Windows 7 - Programs and Features - Uninstall or Change a Program

   Information

You can uninstall a program from your computer if you no longer use it or if you want to free up space on your hard disk.

This will show you how to use Programs and Features in the Control Panel to view, uninstall, change, or repair programs that are currently installed in Windows 7.


In Windows XP, this would have been in Add and Remove Programs instead.

   Tip

• If the program you want to uninstall is not listed in Programs and Features, then it may not have been written for this version of Windows. To uninstall the program, check the information that came with the program, or go to the program publisher's/manufacturer's website. Most programs install automatically in the C:\Program Files folder (OPTION THREE below). Look in this folder some programs also include an uninstall program that you can use.
• Programs and features included with Windows 7 can be turned off in Windows Features.
• If the program doesn't uninstall completely the first time, sometimes running the uninstall program a second time will succeed.
• If the above option doesn't work, try uninstalling the program while Windows 7 is running in safe mode.
• If you installed the program recently, you can try using System Restore to return your computer's system files to an earlier restore point dated before you installed the program.

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on Programs and Features.

2. Select a listed program (ex: 7-Zip) to highlight it and see the available options on the toolbar for that program. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: The options will be either Uninstall, Change, Uninstall/Change, Repair, or Change/Repair. A program may not have all the options available for it.

• If mouse is set to single click, then hover the mouse pointer over the listed program to select it.
• If mouse is set to double click, then left click once on the listed program to select it.

3. To Uninstall the Program

A) Click on the Uninstall or Uninstall/Change (depending on the button displayed) toolbar button. (see screenshot above)
OR
B) Double click on the selected program.
OR
C) Right click on the selected program, and click on Uninstall or Uninstall/Change (depending on the option available).

D) If you had only the Uninstall option, then you may need click on Yes. (see screenshot below)

E) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (if administrator) or type in the administrator's password (if standard user).

F) Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to uninstall the program, then go to step 6.
NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterwards.

4. To Change the Program
NOTE: This will allow you to install or uninstall optional features of the program without uninstalling it. Not all programs use the Change button, and may offer only Uninstall.

A) Click on the Change or Uninstall/Change (depending on the button displayed) toolbar button. (see screenshot above)
OR
B) Right click on the selected program, and click on Change or Uninstall/Change (depending on the option available).

C) Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to change the program (ex: 7-Zip), then go to step 6. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterwards.

5. To Repair the Program
NOTE: Repair is usually used when you want corrupted files and settings replaced with original ones from the selected program's installation program. Sometimes the entire program is just reinstalled with all files overwritten and settings returned to default for the selected program. Not all programs will have a "Repair" button, and may many offer only Uninstall.

A) Click on the Repair or Change/Repair (depending on the button displayed) toolbar button. (see screenshot above)
OR
B) Right click on the selected program, and click on Repair or Change/Repair (depending on the option available).

C) Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to repair the program, then go to step 6.
NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterwards.

6. When finished, close Program and Features.

1. Open the Start Menu and click on All Programs.

2. Click on the program's folder (ex: picture-shark) to expand it. (see screenshot below)

3. If available, click on the program's uninstaller shortcut. (see screenshot above)

4. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (if administrator) or type in the administrator's password (if standard user).

5. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to uninstall the program.
NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterwards.

1. For 32-bit Windows 7, open the C:\Program Files folder, and open the program's folder (ex: picture-shark). (see screenshots below step 2)

A) Go to step 3.

2. For 64-bit Windows 7, open either the C:\Program Files folder for a installed 64-bit program or C:\Program Files (x86) folder for a installed 32-bit program, and open the program's folder (ex: picture-shark). (see screenshots below)

3. If available, click on the program's uninstaller application file. (see right screenshot above)

4. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (if administrator) or type in the administrator's password (if standard user).

5. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to uninstall the program.
NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterwards.