How to Uninstall a Program on Windows 10 from Command Prompt

Uninstalling programs the usual way through Control Panel or Settings works fine—until it doesn’t. Sometimes apps refuse to show up in the list, or you just need a faster, more direct method. That’s where Command Prompt comes in.

If you’re ready to take control and clean up your system like a pro, here’s how to uninstall programs on Windows 10 using Command Prompt.

⚠️ A Quick Heads-Up

You’ll need administrator privileges. If you don’t run Command Prompt as an admin, you won’t have the rights to uninstall most applications.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: List Installed Programs

To find the exact name of the program you want to uninstall, use:

wmic product get name

This may take a few seconds. You’ll get a list of installed programs. Find the exact name of the one you want to remove—it needs to match perfectly in the next step.

Step 3: Uninstall the Program

Now, use this command:

wmic product where name="Program Name" call uninstall

Replace Program Name with the actual name of the software.

Example:

wmic product where name="Mozilla Firefox" call uninstall

You’ll be prompted to confirm. Type Y and press Enter.

Important Notes

• Case sensitivity: Windows isn’t case-sensitive here, but spacing matters. If your program has extra spaces, use the name exactly as shown.
• Some programs won’t show up. Not all software is registered in a way that wmic can detect. In that case, you’ll need to use PowerShell or third-party tools.
• WMIC is deprecated in newer versions of Windows. For more advanced users, PowerShell’s Get-WmiObject or Get-Package commands are recommended alternatives.

Alternative: Use PowerShell

If wmic fails or you want a more modern approach, you can use PowerShell:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "Program Name" } | ForEach-Object { $_.Uninstall() }

Wrap-Up

Using Command Prompt to uninstall programs isn’t something most users do every day—but it’s a powerful trick to keep in your toolbox. Whether you’re cleaning out stubborn software or scripting clean installs, this method puts you in full control.

Got questions or want help with PowerShell scripts for automation? Drop a comment below—I’m happy to help.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!