Raya Bergin

Fully Uninstall Software in Windows 10 (No Extras!) 🧹🍊

Posted on Aug 23, 2024
tl;dr: Below are methods to help Windows 10 users thoroughly uninstall the software without using additional programs.

Updated 24 August 2024.

Content Links

Introduction
Step 1: Uninstall with Control Panel or Apps and Features
Step 2: Delete leftovers in Program Files, Program Files (x86), and AppData folders
Step 3: Delete leftovers in Registry Editor
Step 4: Delete leftovers in Temp and %temp% folders
Conclusion
Helpful Links

Introduction

I had decided to clean out all the uninstalled software leftovers and uninstall software I hadn’t used in a year from my Windows 10 laptop and desktop.

This article is about how I completed those tasks without using third-party uninstall software.

I found helpful how-to videos and articles that I believed would help me do the job without complicating my life and messing up my devices.

I wrote this article to share my experience to help you with your adventure in thoroughly uninstalling software on your device.

A brief warning and disclaimer

The following steps worked for me with zero complications to my devices.

However, This article is intended for general information only.

We will not accept liability for damage or injury caused while following this guide.

Your reliance on this information is at your own risk.

You must be skilled at using, be well-acquainted with, and have an Administrator (Admin) Account on your Windows device.

What is an administrator account?

The default local Administrator account is a user account for system administration.
The Administrator account has [complete] control of the files, directories, services,
and other resources on the local device.

— Microsoft Learn

If you’re determined to uninstall software and software leftovers from your device(s) and feel you need more confidence completing the task, contact a qualified person to help you.

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Illustration of Windows tools and folders

Thank you to Flaticon on Pinterest and icons8 whose icons inspired my above illustration. 🙏🏼🤩

Step 1: Uninstall with Control Panel or Apps and Features

The easy paths to uninstalling software are through:

  1. Control Panel
  2. Apps and Features

Control Panel

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. Click Search on the Power User Menu (PUM).
  3. Type the words control panel.
  4. On the right side of the menu, click Control Panel or Open.
  5. You can view the control panel items by category or by item with the upper right View by: pull-down menu.

Viewing control panel items by Category:

  1. Click Programs.
  2. Click Programs and Features.
  3. Sort the currently installed programs by Name.
  4. Select the program to uninstall, right-click, then click Uninstall.

Viewing control panel items by Item (select Large icons or Small icons):

  1. Click Programs and Features.
  2. Sort the currently installed programs by Name.
  3. Select the program to uninstall, right-click, then click Uninstall.

Apps and Features

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. Click Settings on the PUM.
  3. Click Apps.
  4. In Apps & features, use the search bar or scroll down the apps list to find the app to uninstall.
  5. Click the app’s icon, then click Uninstall.

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Step 2: Delete leftovers in Program Files, Program Files (x86), and AppData folders

About the Program Files folder and Program Files (x86) folder

The Program Files folder has the following features:

  • Stores applications that aren’t part of the operating system,
  • Its environment variable is %programfiles%,
  • Is a directory in the C Drive (C:\), the main disk of the computer’s operating system,
  • Stores 64-bit applications and some 32-bit programs.

Environment variables are like special labeled boxes that store specific information and are pre-defined values that programs can access.

The environment variable %programfiles% denotes the file path and directory to C:\Program Files.

The environment variable %programfiles(x86)% denotes the file path and directory to C:\Program Files (x86).

In 64-bit versions of Windows, there might be two program file folders:

  • C:\Program Files (for 64-bit programs and some 32-bit programs)
  • C:\Program Files (x86) (for 32-bit programs and some 64-bit programs)

The (x86) version is used for 32-bit applications, while the Program Files version is for 64-bit applications.

Some 32-bit programs might install themselves in the Program Files folder, and some 64-bit applications might install themselves in the Program Files (x86) folder.

What is 32-bit and 64-bit?

32-bit computer architecture allows the computer’s operating system and central processing unit (CPU) to process data and perform calculations 32 bits at a time.

64-bit computer architecture allows the computer’s operating system and central processing unit (CPU) to process data and perform calculations 64 bits at a time.

Computer architecture is the structure of a computer system that decides how each of its components interact.

About the AppData folder

The AppData folder has the following features:

  • It’s a hidden folder in File Explorer that stores application-specific data for the user,
  • Its environment variable is %appdata%,
  • It stores three subfolders: Local, LocalLow, and Roaming.

The Local subfolder holds files that users can access immediately.

The LocalLow subfolder stores application data with limited permissions, such as downloaded files that don’t have access to OS files.

The Roaming subfolder stores default local admin or non-admin user account application data that users can synchronize between Windows devices.

How do I access the AppData folder?

The AppData folder is hidden by default because it stores critical files that the OS uses that users generally are not allowed to access.

However, inputting the environment variable %appdata% on the File Explorer address bar takes the user to the AppData folder even if the Hidden items box is unticked.

The steps below allow the user access to the contents of the hidden AppData folder.

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. On the PUM, click Run.
  3. Input the environment variable %appdata% in the Open bar.
  4. Click OK.
  5. See the contents of the Roaming folder in File Explorer.

