The Windows operating system incorporates a host of different applications, both built-in and from third-party vendors, that make using Windows systems easier.
However, all good things come to an end. Also, often users simply don’t need an app anymore. If you find yourself in such a place, it makes sense that you would want to get rid of those unused apps. And that’s what this short piece is about. In the following, we will explore different ways to uninstall your Windows applications. So let’s jump in.
1. Uninstall Windows apps from Settings
One of the most common components of our toolbox, the Settings menu is a central hub for modifying and applying different Windows configurations. Unsurprisingly, you can also use it to uninstall Windows apps. Here’s how:
- Launch Windows Settings. Go to the The start menu search bar, type in “parameters” and select the best match.
- Head toward Apps -> Apps & Features.
- Choose the app you want to remove, right click on the menu and click Uninstall.
You will be prompted to confirm. Click on Uninstall again to continue. The Windows application will be uninstalled in seconds.
2. Uninstall Windows apps from the Start menu
Located in the lower right corner of your screen, the Start menu toolbar not only shows your important Windows files and folders, but also lets you uninstall apps from there.
The process is quite simple too. Here’s how you can remove your Windows apps:
- Click it To start up button and choose the app you want to remove.
- Right click on the app and click Uninstall.
3. Control Panel
Control Panel is a Windows program that allows you to manage various components and settings of your PC. Think about account setup, hardware management, and more. Interestingly, you can remove Windows applications using Control Panel. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel by going to The start menu search bar, typing “control panel” and selecting the best match.
- Click on Uninstall a program from below the Programs section.
- Choose the program you want to uninstall and double click on it.
- Click on Yes to proceed with the uninstallation.
As soon as you do this, the uninstallation process will begin and the app will be removed within seconds.
4. Uninstall built-in Windows apps
While the methods above are fine for regular third-party apps, built-in Windows apps are a different beast. However, it is still possible to remove them using Windows PowerShell.
PowerShell is a free task automation tool from Microsoft that consists of a command-line shell and a scripting language. To uninstall built-in Windows apps with PowerShell, follow the steps below:
- Go to the The start menu search bar, type “powershell” and run the WindowsPowerShell as administrator.
- Depending on the app you want to remove, type one of the following commands and tap Enter:
3D builder: Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Alarms and Clock: Get-AppxPackage *windowsalarms* | Remove-AppxPackage
Calculator: Get-AppxPackage *windows calculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
Calendar and mail: Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Camera: Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get Office: Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get Skype: Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
To start: Get-AppxPackage *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage
GrooveMusic: Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage
Plans: Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Microsoft Solitaire Collection: Get-AppxPackage *solitairecollection* | Remove-AppxPackage
Money: Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage
Movies and TV: Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage
News: Get-AppxPackage *bingnews* | Remove-AppxPackage
A note: Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
People: Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Phone Companion: Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Pictures: Get-AppxPackage *pictures* | Remove-AppxPackage
Shop: Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage
Sports: Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage
Voice recorder: Get-AppxPackage *sound recorder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Time: Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage
Xbox: Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
For example, in the example, we ran the command to remove the default XBox app that comes preinstalled with Windows. As soon as you run the command, the built-in Windows apps will be removed instantly.
Best Ways to Uninstall Windows Apps
This should help you remove any Windows apps that you no longer want to keep on your Windows. Hope you were able to get rid of as many apps as you wanted. But don’t lose hope if you couldn’t!
As a last resort, you can give third-party uninstallers a chance. These are, as you might have guessed, apps designed to uninstall other sticky apps that want to overtake their welcome. We suggest you give Revo Uninstaller A try.
