How to Force Uninstall Software That Won't Uninstall (8 Ways)

Most of the time, installing programs on Windows goes smoothly. However, there may be times when an installed program seems impossible to remove. If this is the case, don't worry.

With a few quick and easy tools, you can remove software that's unremovable from your device. Keep reading to learn more and fix the issue.

1. Method 1: Uninstall the App Using Task Manager
2. Method 2: Use a Free Program Uninstaller
3. Method 3: Uninstall the App in Safe Mode
4. Method 4: Restart the Windows Installer
5. Method 5: Use the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter
6. Method 6: Remove the App's Registry Entry
7. Method 7: Force Uninstall the App Through the Registry Editor
8. Method 8: Force Uninstall the App Through Command Prompt

Method 1: Closing the App via Task Manager

If the program's process is still running in Task Manager, you won't be able to uninstall it. In this case, end the process in Task Manager first, then uninstall the application.

1. Press "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" to open Task Manager.

Step 2: Right-click the program you want to uninstall and select "End task."

Step 3: Try uninstalling your program again after closing Task Manager. You can also try restarting the Windows Explorer process to see if that helps.

Method 2: Use a Free Program Uninstaller Tool

Another quick and easy way is to use a third-party uninstall tool. A great one you can use is Todo PCTrans. This software is very convenient, and it has a free feature that can help uninstall a program that won't uninstall in seconds.

Aside from its many features, one useful aspect of this software is its ability to fix programs that are not running properly on your device.

Here are the steps for the uninstallation process that you can follow:

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

（The image displays an application management interface with app icons, names, and related operation options.）

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

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

You can download it conveniently by clicking on the button here.

Method 3: Uninstall the app in Safe Mode

It can also be difficult to uninstall a particular program if other apps or processes are running on your device. This can be resolved by using the Safe Mode option, which starts Windows with only the basic apps and drivers needed to run the operating system.

Step 1. Press the "Windows" + "I" keys to open "Settings." In the left pane, select "System" and navigate to the "Recovery" section.

Step 2: Click on the "Restart now" button next to "Advanced startup." A new dialog box will appear. Click "Restart now" again. Another window will open, and from there, you can select "Advanced options" from the "Troubleshoot" menu.

Step 3. Click "Startup Settings," then select "Restart." In the next window, press "4" or "F4" to start in Safe Mode. Try uninstalling the program again once your computer has booted into Safe Mode. You can turn off Safe Mode by restarting your device.

This is a screenshot of the "Windows Safe Mode" screen. In a Chinese context, it is commonly referred to as "Windows 安全模式".

Method 4: Restart the Windows Installer service

The Windows Installer service helps with both the installation and uninstallation of programs. Thus, if it gets disabled or malfunctions accidentally, it might cause issues with your system's ability to uninstall programs. If that's the case, you can easily fix any program uninstallation by restarting or reinstalling the Windows Installer.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open Run, then type services.msc.

Step 2: Right-click the Windows Installer service, and then select Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: Next, click "Stop" and then "Start." Make sure the Startup type is set to "Automatic."

Step 4: Apply the changes and close the window.

If the program still will not uninstall through this process, try to reinstall the Windows Installer service.

Step 1: Type cmd in the Windows search bar, then click "Run as administrator" to open the Command Prompt.

< b >Step 2.< /b > Type < strong >msiexec /unreg< /strong > and press "Enter" to execute the command.

3. Type msiexec /regserver to run the command.

You can close the Command Prompt window, and then proceed with the uninstallation to see if that helps.

Method 5: Use the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter

The Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter is a utility on Windows that comes in handy for dealing with software that won't uninstall on your device. Here's how to use it:

Step 1: If you don't have this tool, download the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter on your computer. Run the tool and click Next.

Step 2: Choose "Uninstall" from the two options that appear on the screen.

A new window will open from which you can select the program you want to uninstall. Click “Next.” If your program is not listed, select “Not Listed” and click “Next.” You will then be able to search for the program you need to uninstall.

Click “Yes,” and then follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program. This process is complete when you see a confirmation message.

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The following three methods, if performed incorrectly, can result in data loss or system damage. Proceed with caution.

Method 6: Remove the program's registry keys

Normally, when you uninstall a program from your computer, its associated registry keys are deleted as well. If this doesn't happen, you can delete them manually.

Try performing this method while logged in to Windows as an administrator. Once the registry issues are fixed, you should be able to proceed with the uninstall. Here's how:

‹ Step 1 › Launch the Run box and type regedit.

