The Windows operating system packs a host of different apps—both built-in and from third-party vendors—that make using Windows systems a breeze.
However, all good things come to an end. Similarly, many times, users simply run out of use for an app. If you find yourself in such a place, then it makes sense you’d like to get rid of such unused apps.
And that’s what this short piece is about. In what follows, we’ll dive into different ways to uninstall apps in Windows. So let’s jump right in.
1. Uninstall Windows apps from Settings
One of the most common components in our toolkit, the Settings menu is a central hub to edit and enforce different Windows configurations. Unsurprisingly, you can also use it to uninstall apps in Windows. Here’s how:
- Launch the Windows Settings. Go to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘settings,’ and select the Best match.
- Head to Apps -> Apps & features.
- Pick the app you want to remove, right-click on the menu and click on Uninstall.
You’ll get prompted for confirmation. Click on Uninstall again to proceed. The Windows app will get uninstalled in a few seconds.
2. Uninstall apps in Windows using the Start menu
Located in the bottom-right corner of your screen, the Start menu toolbar not only displays your important Windows files and folders but also lets you uninstall apps from right there.
The process is pretty simple too. Here’s how you can uninstall apps in Windows:
- Click the Start button and pick the app you’d like to delete.
- Right-click on the app and click on Uninstall.
3. Control Panel
The Control Panel is a Windows program that lets you manage different components and settings in your PC. Think account setting, hardware management, and the like. Interestingly, you can remove Windows apps by using Control Panel. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel by going to the Start menu search bar, typing in ‘control panel,’ and selecting the best match.
- Click on Uninstall a program from under the Programs section.
- Pick the program you want to uninstall and double-click on it.
- Click on Yes to proceed with the uninstallation.
As soon you do this, the uninstallation process will begin and the app will be removed in a few seconds.
4. Uninstall built-in Windows apps
While the above methods well when uninstalling third-party apps, built-in Windows apps are a different beast. However, it’s still possible to remove them with the help of Windows PowerShell.
PowerShell is a free task automation tool from Microsoft which consists of a command line shell and scripting language. To uninstall the built-in Windows apps with PowerShell, follow the steps below:
- Go to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘powershell,’ and run the Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
- Depending on the app you want to remove, type in one of the following commands and hit Enter:
3D Builder: Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Alarms and Clock: Get-AppxPackage *windowsalarms* | Remove-AppxPackage
Calculator: Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
Calendar and Mail: Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Camera: Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get Office: Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get Skype: Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get Started: Get-AppxPackage *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage
Groove Music: Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage
Maps: Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Microsoft Solitaire Collection: Get-AppxPackage *solitairecollection* | Remove-AppxPackage
Money: Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage
Movies & TV: Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage
News: Get-AppxPackage *bingnews* | Remove-AppxPackage
OneNote: Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
People: Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Phone Companion: Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Photos: Get-AppxPackage *photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
Store: Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage
Sports: Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage
Voice Recorder: Get-AppxPackage *soundrecorder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Weather: Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage
Xbox: Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
For instance, in the example, we’ve run the command to remove the default Xbox app that comes pre-installed with Windows. As soon as you execute the command, the built-in Windows apps will be removed instantly.
In case you also want to completely uninstall and remove system apps in Windows 11, we invite you to check out our separate that covers this topic in detail.
The best ways to uninstall Windows apps
This should help you with removing any and every Windows app that you don’t want to keep on your Windows anymore. Hopefully, you were able to uninstall apps in Windows. But don’t lose hope if you couldn’t!
As a last resort, you can give third-party uninstallers a shot. They are, as you might’ve guessed, there are apps designed to uninstall other sticky apps that have overstayed their welcome. We suggest you give Revo Uninstaller a try.
