How to uninstall a program permanently
While wandering through the “meanders” of your computer, you have noticed that there are still folders on your hard disk relating to programs that were uninstalled a long time ago. How is this possible? Obviously it is because you did not remove them properly and they left some annoying residual traces (which can sometimes be harmful).
Fortunately, it is possible to cope with this by using some tools provided by the OS itself, as well as software capable of perfecting the standard uninstall procedures and preventing the creation of those “residues” I mentioned earlier. They can be useful especially when dealing with antivirus, virtualization software and other very “heavy” programs that extend into various areas of the system.
Such solutions are useful both on Windows operating systems, on which the problem of “residual files” is well known, and on macOS. If you want to learn more and therefore wish to learn how to permanently uninstall a program, keep reading, you’ll find all the explanations you need right below.
Index
How to uninstall a program from your PC permanently
Uninstall a program permanently on Windows 10
Uninstall a program permanently on Windows 7
Official removal tools
Official removal tools
Third-party removal tools
Third-party removal tools
How to uninstall a program permanently from your Mac
Uninstall a program permanently on macOS
How to uninstall a program from your PC permanently
Do you want to find out how to uninstall a program from your PC permanently? Then stick to the instructions, related to Windows, that you will find below. As mentioned at the beginning of this guide, this can be done using the default tools of the operating system, but also using third-party tools.
Uninstall a program permanently on Windows 10
To uninstall a program permanently on Windows 10, all you have to do is click on the Start button (the one with the Windows flag) located at the bottom left part of the taskbar, right-click on the name of the application you want to remove present in the Start menu that opened and choose the Uninstall option from the context menu.
At this point, if it is an application downloaded from the Microsoft Store, confirm your intentions by clicking the Uninstall button in the additional menu that opened and the removal will take place instantly, while if it is a software installed in another way you will have to select the name again from the list in the window that opens, click the Uninstall or Uninstall/Change button and follow the proposed removal wizard.
In addition to as I have just indicated, you can uninstall a program permanently from Windows 10 by proceeding as follows: click on the Start button on the taskbar, select the Settings icon (the one shaped like a gear wheel) in the menu that opens and, in the window that appears on the desktop, click on the App item.
After you have gone through the above steps, select the Apps and Features item from the left sidebar and click on the name of the program you wish to remove in the list on the right, then press the Uninstall button twice in a row and stick to the uninstall wizard that is eventually proposed to you.
Uninstall a program permanently on Windows 7
If, on the other hand, you are interested in uninstalling a program permanently on Windows 7 or an older version of Windows, all you have to do is click on the Start button on the taskbar and select the Control Panel link on the right side of the Start menu that opens.
In the window that now appears on your desktop, select either the Uninstall a program or the Programs and Features link (depending on the type of view set via the View by dropdown menu in the upper right corner).
Now that you see the list of programs installed on your computer, click on the name of the one you want to remove and then press the Uninstall or Uninstall/Change button at the top. After that, the uninstall wizard should start, which usually consists of clicking on the Next and Next buttons.
Official removal tools
Official removal tools
If the standard procedure to permanently uninstall a program from your PC does not work, you should first look for official removal tools. Many “heavy” software, such as security suites containing antivirus, firewalls, etc., rely on ad hoc uninstallation tools that can be downloaded from the websites of the manufacturers and that allow you to uninstall the programs in question when the default removal procedure fails.
To find the right removal tool for you, do a Google search using keywords such as [name of program to uninstall] removal tool or [name of program to uninstall] uninstaller. If the search results include a link to the software’s official website or support forum with a removal tool, download the tool to your PC. In this regard, I recommend that you do not download supposed removal tools from third-party websites or programs that promise extreme system optimization. These are almost always unreliable software or even malware.
Once you have downloaded the tool, start it on your computer. Usually to use such tools you always need to click on the Next and Next buttons, but the procedure changes from software to software. If you want to get a better idea about how the removal tools of some well-known IT security solutions work, take a look at my tutorials regarding the uninstallation of Avast, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, McAfee and Norton.
