There's even a section for software updates where you can check to see if your programs are up to date. The screen also points you to Windows apps and browser plug-ins. You can see all installed programs, those recently installed, large programs taking up a lot of space, and programs used infrequently. The main screen for IObit Uninstaller offers a variety of views and options. For $19.99 a year, the Pro version is good for three PCs and kicks in more features, such as support for stubborn programs and browser plug-ins. The free version offers basic features, such as the ability to scan for leftover fragments of an uninstalled program. IObit Uninstaller can get rid of desktop applications and Windows Universal apps. Revo then scans for leftover files to delete them. For this, you can choose from three modes-Safe, Moderate, or Advanced-depending on how aggressive you want the program to be. Revo then scans the Registry for leftover settings and asks if you want to remove them. Next, Revo calls on the program's own uninstall routine to remove it.
Revo first creates a restore point to which you can fall back should it prove too aggressive at removing associated files and Registry entries. To try Revo in action, double-click the program you want to remove, or right-click it and select Uninstall.
The program can even help install programs, which allows it to monitor the entire installation process to more accurately remove the app in the future. Revo Installer can remove previously installed programs, and the interface shows you all the apps on your system to make it easy to find the ones you want to remove.
For $29.95, the Pro Portable version can run on multiple computers and from a USB drive. For $24.95, the Pro edition can remove browser extensions and delete remnants of already uninstalled programs. The free version offers basic features and might be a good place to start. Revo Uninstaller can cleanly and completely remove desktop applications, Windows apps, and even browser extensions. However, we also have several other free options in our Best Free Software roundup under the Uninstallers and Installers header. We recommend three third-party uninstallers programs that can get the job done. If something goes wrong following an uninstallation, the app can be restored in order to fix any issues that pop up. So an uninstall utility needs to remove all leftovers for the program you're uninstalling without taking out another program that may still rely on those items.įor this reason, many of the best uninstallers have specific backups and safeguards in place. Many Windows files and Registry settings are shared by more than one program. The challenge in fully removing a Windows desktop application lies in finding the right balance. The uninstall features built into Windows don't necessarily remove all these leftover files and settings, but a third-party uninstaller will do a better job deleting an application completely. Third-Party UninstallersĪpplications often spread their files and settings throughout your system and may even populate your Registry with settings that can be difficult to track down. Select the program you wish to remove, then either right-click it and select Uninstall or select Uninstall at the top of the list. This view does not show you Windows Universal apps, only standard desktop applications. Switch to icon view and select the applet for Programs and Features. You can also search “Control Panel” in the search bar. Click the folder, then select the Control Panel shortcut. Click the Start button and scroll down to the Windows System folder. If you prefer using Control Panel, that option is still available in the latest edition of Windows 10. Scroll down the list to locate the program you wish to remove, then click it and select Uninstall. This screen shows you both Windows Universal and standard desktop applications, so you should find every program installed on your PC here. You can also go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features to more easily view all the programs you can uninstall. Click it, confirm you want to uninstall it, and it's gone. If it can be removed this way, you'll see an option for Uninstall in the pop-up menu. Click the Start button and look for a program you wish to remove, either in the All Apps list on the left or in the tiled section on the right.
You can uninstall a program from the Windows 10 Start menu. That's why you may want to use a third-party uninstaller, which can fully wipe out entire applications and leave no traces behind.
However, if you try to remove a full desktop application using Windows' built-in options, the process often leaves behind leftover folders, files, and Registry entries.