinned to Start.
- Right-click the app you want to delete.
- Select Uninstall from the menu that appears.
- Confirm the removal when prompted.
This method is really just a shortcut into the same uninstall process used in Settings, so the end result is the same either way.
Uninstall software on Windows 11 using Control Panel
Control Panel still exists in Windows 11 and some older desktop programs, especially specialized business or utility software, are easier to manage from here.
- Select Start, type Control Panel, and select it from the results.
- Select Programs.
- Select Programs and Features.
- In the list of installed programs, find and select the one you want to remove.
- Select Uninstall (or Uninstall/Change) at the top of the list.
- Follow the prompts in the uninstall wizard to finish removing the program.
Removing Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365
Office apps sometimes leave behind files or settings that interfere with a reinstall. If a normal uninstall from Settings or Control Panel doesn’t fully clear things out, Microsoft provides a dedicated command-line removal tool through its Get Help service for exactly this scenario.
- Select Start, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt in the results.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Download and run Microsoft’s command-line Office Uninstall tool, following the steps on Microsoft’s support page for this scenario.
- Restart your PC once the tool finishes, then reinstall Office if needed.
This option is meant for situations where a normal uninstall of Office isn’t working cleanly, not as the first thing you try.
If it doesn’t work
The Uninstall option is greyed out
This usually means the app is a core system component, was installed by an administrator policy, or needs you to be signed in with an administrator account. Try signing in with an admin account, or check with your IT department if it’s a managed work PC.
The app won’t uninstall or gets stuck
Restart your PC and try again, since a background process tied to the app can sometimes block removal. If it still won’t go, try uninstalling from a different method (for example, Control Panel instead of Settings) since some older programs register differently with Windows.
The app still shows up after uninstalling
Restart your computer. Sometimes the Installed Apps list doesn’t refresh immediately. If it’s still listed after a restart, try reinstalling it and then uninstalling again, since a broken installation can sometimes leave an incomplete entry behind.
You get an error message during uninstall
Note down the exact error message or code if one appears. For Office specifically, use the dedicated Office uninstall tool described above rather than retrying the standard uninstall repeatedly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I uninstall multiple apps at once on Windows 11?
Windows 11’s built-in uninstall tools handle one app at a time through Settings, the Start menu, or Control Panel. There isn’t a built-in bulk-uninstall option, so you’ll need to repeat the uninstall steps for each app individually.
Does uninstalling an app delete my files?
Uninstalling removes the program itself but usually won’t touch personal files like documents, photos, or saved projects stored elsewhere on your PC. It’s still a good idea to back up anything important before removing software, just in case.
Can I reinstall an app after uninstalling it?
Yes. You can reinstall most apps from the Microsoft Store, the developer’s website, or your original installation media, depending on where you got the app originally.
Why can’t I find the uninstall option for an app?
Some apps are built into Windows and can’t be removed through the normal uninstall process, since they’re part of the operating system. If an app you installed yourself is missing an uninstall option, try searching for it in both Settings and Control Panel, since it may be listed in one but not the other.
What’s the difference between removing an app and disabling it?
Uninstalling deletes the program from your PC entirely. Disabling (available for some background or startup apps) just stops it from running automatically without removing it. If you only want to stop an app from loading at sign-in, disabling startup behavior is often the better choice.
Related guides
- How to Remove OneDrive from Your PC
- How to Disable OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11
- How To Stop Teams Loading Up After Logging In
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