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Uninstall Programs on Windows 10 That Cannot be Uninstalled
You can force uninstall a program in Windows 10 via CMD
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Chances are that you’re here because you were unable to uninstall a program in Windows 10. No need to worry. It’s a frequent problem that is most likely caused by minor file corruption issues.
Many Windows users report having this problem. In this article, we’re going to show you the most used and the most reliable methods, including using dedicateduninstaller tools.
What programs cannot be uninstalled?
A software category that is especially difficult to remove from a Windows PC is antivirus and anti-malware tools.
Other apps that will resist uninstallation are those that contain malicious scripts. They are specifically built to resist uninstallation and you will need to follow a special procedure to remove them.
Tech experts advise us to check our computer applications every once in a while. This is to pinpoint unnecessary apps that only take up space without benefiting us in any way.
Not only that, but you can also see if there are any suspicious apps within our system and remove them as soon as possible.
Don’t know how to force uninstall a program in Windows 10? We’re here to help, so check our recommendations below.
Why can’t I uninstall a program on Windows 10?
Uninstalling an application is a simple task that does not require much effort. Unfortunately, when you encounter apps that won’t uninstall, things become a little more tricky.
Most frequent reasons why you can’t uninstall apps include:
➡️ Corrupt application files
➡️ Uninstaller wizard is missing
➡️ Problematic registry entries
➡️ Files with malicious scripts
Nowadays, most programs include their own uninstall wizards. You can access them either directly from the app’s user interface, or find them in the app’s specific folder in Program Files.
Due to some errors within app scripts or because of file corruption, some apps don’t contain these uninstallers, which means you will not be able to remove them as you normally would.
A frequent scenario is when you uninstall the app and parts of it are removed, thus you cannot use it anymore, but there are some leftovers.
This means that the app will still show up in your programs list in the Add or remove programs, but its folders in Program Files are gone.
In most cases, this indicates that there are still traces of the app somewhere on your PC, most likely within the registry.
If you have a malware application that won’t be removed, the process is similar. You can remove its registry entries and use Windows settings to uninstall it.
However, in this case, it’s advised youuse antivirus softwarebecause many malicious applications do clone themselves once they attack your computer.
Even if you successfully delete one of them, it can still be on your computer under a different name.
How to uninstall programs on Windows 10 that cannot be uninstalled?
If you tried the traditional methods to uninstall a program and they did not work, you should perform a force uninstall using Command Prompt.
Manually uninstalling programs using CMD is a safe and reliable method that ensures the programs are completely deleted from your computer.
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Press theWindowskey on your keyboard and typecmdin the search box that opens.
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Click on the first result to open theCommand Promptapp.
3.Input the following command line:powershell Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers
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PressEnterto execute the command. This will generate a list of all the applications on your PC. Use it to find the correct name of your app.
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Type the following command and replace the Package line with the complete name of the app you want to remove:powershell Remove-AppxPackage
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PressEnterto run it and finish removing the program from your device.
How to uninstall programs on Windows 10?
1. Use Programs and Features
Programs and Features is a built-in Windows utility. It helps you manage your applications and features. It is probably one of the best for removing unwanted programs with just a few clicks.
As you can see, the process is very simple. You can also use this tool for adding or removing certain features of Windows 10 (like Internet Explorer or .NET Framework, for example).
Just go to Turn Windows features on or off, and choose which features you want to add or remove. For more information on this matter, check our guide on how you canturn Windows Features on/off.
2. Use third-party software
If you don’t want to waste your time using Programs and Features to uninstall your programs, you can always use some third-party software.
There are tons of software tools for uninstalling programs in Windows, but we strongly recommend IObit Uninstaller this time.
It’s very easy to use and it displays a list of all your programs from where you can pick the unwanted apps and easily delete them.
To uninstall an app with IObit Uninstaller:
At this point, you will have your picked programs successfully uninstalled without any leftovers or any other associated files left behind.
IObit Uninstaller
3. From the Start Menu
You can also remove programs and software from the Start menu. All you need to do is right-click on the respective program and then simply select uninstall.
Here’s a screenshot to help you in the process.
4. Delete apps from the Settings page
You can also uninstall your Windows 10 apps from the Settings page. Now all Windows 10 apps will be removed from your Start Menu.
If you upgraded your OS, check our guide onhow to uninstall apps in Windows 11.
What do you think of the above procedures? They may be applied when for Windows 10 preinstalled programs that can be uninstalled, so let us know your opinion.
Let us know in the comments section below if you found this guide helpful and managed to get rid of unwanted programs on your device.
More about the topics:Uninstall issues and guides,windows 10
Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.
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Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
