To install and uninstall apps in Windows 10

Installing new apps and uninstalling apps you no longer need in Windows 10 is the most basic form of computer maintenance. Below we look at how to perform these two tasks when operating a Windows 10 device. In short, the process of installing or uninstalling apps in Windows 10 is as follows:

1. Find the search box in the taskbar, type Control Panel and select it from the results.
2. Select Programmes > Programmes and Functions.
3. Press and hold (or right-click) the programme you want to remove and select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

In this article we explain these steps in detail.

Before we get down to business

Windows 10 has a solid selection of built-in software, such as Microsoft Edge for browsing, but it's always good to install new third-party apps. They can do more tasks and have additional features.

At the same time, some apps may become outdated over time or cause conflicts on your device, and to free up storage space, it may be best to uninstall them. You can do this easily from Windows 10 itself.

Before you start, we recommend you read our article "Getting started with Windows 10" to familiarise yourself with the basics of the system. If you want to make sure you only install safe apps, take a look at our new guide Configuring Security in Windows 10.

How to install apps in Windows 10

There are two possibilities when you want to install new applications on your computer.

About the installer

If you have purchased a physical copy of software or downloaded an application from the Internet, you must use the installation programme that comes with it. This is an executable file (i.e. it has the file extension .exe) which, when started, installs the software on your computer.

Malwarebytes for Windows 10
In the installation programme you can configure the installation according to your wishes. With some developers you can determine the type of installation, the installation location and other options yourself. This varies from installer to installer.

Below you will find general instructions on how to install an application with an installer. As an example, we will install Malwarebytes.

1. Get the installer on your machine. If you have the physical copy of an application, install the CD/DVD or other medium on your device. Otherwise, download the installer from the Internet.
2. Find the executable file. This file usually has the word "Installer" in its name and has the file extension .exe. Once you have found it, double-click it to run it.
3. When prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to allow the installer to make changes to your machine.
4. Allow Windows 10 to extract the installation files and start the installation wizard. Depending on the application you are installing and your device, this may take some time.
5. Follow the instructions of the installation programme on the screen. You can continue by pressing the [Next] button. When you see this option, make sure you customise your installation.
6. You can change the installation location by clicking the Browse button if the installer gives you the option. Simply navigate to the desired folder on one of your drives and press OK. Always make sure that there is enough space on the drive where you want to install.
7. Accept the licence conditions and click on the Install button.
8. In some cases you may need to restart your computer before you can use the application. A prompt appears where you can choose whether you want to restart immediately or restart manually later.

About the Microsoft Store

For added security, you can get apps and games from the Microsoft Store. Search for free and paid apps, check their popularity and ratings, and download them to your device. Apps you get from the Microsoft Store are also automatically updated so you always have the latest features.

Microsoft Store for Windows 10

Find out how to download the different apps available.

1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Scroll down the list of apps and select Microsoft Store.
3. Visit the Apps or Games tab in the Microsoft Store and start browsing. If you want to see more than one category, select Show all at the end of the row.
4. Select the application or game you want to download and then click the Retrieve button. This will start the download of the software.
5. Click the Install button to install the software application.
To uninstall apps in Windows 10

Uninstalling apps in Windows 10

1. Click on the Start menu in the taskbar. This icon shows the Windows 10 logo. If you are not familiar with the Windows 10 interface, we recommend that you read the article Getting started with Windows 10 on our website.
2. Click on the Settings icon. You can also use the key combination Windows + I to reach this application more quickly.
3. Click on the Apps tile.
4. In the left pane, go to Apps and Features. You should see a list of apps currently installed on your computer that can be detected by Windows 10.
5. Select the app you want to uninstall by clicking on it once. Now you can click on the Uninstall button.
6. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm your choice and open the help wizard. This opens in a new window. Please note that you can only uninstall one app at a time.
7. If User Account Control (UAC) prompts you, click Yes to allow the uninstaller to make changes to your machine.
8. Follow the developer's instructions on the screen. In some cases, you have the option to save the configuration files on your device in case you want to install the same application again in the future. Continue with the "Next" button, similar to installations.
9. Wait until the uninstallation is complete. This may take a few minutes depending on the application you are removing and your device.

Do you have any questions?

We hope that this article was able to help you with the installation and uninstallation of apps in Windows 10. If you need further assistance, our customer service will be happy to help you if you have any problems.

Remember that you can always read a little more about Windows 10 on our website or on the manufacturer's website.

Write us a comment or give us a call.

Yours sincerely,

Your Licendi team.