When you’re looking to free up some space or just get rid of that game cluttering your Windows 11 start menu, uninstalling from the Microsoft Store is actually pretty straightforward — once you know where to look. But sometimes things aren’t as simple as clicking “Uninstall,” especially if the game stubbornly hangs around or doesn’t show up in usual spots. Here’s the messed-up but effective process based on real-world experience, including some extra steps that actually help.
Uninstall a Game from Microsoft Store on Windows 11
Removing a game from Windows 11 isn’t just about deleting it from your desktop; it often involves navigating through various menus and sometimes encountering weird glitches. Doing it properly can help you reclaim disk space — and stop those nagging notifications when you boot up your PC.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Hit that Windows key or click the Start icon. Usually, this is where you’ll find your apps, including your games. Sometimes, they hide just out of sight, so use the search bar if needed.
Be aware, on some setups, your game might not show up immediately or could be stuck in a weird list. If that happens, move on to the app-specific settings or try another method below.
Step 2: Find the Game
Scroll through the list or just type the game’s name in the search bar. Once it pops up, right-click on it (or long-press if you’re on a touchscreen). The context menu is your friend here.
Pro tip: On some machines, the game actually doesn’t show a straightforward ‘Uninstall’ option here — that’s when you gotta look into Settings or use PowerShell.
Step 3: Right-Click and Choose ‘Uninstall’
If the option exists, click on Uninstall. Sometimes, Windows asks for a confirmation, which is fine; just confirm you really wanna say goodbye. But be warned — on some setups, this just fails silently or brings up another window with no action. In that case, a more direct approach is needed.
Sometimes, clicking ‘Uninstall’ from the context menu doesn’t completely remove the game, especially if it’s stuck in some cache or has leftovers. Here’s where you need to dig deeper.
Method 1: Use Settings to Remove the Game
Most of the time, going through Settings > Apps > Installed apps is more reliable. Search for the game in the list, click on it, then hit Uninstall. This method is more thorough and tends to clean up residual files better.
If the game isn’t listed there or the uninstall button is grayed out, that means Windows might be confused or the app wasn’t properly registered. Time to try PowerShell.
Method 2: PowerShell Command — the real deal
This is where you open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as administrator (Win + X then 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 the exact package name by listing all apps with Get-AppxPackage and scrolling through the list, or by searching in the output.
Example: Get-AppxPackage *Bethesda* | Remove-AppxPackage if you want to remove a Bethesda game.
This command essentially force-removes the app. Not super graceful, but it works when all else fails. Just keep in mind, some games installed via the Microsoft Store may be tied into your Xbox account or linked to game services, so they can sometimes reinstall or relink after a reboot. Not sure why it works sometimes, but it does.
Tip: Check for leftovers
After uninstalling, it’s worth running Disk Cleanup or a third-party cleaner like CCleaner just to make sure no residual files are hiding around. Sometimes Windows leaves behind folders in C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Packages or other system folders that keep gobbling up space.
Additional tip: Use the ‘Apps & Features’ menu
In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, if you select the game, you might see an Advanced options link, which sometimes lets you ‘Reset’ or ‘Uninstall’ the app more aggressively. On some machines, this triggers a full purge, especially if the uninstall short-circuits.
Tips for Uninstalling a Game from Microsoft Store on Windows 11
- Always check your storage before uninstalling — sometimes games are huge, and cleaning space helps a lot.
- If you care about saved data, look for cloud saves or local save folders (usually in
C:\Users\YourName\DocumentsorC:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local) — deleting the app might not remove all your progress. - Make sure your Windows is updated — older versions can cause uninstall hiccups.
- If your uninstall is stuck or not working, try rebooting before attempting again — because of course Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- After uninstalling, consider running Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense to clear leftover junk and free more space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is uninstalling a game the same as deleting it?
Almost. Uninstalling stops the program and removes it from your system, but deleting usually just deletes shortcuts or files. Uninstalling cleans the registry entries and all associated app data when done properly.
Can I reinstall a game after uninstalling it?
You bet. The Microsoft Store keeps track of what you purchased, so just head back to the store, find your game, and hit install again.
Will uninstalling a game delete my saved progress?
Depends. If the game saves to the cloud, probably not — but local save files are usually stored outside the app directory. It’s worth checking the game’s save location first. Always good to back up just in case.
What if the game doesn’t uninstall?
Try rebooting, then run the uninstaller again. Or, if it’s stubborn, dig into PowerShell or use a third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller. Those tools are more aggressive, but sometimes needed.
How do I see which games are hogging up space?
In Settings > System > Storage, scroll down to see how much space each app is using. Sometimes, sorting by size can reveal game apps gobbling up space, especially if they’re big open-world titles.
Summary of Steps
- Open the Start Menu.
- Find the game — search if needed.
- Right-click and select Uninstall — or go to Settings > Apps for a more thorough removal.
- If needed, use PowerShell commands like
Get-AppxPackage+Remove-AppxPackage. - Check residual files and clean if necessary.
Conclusion
Removing games via the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 can be simple or a bit frustrating, depending on the stubbornness of the app and how it’s installed. Knowing your way around Settings and PowerShell helps a lot when things get weird. Sometimes, a reboot or a cleanup helps clear leftovers that refuse to go away. Just remember, sometimes that old game is harder to kill than you thought — but with the right tools, it’s doable. Fingers crossed this helps.
Summary
- Double-check your storage before uninstallation.
- Use Settings or PowerShell for stubborn apps.
- Clean residual files afterward if needed.
- Remember, cloud saves can keep your progress safe even if uninstalling local files.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.