Third-party removal tools
Third-party removal tools
If the program you cannot uninstall does not have an official removal tool, you can rely on a third party removal tool, such as Revo Uninstaller. Revo Uninstaller is a Windows software that scans your system and erases all traces of the programs you are uninstalling: residual files on your hard drive, registry keys and more. It is also available in a portable version and is free of charge, but it can also be used in some paid variants (with prices starting at $24.95), which allow you to get additional features.
To download Revo Unistaller on your PC, go to the program’s website and click on the Free Download button located at the top center, then press the Portable button located next to the Revo Unistaller Freeware heading.
Once the download is complete, extract the ZIP archive to a location of your choice and run the RevoUPort.exe executable contained within it. In the window that now appears on your desktop, click first on the Yes button and then on the OK button, then press the Options button located in the upper left corner, select Italian from the dropdown menu for choosing the language to translate the interface of the software into Italian and press the OK button to save the changes.
Now you are ready to take action! So, click on the Uninstaller button at the top of the Revo Unistaller window, click on the name of the program you want to remove from the list and click the Uninstall button at the top of the window, then click the Continue button on the new screen that appears, select how you want to scan for remaining traces, click the Yes button and complete the standard uninstall process of the selected program.
If you need to delete an application downloaded from the Microsoft Store, on the other hand, click the Windows Apps button located at the top of the Revo Unistaller window, select the name of the application you are interested in from the list and press the Uninstall button located at the top of the screen.
If you do not like the way Revo Unistaller works, you can consider using other tools for this purpose, such as the ones I have mentioned in my review dedicated specifically to uninstallers.
How to uninstall a program permanently from your Mac
Let’s now move on to the macOS side and let’s find out, then, how to uninstall a program permanently from your Mac. You’ll find all the directions you need right below.
Uninstall a program permanently on macOS
The standard procedure for uninstalling a program from macOS is disarmingly simple: all you have to do is access the Applications folder of your computer, via the Go menu in the top left corner, drag the icon of the application to be deleted onto the Trash icon in the Dock bar and empty the latter by right-clicking on it and selecting the Empty Trash item twice in a row.
Or, for software downloaded from the Mac App Store, just open the Launchpad, select its icon (the one with the space rocket) on the Dock bar, click on the cross that appears next to their icons after a long click and then on the Delete button.
Alternatively, you can turn to the tool for managing storage space on macOS. To use it, click on the apple icon in the upper left corner, select the About this Mac item from the menu that appears and, in the window that is shown to you, click on the Storage tab and the Manage button. In the additional window that opens, select the Applications item from the left sidebar, then the name of the application you want to remove and press the Delete button twice.
Even on macOS, some software, such as antivirus, dedicated virtualization solutions and graphics and photo editing programs, usually require a different uninstall procedure than the standard one to be removed.
More precisely, you need to use the official removal tools, which can be accessed directly from the menus of the programs or can be provided as a standalone application in the installation package of the software itself, and then follow the suggested removal wizard.
Unfortunately, the procedure varies from application to application and I can’t be very precise in my instructions, but if you are trying to uninstall an antivirus, virtualization software or another program that deeply affects macOS behavior, look for and select an uninstall item in its menu or in its .dmg package, then follow the removal instructions you see on the screen.
However, on the website of the developer you are interested in or its support forum you should find detailed instructions on how to find and download the official program removal tool and how to use it.
To permanently uninstall a program from Apple-branded computers, you can also consider using a third-party removal tool, such as the excellent AppCleaner. This is an application that scans your computer’s hard drive and manages to find all the files related to a certain software, thus allowing you to delete them with a single click and avoiding the risk of it leaving “orphan” files on your computer’s hard drive.
To download AppCleaner on your Mac, connect to the program’s official website and click on the first Version x.x link you find on the right, under the Download heading.
