How do I remove unwanted programs from my computer?

Unused software takes disk space, and some of it runs at startup and slows the machine every time it boots. The distinction that matters is between applications you installed and system components you did not — the first are safe to remove, the second are not.

What you'll need

• Your computer
• Administrator password (optional)

Step by step

1. Windows: open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps.Sort by size to see what is taking the most space, or by install date to find things bundled with something else.
2. Mac: open the Applications folder in Finder.Drag unwanted apps to the Bin and empty it. Some apps have their own uninstaller inside their folder — use that if present.
3. Search the name of anything you do not recognise before removing it.Manufacturer utilities and driver packages often have obscure names, and removing them can break hardware features.
4. Remove trial software and manufacturer bundles.New machines ship with trials and utilities most people never use. These are usually safe and often the largest easy win.
5. Deal with what starts automatically, separately.Windows: Task Manager, Startup apps tab. Mac: System Settings, General, Login Items. Disabling startup entries speeds up boot without uninstalling anything.
6. Restart and check nothing has broken.Remove in small batches with a restart between, so if something does break you know what caused it.
7. Empty the Bin or Recycle Bin afterwards.Until you do, the space has not actually been freed.
8. Check leftover folders on a Mac.Look in ~/Library/Application Support for folders belonging to apps you removed. They are usually small but they accumulate.

Tips

• Browser extensions are software too and are a common cause of slow browsing. Review them at the same time.
• If a program refuses to uninstall, restarting into a state where it is not running usually allows it — or use the vendor's own removal tool.
• Do not use 'PC cleaner' or 'registry cleaner' tools. They rarely help, and many are themselves the unwanted software.

Common mistakes

• Deleting anything with an unfamiliar name — System components and driver packages have obscure names. Removing them can break sound, graphics or networking.
• Dragging a Windows program folder to the Recycle Bin — It leaves registry entries and services behind. Use the proper uninstaller from Settings.
• Installing a cleaner tool to do the job — Most add advertising, do little of value, and are harder to remove than what they claim to clean.

Questions people ask