Title: 7 Effective Steps to Uninstall Windows Apps Using PowerShell
Introduction
Have you ever faced difficulty when trying to uninstall a stubborn app on your Windows computer? Fret not, as PowerShell comes to your rescue! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into how to use PowerShell to uninstall windows apps with ease. Get ready to unleash the power of this hidden gem in Windows and enhance your software management skills.
What is PowerShell?
PowerShell is NOT your typical Command Prompt in Windows, it is a _configuration management framework_ and _task automation scripting tool_ designed for advanced users. With the integration of the .NET framework, PowerShell enables system administrators and developers to effectively manage Windows environments and automate complex tasks, including app installation and removal.
In this article, we will focus on how to uninstall windows apps using PowerShell by following seven effective steps. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator
Before you can wield the powers of PowerShell, you must first run it as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the ‘Start’ button and choose ‘Windows PowerShell (Admin)’. This will grant you the necessary privileges to perform advanced tasks, such as uninstalling applications.
Step 2: Understand the Key Cmdlets
_Cmdlets_ are the functional units in PowerShell, designed to perform specific tasks. The primary cmdlets we’ll be using for our purpose are:
– `Get-AppxPackage`: This cmdlet retrieves a list of installed apps on your system.
– `Remove-AppxPackage`: This cmdlet uninstalls an app based on its package identity.
– `Get-AppxProvisionedPackage`: This cmdlet fetches provisioned apps across all user accounts.
– `Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage`: This cmdlet uninstalls the provisioned app for a user account.
Step 3: List Installed Apps
Using the `Get-AppxPackage` cmdlet, you can generate a list of all installed apps on your system. Enter the following command in PowerShell:
“`
Get-AppxPackage | Select-Object -Property Name, PackageFullName, PublisherId
“`
This will display a concise list with an app’s name, package full name, and publisher ID – vital information you’ll need to uninstall the target app.
Step 4: Identify the Target App
Scan the generated list to spot your troublesome app. Make a note of its _PackageFullName_ as you’ll require it in the next step.
For instance, if you want to uninstall the “3D Builder” app, the corresponding PackageFullName is “Microsoft.3DBuilder_17.2009.31277.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe”.
Step 5: Uninstall the App for the Current User
Now that you have identified the target app, use the `Remove-AppxPackage` cmdlet to initiate the uninstallation process. Type the command below and replace ” with the PackageFullName obtained in Step 4:
“`
Remove-AppxPackage -Package
“`
Following our example, the command will look like this:
“`
Remove-AppxPackage -Package Microsoft.3DBuilder_17.2009.31277.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
“`
Hit ‘Enter’, and watch as PowerShell works its magic, removing the app from your system.
Step 6: Uninstall Provisioned Apps for All Users
In some situations, the app you want to remove might be provisioned across multiple user accounts. To uninstall these apps, you need to employ the `Get-AppxProvisionedPackage` and `Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage` cmdlets.
First, run this command to list all provisioned apps:
“`
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Select-Object -Property DisplayName, PackageName
“`
If your target app is present in the generated list, use the following command to uninstall it for all users. Replace ” with the appropriate value:
“`
Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName
“`
Step 7: Verify App Uninstallation
At this juncture, you’ve successfully uninstalled the desired app using PowerShell. To confirm its removal, repeat Step 3 to generate a new list of installed apps. If everything went smoothly, your target app should no longer appear on that list.
Conclusion
_Uninstalling windows apps using PowerShell_ offers an advanced and efficient method to manage your software, especially when dealing with obstinate apps. By following the seven steps outlined above, you can master the art of app removal and take full control of your Windows environment. Happy uninstalling!
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How do I delete all Microsoft Apps in PowerShell?
If you want to delete all Microsoft Apps using PowerShell, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open PowerShell with administrator privileges. You can also search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu, right-click on it, and choose “Run as administrator.”
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command to get a list of all installed Microsoft Apps:
“`
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.PublisherId -eq ‘8wekyb3d8bbwe’}
“`
Press Enter to execute the command, and you will see the list of all Microsoft Apps installed on your computer.
3. Now, to uninstall all the listed Microsoft Apps, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.PublisherId -eq ‘8wekyb3d8bbwe’} | Remove-AppxPackage
“`
Please note that this command will remove all Microsoft Apps for all users on the computer. Some essential apps, like Microsoft Store, may also be removed, and you may need to reinstall them later.
Also, keep in mind that PowerShell commands can be powerful and may cause unintended consequences. Be cautious when executing commands, and always make sure to backup your data before making significant changes to your system.
How do I Uninstall Apps on Windows 11 PowerShell?
Uninstalling apps on Windows 11 using PowerShell is a powerful and effective method, especially when you want to remove built-in or stubborn applications. Follow these steps to uninstall apps using PowerShell on Windows 11.
1. Open PowerShell: Right-click on the Start button and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” from the context menu. In the terminal, type “powershell” and press Enter to switch to PowerShell mode.
2. List installed apps: To view a list of installed apps, enter the following command:
“`
Get-AppxPackage | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName
“`
This will display a list of all installed apps, including their names and package full names.
3. Find the app to uninstall: Look for the app you want to uninstall in the list and take note of its PackageFullName. You can also filter the results by entering:
“`
Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName
“`
Replace “AppName” with part of the name of the app you are looking for (case-insensitive).
