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How to Remove Apps in Windows 8.1

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Every device running Windows 8.1 comes with a pre-installed apps. These apps usually consist of two types. First, there are the traditional applications the run on the Desktop. Desktop apps are what most users think of when someone says apps. That’s because until Windows 8, they were the only types of apps that users could install. An example of a Desktop app would be iTunes or Google Chrome.

Starting with Windows 8 and the free Windows 8.1 update, there’s a second set of apps called Windows Store apps. These are the apps that live on the Start Screen and have Live Tiles. They’re bold and colorful and stay updated with the latest information. Sometimes Desktop and Windows Store apps simply aren’t useful or don’t do exactly what you want them to.

Here’s how to remove apps in Windows 8.1 of the Desktop or Windows Store variety.

Windows Store Apps

Go to the Start Screen by pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard or by pressing the Windows button underneath your device’s screen.

How to Remove Apps in Windows 8 (1)

Now click on the arrow in the bottom left corner for a list of all installed if you’re using a laptop or desktop without a touch screen. If you’re using a touch screen place your finger anywhere on its display and swipe upward to reveal the list of installed apps.

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Find the app you’d like to uninstall. In our example, we’re uninstalling the Network Speed Test app. Mouse and keyboard users should click on the app they’d like to uninstall with the right button on their mouse to bring up a menu of options. Tablet and touchscreen users should simply tap their finger on the app they’d like to remove and hold it there for a few seconds.

Click or tap on the trash can icon in the bottom-left corner of the app bar labeled Uninstall.

How to Remove Apps in Windows 8 (4)

If you’d like to uninstall that app from any other Windows 8.1 tablets, laptops or desktops that it’s installed on, tap or click on the arrow labeled Uninstall from all my synced PCs. Doing this will cost you anything saved in that particular app, so be careful. Now Click Uninstall.

How to Remove Apps in Windows 8 (5)

Windows Store Apps

Go to the Start Screen by pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard or by pressing the Windows button underneath your device’s screen.

How to Remove Apps in Windows 8 (6)

Now click on the arrow in the bottom left corner for a list of all installed if you’re using a laptop or desktop without a touch screen. If you’re using a touch screen place your finger anywhere on its display and swipe upward to reveal the list of installed apps.

How to Remove Apps in Windows 8 (7)

Find the app you’d like to uninstall. In our example, we’re uninstalling the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard app. Mouse and keyboard users should click on the app they’d like to uninstall with the right button on their mouse to bring up a menu of options. Tablet and touchscreen users should simply tap their finger on the app they’d like to remove and hold it there for a few seconds.

Click or tap on the trash can icon in the bottom left corner of the app bar labeled Uninstall.

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By now you should see a pop-up in the Desktop interface with a list of desktop programs you have installed. Find the app you are looking to remove in the list again and click Uninstall.

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Now follow the prompts for uninstalling the particular app you’re trying to remove. These are different for every app so be sure to pay close attention.

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That’s how to remove apps in Windows 8.1. Be sure to only remove the apps you know you’re not going to use. Remember, any Windows Store app can be downloaded again.

 

 

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Claudette Andrie

    04/03/2014 at 1:35 am

    I have windows 8.1 but I don’t seem to have the “trash can icon in the bottom-left corner of the app bar labeled Uninstall”. I don’t understand why I don’t have this option. I’ve also pulled up control panel, uninstal program and tried finding the app in there to delete but can’t find the app their either. I want to delete the dropbox app off my PC. How do I do this?

    • Mike Forth

      04/03/2014 at 4:03 pm

      I have the same issue. But only on an App that says it is damaged.

  2. William

    05/31/2014 at 12:54 pm

    I have windows 8.1 but I don’t seem to have the “trash can icon in the bottom-left corner of the app bar labeled Uninstall”. I don’t understand why I don’t have this option. I’ve also pulled up control panel, uninstal program and tried finding the app in there to delete but can’t find the app their either.

  3. Travis Pope

    06/11/2014 at 10:14 am

    Looking into this issue for you guys right now.

  4. Dave

    08/11/2014 at 8:58 pm

    I have the same issue(no trash can with the damaged app)

  5. Freda

    04/24/2015 at 2:34 am

    Wonderful wonderful easy to follow instructions.

  6. Kevin

    06/05/2015 at 5:13 pm

    still no trash on windows 8.1

  7. upendra

    08/03/2015 at 8:56 am

    I have uninstalled my apps as above stated but still I see those apps on restarting my pc

  8. jim

    06/15/2016 at 9:05 am

    I need to free up disk space so I can upgrade to windows 10. This was no help. If you can’t help me, I will have to buy from another company.

  9. Kim

    06/28/2016 at 7:05 am

    Hi Travis,

    I’m actually having a different problem. When I touch the trash can icon, it does take me to the Control Panel…but the apps I’ve downloaded from the app store aren’t listed there. I don’t know how to get around this…can you help?

  10. pinkygirl10

    10/28/2016 at 10:25 pm

    actually you have to go to the search option and then you will be able to do that

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