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As we all know, PC games take up a lot of hard drive space, and if you’re not playing them or have finished playing them, it’s best to uninstall them to free up some space. However, uninstalling games from Windows 11 can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to uninstall games on PC Windows 11 in multiple ways.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Uninstalling Games on PC Windows 11
Uninstalling games on PC Windows 11 is not as easy as it seems, and there are a few challenges that you might face. Firstly, if you uninstall games from the control panel, it might leave behind some files and folders that can occupy a lot of space. Secondly, Windows 11 has introduced a new feature called App Explorer, which lists all your installed apps and games. But, uninstalling games from App Explorer is a bit different compared to Windows 10 and the previous versions. Therefore, to help you overcome these challenges, we have prepared this comprehensive guide on how to uninstall games on PC Windows 11.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before starting with any of the methods, you should prepare a list of games that you want to uninstall, and make sure that you have the necessary information like installation date, game size, and so on. Secondly, it’s always a good idea to back up your game save files and settings if you want to reinstall the game in the future. Lastly, you should also consider using a third-party uninstaller tool if you want to remove all traces of the game from your system.
Method 1: Via the Control Panel
This is the most common way to uninstall games on PC Windows 11. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Apps from the left pane.
3. Click on Apps & features from the right pane.
4. Scroll down and find the game you want to uninstall and click on it.
5. Click on the Uninstall button.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game.
Pros:
– It’s a built-in feature of Windows 11.
– Easy to use.
– You can uninstall multiple games at once.
Cons:
– It might leave behind some files and folders that can occupy a lot of space.
– It doesn’t remove all traces of the game from your system.
Method 2: Via App Explorer
App Explorer is a new feature in Windows 11 that allows you to quickly find and uninstall apps and games. Here’s how you can use it to uninstall games:
1. Press the Windows key and click on the App Explorer icon.
2. Find the game you want to uninstall and right-click on it.
3. Click on Uninstall from the context menu.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game.
Pros:
– It’s a built-in feature of Windows 11.
– Easy to use.
Cons:
– It doesn’t remove all traces of the game from your system.
Method 3: Via Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is a powerful tool that can be used to uninstall games on PC Windows 11. Here’s how you can use it:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.
2. Type the following command: Get-AppxPackage *game* | Remove-AppxPackage (replace "game" with the name of the game you want to uninstall, without quotes)
3. Press Enter and wait for the command to finish.
Pros:
– It removes all traces of the game from your system.
– It’s a built-in feature of Windows 11.
– It’s fast and efficient.
Cons:
– It requires some knowledge of PowerShell commands.
Method 4: Via Third-party Uninstaller Tool
If you want to completely remove a game from your system along with all its files, folders, and registry entries, then using a third-party uninstaller tool is the best option. Here’s how you can do it using IObit Uninstaller:
1. Download and install IObit Uninstaller.
2. Launch the tool and select the game you want to uninstall.
3. Click on the Uninstall button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Pros:
– It removes all traces of the game from your system.
– It’s fast and efficient.
Cons:
– It’s a third-party tool, and you need to download and install it.
Why Can’t I Uninstall Games on PC Windows 11?
There could be several reasons why you’re unable to uninstall games on your PC running Windows 11:
1. The game is currently running in the background.
– Fix: close the game and try again.
2. The game is corrupt or damaged.
– Fix: try to repair the game using the game launcher or uninstall it using a third-party tool.
3. You don’t have the necessary permissions to uninstall the game.
– Fix: log in as an administrator and try again.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips that might help you uninstall games on PC Windows 11:
1. Use a third-party uninstaller tool to remove all traces of the game from your system.
2. Back up your game save files and settings before uninstalling the game.
3. Make sure that you have enough storage space before installing a new game.
5 FAQs about Uninstalling Games on PC Windows 11
Q1: Can I reinstall the game after uninstalling it?
A: Yes, you can reinstall the game after uninstalling it.
Q2: Will uninstalling a game delete my save files and progress?
A: It depends on the game. Some games delete the save files and progress when you uninstall them, while others don’t. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to back up your save files and settings before uninstalling the game.
Q3: What happens if I uninstall a game from App Explorer?
A: Uninstalling a game from App Explorer is similar to uninstalling it from the control panel. However, it might be a bit different in terms of the UI.
Q4: Can I uninstall multiple games at once?
A: Yes, you can uninstall multiple games at once using the control panel or App Explorer.
Q5: What should I do if I’m unable to uninstall a game?
A: If you’re unable to uninstall a game using the built-in tools, then you can try using a third-party uninstaller tool or Windows PowerShell to remove all traces of the game from your system.