The Programs and Features applet in Windows 10 and 11 isn’t the most thorough uninstaller utility in the world. It usually leaves behind leftover residual files and registry entries. Accumulated leftover files and registry keys from uninstalled software waste drive storage space. Show
There are a few ways you can erase the leftover remnants from uninstalled software on Windows. You can manually delete the leftover data and registry keys for programs you’ve removed. Or you can utilize third-party software that does it for you. This is how you can eradicate leftovers in Windows 11/10 manually and with some third-party tools. How to Delete an Uninstalled Software’s Folders From AppData and Program FilesAppData and Program Files and the two directories where you’ll usually find leftover folders from uninstalled software. AppData includes a Roaming subfolder for storing app data. Programs Files is a default installation folder for software where you’ll sometimes find leftovers. You can manually delete leftovers from uninstalled programs in those folders like this:
How to Erase Temporary FilesTemporary files from uninstalled software will often be left behind. The Temp folder includes that temporary data. This is how you can eradicate all temporary files in that folder:
How to Manually Delete Leftover Registry Keys for Uninstalled SoftwareAfter erasing leftover files for uninstalled software, you can turn to remove their remaining registry keys. This will involve manually looking for leftover registry remnants from uninstalled software and deleting them. We recommend you back up the registry beforehand as follows:
Now you’ve back-upped the registry, it’s safer to proceed with deleting keys left from uninstalled software. You can manually erase keys for uninstalled software like this:
How to Clean the Registry With CCleanerInstead of manually deleting leftover keys, you can utilize a third-party registry cleaner. Registry cleaners are good for erasing keys from obsolete (uninstalled) software. Utilizing a reputable registry cleaner to do the job for you is more straightforward and quicker. There are many third-party registry cleaners for Windows to choose from. CCleaner is a reputable system maintenance utility that incorporates a comprehensive registry cleaner. Admittedly, that software has had a few incidents in the past; but users rate it 4.3 (out of five) on Trustpilot. This is how you can erase registry entries for uninstalled software with CCleaner:
Now that CClearner is installed, it's time to use it:
CCleaner also has a file cleaner tool with which you can eradicate temporary file leftovers from uninstalled software. Select the Custom Clean tab, which includes a Temporary Files option. Click the Temporary Files checkbox under System, and press the Analyze button. Then you can select the Run cleaner option to erase the temp data.
How to Uninstall Software With IObit UninstallerIObit Uninstaller is a third-party uninstaller tool that provides an all-in-one solution for eradicating software leftovers. Unlike Programs and Features, that uninstaller includes a setting for automatically erasing residual files and registry leftovers. Thus, removing software with IObit Uninstaller will save you from needing to manually delete such remaining remnants. You can thoroughly remove software with IOBit Uninstaller in the following steps:
Now it's time to uninstall some programs:L=
You can also remove UWP apps from MS Store with IObit Uninstaller. To do so, select the Windows Apps tab. Then select a Windows or third-party app there, and click the Uninstall option for it.
To scan for leftovers from software previously uninstalled with Programs and Features, select the Software Health tab. Click the checkbox for the Uninstallation Leftovers option to select it, and press the Scan now button. Press Fix All to eradicate the remaining uninstalled software remnants found. Or you can click Details for the leftovers scan to select items manually.
Reclaim Drive Storage Space by Deleting Leftovers From Uninstalled SoftwareSo, don’t let leftover files and registry entries for uninstalled software waste your PC’s drive storage space any longer. You can free up some drive space by manually erasing leftover folders and temporary data in File Explorer and deleting obsolete registry keys. Or purge uninstalled software remnants with the IObit Uninstaller and CCleaner software if you prefer a more automated approach. How do I remove all traces of uninstalled programs?Type "%appdata%" into the search box and delete all related files. After deleting all the files, the software is totally removed on your computer. To ensure prompt and through uninstall of a software, you can also use a third-party uninstaller to help.
Why when I uninstall a program is it still in the registry?This is usually caused by a badly written program that doesn't properly uninstall itself. The entry is not removed from the registry and therefore remains in the list. If you try to uninstall it again, you'll most likely just get an error message.
How do I delete unwanted registry entries?More Information. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).. Locate the following key: ... . Locate the key to be deleted by locating the key name created by the program. ... . Using the Registry menu, export the selected registry key to make a backup. ... . Delete the selected registry key and its values. ... . Quit Registry Editor.. How do I remove the leftover files from uninstalled programs in Windows 10?Step 1: Launch Disk Clean-up and select 'Clean up system files'. Step 2: Select the drive and click on OK. Step 3: Wait for all the files to be removed. Using the above methods, you can clear all the residual files after uninstalling software on Windows.
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