How to Delete a File, Icon, or Application in Windows 10 or Windows 11

Summary: This article includes step-by-step instructions to delete a file, icon, or application in the Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Files can be deleted in Windows. Uninstallation is the correct way to remove icons and applications.

Affected Operating Systems:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11

Follow the appropriate instructions for instructions about how to delete a file, remove an icon, or uninstall an application.

How to delete a file

Caution: Do not delete program files in this way. If deleting a file that is a program file (part of an application), the application may stop working or experience errors. Only delete files or shortcuts that you have created, such as documents, images, and so on.
  1. Right-click a file and then click Delete to delete that file or icon.
    Note: Alternatively, click and drag (continue to hold down the left mouse button) the file to the Recycle Bin. Then release the mouse button when the file is above the Recycle Bin icon.
  2. Double-click the Recycle Bin to open it.
    Caution: The next step deletes the file from the computer. If there is a file in the Recycle Bin that should not be deleted, right-click the file and then click Restore to return the file to the previous file location.
  3. After confirming all files in the Recycle Bin should be deleted, click Empty Recycle Bin to delete all files that are in the Recycle Bin.

How to remove an icon

Uninstallers remove icons related to programs when uninstalling the application. Manually created icons require manual removal.

To remove a manually-created icon, perform the following steps:

  1. Right-click the icon. A context menu appears showing options available at that location.
  2. Left-click Delete when the context menu appears to delete the icon.

How to uninstall an application

To uninstall an application, perform the following steps:

  1. Click the Start menu and then select Settings. The Settings window appears.
  2. Click Apps.
  3. Click Installed apps.
  4. Locate the application to be uninstalled, click the ellipses (...) to the right, and then select Uninstall.
    Note: Consult the application's product documentation for uninstall instructions if the application does not appear in the Installed apps list.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the application uninstall.
    Note: Consult the application's product documentation if the product fails to uninstall from the computer or gives an error message.
Article Properties
Article Number: 000146186
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 28 Jul 2025
Version:  5
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