Add and remove programs in Windows Add or remove programs in XP
Which? Archive
This article, Add and remove programs in Windows, was last updated on 30 July 2008 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
1Launch Add or Remove Programs
Make sure the program you want to remove is closed. Go to Start > All Programs > Control Panel. You may be looking at either the Classic or the Category view. In either case, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
2Change or remove a program
Click on Change or Remove programs and then scroll down the list of available programs until you find the one you want to alter.
Some programs will have a Change button next to them to let you install, repair or remove particular tools. For example, you might want to add the Powerpoint application in Microsoft Office if you were sent a Powerpoint file. If this is the case, click Change and follow the on-screen wizard instructions.
To remove a program, click the Remove button instead. Occasionally you'll be asked if you definitely want to remove the program. The uninstall process should automatically begin.
3Add or Remove Windows XP Components
Components are small programs in Windows such as games or fax services; many of which may take up room. To add or remove a component, click Add/Remove Windows Components. Tick the box next to the component to add it; untick to remove (you can see how much space a component takes up next to its listing). Some components are made up of subcomponents. Click Details to view them; add or remove subcomponents in the same way. Click Next and then Finish to complete the process.
4Add a program from a CD
To install a program you have on CD, click Add New Programs > CD or Floppy. Insert the installation disc; the wizard should detect the appropriate installation file. If it can't, click Browse to find the right file (usually install.exe or setup.exe) Click Open > Finish. The installation process should begin.
