Uninstalling apps from the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but a few steps can get a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before. Sometimes the process feels straightforward, and other times, the option to uninstall is greyed out or missing — of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. Here’s what I’ve learned after tinkering around with different setups.
Uninstalling Apps on Microsoft Store Windows 11
Basically, this is your go-to method if you downloaded apps from the store, which is usually the case. Managing apps this way keeps things tidy and helps if you’re clearing space or just cleaning house. But beware: some pre-installed system apps or Store apps might be stubborn and refuse to go quietly. Anyway, here’s the step-by-step.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Kick things off by clicking the Windows icon or hit Windows on your keyboard. That opens up the Start menu, which is kind of like your dashboard for app management. On some setups, it’s surprisingly sluggish, and I’ve seen it not quite load at first — maybe a temporary glitch, but worth restarting Explorer if it’s acting weird.
Step 2: Find the App
Use the search bar in the menu — just start typing the app’s name. Found it? Great. Sometimes, if you scroll through the list, apps are buried somewhere, but searching is faster. Pro tip: if you see the app listed under “Installed apps”, you’re good to go. Some apps aren’t here but in the Settings menu, so keep that in mind if things seem off.
Step 3: Right-Click the App
When the app shows up, right-click it, and a little menu pops up. This step is the key: the context menu. It’s pretty much your control center for that app. On some machines, right-clicking triggers a lag or weird behavior, especially if the system is bloated or running background processes — so patience, or a quick restart, might help.
Step 4: Select Uninstall
Look for the “Uninstall” option in the menu. Clicking it should open a confirmation prompt. If it’s greyed out or missing, that’s where things get carpy. You’ll want to check permissions, or maybe some of that app’s settings are locking it down. Sometimes, you can go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall from there instead, which is also pretty reliable.
Step 5: Follow On-Screen Prompts
A window will appear asking you to confirm. Follow through by clicking Uninstall and wait for the process to finish. On some setups, you might see a quick progress bar or a message that the app is being removed. If the uninstallation stalls or does nothing, a reboot can sometimes unlock the process.
And that’s about it. After that, the app should disappear from your system, freeing up a chunk of space and hopefully reducing clutter. Sounds simple, but yeah — occasionally, the uninstall process can be a pain in the neck.
Tips for Uninstalling Apps on Microsoft Store Windows 11
- Make a quick list of apps you never touch — easier to target them all at once rather than hunting down each one repeatedly.
- Double-check before hitting “Uninstall” — sometimes you hit the wrong app, and then you’re left wondering what bits or data might still be floating around.
- Use Storage settings (go to Settings > System > Storage) to see which apps eat up the most space before deciding to remove them.
- Don’t forget: if the option to uninstall is missing or grayed out, you might need to try PowerShell with admin rights or even the Control Panel.
- If an app refuses to budge, sometimes a quick restart or running a PowerShell script can clear stubborn leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reinstall an app after uninstalling it?
Hop over to the Microsoft Store, search for what you deleted, and hit Install. Easy enough, but some apps might require you to log in again or reconfigure settings.
Can I uninstall pre-installed apps on Windows 11?
Some of those come baked into Windows and can’t be removed directly, unless you use PowerShell or third-party tools. Be cautious: removing critical system apps might cause instability.
What if the uninstall option is greyed out?
This usually happens with system apps or apps that are protected or corrupted. Try running Get-AppxPackage in PowerShell with admin rights and removing the package explicitly. Or, restart and try again.
Does uninstalling an app delete all its data?
Generally, yes. But some residual files may hang around in your user directory or app data folders. For a really clean uninstall, you might need to manually delete leftover folders—like in C:\Users\YourName\AppData.
Are there other ways to uninstall apps?
Definitely. You can use the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features for classic uninstalling, or try third-party uninstaller tools to get rid of leftovers and registry entries more thoroughly.
Summary
- Open the Start menu and search for the app
- Right-click and select Uninstall
- Follow the prompts patiently — sometimes it takes a reboot or two
- Check storage settings to confirm space is freed up
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Sometimes Windows just refuses to cooperate, but with a few extra steps or a reboot, most apps can be nuked from the system. Fingers crossed this helps.