How to Remove Programs (Windows 7)

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Co-authored by Scott St Gelais and Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: January 20, 2023 Tested

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This wikiHow teaches you how to uninstall programs on a Windows 7 computer.

Steps

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To do so, either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press your computer's ⊞ Win key.
2
Click Control Panel. You should see this option on the right side of the Start window.
- If you don't see Control Panel here, type control panel into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the Control Panel result.
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3
Click Uninstall a program. This link is below the Programs icon, which resembles a CD in front of a box in the main Control Panel window.
- If you don't see Uninstall a program, double-click instead the Programs and Features icon.
4
Locate and click the program you wish to uninstall. Clicking the program will select it.
- If the program you want to remove does not appear on the list, it may have its own uninstall tool, which can be found by typing the program's name into Start and looking for an "Uninstall [Program Name]" option.
This button is directly above the list of programs. Clicking it will usually prompt a pop-up window with the program's uninstall process detailed.
6
Follow the on-screen prompts. Each program has a slightly different uninstall process; some will uninstall immediately after you click the Uninstall button, and others will require you to specify whether or not you want to save some temporary files. Once you complete these prompts, your program will be uninstalled.
- In some cases, you'll need to restart your computer after uninstalling the program before the program will completely disappear.

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Question

Why does it say "Wait until the current program finishes"?

Community Answer

You can't uninstall more than one program at one time, so you must wait until the current uninstall process completes before continuing.

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Program will not uninstall. What do I do?

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If the program says it's uninstalled but comes back when you restart your computer, it's most likely malware. You can download an anti-malware tool to dispatch it.

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How do I know what programs I need if there are many programs that came with the computer?

Community Answer

Usually programs that date back years should be the programs that the computer needs. To establish a better understanding on the use of some of the programs, research them before uninstalling them.

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Consider defragmenting your hard disk drive to improve your computer's performance before uninstalling programs.

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Warnings

If you try to uninstall a program that says "Uninstalling this program could damage other programs", then it is probably best not to remove it unless you are certain that it will not affect any other programs that you use.

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If you're unsure of a program's function, research it before uninstalling it. Some drivers that are necessary for your computer to function (e.g., trackpad drivers) show up as uninstallable files.

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