How to Uninstall Programs on Windows

Over time, your Windows computer accumulates programs you no longer use. These take up storage space and sometimes run background processes that slow down your computer. Uninstalling programs you do not need is one of the best ways to keep your computer running well.

To uninstall a program, click the Start button and open Settings (the gear icon). Then click "Apps" in the left sidebar, and then "Installed apps." You will see a list of every program installed on your computer, along with how much space each one uses and when it was installed.

You can sort this list by size to find the biggest programs, or by install date to find programs you installed recently. To uninstall a program, click the three dots (or the menu icon) next to the program name and select "Uninstall." A confirmation window will appear — click "Uninstall" again to confirm.

Some programs have their own uninstaller that opens when you click uninstall. Follow the prompts in that window to complete the removal. Most will ask if you want to keep your settings or remove everything — if you do not plan to reinstall the program, choose to remove everything.

Be careful about what you uninstall. Do not remove programs from your computer manufacturer (like Dell, HP, or Lenovo system tools) unless you know what they do. Do not remove Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages or .NET Framework — these are required by other programs to function. If you are unsure about a program, search for its name online before removing it.

After uninstalling programs, your computer may need a restart to fully complete the removal. You should also empty your Recycle Bin afterward by right-clicking its icon on the desktop and selecting "Empty Recycle Bin" to reclaim all the freed storage space.

A good practice is to review your installed programs every few months and remove anything you have not used. This keeps your computer lean and helps it start up faster.