Using the Control Panel How to uninstall unwanted software
Which? Archive
This article, Using the Control Panel, was last updated on 31 July 2009 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
Uninstall a program
Sometimes it is necessary to remove a program from your PC, either to save disk space or simply because you don’t need it any more.
Programs in the Control Panel
On the Programs section of the Control Panel, click the link labelled Uninstall a program under the Programs and Features heading towards the top of the screen.
Showing the programs
When the next screen opens, you may have to wait a few seconds while Windows finds all the programs on your PC – they will be presented as a list in the main window.
Scroll through to find the program you want to remove > highlight it > then click the Uninstall button that appears on the top toolbar and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Add and remove Windows gadgets
Gadget options
Click the green Programs heading and you’ll be taken to a selection of software management tasks that includes the option to uninstall programs, turn Windows features on and off and customise the Gadgets – or mini-applications – that run in your desktop sidebar.
The Windows Vista Sidebar appears on the desktop at all times – usually running down the right-hand side of the screen – and houses a number of useful always-on mini-applications (known as Gadgets), such as clock or a picture viewer. You can add or remove Gadgets as required.
Adding gadgets
On the Programs section of the Control Panel, click the blue link labelled ‘Add gadgets to sidebar’ under the Windows Sidebar Properties heading.
A new Gadget Gallery window will open displaying a selection of installed Gadgets. To add a particular gadget to your Sidebar, simply double-click on it.
Gadget gallery
In addition to the Gadgets that come pre-installed with Windows, there are many more available on the internet. In the Gadget Gallery window, click the link bottom left that’s labelled Get more gadgets online.
This will launch a web browser window and take you to Microsoft’s online Gadget gallery, where you can browse, download and install Gadgets of your choice.
