How to uninstall a program in Windows XP

Uninstall a program in Windows XP

Windows XP is relatively old OS. But still many PC users rely on it as it is fast and simple. Windows XP is one of the most vulnerable operating systems currently if not count earlier versions of Windows. Generally, uninstall process in Windows XP is simple. You are going to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and uninstall desired (unwanted) software. But you should know that every program still leaves leftover files and registry entries after such operation. There are special programs to remove those leftover files – uninstallers. Today I will talk about 3 of them:
Revo Uninstaller Pro – most powerful and famous uninstaller, can find leftover files, folders, registry keys etc. Has a lot of useful tools to perform regular maintenance of your operating system. It also can uninstall programs with broken uninstallers with special “Forced Uninstall” feature. Also has less functional free version.
Free Uninstall It – our new program where we try to collect best features from our competitors on the market, focusing on powerful leftover items scan and safety. It has one huge advantage – it is FREE.
IObit Uninstaller – it deserved its place in my list for its beautiful interface and several extremely helpful tools available along with it. For example, module for removing browser add-ons and plugins – cool feature, in our age of annoying advertising, to remove toolbars, adware extensions etc.

Uninstall a program manually

Here is manual (standard) way to uninstall a program in Windows XP:
  1. Click Start
  2. In the menu find Control Panel and click on it

3.In opened menu choose Add or Remove Programs


4.Alternatively you can do it by typing control appwiz.cpl in the Run box
5.In the list find desired (unwanted) program and click on it

  1. Click Change/Remove button and program will be uninstalled

Uninstall a program using Revo Uninstaller Pro

As I said better way to remove programs and clean leftover items using one of the advanced uninstallers. For example, Revo Uninstaller Pro. You can download it here:

All you need to do is to find program you want to remove in the list (you can sort by name, or by date of installation) and click Uninstall button:


After this, program will run uninstaller of the program and will offer you to search for leftover items:


Just check items that are in bold and click Delete button. Click Finish button and you are done.



Uninstall a program using Free Uninstall It

Another utility is our utility Free Uninstall It. You can find more information about it here, and you can download it here:

The process is similar – find program you want to uninstall in the list and click Uninstallbutton.

It will run uninstaller. Then scan program will scan for leftover items and give you results. Just select them and click Delete selected.

Uninstall a program using IObit Uninstaller

Third one is IObit Uninstaller. Super nice and useful software. If your program creates browser extensions (or program you want to remove is browser add-on) this utility will help you remove it from all your browsers. Download it here:

And as usual you choose program to remove, and click Uninstall.

After standard uninstaller is finished run Powerful Scan.

Finally check items you want to remove and click Delete.

Thats all. Looking forward for your suggestions and comments in comment box below. Hope this guide was useful.