Windows Location of Uninstall Programs

Delete the programs you no longer use with the Windows "Uninstall a Program" feature.

Computers running the Windows operating system include an “Uninstall a Program” tool to remove the programs you no longer require. You can access the feature from your computer’s Control Panel to view a full list of installed programs and to uninstall programs and applications that you no longer require.

Removing Programs

Downloading trial versions of programs, shareware applications or full-featured programs that you no longer need can soon fill up your computer’s hard drive. Deleting unwanted programs not only frees up space on your computer’s drive, but also declutters your Desktop and Start menu. Some programs and applications come with an “Uninstall” feature that you can access from the program’s folder in the “All Programs” section of the Start menu. However, not all programs offer this function so using the Windows “Uninstall a Program” tool is usually the most convenient way to remove a program.

Finding the Uninstall a Program Tool

The Control Panel on Windows computers is the gateway to the computer’s settings and configuration options, including the Uninstall Programs tool. Find and access the Uninstall Programs feature by clicking the “Start” button on the desktop taskbar and selecting “Control Panel” from the Start menu. Click the “Programs” button in the Control Panel window. Click the blue “Uninstall a Program” link under “Programs and Features.”

Configuring the Uninstall a Program Tool

Once you’ve accessed “Uninstall a Program” on the computer’s Control Panel, the tool automatically scans your computer for installed programs and displays a list of all programs in the main pane of the “Uninstall or Change a Program” window. By default, Windows lists programs alphabetically but you can change the display order to show programs by publisher, file size, installation date and version number by clicking the relevant tab at the top of the program list pane.

Using the Uninstall a Program Tool

Uninstalling a program from your computer removes the program and all the files that it needs to function. Scroll through the list to find the program that you want to uninstall. To use the tool, click and highlight the program that you want to remove. Click the “Uninstall/Change” tab in the toolbar at the top of the window and confirm that you want to uninstall the program. On completion of the uninstallation procedure, Windows displays an on-screen message confirming successful completion of the uninstall procedure.

References

• Microsoft Windows 7: Uninstall or Change a Program
• Microsoft at Home: Do a Clean Sweep; How to Delete Unwanted Files and Programs

Resources

• Microsoft Windows 7: Help and How-To