Solving the "Cannot Uninstall Program" Issue in Windows Server 2012/2016/2019

Windows servers are a bit different than your typical Windows operating system. They're geared more, or better suited, for server use. Your basic Windows operating system is better for everyday use, while a Windows server operating system will cost more and require higher-end hardware to run properly.

There is one issue that bothers both systems – the “can't install or uninstall programs” error, which is quite common in both operating systems. In this article, we will focus on Windows Server 2012/2016/2019, in particular.

5 Ways to Fix the "Program Can't Be Uninstalled" Error

Method 1: Uninstall with Administrator Privileges
Method 2: Use a Software Uninstaller Tool to Remove the Program
Method 3: Force Uninstall via the Registry
Method 4: Utilize Microsoft's Program Install and Uninstall Utility
Method 5: Perform Uninstallation through the Command Prompt (CMD)

Why can't I uninstall programs on my Windows server?

Well, there can be multiple reasons for this error, but usually, three main issues could be the root cause:

The first reason could be the lack of administrative privileges. We must understand that performing tasks such as deleting or granting permissions requires administrator access. Without these privileges, you won't be able to proceed with such operations. Another major reason could be that the program or file itself might be corrupted or malfunctioning. Errors during the installation or uninstallation process can damage a file, making it impossible to卸载 on a Windows server. The worst-case scenario could be a virus infection. You should check if your computer is infected with a virus. If so, it's crucial to fix it promptly. Otherwise, it could cause severe damage to your data and files.

For more about other Windows uninstall utilities, see .

Download Windows Installer Cleanup Utility

Are you looking for the official way to download Windows Installer Cleanup Utility? This article provides detailed information about the utility on Windows 7/10/11.

How to Fix the 'Cannot Uninstall Program' Error in Windows Server 2012/2016/2019

If you encounter this issue, don't worry. Just follow the methods we mention below to successfully uninstall the program. There are multiple ways to perform this task. Here they are:

Method 1: Gain Admin Privileges and Uninstall the Program

To uninstall a program, you need administrator privileges. Here's how to acquire them:

1. Click the "Start" button, and type "Server Manager." 2. Select "Server Manager" and click on it. This will open a dashboard page. 3. On the dashboard page, click on Tools, then choose Computer Management. 4. In the Computer Management window, locate and expand Local Users and Groups. 5. Click on Users. This will display a list of users. Right-click on the user you want to grant administrator privileges to. 6. Click on Properties. Navigate to the tab labeled Member Of. 7. Click on Add. 8. A window titled "Select Groups" will appear. Type 'Administrators' and then click OK. 9. Click Apply, followed by OK.

With these simple steps, you will have elevated permissions, and you should now be able to uninstall any file or program from your Windows Server.

Method 2: Uninstall the Program with a Software Uninstaller

If you don't want to go through the steps above, there's an easier way. You can use a third-party uninstall tool to remove programs with one click. Try Todo PCTrans Technician, which offers the best app management features to help you solve various file and program issues.

Some of the beneficial features make your life easier and things simpler. It can transfer a bulk of files with ease. It can even retrieve valuable data from a damaged system or a frozen computer, which is why it is considered to be the best application. Regardless of the level of Windows Server you use, the Todo PCTrans Technician tool is easily applicable and functions well.

Step 1: Select "App Manager," and click "Start" to safely uninstall your apps and fix corrupted apps.

Step 2: Choose the installed application that you wish to uninstall or repair. (If the uninstallation fails, click on the small triangle icon and select Delete.)

Step 3: Click "Uninstall." (If you want to repair the app instead, click the icon to the right of "Uninstall" and select "Repair.")

It's just to make things easier. It automatically transfers your files and settings to your new system. You can even迁移 your programs without installing them. And if you run into any issues, help is available around the clock with 24x7 customer service support.

Related article:

Method 3: Force Uninstall with the Registry

You can also use the Registry to remove items from the Uninstall list. The Registry is a powerful tool, and with just a few simple steps, you can:

1. First, you need to open the Registry Editor, which can be done by clicking on the Start menu. 2. Type in Run, then hit the Enter key. 3. In the box, type regedit, and press Enter again. 4. From here, navigate to the registry entry named: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. 5. At the bottom left, you'll see the "Uninstall" key expanded. 6. From here, right-click on any item or program you wish to uninstall or remove. Confirm deletion by clicking Yes. 7. After that, the selected program or file will be permanently removed or uninstalled from your system. 8. If you want to uninstall a program that won't uninstall normally, repeat these steps. Once done, close the Registry Editor.

Method 4: Use the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter

You can easily remove programs using the Microsoft Programs Install and Uninstall Utility. This is one of the simplest ways to uninstall programs from Windows Server 2012/2016/2019. Here are the steps to follow: 1. First, press the `Windows key + R` on your keyboard to open the "Run" dialog box. 2. In the "Run" dialog, type `appwiz.cpl`, then click "OK" or hit the Enter key. 3. This will open the "Programs and Features" window within the Control Panel. 4. In this window, you'll see a list of all the programs installed on your server. 5. Locate the program you want to uninstall and click on it. 6. After clicking, an uninstall option should appear above the program name. Click on the "Uninstall" or "Change" button (depending on the interface displayed). 7. Follow the instructions in the uninstall wizard that pops up, which usually involves confirming your choice and waiting for the program to uninstall. 8. Once completed, you may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully uninstall the desired program. If you encounter issues during the uninstallation process, you might need to use alternative methods, such as uninstalling through the Command Prompt or using a third-party uninstall tool.

1. Download and install the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Tool, then run it. 2. After opening the tool, click on Next on the first page. 3. There, select the option named Uninstall. 4. Now, you'll see a list of all programs installed on your computer. 5. From this list, choose the program you want to remove, then click on Next. 6. After clicking Next, the uninstallation process will begin. Once completed, the selected program will be successfully uninstalled.

Method 5: Using CMD

The Command Prompt is a convenient and powerful tool when performing such tasks. It offers you the flexibility to do anything you want within your system. You can also use the Command Prompt to uninstall or remove programs. Here are the simple steps you can follow to perform these tasks:

1. First, open the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, then hit Enter. 2. In the Command Prompt, type wmic and press Enter. 3. Next, type product get name and press Enter. This will display a list of all currently installed programs on your computer. 4. To uninstall a program, either confirm with Y/N or use the command product where name= "program name" call uninstall (replace "name of program" with the actual program's name). 5. After completing this step, you should see confirmation that the program has been successfully uninstalled.

Above are all the effective solutions to fix the issue of unable to uninstall programs on Windows Server 2012. If you want to know more or have any questions, please click the button to get help.

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Conclusion

In this article, we primarily discussed how to address the issue of being unable to uninstall programs or files from your computer. As mentioned earlier, you should verify if you have administrator privileges or if the file itself is corrupted. In many cases, your computer might be plagued by viruses, hence the importance of regular scanning.

Aside from that, we've also shown you five step-by-step procedures on how you can effectively deal with this problem. Using the Todo PCTrans Technician Tool is a better solution because it does it with just one click. But the choice is up to you since they all lead to the same result. We hope this article has been helpful. Have fun with your future adventures!