Removing Programs

By Wayne Maruna

    With apologies to my technically astute readers, I’m returning to the Windows 101 curriculum for this month’s article.  In my travels, I’ve come to realize that there are a significant number of computer users who have no idea how to remove installed programs.  No, sorry, this discussion does not include any unpopular federal programs.  I’m talking about computer programs that the user has determined he/she does not want and does not use. Often these programs (or applications if you prefer the term) seemingly appeared on their own, much like ants to a picnic.

    Many legitimate programs provide an uninstall option in the Start menu.  On everything but Windows 8, which we will cover later, click on the Start button, then Programs, and look down the list for the program you want to uninstall.  Usually that program appears in its own folder, and you need to click on the folder name to open up all available options.  If ‘Uninstall’ appears as an option, click it and follow the on-screen instructions.  If the option does not appear, you’ll have to go to the Control Panel which should appear as a clickable option on the right side of the Start menu.

Once you are in the Control Panel, the option you look for will depend on the version of Windows you are running. If running Windows XP, look for ‘Add/Remove Programs’. If running Windows Vista or Windows 7, look for ‘Programs and Features’. Depending on how your Control Panel view is set up, you may see ‘Uninstall a Program’ as a clickable link under ‘Programs and Features’.  If not, just click on Programs and Features and the uninstall option should appear.  Click on that option.  At that point, Windows does a roll call for all installed programs, and you may need to wait a couple minutes for all programs to roll out of their bunks and answer the call.  Once the list is complete, review it to find the program in question.  Click it to highlight it, then click on the Uninstall (or Remove) option and follow the prompts.

At this point I would like to issue a strong word of caution.  Once you have successfully removed the unwanted program, you may be filled with a new-found sense of power and tempted to go on a deletion spree.  This is where you can get yourself into deep trouble.  If you do not recognize a program in the list, leave it alone. Do not just assume it is unused and unloved.  But if you recognize a program that you know for a fact provides pounds of aggravation without an ounce of benefit, then delete it.  Just remember that unlike deleted files and folders that go off into the Recycle bin from which you have the opportunity for an un-do, once you have deleted a program, it would need to be reinstalled if deleted in error.

As for Windows 8, if the program in question is represented by a tile on the Start Screen, you can right-click the tile and choose Uninstall from the pop-up menu in the lower left screen corner.  However, similar to actors at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, not all programs are deemed worthy of their own tile on Microsoft’s Start Screen.  To get to the comprehensive program list, right-click on any open area of the tiled Start Screen and an All Apps button should appear in the lower right corner.  Click on that, and a full list of installed programs will appear. Once again you can right-click a program and choose Uninstall, or you can find Control Panel in the list of programs and open it to proceed as noted above.  (Late breaking news:  In Windows 8.1, you can get to All Apps by clicking on the circled Down Arrow at the bottom of the tiled start screen.)

If only all annoyances in life could be so easily deleted.  Delete that slow driver in my lane! Delete those Brussels sprouts from my plate!  Delete that Hummer-sized ‘spare tire’ from around my waist! Then again, maybe it’s a good thing that magic add/delete button does not exist.  I might be at the top of someone else’s Delete list.