Fully Uninstall Programs on Windows, With No Leftovers
Removing an app from Settings usually gets rid of it, but its settings folders, scheduled tasks and startup entries can stay behind. Here's the right way, step by step, with Windows' own tools, and what you shouldn't touch.
Last updated: October 2026
Step one: the official uninstall
- 01
Remove it from Installed apps
Press the three dots next to the app, then “Uninstall”. This runs the app's own uninstaller, which knows what it installed.
Settings › Apps › Installed apps
- 02
Restart your PC
Some files are only removed after a restart because they were in use.
Step two: common leftovers
Open each of these in File Explorer (paste it into the address bar), and delete only the folder named after the app or its developer:
- %AppData%
- %LocalAppData%
- %ProgramData%
- C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86)
Step three: what runs in the background
- 03
Startup apps
If the app is still listed here, disable it.
Task Manager › Startup apps
- 04
Scheduled tasks
Some apps add a task that launches or updates them. Delete only the task named after the app.
Start › Task Scheduler › Task Scheduler Library
An app that won't uninstall?
Microsoft offers a free official tool for install and uninstall problems (Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter). Find it on Microsoft's support site, run it, and pick the app from the list.
What we don't recommend
- Registry cleaners: registry leftovers don't slow your PC, and deleting the wrong key can break other apps.
- Deleting folders you don't recognise, especially inside ProgramData or the Windows folder.
- “Force uninstall” tools from unknown sources.
And X TWEAKS PRO itself?
X TWEAKS PRO uninstalls from Installed apps like any app, and reverts its changes when it's removed. If you need any help, contact us and we'll walk you through it.
Questions gamers ask
Small folders and old keys don't affect speed. What actually matters is what runs in the background, like startup apps and scheduled tasks.
A cleaner PC, without the risk
X TWEAKS PRO cleans up and removes unneeded apps and their leftovers, and records every change so you can undo it in one click.