How to force uninstall a program windows 11

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024 by

Uninstalling apps on windows 11 is usually a straightforward process. You can simply go to the “Apps & features” section in the Settings menu and uninstall the app from there. However, there may be times when an app refuses to uninstall or leaves behind residual files even after being uninstalled. In such cases, you may need to force uninstall the program. In this article, we’ll discuss how to force uninstall a program on Windows 11, incorporating techniques similar to those used in windows like 10.

Why Would You Need to Force Uninstall a Program?

There are a few reasons why you may need to force uninstall a program on Windows 11:

  • The app is not listed in the “Apps & features” section and cannot be uninstalled from there.
  • The app is listed in the “Apps & features” section, but the uninstallation process fails.
  • The app leaves behind residual files even after being uninstalled.

In these cases, you may need to use alternative methods to force uninstall the program.

Method 1: Using the Control Panel

The Control Panel is a traditional method of managing programs on Windows, reminiscent of the approach in Windows like 10. Here’s how you can use it to force uninstall a program on Windows 11:

  1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. Click on “Programs” and then select “Programs and Features”.
  3. Find the program you want to uninstall and click on it.
  4. Click on the “Uninstall” button at the top of the list.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

If the program is not listed in the Control Panel, you can try using the “Search” function to find it. If it still cannot be found, you may need to use a third-party uninstaller tool.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a powerful tool that can be used to force uninstall a program on Windows 11. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Open the Command Prompt by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. Type in the following command: wmic
  3. Press Enter to open the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool.
  4. Type in the following command: product get name
  5. Press Enter to see a list of all the installed programs on your computer.
  6. Find the program you want to uninstall and take note of its name.
  7. Type in the following command: product where name=”program name” call uninstall
  8. Replace “program name” with the name of the program you want to uninstall.
  9. Press Enter to execute the command.
  10. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Uninstaller Tool

If the above methods do not work, you can try using a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools are specifically designed to force uninstall programs and remove any residual files. Some popular options include Revo Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller, and Geek Uninstaller.

To use a third-party uninstaller tool, simply download and install the tool of your choice, and then follow the prompts to force uninstall the program.

Method 4: Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to make changes to your computer’s registry. Here’s how you can use it to force uninstall a program on Windows 11:

  1. Open the Registry Editor by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
  3. Look for the program you want to uninstall in the list of subkeys.
  4. Right-click on the subkey and select “Delete”.
  5. Confirm the deletion and close the Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your computer.

Method 5: Using Safe Mode

If all else fails, you can try uninstalling the program in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. Here’s how you can use it to force uninstall a program on Windows 11:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type in msconfig and press Enter.
  3. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Boot” tab.
  4. Check the box next to “Safe boot” and select “Minimal”.
  5. Click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
  6. Restart your computer.
  7. Once your computer has restarted, try uninstalling the program using one of the methods mentioned above.

Conclusion

Uninstalling apps on Windows 11 is usually a simple process, but there may be times when you need to force uninstall a program. In this article, we discussed five different methods you can use to force uninstall a program on Windows 11. If you encounter any issues while uninstalling a program, try these methods to ensure a clean and complete uninstallation.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.

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