Tutorials | How to safely uninstall a Windows Program

Publish date: 11th September 2005
Written by: MishY
Audience intended for: Windows Users

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Whenever possible it is usually best to remove a program using the "Add or Remove Programs" tool in Windows or the uninstallation utility provided by the software manufacturer.

Most software written for Windows installs more than just its program files on to your computer. They also install configuration data in the Windows Registry. The uninstallation process when done safely will remove the files and registry entries for you automatically.

This is the process you should use to uninstall a program using the Windows "Add or Remove Programs" tool.

1. Before proceeding it is important to save any work you might have open and close all programs that you are currently using.
2. Click the Start button, then Settings, then Control Panel.
   
   
   
   
3. Then from the Control Panel double click on the "Add or Remove Programs" button.
   
   
   
   
4. Then scroll through the list of installed programs to choose which program you want to uninstall. When you have found the program that you would like to uninstall left click the program name. (In the image below I have chosen to uninstall "RssBandit").
   
   
   
   
5. Then click the "Remove" button to start the uninstallation process. On earlier Windows versions this button is called the "Add/Remove".
6. The specific uninstallation process depends on the program that you are uninstalling. Often the uninstallation process looks very much like the installation process you used to originally install the software.
7. If you are asked whether you would like to remove any "Shared files" select No. Deleting shared files should only be used by advanced users. Choosing yes to the wrong files could make your system unstable.
8. Some programs may require you to reboot to complete the uninstallation process. If the uninstallation process says that you need to reboot do so. The reboot step is usually used to provide the uninstallation utility an opportunity to remove any remaining files from the programs installation.

Although the above process was written for XP & 2000 users the process is very similar using your Windows version.

• If you are using Windows 2000, or XP you will need to be logged in to an account with Administrative privileges.

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