Uninstalling an app in Windows 11 using Command Prompt (CMD) is a straightforward task. You open CMD as an administrator, list the installed apps, and then use a specific command to uninstall the desired app. This method can be handy if you’re facing issues with the normal uninstall process.
How to Uninstall App in Windows 11 Using CMD
In this section, we will guide you through uninstalling an application from your Windows 11 computer using the Command Prompt (CMD). This method is particularly useful for advanced users who prefer a more hands-on approach.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Launch Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
To do this, click on the Start menu, type “cmd,” right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.” This ensures you have the necessary permissions to uninstall programs.
Step 2: List Installed Applications
Use a command to list all installed applications.
In the Command Prompt window, type wmic product get name and press Enter. This command generates a list of all installed applications, making it easier to find the exact name of the app you want to uninstall.
Step 3: Identify the Application Name
Locate the name of the app you want to uninstall from the list.
Look through the list generated by the previous command and note down the exact name of the application you wish to uninstall. Accuracy is key here to avoid uninstalling the wrong program.
Step 4: Uninstall the Application
Enter the command to uninstall the application.
Type wmic product where name=“AppName” call uninstall (replace “AppName” with the application’s exact name) and press Enter. Follow any additional prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
Step 5: Confirm the Uninstallation
Verify that the application has been removed from your system.
After the process completes, you can run wmic product get name again to ensure the application no longer appears in the list.
Once you complete these steps, the application should be successfully uninstalled from your Windows 11 system. You can repeat this process for other apps as needed.
Tips for Uninstalling App in Windows 11 Using CMD
- Double-check the application name: Ensure the name is accurate to avoid uninstalling the wrong app.
- Run CMD as Administrator: This is necessary to have the required permissions to uninstall applications.
- Use wmic carefully: The wmic tool is powerful, so make sure you understand the commands you are using.
- Keep a backup: Always have a system backup before making significant changes.
- Know alternative methods: Sometimes, uninstalling via CMD might not work, so be familiar with other uninstall methods.
What if the app name has spaces?
Enclose the application name in double quotes, e.g., wmic product where name=“Example App” call uninstall .
Can I use CMD to uninstall app updates?
No, CMD via wmic is typically used for uninstalling the entire application, not individual updates.
Why do I need administrative privileges?
Administrative privileges are required to make changes to installed programs, ensuring that you have the necessary permissions to uninstall apps.
What if I make a mistake?
If you uninstall the wrong app, you may need to reinstall it. Ensure you have backups and know the exact app name before proceeding.
Are there any risks?
While generally safe, using CMD incorrectly can cause issues. Always verify commands and consider other uninstall methods if unsure.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- List Installed Applications
- Identify the Application Name
- Uninstall the Application
- Confirm the Uninstallation
Conclusion
Uninstalling an app in Windows 11 using CMD is a powerful method that gives you control and precision. By following the steps outlined, you can manage your installed applications efficiently. Always remember to run CMD as an administrator and double-check application names to avoid mistakes.
For those who love diving into the tech world, knowing how to use CMD to uninstall programs can be a handy addition to your skillset. Keep practicing and exploring other CMD commands to become even more proficient.
Feel free to check out further reading on advanced CMD commands to enhance your Windows 11 experience. Happy troubleshooting!
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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