Instructions on how to delete applications on a simple computer

If there are some apps on your Windows 10 PC that you no longer need, get rid of them to free up disk space and tidy up the Start menu.

Windows 10 has built-in tools to quickly delete applications on the computer through the Start menu, App Settings and in the Control Panel.

However, using the built-in tools available in Windows to delete applications will often leave behind folders, files and the Registry. That’s why you should use a third-party desktop application remover, which can wipe out the entire application and leave no trace. Consider our suggestions below.

You can uninstall a program from the Windows 10 Start menu by clicking the Start button and finding the program you want to remove. They are in the All Apps list on the left or in the squares on the right. If you want to remove it this way, right click on the program when the menu pops up, click Uninstall, confirm that you want to uninstall it and it should be gone.

How to delete desktop apps in App Settings

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You can also enter Settings > Apps > Apps & features to easily see all the programs you can uninstall. This screen shows you both the Universal apps and the desktop apps, so you’ll find every program installed on your PC here. Scroll down the list to find the program you want to remove, then click it and select Uninstall.

How to delete applications on your computer using Control Panel

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If you prefer to use the Control Panel, this option is still available in the latest version of Windows 10. Click the button Start and drag the slider down and find the folder Windows System. Click the folder, then select Control panel. You can also search for "Control panel" in the search bar.

Switch to icons view and select Programs and Features. This view doesn’t show you Universal Windows apps, only standard desktop apps. Select the program you want to remove, then right-click it and select Uninstall or select Uninstall at the top of the list.

Use the tool to delete applications on the computer

Applications often spread their files and Settings throughout your system and can even populate the Registry with Settings that can be difficult to track. The uninstall features built into Windows cannot remove all these leftover Settings and files. Third-party uninstallers do a better job of completely removing apps.

The challenge in completely removing a desktop app lies in finding the right balance. Many Windows Files and Registry Settings are shared by many programs. So a utility uninstaller needs to remove all leftovers for the program you’re uninstalling without affecting other programs.

For this reason, many of the best uninstallers have backups and protections in case something goes wrong during the removal of apps on your computer. If a problem occurs after deletion, the app can be rolled back to fix any issues that occur.

Here are third-party app removal programs that can do the job well.

Use Revo Uninstaller to remove apps

Revo Uninstaller You can cleanly remove desktop apps, Windows apps, and even browser extensions. The free version offers basic features. The Pro version can remove browser extensions and remove the remains of uninstalled programs. Pro Portable version can run on many computers and even USB.

Revo Uninstaller can remove previously installed programs and display all system apps on its interface to help you easily find the ones you want to remove. The program can even help install programs, allowing it to track the entire installation so it can more accurately remove apps in the future.

To use Revo, double-click the program you want to remove, or right-click it and select Uninstall. Revo first creates an archive you can roll back to if you restore if there is a problem deleting related files and Registry entries. Next, Revo uses the program’s own uninstallation process to remove it.

Revo will then scan the Registry for leftover Settings and ask if you want to delete them. You can choose one of three modes: Safe, Moderate, or Advanced. Then, Revo will scan for leftover files to delete them.

Use IObit Uninstaller to remove apps

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IObit Uninstaller can remove desktop applications and Universal Windows applications. The free version offers basic features, such as the ability to scan for remnants of a deleted program. For $19.99 a year, the Pro version can be used for 3 computers and has more features, such as support for removing stubborn programs and browser plugins.

The main screen of IObit Uninstaller offers multiple views and options. You can see all installed programs, recently installed programs, large programs that take up a lot of space, and programs that are not used often. The screen also shows you Windows applications and browser plugins. There’s even a section for software updates where you can check if your program is up to date.

To use IObit Uninstaller, select the program you want to remove and then click the Uninstall button. IObit uses the program’s own application removal process to delete it, removing any unnecessary files, Registry entries and Settings in the process.

Above, IT Tips showed you how to delete applications on your computer using default programs on Windows as well as third-party uninstaller software. If you have any questions, you can leave us a comment in the box below. Good luck.