Finding and installing apps in the Windows Store[1] is an easy process and uninstalling apps or programs in Windows 10 has also become a very straightforward process. In Windows 10, you are able to uninstall apps and programs directly from the Start menu, the Settings menu or using the trusty Control Panel.
This article goes through the three different options as well as the steps involved in uninstalling default apps from your Windows 10 PC.
Option 1: Uninstall apps or programs directly from the Start menu
Click Start > All apps > right-click the app or program you want to uninstall and click Uninstall from the menu options.
When uninstalling a Windows 10 app, hit Uninstall on the pop-up agreeing to uninstall the app and its related info.
When uninstalling a desktop program, the Programs and Features window from the Control Panel will open. Find the relevant program in the list and click Uninstall. Click Yes on the pop-up window asking if you are sure you want to uninstall the program. Uninstalling some programs may require you to go through an uninstall wizard before the process is complete.
How to uninstall default Windows 10 apps and programs
Windows 10 comes with many default apps. For many of the apps, like Get Started, Get Skype, Get Office, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Money, News, Phone Companion, Sports, Optional Features, Windows Media Player, and Windows DVD Player, you can follow the uninstall instructions above.
However, other default apps like Calculator, Calendar, Mail, Camera, Maps, Movies & TV, People, Photos, Store, and Weather will require you to use PowerShell. If you want to uninstall any of these apps, follow the steps below.
- Click Start > All apps > Windows PowerShell > right click Windows PowerShell > click Run as administrator.
- Click Yes when the window appears asking if you want this app to make changes to your computer.
- As an example, to remove the calculator type the below command into the PowerShell prompt window.
Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
- Press Enter to complete the uninstall process.
- To remove other default apps, replace the command windowscalculator with the relevant command below:
3D Builder: 3dbuilder
Alarms and Clock: windowsalarms
Calendar and Mail: windowscommunicationsapps
Camera: windowscamera
Groove Music: zunemusic
Maps: windowsmaps
Movies & TV: zunevideo
OneNote: onenote
People: people
Photos: photos
Store: windowsstore
Voice Recorder: soundrecorder
Xbox: xboxapp
You cannot uninstall default apps like Cortana, Microsoft Edge, and Windows Feedback.
Option 2: Uninstall apps or programs from the Settings menu
If the app or program is not in the Start menu, click Start > Settings > System > Apps & features. To find the app or program in the list (sorted by size), use the search box in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Click the app or program you want to uninstall > click Uninstall > click Uninstall on the pop-up window informing you that that the app and its related info will be uninstalled. Click Yes if there is a pop-up asking if you want this program to make changes to your computer.
Option 3: Uninstall programs from the Control Panel
You can still use the Control Panel to uninstall programs, but not Windows 10 apps.
Right-click Start > Control Panel > Programs & Features (switch to Uninstall a Program if your Control Panel is in Category view). Click the program you want to uninstall > click Uninstall > click Yes on the pop-up to indicate you are sure you want to uninstall, if applicable you will go through an uninstall wizard.
Image credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay[2]
Collen Kriel[3]
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- ^ Finding and installing apps in the Windows Store (siliconangle.com)
- ^ Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay (pixabay.com)
- ^ Collen Kriel
(siliconangle.com) - ^ see all (siliconangle.com)
