Removing unwanted software from your computer is relatively straightforward, but it’s important to follow the steps below carefully.
Step 1: Uninstall Unwanted Programs
Start by opening the Control Panel in Windows and clicking on “Uninstall a program” to view all the installed programs on your computer. See which programs you no longer use or need and click “Uninstall” next to each one. You may be asked to confirm your choice before the uninstallation process starts. Some programs may ask you to accept an agreement or provide a product key before uninstalling the program.
Step 2: Remove Leftovers
Once you’ve uninstalled the unwanted programs, it’s important to remove all the leftovers. This can be done with a third-party software uninstaller, since Windows doesn’t clean up all the files these programs create. You can also manually check for leftover files in C:/Program Files/ and C:/Program Files (x86/). If you find any, delete them.
Step 3: Delete Unwanted Toolbars
If there are any toolbars or plugins you don’t want, delete them from your browser by going to the browser’s settings and clicking on “Extensions.” Select the unwanted plugin and click on “Uninstall.”
Step 4: Remove Registry Entries
After uninstalling the software, it’s important to remove any associated registry entries. To do this, open the Run window (Windows + R) and type “regedit” in the box. This will open the Registry Editor, where you can search for the name of the program you just uninstalled and delete the registry entries associated with it.
Step 5: Run a Scan
Finally, run a full system scan using a reliable antivirus program to make sure you’ve removed all traces of the unwanted software.
Following these steps should help ensure that you’ve successfully removed all unwanted software from your computer.