Trust me, you'd be surprised at the sneaky things some hidden apps do to your PC and how much they bog things down. I’ve run into my fair share of brick walls when trying to remove stubborn apps, bloated software, or even Microsoft Store apps that just won’t budge. Whether you’ve just picked up a new laptop or are trying to reclaim some sanity from a cluttered system, proper uninstallation goes far beyond dragging an icon to the bin.
Through years of troubleshooting (and too many hours spent staring at spinning loading circles), I’ve landed on a few reliable strategies. So, get ready as I walk you through how to uninstall apps on Windows 10 the right way, down to the leftover files that silently slow your system. We’ll also look at lightweight alternatives like WPS Office for when you want to clean house and start fresh without sacrificing productivity.
How to Uninstall Apps on Windows 10 – Core Methods
If your Windows 10 system is feeling bloated or sluggish, the culprit might be leftover software or unnecessary apps. In this part, I’ll walk you through some of the most reliable methods to uninstall programs, ranging from basic built-in tools to more advanced command-line utilities. Let’s break it down method by method.
Standard Uninstallation
This method uses the built-in Settings app to remove software in the typical way. While it’s easy and accessible, it doesn’t always wipe everything, some files and registry entries often stick around. However, it's a good place to start.
Step 1: First, click on the Start, that's the little Windows icon you’ll find in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Step 2: Next, go ahead and open the “Settings” app right from the Start menu you just clicked on.
Step 3: Once you're in the Settings app, click on “Apps” and then choose “Installed Apps” if you're using Windows 10 or 11.
Step 4: Find the app you want to remove from the list, click on it, and then hit Uninstall to start removing it.
Note: This method often leaves registry keys and temp files behind.
Microsoft Store Apps
For apps installed through the Microsoft Store, the removal process is even simpler. This method is best for lightweight tools or pre-installed apps, though some core apps may still require deeper tools like PowerShell on Windows 11.
Step 1: Click on the “Windows” icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen to open the Start menu.
Step 2: Look for the app you want to uninstall in the Start menu. You can either scroll through the list or just type its name into the search bar.
Step 3: Once you've found the app, right-click on it. If the uninstall option appears, simply click "Uninstall" to begin the process.
Note: On Windows 11, some apps require PowerShell
Command-Line Tools
If you prefer more control or want to uninstall multiple apps in one go, using Winget via Command Prompt is highly effective. It’s handy for decluttering a new system or removing apps that don’t appear in the standard list.
Step 1: Click on the Start Menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search bar. Once it appears in the list, right-click on it and select "Run as administrator" to open it with elevated privileges.
Step 2: In the Command Prompt window that opens, type the command “winget list” and press Enter. This will display a list of all apps that can be removed using Winget.
Step 3: Scroll through the list that appears and locate the exact name of the app you want to uninstall. In the example, I located the exact name of the app that I wanted to delete in the list, and deleted it.
Step 4: Now, type this command, but replace "APP-NAME" with the exact name of the app you want to uninstall.
Note: If the name has spaces, make sure to put it in quotation marks, like this: winget uninstall "APP-NAME", and then press Enter.
Winget is great for bulk removal, perfect if you're decluttering a fresh install.
Removing Stubborn Apps & Residual Files on windows 10
Sometimes, standard uninstall methods just don’t work, especially when dealing with apps that refuse to go or leave behind clutter that slows your system down. In this section, I’ll walk you through three advanced methods that can help you remove those stubborn apps and clean up the leftover mess they leave behind.
Safe Mode Uninstallation
Some programs are set to run at startup or tie into system processes, making them hard to remove under normal conditions. Booting into Safe Mode disables unnecessary services, giving you a cleaner environment to work in and making the uninstallation process more effective.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and R at the same time, type "msconfig" into the Run dialog box that shows up, and hit Enter.
Step 2: In the new window, head to the Boot tab, check the box for Safe boot, and then click “OK”. Once you do that, simply restart your PC.
Step 3: After your PC restarts, go ahead and try uninstalling the app again using either Settings or Control Panel.
Registry Cleanup
Uninstalled apps often leave behind registry leftovers that clog up your system. Cleaning them out can improve performance, but make sure you follow the steps closely.
Step 1: Press the “Windows key and R” together, then type "regedit" in the box and press Enter.
