How to Remove Programs from Windows 10

Is your Windows 10 PC feeling sluggish or running out of storage space? Unwanted software and bloatware can be major culprits, consuming valuable resources and cluttering your system. Learning how to remove programs from Windows 10 is a fundamental skill for maintaining a fast, efficient, and organized computer. This guide will walk you through the essential methods for uninstalling applications, managing startup items, and even moving programs to free up space without losing them.

Why do some users want to remove programs from Windows 10?

Before diving into the "how," let's explore the "why." Understanding the benefits can motivate you to keep your digital workspace tidy.

Many users seek to remove programs from their Windows 10 systems for several key reasons. Regularly cleaning out unused software is a proactive step toward better PC health and performance. Here’s why it’s so important:

Free Up Disk Space: Programs, huge ones like games or design suites, can occupy gigabytes of storage. Removing them is the quickest way to reclaim space on your hard drive or SSD, particularly if your primary C: drive is almost full.

Boost System Performance: Many applications run background processes that consume CPU and RAM, even when you're not actively using them. Uninstalling unnecessary software reduces this background load, leading to a faster and more responsive system.

Declutter the Start Menu and Desktop: A cluttered Start Menu or desktop can make it difficult to find the apps you actually need. Removing old programs streamlines your interface and improves your workflow.

Eliminate Bloatware: New computers often come pre-installed with "bloatware"—third-party software you never asked for and will likely never use. Removing it is a common first step for any new PC owner.

How to remove programs from Windows 10

Windows 10 provides straightforward, built-in tools for uninstalling software. We'll cover the two most common and effective methods. This section provides a step-by-step walkthrough for uninstalling applications using both the modern Settings menu and the classic Control Panel, ensuring you can handle any situation.

Solution 1. Uninstall Apps From Settings

The Windows 10 Settings menu is the most modern and user-friendly way to manage your installed applications.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I simultaneously to open the Settings window.

Step 2. Click on the "Apps" category.

Step 3. You will land on the "Apps & features" screen by default. Scroll through the list to find the program you want to remove. You can also use the search bar to find it quickly.

Step 4. Click on the program, and an "Uninstall" button will appear. Click it.

Step 5. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click "Uninstall" again to proceed. Windows will then handle the removal process.

Solution 2. Uninstall Apps From Control Panel

For those accustomed to older versions of Windows, the classic Control Panel remains a reliable option. This method is particularly useful for removing more complex programs that might not appear in the Settings app list.

Step 1. Click the Start button and type "Control Panel" into the search bar, then click on the app to open it.

Step 2. In the Control Panel window, under the "Programs" category, click on "Uninstall a program".

Step 3. This will open a list of all installed desktop programs on your PC. Find the program you wish to remove.

Step 4. Right-click on the program and select "Uninstall" from the context menu, or select the program and click the "Uninstall" button at the top of the list.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen prompts of the program's uninstaller to complete the removal.

Bonus: How to remove programs from PC startup menu Windows 10

A common performance drain occurs when too many applications launch automatically at startup. A crucial part of program management is knowing how to remove programs from the PC startup menu in Windows 10. While this doesn't uninstall the software, it stops it from launching when you turn on your computer, significantly speeding up boot times.

This simple tweak in the Task Manager can dramatically improve how quickly your PC becomes usable after booting up.

Step 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.

Step 2. Click on the "Startup" tab.

Step 3. You'll see a list of programs that are enabled to run on startup.

Step 4. Right-click on any program you don't need to launch automatically and select "Disable". This will prevent it from running at boot without uninstalling it.

Further reading: How to move programs to another location

Sometimes, the goal isn't to get rid of a program but to free up space on your main drive (usually the C: drive). What if you could move a large program to another drive, like D: or E:, without the hassle of reinstalling it? This is where a professional partition management tool can be a lifesaver.

Instead of uninstalling, relocating large applications can be a smart alternative for managing storage.

One of the most powerful and user-friendly tools for this job is AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. This comprehensive disk management software is designed to simplify complex tasks that are otherwise difficult or impossible with Windows' built-in tools. Its standout "App Mover" feature is specifically designed to transfer installed programs from one drive to another seamlessly.

Step 1. Install and launch PA Professional. Right-click the target drive and hit the "APP Mover" option.

Step 2. There are two options: App Mover and Move Folders. Here, we choose App Mover. If you need to move folders from C drive to D drive, you can select the latter one.

Step 3. Then, select the C drive and click "Next".

Step 4. Choose the apps you want to move and select the destination location, then click "Move".

Step 5. In the pop-up window, you need to read the prompts. Click "OK" to begin the process.

Once complete, your programs will be successfully relocated and will run from the new drive without any issues. Beyond App Mover, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional also offers other handy functions like extending the C drive, migrating your OS to an SSD, cloning a disk for backup, and converting disks between MBR and GPT without data loss. It's an all-in-one toolkit for serious PC management.

To sum up

Effectively managing your installed programs is essential for a healthy and high-performing Windows 10 PC. By now, you should be confident in how to remove programs from Windows 10 using both the Settings app and the classic Control Panel. Additionally, you've learned how to remove programs from the PC startup menu in Windows 10 to slash boot times.

For those who need to manage storage without uninstalling valuable software, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional offer powerful solutions like the App Mover. By applying these techniques, you can ensure your computer remains clean, fast, and organized for years to come.