How to Uninstall Apps on Windows 11: A Straightforward Guide

Uninstalling apps on Windows 11 sounds pretty straightforward — click a few buttons, right? But sometimes, it’s not that simple. Maybe the app doesn’t show up where it’s meant to, or the uninstall option is greyed out because of permissions or leftover files. All that can get a bit frustrating, especially if you’re trying to tidy up your PC quickly. Running out of space or just sick of apps you never use? This guide walks you through some real-world tips to ditch those annoying programs. You’ll learn how to do it via Settings, using some commands, and even with third-party tools if need be. Basically, it’s about finding what works best for your setup so you can free up space and keep your PC running nicely without tearing your hair out.

How to Uninstall Apps on Windows 11

Method 1: Removing apps via the Settings menu

This is the easiest way and works well most of the time. It’s dead simple and doesn’t require much tech know-how. If an app’s acting up or seems invisible, maybe it’s just hidden or needs a fresh approach.

Open Settings: Hit the Start button, then click on Settings (the gear icon). Or just press Windows + I to speed things up. Once there, you’re on the right track.
Go to Apps: In the sidebar, click on Apps > Installed apps. Here, you’ll see everything installed, from Steam games to odd utilities.
Find the app: Scroll through or use the search box to track it down. Sometimes, apps are listed more than once if they have multiple parts, so have a good look.
Select and uninstall: Click on the app, then pick Uninstall. If there’s no button, the app might be a leftover or a system component.
Follow the prompts: A wizard might pop up — just follow the steps. Sometimes, you’ll need admin rights — grant them if you trust the source.

In rarer cases, some apps won’t show up in this list, especially if they were installed via other methods or package managers. That’s when you’ll need to try a more advanced trick.

Method 2: Using PowerShell or Command Prompt

This is a tad more hands-on, but it’s great for getting rid of stubborn apps that refuse to budge. Especially handy for removing pre-installed or default apps that normal uninstallers miss. The trick is, Windows keeps a list of installed apps with certain commands — and often, you can delete apps from there when the GUI won’t cooperate.

Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
To list all installed apps, run: Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName. This shows all app packages, including the built-in ones.
Find the app you want gone by its Name or PackageFullName.
Remove the app with: Remove-AppxPackage -Package <PackageFullName>. Swap <PackageFullName> with the exact name you found.

Be careful — removing system apps can cause issues. Only do this if you’re sure and maybe make a backup first.

Method 3: Third-party tools (a bit risky but sometimes necessary)

Sometimes, Windows’ built-in methods miss bits — leftover files or registry entries. Tools like CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller can do the trick here. They scan for leftovers and clean out what’s hanging around — but be cautious, messing with the registry can backfire if you’re not careful.

Download a trusted uninstaller, like Revo Uninstaller, from their official site.
Run it, scan for installed apps, and pick the stubborn one you want gone.
Follow the prompts to remove leftover files and entries.

Always back up your system or set a restore point before using third-party tools. They dig pretty deep into your system, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

More tips for uninstalling without the fuss

If apps won’t uninstall properly, try rebooting in safe mode. Sometimes, background processes or permissions block removal. Also, make sure the app isn’t running — close it completely before trying again. And log in as an admin, because some apps only un-install when you’ve got admin rights.

Remember, Windows sometimes leaves behind files even after you uninstall. Removing those takes a bit more work, usually via commands or cleanup tools.

How to Uninstall Apps on Windows 11: A Straightforward Guide