Step 2: In the Registry Editor, just click "File", choose "Export", pick where you want to save the backup, and hit "Save". If it freezes, give it a moment. To restore it later, go back to "File", click "Import", and select the backup file you saved.
Step 3: Now, double-click on “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” to expand it, then double-click “SOFTWARE”. This will show you the list of apps installed specifically for your user account.
Step 4: Look through the list for any apps you've already uninstalled. If you spot one, right-click its sub-key and choose Delete to remove it from the registry.
Step 5: Alright, go ahead and expand “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”. From there, follow the path: SOFTWARE, Microsoft, Windows, CurrentVersion, and then hit Uninstall. This is where you'll find the list of programs that are installed.
Step 6: Take a look through the sub-keys and check the UninstallString value for each one. If you find that the path is invalid or the program isn't there anymore, just right-click on the sub-key and hit “Delete”.
Note: This is risky. If you're not sure, skip it or back up the registry first.
When I first encountered apps that wouldn't uninstall on my PC, I tried everything from the usual Settings panel to third-party tools. However, these apps kept clinging to my system like a stain. Eventually, I booted into Safe Mode and used Registry Cleanup, following the steps I outlined above. The process was a bit tedious, but the results were well worth it. My system became noticeably faster, and I no longer had to deal with random errors or leftover files taking up space. If you're facing similar issues, give these steps a try, they might just be the solution you need.
Third-Party Tools
If you’re dealing with apps that can’t be removed through normal methods, third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller offer a more advanced solution. They’re especially useful when programs leave behind files or registry entries even after you think they’re gone
Geek Uninstaller: Free alternative for quick cleanup.
Revo Uninstaller: “Hunter Mode” to force-remove apps and scan leftovers. Here's a quick guide on how you can use Revo registry cleaner:
Step 1: Go ahead and download Revo Registry Cleaner. Once it's downloaded, install it on your PC to get started.
Step 2: Open Revo Uninstaller and start by running a Safe Scan. If you want a more thorough cleanup, you can choose a deeper scan type.
Step 3: Go through the list of leftover files and registry items that Revo found. Select the ones you want to delete, and then confirm the action to clean them up.
Step 4: Before making any changes, go to the Backup Center and create a full registry backup. This way, you'll have a safety net just in case anything goes wrong.
Now, if normal methods haven't worked out for you, then third-party tools like Revo might just be the fix. They go in deeper than the normal methods you might do yourself after spending a couple of hours, they target leftover files and stubborn registry entries that typical methods often miss. For quick and free cleanups, Geek Uninstaller is a good option, but it cannot match Revo’s “Hunter Mode,” which lets you force-remove apps and scan for leftovers in one go. Interestingly, about 72% of Reddit users say they prefer Revo for its thoroughness, though they also warn against diving into registry edits unless you know what you’re doing. Stick with this guide, and you won’t have to worry about that.
Personally, I once had a video editing app that just wouldn’t go away; it lingered in menus and ate up disk space even after uninstalling. Revo’s deep scan uncovered leftover files and registry traces I never knew existed. Once I cleaned them out, my system felt noticeably faster.
Uninstalling Apps on Windows 10: Diving into System Optimization & Compatibility
I know it can be frustrating when nothing seems to work, and by now, you’re probably feeling a bit fed up. But trust me, this final method has always been a game-changer for me. It might sound like a long shot, but it consistently delivers results.
Bloatware Removal
New PCs often come with apps you don’t need, which slow things down. Tools like PC Decrapifier make it easy to remove them all at once.
Step 1: Go ahead and download PC Decrapifier. It’s a handy app that helps you get rid of bloatware and unwanted programs from your PC.
Step 2: Open PC Decrapifier and go through the list of apps. Choose the ones you don’t need, like Candy Crush or any trial antivirus software. Press “Next”, a new window will pop up, press ok, and wait for the cleanup process to finish.
Windows 10 vs Windows 11
Windows 11 apps from the Microsoft Store often require PowerShell to uninstall. Permissions are stricter, so some pre-installed tools like Xbox Game Bar can be stubborn.
Stability Tips
A restore point captures a snapshot of your system files at the time it's created. This allows you to revert your computer to its previous state if errors arise, such as when running system utilities or installing drivers.
