Deleting an app on Windows 10 is a breeze. Whether you want to free up space or just get rid of an app you no longer use, the process is straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have that app uninstalled in no time!
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Delete an App on Windows 10
In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps to delete an app on Windows 10. By following these instructions, you’ll be able to remove unwanted software from your device effectively.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Opening the Start Menu gives you access to all the apps and settings on your computer. Look for the distinctive Windows logo.
Step 2: Go to Settings
Click on the “Settings” gear icon.
This will open up the Settings window, where you can control various aspects of your system. It’s like the nerve center for your computer.
Step 3: Select “Apps”
In the Settings window, click on the “Apps” option.
This brings you to a list of all the applications installed on your computer. You can see both the ones you’ve installed and the pre-installed ones.
Step 4: Find the App You Want to Delete
Scroll through the list and select the app you want to delete.
Sometimes, apps are listed alphabetically, making it easier to find the one you’re looking for. If not, you can use the search bar at the top.
Step 5: Click “Uninstall”
Click the “Uninstall” button next to the app you selected and confirm your choice.
A confirmation dialog will pop up to ensure you really want to delete the app. Once confirmed, the uninstallation process will start.
After completing these steps, the app will be removed from your Windows 10 system. This will free up space and resources, making your computer run more efficiently.
Tips for How to Delete an App on Windows 10
- Check for Leftover Files: Sometimes, uninstalled apps leave behind residual files. Use tools like Disk Cleanup to remove them.
- Restart Your Computer: After uninstalling an app, restart your computer to ensure all components are fully removed.
- Use Third-Party Uninstallers: If the built-in uninstaller doesn’t work, try third-party tools like CCleaner.
- Keep Your System Updated: Regularly update Windows to make sure you have the latest tools and fixes for uninstalling apps.
- Backup Important Data: Before uninstalling any app, make sure you back up important data in case something goes wrong.
Can I recover an app after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or its original installation source.
Why won’t my app uninstall?
Some apps may require administrative privileges to uninstall. Make sure you’re logged in as an admin.
Will uninstalling apps speed up my computer?
Yes, removing unused apps can free up resources and potentially improve performance.
How do I uninstall system apps?
System apps can be tricky to remove. Use PowerShell commands for more control, but be cautious.
Are there any risks involved in uninstalling apps?
Generally, no, but always back up important data before uninstalling any application.
Summary
- Open the Start Menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Select “Apps.”
- Find the app you want to delete.
- Click “Uninstall.”
Conclusion
Deleting an app on Windows 10 is a simple task that anyone can do with a few clicks. Not only does it help in freeing up valuable disk space, but it also keeps your system running smoothly and efficiently. Remember to always back up any crucial data before you uninstall an application, just in case something goes awry.
By following the steps and tips provided in this guide, you can become proficient at managing your applications and maintaining a clutter-free computer environment. So, next time you find yourself with an app you no longer need, don’t hesitate to remove it using these easy steps. Happy computing!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
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Printers can be a source of problems for many computer users. They have a lot of moving parts that need to be replaced, and they require constant replenishment of very expensive ink and toner.
A printer that was previously working perfectly may even start saying that it’s offline, such as described in this article .
Occasionally a printer will break, stop working, or get replaced, so you need to uninstall it from your computer.
Often this can be as simple as removing the device from Windows 7. But it can also be a little more complicated than that, especially if the problem that you were having was related to a bad driver installation or a hidden file stuck in your print queue.
Fortunately, our guide below can provide some solutions to the problems that you are having as you try to completely remove a printer from your Windows 7 computer.
Removing a Printer and Printer Driver in Windows 7
The guide below is going to show how to first remove a printer in Windows 7, then how to remove a print driver in Windows 7, then a couple of troubleshooting steps if a print driver will not uninstall.
You are going to be performing some actions that require you to have administrator access to Windows 7, so make sure that you are either signed into an Administrator account, or that you have the administrator credentials for your computer.
Before you get started, check that your printer doesn’t have a specific program installed with it. In some cases uninstalling the program for the printer can take care of the entire uninstall process for you. Simply disconnect the printer cable from the computer first, then uninstall the printer program like any other program in Windows 7 by following the steps in this article .
If this is not an option for you, however, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Disconnect the printer cable from the computer, if it is a USB connection.
Step 2: Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Click Devices and Printers in the column at the right side of the menu.
Step 3: Locate the printer that you want to remove. In this case we are removing the Brother MFC 490CW.
Step 4: Right-click the printer, then click Remove Device .
Step 5: Click the Yes option to confirm that you want to remove the printer. Don’t close this window just yet, though.
At this point the printer is removed from your computer, and you will no longer be able to print to it. For a lot of people, this is a sufficient stopping point. But the driver is still on the computer, and if you have been trying to re-install the printer but keep encountering an error, then it could be an issue with the driver. So you can follow the steps below to delete the print driver as well.
Step 6: Click another printer icon once to select it, then click the Print Server Properties option in the blue bar at the top of the window.
Step 7: Click the Drivers tab at the top of this window.
Step 8: Click the driver for the printer you just removed, then click the Remove button .
Step 9: Click the Remove driver and driver package option, then click the OK button.
Step 10: Click the Yes button to confirm that you want to delete the driver and driver package.
Step 11: Click the Delete button to complete deletion of the printer driver.
You might get an error at this point saying that the driver is in use and that it cannot be deleted. This can occur if there is a document that is still stuck in the print queue , so we need to take a couple more steps.
Step 12: Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your screen again, type “ Services ” into the search bar at the bottom of the menu, then hit Enter on your keyboard.
Step 13: Scroll down and select the Print Spooler option.
Step 14: Right-click on Print Spooler , then click the Stop option. Leave this window open for now.
Step 15: Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of the screen, then click Computer in the column at the right side of the window.
Step 16: Double-click your hard drive at the center of the window.
Step 17: Double-click the Windows folder, double-click System32 , double-click spool , then double-click PRINTERS . So the location you want to be at now is C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS , which should look similar to the image below.
Step 18: Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select everything in this folder, press the Delete key on your keyboard (the actual key that says “Delete” or “Del”. Not the “Backspace” key), then click Yes to confirm that you want to delete these files.
Step 19: Click Continue and provide Administrator access to confirm that you want to delete these files.
Step 20: Return to the Services window that we left open in Step 14, scroll to Print Spooler , right-click it, then click Start .
Step 21: Return to the Devices and Printers window that we left open all the way back in Step 5.
Step 22: Repeat Step 6 – Step 11 to delete the printer driver. The error telling you that it was in use should now be gone.
If you are still unable to delete the printer driver, then restart your computer, and repeat steps 6-11 one more time. If the driver is deleting but the driver package remains, then there may be another user on your computer that has the printer installed on their profile. You will also need to delete the printer and the driver for those users as well.
If you are still experiencing problems, then you should contact your printer’s manufacturer for additional troubleshooting steps related to that specific printer model.
If you’re getting rid of a problematic printer and are in search of a good new one, the Brother HL-2270DW could be the right printer for you. It is a wireless black and white laser printer that is fast, easy to use, and affordable. Check it out here .
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
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