4. Uninstall the app: To uninstall the app, use the following command:
“`
Get-AppxPackage *PackageFullName* | Remove-AppxPackage
“`
Replace “PackageFullName” with the full name of the app package you copied earlier. This command will uninstall the specified app from your system.
Please note that uninstalling built-in or system apps can cause issues on your system. Always make sure you know the purpose of an app before uninstalling it. Additionally, some apps cannot be uninstalled using this method, as they are essential for system functionality.
In summary, PowerShell allows you to quickly and effectively uninstall apps on Windows 11, giving you greater control over your system’s installed applications.
How do I Uninstall Windows Apps from command line?
To uninstall Windows apps from the command line, you can use Windows PowerShell. This powerful tool allows you to manage and automate tasks on your computer. Follow these steps to uninstall Windows apps using PowerShell:
1. Press Win+X to open the Power User menu, and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or PowerShell. This will launch the PowerShell window.
2. Before uninstalling any app, you need to find its PackageFullName. To do this, enter the following command and press Enter:
“`powershell
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName
“`
This will display a list of installed apps with their respective PackageFullNames.
3. Identify the PackageFullName of the app you want to uninstall. Then, use the following command to uninstall the selected app:
“`powershell
Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers
“`
Replace “ with the actual PackageFullName of the app you want to remove. For example, to uninstall Microsoft Solitaire Collection, the command would look like this:
“`powershell
Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.9.4286.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
“`
4. Press Enter to execute the command, and the selected app will be uninstalled.
Remember that uninstalling built-in Windows apps might cause issues with your system. If you’re unsure about removing an app, it’s better to avoid uninstalling it.
How do I remove Windows 10 Apps from all users PowerShell?
To remove Windows 10 Apps from all users using PowerShell, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu. This will open an elevated PowerShell prompt with administrative privileges.
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command to get a list of all installed apps for all users:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers
3. Look for the app you want to remove, and note its PackageFullName in the list.
4. To uninstall the app for all users, type the following command, and replace “PackageFullName” with the actual package name you noted in step 3:
Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Package "PackageFullName"
5. Press Enter to execute the command. The app will be uninstalled from all user accounts on your system.
Keep in mind that while this method allows you to uninstall default Windows 10 apps, some essential system apps cannot be removed using this approach. Always be cautious before uninstalling an app to avoid causing issues with your system.
How can I uninstall default Windows apps using PowerShell commands?
To uninstall default Windows apps using PowerShell commands, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or right-click on the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open a new PowerShell window with administrative privileges.
2. Type Get-AppxPackage to get a list of all installed Windows apps, including default applications.
3. Identify the name of the app you want to uninstall from the list. The name will be listed under the PackageFullName column. For example, if you want to uninstall the “Microsoft.WindowsMaps” app, take note of its full package name.
4. To uninstall the specific app, run the following command:
Get-AppxPackage -name [PackageName] | Remove-AppxPackage
Replace [PackageName] with the full package name you identified in step 3. For example:
Get-AppxPackage -name Microsoft.WindowsMaps | Remove-AppxPackage
5. Press Enter to execute the command. The app should now be uninstalled. Remember that some default apps can’t be removed due to restrictions set by Microsoft.
Please note that reinstalling some uninstalled default apps may require additional steps or downloading them from the Microsoft Store.
What are the most common PowerShell commands for uninstalling pre-installed Windows apps?
The most common PowerShell commands for uninstalling pre-installed Windows apps are:
1. Get-AppxPackage: This command retrieves a list of all installed apps on your computer. You can use it to identify the full package name of the app you want to uninstall.
2. Remove-AppxPackage: This command uninstalls an app by its package name. You must supply the full package name as a parameter.
To uninstall a specific pre-installed Windows app, follow these steps:
1. Open PowerShell with administrator privileges by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. Find the package name of the app you want to uninstall using Get-AppxPackage. For example, if you want to uninstall the Mail app, run the following command:
“`
Get-AppxPackage *mail*
“`
3. In the output, locate the PackageFullName property, which is the full package name you need.
4. Use the Remove-AppxPackage command to uninstall the app, replacing “PackageName” with the full package name obtained in step 3. For example:
“`
Remove-AppxPackage PackageName
“`
After running this command, your selected app should be uninstalled successfully.
Are there any risks or precautions to consider when uninstalling Windows apps through PowerShell?
Yes, there are some risks and precautions to consider when uninstalling Windows apps through PowerShell. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
1. Administrator privileges: Using PowerShell requires administrator privileges. Make sure you understand the consequences of running commands as an administrator before proceeding.
2. Accidental deletion: PowerShell commands can be very powerful, and if used incorrectly, it could lead to accidental deletion or modification of system files, causing potential harm to your computer. Always double-check the commands you input to ensure they are targeting the desired app.
3. System stability: Uninstalling built-in Windows apps using PowerShell may cause system instability as some apps are tied to essential system functions. Research each app individually to understand the potential ramifications of its removal.
4. Updates and reinstallations: After uninstalling an app through PowerShell, it may still reappear after a Windows update. It is important to monitor the apps on your system after updates to ensure that any unwanted apps remain uninstalled.
5. Backup and Restore: Before attempting to uninstall any apps using PowerShell, create a system restore point or backup your data. This precaution guards against potential data loss and allows you to revert to a previous state if necessary.
In conclusion, removing Windows apps through PowerShell should be approached with caution. Understanding the risks and taking necessary precautions will help ensure successful uninstallation without compromising your system’s functionality or stability.