Step 1: Click on the search icon on your screen. Then, type "create a restore point" into the search box. Once you see it pop up, just click on it to open it up!
Step 2: Find the disk you want to create a restore point for, then click on it. After that, press the "Configure" button to continue. It's like picking which folder you want to save your important stuff in.
Step 3: Okay, now you’ll see an option that says “Turn on system protection”. Go ahead and select that, then click “OK”.
Step 4: Now, click on the "Create" button. This will start the process of saving your computer’s backup, just in case you need to go back to this point later.
Step 5: Type a name for your restore point, something like "Before Uninstall", so you know what it’s for. Then, just click "Create" to save it.
Step 6: Once your restore point is created, go ahead and click "Close" to finish up and you will be done with the tiring work.
Office Suite Solutions – Why WPS Office Fits Modern Needs
With its $159.99/year subscription and hefty 4GB install size, MS Office might not be the right fit for everyone, especially if you're looking to keep your system light and fast. Even after uninstalling, it tends to leave behind residual files that not only make it hard to uninstall MS Office without a trace but can also slow down new installs or updates. If you’re switching to another suite, this leftover clutter can get in the way more than you'd expect.
WPS Office is an amazing alternative with its AI-powered tools, and it might just be the best office suite for Windows 10, bloatware-free. It’s AI-enhanced, only 300MB to install, and includes built-in PDF and grammar tools. It’s also optimized for Windows 11’s AI features. Plus, when you uninstall WPS Office, there’s no leftover clutter to clean up. You won't have to spend hours scrolling through different websites on cleaning up clutter to boost your laptop/PC's speed.
And that's not even the smallest part of what WPS Office gives up for totally free. To check out all the interesting features directly.
Step 1: Begin by heading over to the official website of WPS Office.
Step 2: Click on “Free Download”, then once it’s finished, just open up the setup file to get started.
Step 3: After you click on 'Free Download', you’ll get the installer file. Just go ahead and click on that file to open it up.
Step 4: A window will pop up after you click on the installer file, asking you to agree to the terms and conditions. Take a quick look at them, and if you’re good to go, click on “Install Now” to start the installation process.
Step 5: The installation will begin right away! Just sit back and let it finish. Once it's done, you'll be all set to start using the program.
One of the biggest strengths of WPS Office is how naturally it integrates AI into everyday tasks. From generating summaries and proofreading documents to auto-formatting spreadsheets and assisting with translations, the AI tools aren’t just helpful, they’re built to save you time and effort. Whether you're drafting reports or designing slides, WPS AI works in the background to streamline your workflow, so you can focus more on your ideas and less on the manual details. It's almost as if it's your mini Jarvis from Iron Man doing all the tiring stuff you don't want to do.
FAQs
Q1. Is Revo Uninstaller safe to use?
Yes, but avoid its “aggressive” registry scans unless you’re experienced. For basic needs, Geek Uninstaller (free) is safer.
Q2. How do I know if residual files are slowing down my PC?
Use built-in tools like Disk Cleanup or third-party scanners (e.g., CCleaner) to detect leftover files.
Q3. Why can’t I uninstall apps via Settings on Windows 10?
Some Microsoft Store apps require PowerShell due to stricter permissions. Follow Part 2’s step-by-step guide.
Q4. Does Windows 10 have the same bloatware issues as Windows 10?
Yes, but OEM preinstalled apps (e.g., games, trials) are more common on Windows 10. Use PC Decrapifier for bulk removal.
Q5. Why choose WPS Office over MS Office for a new PC?
WPS offers 90% of MS Office’s features at zero cost, with AI tools and no residual files upon uninstallation, ideal for clean system setups.
Speed Up Your Windows 10: The Importance of Effective App Removal
Knowing how to uninstall apps on Windows 10 effectively can save you a lot of headaches, from faster boot times to smoother performance. Whether you're removing apps from the Microsoft Store, bloatware, or corrupted software, using tools like Revo Uninstaller ensures that nothing gets left behind. It’s also smart to create restore points and avoid registry edits unless you’re confident. If you're tired of programs that slow down your system, switching to WPS Office gives you a clean, powerful alternative that respects your device’s resources. Master how to uninstall apps on Windows 10, and your PC will thank you for it.
