[Tip] How to Uninstall Modern Apps in Windows 10

Since the release of Windows 8 operating system, Microsoft has started working on a new type of apps which are known as modern (or metro / universal) apps. These apps are similar to the apps which are found in mobile phones.

Microsoft’s new OS Windows 10 also comes bundled with lots of new as well as updated modern apps such as 3D Builder, App Connector, Calculator, Xbox, Photos, etc. You can also install many other apps using Windows Store app.

Many Windows users may not like these extra and unnecessary apps and want to uninstall all or some of these preinstalled modern apps from Windows 10.

Advertisement

That’s why today in this tutorial, we are going to share different ways to uninstall and remove modern apps from Windows 10 operating system:

  • METHOD 1: Uninstall apps using Start Menu
  • METHOD 2: Uninstall apps using Settings
  • METHOD 3: Uninstall all built-in apps using PowerShell
  • METHOD 4: Uninstall all built-in apps using CCleaner (new*)

So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:

METHOD 1: Uninstall Apps Using Start Menu

You can quickly and easily uninstall modern apps using Windows 10 Start Menu. Just follow these simple steps:

Open Start Menu and if your desired app tile is pinned to Start Menu right-side list, then right-click on the tile and select Uninstall option.

If the app is not pinned, then click on All apps link and go to your desired app. Now right-click on the app and select Uninstall option.

Uninstall_App_Windows_10_Start_Menu.png

That’s it. It’ll immediately uninstall that app from your system.

Advertisement

METHOD 2: Uninstall Apps Using Settings

You can also uninstall apps using Settings in Windows 10:

1. Open Start Menu and click on Settings link. Alternatively, you can direct open Settings by pressing WIN+I keys together.

2. Now go to “System -> Apps & features” section.

PS: In newer Windows 10 versions, you’ll need to go to “Apps -> Apps & features” section in Settings app.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:appsfeatures” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. Select desired app and click on Uninstall button.

Uninstall_App_Windows_10_Settings.png

It’ll uninstall the app immediately.

METHOD 3: Uninstall All Built-in Apps Using PowerShell

Above mentioned methods will not be able to uninstall all built-in apps. Many apps such as Photos, Music, OneNote, Xbox, People, Camera, etc will not allow you to uninstall them using any of the above mentioned methods.

Actually Microsoft has restricted users from uninstalling these built-in essential apps in Windows 10. But you can try some advanced methods to remove all these built-in apps.

Take a look at following exclusive tutorial to learn how to remove default built-in apps in Windows 10:

[Guide] How to Remove All Built-in Apps in Windows 10

METHOD 4: Uninstall All Built-in Apps Using CCleaner

New versions of the popular data cleaning software CCleaner now allow you to uninstall any built-in app in Windows 10. You can check out following tutorial to learn more about it:

Easy Way to Uninstall Built-in Apps in Windows 10

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Thanks for this tutorial Vishal.

    Unfortunately it seems that some versions of Windows 10 may differ slightly as I discovered on my Windows 10 Home Edition. For example uninstalling apps from the start menu was not possible and the only options available in the right -click menu were ‘Pin to Start’ or ‘Pin to Taskbar’. No uninstall option exists.

    Likewise in the ‘System-> Apps & Features’ some apps had all options greyed out making uninstallation impossible via this method.

    However, I have now removed the majority that I don’t need so this tutorial was useful for removing those. 🙂

  2. Doa’h…! Sorry Vishal, I didn’t read it properly. As you correctly state some apps cannot be removed via the above top two methods. I feel so silly…..

  3. I don’t like Windows 10. I’m learning impaired. I get understand it. It took me over three days to understand it. My stress level went through the roof.

  4. problem is when you install the next build. all this comes back. and the apps you dont want, etc.

    am i right? im on fast ring

  5. The first three methods don’t work. Can confirm.

    Method 1: There is no option to uninstall these apps in the Start Menu
    Method 2: The uninstall button is greyed out and cannot be reactivated without hacking Windows
    Method 3: Powershell is useless. It doesn’t do anything.
    Method 4: The only hope. Trying it now.

  6. Method 4 doesn’t work either. CC Cleaner does not offer the option to uninstall Windows apps.

  7. Nevermind. Method 4 DOES work. It’s just that they hide the uninstall list under tools, and then it’s at the very top of the list on the left (not the default landing place for the tab). Microsoft REALLY doesn’t want you removing these things.. And that’s the best reason I can think of to want them gone.

  8. I wonder if CC Cleaner can delete the Details folder view out of Windows too, so Windows can stop forcing me back to it whenever it decides to randomly change my folder settings back to factory default.

  9. Vishal—
    In windows 10 1903, desktop search, via start menu or using search Icon, there is TOP APPS added. I have everything disable, history etc off, and yet, MS lists these icons(apps). There has to be a way to remove this..
    Now keep in mind , if you click the start menu logo, and type something and then backup and erase your typing to type something else, at that moment, TOP APPS shows up. Is there a tweak to stop this or does a DLL file have to be modded?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.