How to Uninstall Software via CMD

Uninstalling programs through the Command Prompt (CMD) can be a powerful method, especially when you can't access the standard Windows settings or need to automate the process. Whether you prefer using text-based commands or need a quick solution to remove software from your system, this guide will show you the steps to uninstall programs from Windows 10 and 11 using the Command Prompt.

Prerequisites:

Before proceeding with uninstalling software via CMD, ensure that you have:

• Administrative privileges on your Windows PC.
• Access to Command Prompt: You will need to run it as an administrator for successful uninstallation.

Method 1: Use winget Command Line Tool

If you installed the software using winget, it’s easy to uninstall it with the same tool.

Step 1: Open CMD as Administrator

Make a right-click on the Start button and choose Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2: List Installed Applications

To view all installed applications, run:

winget list

For example: winget uninstall Google.Chrome

Step 3: Run Command to uninstall the program

To uninstall an application, use the following command:

winget uninstall <software_name>

For example: winget uninstall Google.Chrome

Method 2: Using Chocolatey

If you installed the software using Chocolatey, you can also use Chocolatey to uninstall it.

Step 1: Open CMD as Administrator

Right-click on Start and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2: Uninstall the Software

Run the following command to uninstall the software:

choco uninstall <software_name>

For example: choco uninstall googlechrome (uninstall Google Chrome)

Method 3: Using WMIC

wmic (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) is a tool that allows you to manage various aspects of the Windows system, including software uninstallation.

Step 1: Open CMD as Administrator

Right-click on Start and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2: Open the List of Installed Software

Run the following command to list installed software:

wmic product get name

Step 3: Uninstall the desired program

To uninstall the software, run the following command:

wmic product where name="<software_name>" call uninstall

For example, to uninstall Google Chrome, run the following command:

wmic product where name="Google Chrome" call uninstall

Note: You can verify by checking if the software still appears in your list of installed programs.

Conclusion

Uninstalling software via CMD is a convenient and efficient way to remove unwanted programs, especially when traditional methods fail. By using WMIC, Winget or Chocolatey, you can take full control of the program removal process. Whether you’re managing your personal computer or administrating a network, mastering the use of CMD for uninstalling applications is a handy skill that can simplify your workflow.