Once downloaded, extract the ZIP archive obtained in a location of your choice, drag the AppCleaner icon to the Applications folder of macOS, right-click on it and select Open twice in order to open the program while circumventing Apple’s restrictions on non-certified developers (this should only be done on first startup).
Now that you see the AppCleaner window on your screen, drag the icon of the software you are interested in to it and click on the Remove button. In some cases, you may be asked to enter the password of your macOS user account to complete the procedure. Remember to empty the macOS Recycle Bin to permanently delete all files removed by the program.
Alternatively, click on the icon with the bulleted list in the upper right corner of the AppCleaner window, select the name of the program you want to remove from the list and proceed in the same way as I have already explained.
To uninstall a program permanently on Windows 10, all you have to do is click on the Start button (the one with the Windows flag) located at the bottom left part of the taskbar, right-click on the name of the application you want to remove present in the Start menu that opened and choose the Uninstall option from the context menu.
At this point, if it is an application downloaded from the Microsoft Store, confirm your intentions by clicking the Uninstall button in the additional menu that opened and the removal will take place instantly, while if it is a software installed in another way you will have to select the name again from the list in the window that opens, click the Uninstall or Uninstall/Change button and follow the proposed removal wizard.
In addition to as I have just indicated, you can uninstall a program permanently from Windows 10 by proceeding as follows: click on the Start button on the taskbar, select the Settings icon (the one shaped like a gear wheel) in the menu that opens and, in the window that appears on the desktop, click on the App item.
After you have gone through the above steps, select the Apps and Features item from the left sidebar and click on the name of the program you wish to remove in the list on the right, then press the Uninstall button twice in a row and stick to the uninstall wizard that is eventually proposed to you.
Uninstall a program permanently on Windows 7
If, on the other hand, you are interested in uninstalling a program permanently on Windows 7 or an older version of Windows, all you have to do is click on the Start button on the taskbar and select the Control Panel link on the right side of the Start menu that opens.
In the window that now appears on your desktop, select either the Uninstall a program or the Programs and Features link (depending on the type of view set via the View by dropdown menu in the upper right corner).
Now that you see the list of programs installed on your computer, click on the name of the one you want to remove and then press the Uninstall or Uninstall/Change button at the top. After that, the uninstall wizard should start, which usually consists of clicking on the Next and Next buttons.
Official removal tools
Official removal tools
If the standard procedure to permanently uninstall a program from your PC does not work, you should first look for official removal tools. Many “heavy” software, such as security suites containing antivirus, firewalls, etc., rely on ad hoc uninstallation tools that can be downloaded from the websites of the manufacturers and that allow you to uninstall the programs in question when the default removal procedure fails.
To find the right removal tool for you, do a Google search using keywords such as [name of program to uninstall] removal tool or [name of program to uninstall] uninstaller. If the search results include a link to the software’s official website or support forum with a removal tool, download the tool to your PC. In this regard, I recommend that you do not download supposed removal tools from third-party websites or programs that promise extreme system optimization. These are almost always unreliable software or even malware.
Once you have downloaded the tool, start it on your computer. Usually to use such tools you always need to click on the Next and Next buttons, but the procedure changes from software to software. If you want to get a better idea about how the removal tools of some well-known IT security solutions work, take a look at my tutorials regarding the uninstallation of Avast, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, McAfee and Norton.
Third-party removal tools
Third-party removal tools
If the program you cannot uninstall does not have an official removal tool, you can rely on a third party removal tool, such as Revo Uninstaller. Revo Uninstaller is a Windows software that scans your system and erases all traces of the programs you are uninstalling: residual files on your hard drive, registry keys and more. It is also available in a portable version and is free of charge, but it can also be used in some paid variants (with prices starting at $24.95), which allow you to get additional features.
To download Revo Unistaller on your PC, go to the program’s website and click on the Free Download button located at the top center, then press the Portable button located next to the Revo Unistaller Freeware heading.
