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

Windows servers are a bit different from regular Windows operating systems. They're geared more, or you could say, targeted towards serving. While the base Windows operating system is better suited for everyday use, Windows server operating systems come at a higher price and require more high-end hardware to run smoothly.

A common issue that both operating systems face is the frequent occurrence of the "can't uninstall or install programs" error. In this article, we will particularly focus on Windows Server 2012/2016/2019 versions.

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

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

Why can't I uninstall programs on Windows Server?

Well, this issue could be caused by several factors, but typically, there are three main problems that could be the root cause:

• Firstly, you might not have administrative privileges. You see, performing tasks that require permissions, such as deleting or granting access, typically need administrator access. Without these privileges, you won't be able to carry out such operations.
• Another major reason could be that the program or file itself is corrupted or has failed. Numerous issues can arise during the installation or uninstallation process, which can lead to file corruption. This might prevent you from uninstalling a program on your Windows server.
• The worst-case scenario could be a virus infection. You should check if your computer is infected with a virus. If it is, address it promptly. Otherwise, it can cause severe damage to your data and files.

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

If you come across this issue, don't worry. You can uninstall the program successfully by following the methods mentioned below. There are several ways to perform these operations. Here they are:

Method 1: Uninstall the Program with Administrative Privileges

To uninstall a program, you need administrator privileges. Here are the steps to obtain them:

1. Click the "Start" button and type "Server Manager" in the search bar. 2. Select "Server Manager" and click to open it, which will launch a dashboard page. 3. On the dashboard page, click on "Tools" and then choose "Computer Management." 4. In the Computer Management window, locate "Local Users and Groups" and expand it. 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 "Properties." A new window will pop up; select the tab labeled "Member Of." 7. Click "Add." 8. A window titled "Select Groups" will appear. Type "Administrators" into the field and then click "OK." 9. Click "Apply," followed by "OK" again.

With these simple steps, you will have gained administrative privileges, and you can now uninstall any file or program from Windows Server that you wish.

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 these programs with one click. Try using the Todo PCTrans Technician tool, which offers the best app management features to help you solve various file and program issues.

Some useful features make your life easier and things less complicated. It can effortlessly transfer a large number of files. It can even retrieve precious data from a damaged system or a crashed computer, which is why it's considered the best app out there. Regardless of the level of Windows Server you use, Todo PCTrans Technician is easy to apply and works flawlessly.

Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I will do my best to help you translate it into Chinese.

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

Step 2: Choose the program that you want to uninstall or repair. (If the uninstallation fails, click the small triangle icon and then choose "Remove.")

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

It's just there to make your life easier, automatically transferring your files and settings to your new system. You can even move your programs without reinstalling them. And if you run into any problems, help is available around the clock with 24x7 customer support.

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Method 3: Force Uninstall via the Registry

You can also use the Registry to remove items from the uninstall list. The Registry is a powerful tool, and the process is straightforward:

1. First, you need to open the Registry Editor, which can be done by clicking on the Start menu. 2. Type in Run, then press the Enter key. 3. Input regedit in the box and hit Enter again. 4. From there, navigate to the registry entry named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. 5. At the bottom left, the "Uninstall" key will expand. 6. Right-click on any item or program you wish to uninstall or delete, confirm the 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 delete more items, repeat these steps. When finished, close the Registry Editor.

Method 4: Use the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Utility

You can easily uninstall 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. Follow these steps: 1. Open Control Panel: First, you need to open the Control Panel. Type "Control Panel" in the search bar and select the corresponding application. 2. Choose "Programs": In the Control Panel window, locate and click on "Programs" or "Programs and Features." 3. Uninstall a Program: In the "Programs and Features" interface, you'll see a list of all the installed programs on your server. Scroll down to find the program you want to uninstall and click on it. 4. Uninstall: After selecting the program, an "Uninstall/Change" option will appear. Click this option to initiate the uninstallation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation. 5. Confirm the Action: The system might prompt you to confirm if you want to uninstall the program. Make sure you have backed up all relevant data and then click "Yes" or "OK" to proceed. 6. Wait for Uninstallation to Finish: The uninstallation process may take some time, depending on the size and complexity of the program. Be patient and wait until the system notifies you that the uninstallation is complete. 7. Restart the Computer (if required): Some programs might require a restart after uninstallation for the changes to take effect. If prompted, follow the instructions to restart your computer. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully uninstall programs from Windows Server 2012/2016/2019. Please note that uninstalling certain system components or core applications might affect server functionality, so ensure you understand what you're uninstalling before proceeding.

Use the troubleshooter to install and uninstall programs

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

Method 5: Using CMD

The Command Prompt is a convenient and powerful tool when it comes to performing such tasks. It offers the flexibility to carry out any operation within your system. You can also use the Command Prompt to uninstall or remove programs. Here are some simple steps you can follow to accomplish these tasks:

1. First, open the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and 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 installed programs on your computer. 4. It's recommended to confirm the uninstallation with Y/N input, or you can use the command product where name= "Program Name" call uninstall (replace "Program Name" with the actual name of the program you want to uninstall). 5. After executing this command, you should see feedback indicating that the program has been successfully uninstalled.

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 presented you with five step-by-step procedures on how you can effectively resolve this problem. Using the Todo PCTrans Technician tool is a better solution since it does the job with just one click. But the choice is up to you since they will all produce the same result. We hope this article has been helpful. Have fun on your future endeavors.