Programs - Uninstall using Command Prompt in Windows

How to Uninstall Programs using Command Prompt in Windows​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to uninstall programs using a command prompt in XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

This will only list programs that use Windows Installer when installed.

It is recommended to uninstall a program in Programs and Features if able instead to have a full list of installed program.

Here's How:

1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. Open an elevated command prompt in XP/Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8, and go to step 4 below.

3. Open Safe Mode with command prompt in XP/Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8, and go to step 4 below.

4. In the command prompt, type wmic and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

5. Type product get name and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will give you a list of program names installed on your computer to use in the next step. This list will not always have all of the programs listed in Programs and Features though.

6. Type in either command below using the exact name of the program (ex: Microsoft Silverlight) listed in step 5 above within quotes that you want to uninstall, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
(To be prompted Y/N to approve. Recommended)

product where name=”name of program” call uninstall


(To NOT be prompted Y/N to approve.)

product where name=”name of program” call uninstall /nointeractive



7. If prompted, type Y to confirm uninstalling the program, and press Enter. (see screenshot above)

8. When successfully uninstalled, you can close the command prompt. (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Uninstall, Change, or Repair a Program in Windows 7
• How to Uninstall or Change a Program in Vista
• How to Uninstall Programs and their Leftovers using Revo Uninstaller Freeware
• How to Completely Uninstall Avast Antivirus

 

[D3LL]

Very nice tutorial just tried this on a piece of software instead of the Programs and Features way . Worked like a treat!

 

[Dinesh]

Great tutorial Shawn. It will be helpful when dealing with viruses. I assume these commands will also work in Safe mode with command prompt?

 

[Brink]

Thank you Dinesh. Yep, it'll work in Safe Mode with command prompt as well.

 

[NtudaI]

when i type 'get product name' nothing happens is this because i didnt open it in safe mode?

 

[Brink]

Hello NtudaI, and welcome to Seven Forums.

No. You could do it in an elevated command prompt, or in Safe Mode w/command prompt. However, the command is product get name instead. Sometimes it may take a moment to see a list of installed programs if you have a lot installed.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[nooruddin76]

This was nice and easy.. thanks Shawn.. was able to see programs that were not even listed in the normal windows version

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[kaishra]

Hi, I've tried to follow the directions in your tutorial but when I enter product get name I get
Node - MININT-BIRNS7C
ERROR=
Description = Invalid class

any help would be appreciated as I can't get Windows to open
Thanks
Lauren

 

[Brink]

Hello Lauren, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Please go ahead and post screenshots showing all of this (program name and uninstall command) in the command prompt to see if it may help ID what the issue may be.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[kaishra]

Hi Brink, I'd love to but I can't My laptop was fine when I switched it off last night but ever since my husband tried to switch it on this morning I haven't been able to get into windows. There was an update done before I switched it off last night and as it usually does it's made it not work. When I get this fixed I'll be switching off the auto updates cause this happens every time, usually after I fiddle around with it for a while it starts working again but this time it's not

 

[Brink]

In that case, you might see if doing a system restore at boot using a restore point dated before this happened may be able to undo and fix it for you.

 

[kaishra]

yeah that was the 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th thing I tried, after trying startup repair. I'm trying to avoid wiping the whole system cause although I have a back up on an external harddrive I have a funny feeling there's some files on the laptop that were put on after the last backup. I've managed to get the computer to open in safe mode but it still wont open windows and when I try to get it to open in safe mode with the command prompt it hangs at avgidsha.sys which I've read is common so I'm trying to delete AVG completely via the command prompt in the hopes that it might restart

 

[Brink]

Unfortunately, you could only use this to uninstall programs in Windows and not at boot.

If all else fails, you could create a Live Peppermint DVD/USB to use to try and recover any files before reinstalling.

 

[kaishra]

THanks Brink, will that work without being able to get into windows?

 

[Brink]

You should be able to boot from it to access your files and back up to where you like.

 

[kaishra]

cool i shall give it a go, thanks

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went.

 

[kaishra]

all fixed It got a bit hairy when I skipped the line that said plug in the external harddrive and I tried to transfer the files to the usb stick but luckily i checked it on the other computer before i went any further, then of course the other computer couldn't see the external harddrive even though it always had before lol, it did eventually, all files are transferred, reinstalled windows and have spent the afternoon trying to get the internet working again, it is but I'm still not sure what I did to get it that way roflmao. Am finding it nice not to have to deal with the quirks that the company i got the laptop from put on it before i got it, bare slate my way Thank you so much for all your help.
Lauren

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Lauren. I'm happy to hear that you got it all sorted now.

I agree. I much prefer a clean install without all the factory bloat.