Once the download is complete, extract the ZIP archive to a location of your choice and run the RevoUPort.exe executable contained within it. In the window that now appears on your desktop, click first on the Yes button and then on the OK button, then press the Options button located in the upper left corner, select Italian from the dropdown menu for choosing the language to translate the interface of the software into Italian and press the OK button to save the changes.
Now you are ready to take action! So, click on the Uninstaller button at the top of the Revo Unistaller window, click on the name of the program you want to remove from the list and click the Uninstall button at the top of the window, then click the Continue button on the new screen that appears, select how you want to scan for remaining traces, click the Yes button and complete the standard uninstall process of the selected program.
If you need to delete an application downloaded from the Microsoft Store, on the other hand, click the Windows Apps button located at the top of the Revo Unistaller window, select the name of the application you are interested in from the list and press the Uninstall button located at the top of the screen.
If you do not like the way Revo Unistaller works, you can consider using other tools for this purpose, such as the ones I have mentioned in my review dedicated specifically to uninstallers.
How to uninstall a program permanently from your Mac
Let’s now move on to the macOS side and let’s find out, then, how to uninstall a program permanently from your Mac. You’ll find all the directions you need right below.
Uninstall a program permanently on macOS
The standard procedure for uninstalling a program from macOS is disarmingly simple: all you have to do is access the Applications folder of your computer, via the Go menu in the top left corner, drag the icon of the application to be deleted onto the Trash icon in the Dock bar and empty the latter by right-clicking on it and selecting the Empty Trash item twice in a row.
Or, for software downloaded from the Mac App Store, just open the Launchpad, select its icon (the one with the space rocket) on the Dock bar, click on the cross that appears next to their icons after a long click and then on the Delete button.
Alternatively, you can turn to the tool for managing storage space on macOS. To use it, click on the apple icon in the upper left corner, select the About this Mac item from the menu that appears and, in the window that is shown to you, click on the Storage tab and the Manage button. In the additional window that opens, select the Applications item from the left sidebar, then the name of the application you want to remove and press the Delete button twice.
Even on macOS, some software, such as antivirus, dedicated virtualization solutions and graphics and photo editing programs, usually require a different uninstall procedure than the standard one to be removed.
More precisely, you need to use the official removal tools, which can be accessed directly from the menus of the programs or can be provided as a standalone application in the installation package of the software itself, and then follow the suggested removal wizard.
Unfortunately, the procedure varies from application to application and I can’t be very precise in my instructions, but if you are trying to uninstall an antivirus, virtualization software or another program that deeply affects macOS behavior, look for and select an uninstall item in its menu or in its .dmg package, then follow the removal instructions you see on the screen.
However, on the website of the developer you are interested in or its support forum you should find detailed instructions on how to find and download the official program removal tool and how to use it.
To permanently uninstall a program from Apple-branded computers, you can also consider using a third-party removal tool, such as the excellent AppCleaner. This is an application that scans your computer’s hard drive and manages to find all the files related to a certain software, thus allowing you to delete them with a single click and avoiding the risk of it leaving “orphan” files on your computer’s hard drive.
To download AppCleaner on your Mac, connect to the program’s official website and click on the first Version x.x link you find on the right, under the Download heading.
Once downloaded, extract the ZIP archive obtained in a location of your choice, drag the AppCleaner icon to the Applications folder of macOS, right-click on it and select Open twice in order to open the program while circumventing Apple’s restrictions on non-certified developers (this should only be done on first startup).
Now that you see the AppCleaner window on your screen, drag the icon of the software you are interested in to it and click on the Remove button. In some cases, you may be asked to enter the password of your macOS user account to complete the procedure. Remember to empty the macOS Recycle Bin to permanently delete all files removed by the program.
Alternatively, click on the icon with the bulleted list in the upper right corner of the AppCleaner window, select the name of the program you want to remove from the list and proceed in the same way as I have already explained.