If you’re looking to free up some space or just want to tidy up that game clutter in your Windows 11 start menu, uninstalling from the Microsoft Store is pretty straightforward — once you know where to look. But sometimes it’s not as simple as clicking “Uninstall,” especially if the game’s being a bit stubborn or isn’t showing up where you’d expect. Here’s a no-fuss, real-world method, including a few extra steps that actually do the job.
Uninstall a Game from Microsoft Store on Windows 11
Getting rid of a game on Windows 11 isn’t just about deleting an icon; it can involve digging through a few menus and sometimes dealing with the odd glitch. Doing it properly means you’ll free up space and stop those annoying notifications popping up when you start your PC.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Hit the Windows key or click the Start button. Your apps, including your games, will be there. Sometimes they don’t show up straight away, so if you can’t see it, just start typing the name in the search bar.
Heads up: on some setups, your game might not show up immediately or could be tucked away in a weird list. If that’s the case, jump into the Settings or try another method below.
Step 2: Find the Game
Scroll through the list or just type the game’s name into the search bar. Once it appears, right-click on it (or long-press if you’re on a touchscreen). The context menu is your mate here.
Pro tip: Sometimes the game won’t show a clear ‘Uninstall’ option right away — that’s when you need to check in Settings or use PowerShell.
Step 3: Right-Click and Pick ‘Uninstall’
If you see the option, click Uninstall. Windows might ask for confirmation — just say yes if you’re sure. But watch out — sometimes this just doesn’t do much or opens another window with no action. If that happens, there’s a more direct way to get rid of it.
Note: Clicking ‘Uninstall’ from the context menu doesn’t always wipe out all traces of the game, especially if it’s stuck in cache or has leftovers. That’s when you need to dig a bit deeper.
Method 1: Use Settings to Remove the Game
The more reliable way is to go through Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find your game on the list, click on it, then hit Uninstall. This tends to do a better job clearing out residual files.
If your game isn’t listed there or the uninstall button is greyed out, Windows might be a bit confused — time to try PowerShell.
Method 2: PowerShell Command — the serious stuff
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as an admin (Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)). Then run a command like:
Get-AppxPackage *game-name* | Remove-AppxPackageReplace *game-name* with part of the game’s package name. You can find it by running Get-AppxPackage and scanning the list, or by searching the output.
Example: Get-AppxPackage *Bethesda* | Remove-AppxPackage will kick out a Bethesda game.
This command force-removes the app. It’s not the nicest method, but it gets the job done if everything else fails. Keep in mind, some games linked to your Xbox account or game services might reinstall or reconnect after a reboot. Weird, but it happens.
Tip: Check for leftovers
After uninstalling, run Disk Cleanup or a program like CCleaner to make sure there’s no leftover junk hiding away. Windows sometimes leaves folders in C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Packages or other system spots that take up space.
Extra Tip: Use ‘Apps & Features’ menu
In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, if you click on the game, you might see an Advanced options link. From there, you can sometimes ‘Reset’ or ‘Uninstall’ more thoroughly, especially if the standard uninstall doesn’t do the trick.
Tips for Uninstalling a Game from Microsoft Store on Windows 11
- Check your storage — some games are massive, and freeing space is a good move.
- If you’re worried about saved data, look for cloud saves or local save folders (like
C:\Users\YourName\DocumentsorC:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local) — uninstalling the game won’t always delete your progress. - Make sure Windows is up to date — older versions can cause uninstall issues.
- If something’s stuck or not working, reboot your PC and try again. Windows can be a bit weird that way.
- After uninstalling, run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense to clear out leftovers and free up more room.
FAQs
Is uninstalling a game the same as deleting it?
Almost. Uninstalling stops the app and removes it from your system properly, while deleting usually just removes shortcuts or files. Uninstalling cleans registry entries and all related data when done right.
Can I reinstall a game after uninstalling it?
Sure can. The Microsoft Store keeps track of what you’ve bought. Just head back to the store, find your game, and hit install again.
Will uninstalling delete my progress?
Depends. If the game uses cloud saves, your progress is probably safe. But local saves usually sit in your Documents or AppData folders, so it’s worth backing them up just in case.
What if the game doesn’t want to uninstall?
Try rebooting first, then run the uninstaller again. If it’s still stubborn, use PowerShell or a third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller. Those tools are more aggressive but sometimes necessary.
How do I see which games are taking up the most space?
Go to Settings > System > Storage and look at the app sizes. Sorting by size can reveal the big guns, especially large open-world titles.
Quick recap
- Open the Start Menu.
- Find and highlight your game — search if needed.
- Right-click and select Uninstall — or jump to Settings > Apps for a more thorough clean-up.
- If needed, use PowerShell with commands like
Get-AppxPackage+Remove-AppxPackage. - Double-check for leftover files and clean up if necessary.
Final thoughts
Uninstalling games from the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 can be dead easy or a bit of a pain, depending on how stubborn the app is. Knowing your way around Settings and PowerShell makes life heaps easier when things get tricky. Sometimes a reboot or a quick cleanup clears out leftovers that just won’t leave. And yeah, some games are tougher to wipe out than others — but with the right tools, it’s all doable. Hope this helps you clear out those games you don’t want anymore.
Summary
- Check your storage before you start—some games are huge.
- Use Settings or PowerShell for the tricky ones.
- Clean up residual files after uninstalling.
- Remember, cloud saves can keep your progress safe even if you delete local files.
Hopefully, this makes life a bit easier!