Removing apps from your Windows 11 desktop is simpler than you might think. You just need to go to your settings or use a quick right-click method. By following a few straightforward steps, you can declutter your screen and improve your computer’s performance.
How to Remove Apps from Desktop Windows 11
The steps below will guide you on how to uninstall or remove apps from your Windows 11 desktop. Whether you want to use the Settings menu or a right-click, we’ve got you covered.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen.
The Start Menu is your gateway to all the programs and apps installed on your computer. When you open it, you’ll see a list of pinned apps and a search bar at the top.
Step 2: Go to Settings
Select “Settings” from the Start Menu.
Once in the Settings menu, you’ll find various options to control your system. This is where you can customize your computer to your liking.
Step 3: Navigate to Apps
Click on “Apps” in the Settings menu.
In the Apps section, you will see a list of all the applications installed on your computer. This list will help you identify which apps you want to remove.
Step 4: Select the App to Remove
Find the app you want to remove and click on it.
A dropdown menu will appear with options like “Uninstall” or “Move”. This is where you make your choice to remove the app.
Step 5: Uninstall the App
Click “Uninstall” and follow the on-screen instructions.
You may be asked to confirm that you want to remove the app. Once confirmed, the uninstallation process will begin.
When you’ve completed these steps, the app will be removed from your Windows 11 desktop. Your computer might run smoother and have more storage space available.
Tips for Removing Apps from Desktop Windows 11
- Check for Unused Apps: Regularly review your installed apps and remove those you no longer use.
- Backup Important Data: Before uninstalling any app, make sure you have backed up any important data linked with it.
- Use Disk Cleanup: After uninstalling apps, use Disk Cleanup to remove residual files.
- Disable Startup Apps: Some apps run at startup. Disable these in the Task Manager to speed up your boot time.
- Use Third-Party Tools: For stubborn apps, consider using third-party uninstaller tools for a more thorough removal.
Why can’t I uninstall some apps?
Some apps are part of the Windows 11 system and cannot be removed. These include vital system utilities.
Do I lose my data when I uninstall an app?
Yes, you will lose the data associated with the app. Always back up important data before uninstalling.
Can I reinstall an app after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can reinstall any app from the Microsoft Store or by downloading it again from the internet.
Why is my system still slow after removing apps?
Other factors like background processes, hardware limitations, and malware can also affect system performance.
Is it safe to remove pre-installed apps?
Generally, it’s safe, but be cautious. Removing certain pre-installed apps may affect system functions.
Summary
- Open the Start Menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Navigate to Apps.
- Select the App to Remove.
- Uninstall the App.
Conclusion
In a world where digital clutter can slow you down, knowing how to remove apps from desktop Windows 11 is a handy skill. By managing the apps on your computer, you can not only free up space but also enhance your system’s performance. Remember, it’s essential to back up any crucial data before uninstalling, and keep an eye on what apps are necessary for your daily tasks. And if you run into stubborn apps, third-party tools can come in handy. Now that you’ve got this down, why not go ahead and clean up your desktop today? You’ll feel like you’ve got a brand-new computer!
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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