How do I make my File Explorer’s hidden files visible?

⚠️Warning! All the hidden files and folders will be visible by default in File Explorer.

Follow the steps below:

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. On the PUM, click File Explorer.
  3. Click the View tab.
  4. In the Show/hide section tick the Hidden items box.

With Hidden items unticked, the user can access AppData directly using its file path on the File Explorer address bar, C:\Users\username\AppData.

Replace username with your PC’s username.

Deleting the leftovers

Now that we know the basic features of Program Files, Program Files (x86), and AppData folders, input or copy and paste one at a time each of the environment variables below to the Run box’s Open bar by following the steps below:

  %programfiles%

  %programfiles(x86)%

  %appdata%
  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. On the PUM, click Run.
  3. Input the environment variable %programfiles%, %programfiles(x86)%, or %appdata% in the Open bar.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Find the file names of the software you uninstalled through Apps and Features or Control Panel and delete only those related named files.

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Step 3: Delete leftovers in Registry Editor

❗ Warning: please read ⚠️💀 before you delete leftovers in registry editor.

Deleting registry entries can be risky as it can cause system instability or even render your system inoperable.

It’s essential to be cautious and only delete entries related to the software you’re uninstalling.

About the Windows Registry

The Windows Registry (WR) is a database of settings for almost all the OS configurations and applications that use the registry.

What is the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor has the following features:

  • A tool that lets admin accounts and advanced users view and edit the settings stored in the Windows Registry,
  • A database that stores configuration settings for the Windows OS and installed programs.

Admin accounts, advanced users can delete, rename, manipulate, and create registry data in the Registry Editor.

A random deletion could mess up the computer.

Regedit has no undo feature. 😨

Follow instructions and change what needs to be changed.

Open the Registry Editor:

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. On the PUM, click Run.
  3. Input regedit in the Open bar.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Yes on the User Account Control window.
  6. To open the folder, copy the regedit folder path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE on the Registry Editor’s address bar.
  7. Look for the uninstalled software’s folder name and delete only that related folder by right-clicking on the related folder and clicking Delete on its menu.
  8. Follow steps 6 to 7 using the regedit folder path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE.
  9. Follow steps 6 to 7 using the regedit folder path HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software.
  10. Follow steps 6 to 7 using the regedit folder path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node.
  11. Click File on the top menu and click Exit to exit and close the Registry Editor.

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Step 4: Delete leftovers in Temp and %temp% folders

What are the Temp and %temp% Folders

The Temp and %temp% folders have the following features:

Temp Folder

  • The Temp folder’s file explorer path is C:\Windows\Temp.
  • Stores temporary files used during system processes like software installs and updates created by the Windows OS.

%temp% Folder

  • The Temp folder’s file explorer path is C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp.
  • The environment variable is %temp%,
  • Stores user account’s programs’ temporary files, installation files, and downloaded data that the software uses.

It’s safe to clean up both folders. 😌

Windows experts recommend restarting the computer after the user cleans both folders; the system will recreate the temporary files.

Below are two effective methods to access and delete leftover files from uninstalled software in both temporary folders:

  • Using the Disk Cleanup app
  • Manually deleting temporary files in the %temp% folder

Using the Disk Cleanup app

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. Click Search.
  3. In the search bar, type disk cleanup.
  4. A Disk Cleanup for (C:) window pops up.
  5. Click Clean up system files. The app’s small window will show that it’s calculating.
  6. The Disk Cleanup for (C:) window pops up again, and the Disk Cleanup and More Options tabs show.
  7. In the Disk Cleanup tab, tick (check mark) all boxes of the list in the Files to delete: box.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Restart the computer.

Manually deleting temporary files in the %temp% folder

  1. Right-click the Start icon.
  2. On the PUM, click Run.
  3. Input %temp% in the Open bar.
  4. Click OK.
  5. See files in the C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp folder.
  6. Select all files by ticking the check box before the Name column (To see the check box, the user must tick Item check boxes in the View tab, Show/hide section in File Explorer).
  7. Press the Ctrl + D keys to delete them.
  8. Windows might not allow the user to delete all the temporary files because the computer might be using some of them. Bypass deleting them.
  9. Restart the computer.

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Conclusion

Following the above steps might help users thoroughly uninstall software and remove leftover files and registry entries from their Windows 10 device without downloading and using third-party uninstall software.

Please proceed with caution when editing the registry. 🌵

I’ve included helpful links that provide more details on the steps I covered.

Happy cleaning! 🧼🧽🥳

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Windows Registry Demystified: What You Can Do With It

64-bit applications

64-bit computing

32-bit computing

AppData – Where to Find the AppData Folder in Windows 10

Why are there two folders – Program Files and Program Files (x86) in 64-bit Windows OS?

What’s the Difference Between the “Program Files (x86)” and “Program Files” Folders in Windows?

What Are Environment Variables?

Local Accounts—Windows Security | Microsoft Learn

How to Completely Uninstall a Software from Windows PC—Delete leftover Files and Registry Keys

How To Uninstall Any Program And Remove Leftovers Without Any Third-Party Software From Windows 11

How to Eradicate Leftovers From Uninstalled Software in Windows 10 & 11

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