Forum Discussion
How to uninstall programs on windows 11 that cannot be uninstalled
I am unable to uninstall the Wallpapers Pack app on my Windows 11. The standard methods fail with errors, and the program does not appear in the uninstall tools I've tried. I believe I need advanced help to remove it manually or repair the installation.
I would like to safely and completely uninstall programs on windows 11 that cannot be uninstalled and all of its leftover files and registry entries from my system without causing stability issues. I am happy to provide any additional information or run specific diagnostic commands to help resolve this.
6 Replies
- SDGmanisonIron Contributor
Usually, you need a dedicated app uninstaller to remove stubborn apps that can't be uninstalled.
- DavidWilsonIron Contributor
Consequences of Not Uninstalling Programs on Windows 11 that Cannot be Uninstalled:
- Unused or unwanted apps occupy storage space, which can reduce available disk space over time.
- Some leftover or abandoned programs might become vulnerabilities if they are outdated, poorly maintained, or malicious.
- Excessive background processes or leftover files can slightly impact system performance or startup times.
- Having many unused apps can clutter your system, making it harder to find and manage programs.
- In rare cases, residual files or registry entries might conflict with other software or Windows updates.
How to uninstall programs on windows 11 that cannot be uninstalled?
Using a Batch Script to Force Delete Files and Registry Entries
1. Ends related processes
2. Deletes associated folders
3. Cleans registry entries
Example:@echo off
taskkill /IM "process_name.exe" /F
rmdir /S /Q "C:\Path\To\AppFolder"
reg delete "HKCU\Software\AppName" /F
reg delete "HKLM\Software\AppName" /F
pauseCaution: Always back up your registry before editing.
- WalterttorIron Contributor
As far as I know, certain apps install background services or processes that keep them running and prevent uninstallation under normal conditions. By starting Windows 11 in Safe Mode, only essential system processes are loaded, which stops most third-party apps and services from interfering. This makes it easier to uninstall stubborn programs that cannot be uninstalled.
Step 1: Press Win + I to open Settings. Go to System > Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
Step 2: After your PC restarts, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Step 3: On the Startup Settings screen, press 4 to boot into Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 4: Once in Safe Mode, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Control Panel > Programs and Features).
Step 5: Locate the problematic program and click Uninstall.
Step 6: If it doesn’t show up there, go to the program’s installation folder and run its uninstall.exe file (see Method 2).
You can also try using a third-party app uninstaller in Windows 11 for apps that can't be deleted, which works well in Safe Mode as well.
- PeterGreenIron Contributor
When a program like the Wallpapers Pack app refuses to uninstall through standard methods, manual removal can be effective but requires caution to avoid system issues. Here's a comprehensive guide to safely uninstall programs on Windows 11 that cannot be uninstalled:
Step 1: Identify the App and Its Files
Check Installed Location:
Right-click the Start button and select "Apps and Features".
Locate the Wallpapers Pack app.
If it is listed, try uninstalling again from there. If it still fails, proceed.Step 2: Use PowerShe11 to Remove the App
To uninstall programs on windows 11 that cannot be uninstalled. You can open PowerShe11 as Administrator:Right-click the Start button, select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "PowerShe11 (Admin)".
List installed apps:Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
Find the package related to the Wallpapers Pack.
Remove the app:Remove-AppxPackage -Package <PackageFullName>
Step 3: Manually Remove Files and Folders
Delete the app's folder(s) identified earlier.
Empty the Recycle Bin. - Hunter226Iron Contributor
Some programs that don't appear in Windows'Settings or Control Panel still include their own uninstallers. These uninstallers are usually placed in the same folder where the program was originally installed. Running this built-in uninstaller often works better than relying on Windows' tools, especially for apps that register themselves poorly in the system.
Steps to uninstall apps on windows 11 that can't be uninstalled:
1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
2. Navigate to the folder where the program is installed (commonly found in:
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)
or a custom location you chose during installation).
3. Look for an executable file named something like:
uninstall.exe
unins000.exe
4. Double-click the uninstaller file to run it.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the program completely.
6. Restart your PC (optional, but recommended) to make sure the removal is finalized.
By doing this, you don't need any app uninstaller for Windows 11.
- XollomIron Contributor
Unable to uninstall programs, especially pre-installed ones like wallpaper packs, is a common and frustrating issue on Windows systems. This error typically occurs when the program's installer metadata is corrupted or missing.
How to uninstall programs on windows 11 that cannot be uninstalled
- Download and open BCUninstaller
- Regular Uninstall: Locate Wallpapers Pack within the software, right-click and select Uninstall → Automatic. This performs a standard software uninstallation.
- Forced Uninstall: If regular uninstall fails or the program isn't found, click File → Force Removal → Create Rules for Current Running Process. After scanning, review the list and confirm deletion.
As a third-party tool, BCUninstaller is not only open-source and free but also supports both force uninstallation and standard uninstallation modes. It's simpler and more user-friendly than command-line operations.