<Step 3> Right-click the key you want to delete and select “Delete.”

Also, you could try to fix broken registry items and then see if you can uninstall the program.

Method 7: Force Uninstall an App Using the Registry Editor

Another similar method is to remove any unnecessary programs through the Registry Editor.

Step 1: Press the "Win" + "R" keys to open the "Run" dialog box. Type Regedit to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Uninstall.

Step 3: In the "Uninstall" folder, find the program you want to remove. Right-click on it, then select "Delete." Confirm by clicking "Yes."

Finally, restart your computer to check if the uninstallation process was successful.

Method 8: Force Uninstall an App Using the Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is useful for fixing damaged files or even configuring settings on your computer. It can also permanently delete any programs on your device, though.

Step 1. Type CMD in the Windows search bar, and open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: Type wmic, then press "Enter." Type product get name, then press "Enter" again. This will display a list of programs installed on the computer.

Step 3: Type the command product where name="program name" call uninstall, and then press Enter.

(Replace "name of the program" in the above code with the actual name of the program you want to remove.)

4. Press “Y” to continue, and then restart your computer when it's done.

You can try any of the above methods or use convenient tools like Todo PCTrans to safely and quickly force uninstall programs or software on your computer.

We also have a guide for users with Windows Server 2012/2016/2019 on how to fix uninstallation issues.

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

Fix: Can't Uninstall Programs on Windows Server 2012/2016/2019

For some users, it can be frustrating when they can't uninstall programs on Windows Server. Thus, in this simple guide, we offer you practical solutions to this issue on Windows Server 2012/2016/2019. Read More >>

Why can't I uninstall my application?

There can be various reasons why an application fails to uninstall. Here are some common causes that might prevent your program from being uninstalled: 1. **Running Process**: The application might still be running in the background, which prevents you from removing it. Close all instances of the app and try again. 2. **Corrupted Installation**: The installation files could be damaged or corrupted, making it difficult for the uninstaller to function properly. 3. **System Permissions**: Insufficient permissions might be hindering the uninstall process. Try running the uninstaller as an administrator. 4. **Third-party Uninstaller**: Sometimes, using a third-party uninstall tool can cause issues. If you used one, try the default Windows uninstall utility instead. 5. **Registry Issues**: Malfunctioning or incorrect entries in the Windows Registry can block the uninstallation. 6. **Incompatible Software**: Conflicts with other installed software may interfere with the uninstallation. 7. **Missing Files**: If files related to the application have been deleted or moved, the uninstaller may not work correctly. 8. **Antivirus or Firewall**: Your antivirus or firewall software might be blocking the uninstall process, thinking it's a potential threat. 9. **Update/Upgrade in Progress**: If an update or upgrade is in progress, the uninstallation might not be possible. 10. **System Errors**: General system errors or instability can also contribute to the issue. To resolve these issues, you can: - Restart your computer and try again. - Use the built-in 'Programs and Features' in the Control Panel. - Run a system file checker scan (SFC /scannow) to fix corrupted system files. - Use the 'Uninstall' option from the app's own folder in the Program Files directory. - Employ a third-party cleaner tool like CCleaner to remove leftover files and registry entries. - In extreme cases, you may need to perform a clean boot or seek professional assistance. Always make sure to back up important data before attempting any troubleshooting steps.

• Running processes
• Permission issues
• Problems with Windows service installation
• Damaged registry entries
• Incomplete previous uninstallation
• Interference from antivirus software

The information on this page might be helpful to other users as well. Don't forget to share it on social media so that others can also uninstall apps that won't uninstall.

Conclusions

Next time you encounter an app that won't delete, you know what to do. Depending on the reason behind the issue, any of the methods discussed above might come in handy. Plus, opting for a quick fix is always important, and for this, tools like Todo PCTrans with its advanced features become a lifesaver.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uninstalling Irremovable Software in UTF-8 Encoding

Here are some common questions. If you have more queries on the same subject, you can refer to:

How do I remove all traces of a program that has been uninstalled?

You can completely remove an uninstalled program from Windows by doing either of the following:

1. Manually remove leftover files of the software after uninstallation.

2. Use a third-party program to remove the remaining traces.

2. Can I uninstall Office 365?

Yes, you can quickly uninstall Office 365, depending on the type of installation. The most common types are Click-to-Run or Microsoft Windows Installer. In these cases, you can卸载 Office 365 through the Control Panel.

3. Can you delete hidden apps?

You can permanently remove it from your Windows device by searching for hidden apps in the Control Panel and selecting the desired app from the list of installed programs.