Alex Ruben
How To Remove Games from Microsoft Store Quickly and Easily
If you’re trying to clear out some space or just get rid of a few games cluttering your system, uninstalling games from the Microsoft Store is usually pretty straightforward. But sometimes, it’s not as simple as clicking ‘Uninstall’ in the store, especially with Windows tweaking things all the time. Here’s a real-world look at how to do it without pulling your hair out.
Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store
First, fire up the Microsoft Store. You can find it quickly by typing Microsoft Store in the start menu search bar or, if you pinned it, just click on its icon on the taskbar. Sometimes, it takes a second to load. If it’s not there, maybe it’s uninstalled, and you’ll have to reinstall it from the Microsoft website. (Official link)
Step 2: Go to Your Library
Once that’s open, find the Library button down at the bottom-left corner. On some setups, it’s a bit hidden or labeled as “My Library” or “Downloads & Updates.” Click that, and you’ll see all your installed apps, including the games you downloaded from the Store. If you don’t see the library, sometimes a restart of the store app or your PC helps — because Windows loves to be stubborn.
Step 3: Locate the Game for Uninstall
In the Library, you’ll see a list of installed games under the Games section. Scroll through or search for your game. Sometimes, it’s not perfectly labeled, and if you’ve got a bunch of stuff, it can get ugly. Just find the game you wanna ditch. Pro tip: on some machines, this list is a bit buggy, and not all games show up right away — a quick restart of the store might fix that.
Step 4: Remove the Game via Settings
This is where it gets a little funny — because you likely won’t see a direct uninstall button here. Instead, you’ll head over to Windows Settings:
- Click the Start menu, then select the gear icon to open Settings.
- Go to Apps & features.
- Use the search box to type in the name of your game. Sometimes, the game could be under a slightly different name, or it might be grouped with other related apps.
- Click on the game entry, then hit the Uninstall button. Confirm when prompted — and hope Windows doesn’t hang for an eternity.
Why bother? This works because many Store games get registered as an app package in Windows, and the Settings app is the go-to for removing app packages. Not as elegant as a click in the Store, but it usually gets the job done. On some setups, doing this step kills the game for good on the first try, but sometimes it takes a reboot or two because Windows is kind of weird that way.
Step 5: Double-Check
Once uninstalled, make sure it’s gone from your Library and Apps & Features. If it’s still hanging around, a quick restart or log out and in again sometimes clears the cache. In some cases, the game will linger if it’s linked to other Xbox services or cloud saves — but generally, this gets rid of it.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
If things seem stuck or the game won’t uninstall, consider:
- Running PowerShell as an admin and using commands like
Get-AppxPackage *gamename* | Remove-AppxPackage. Not guaranteed but has worked for some. - Making sure your Windows is fully updated. Sometimes, weird bugs crop up if you’re on an older build.
- Checking disk permissions or running the troubleshooter. Windows sometimes refuses to delete files if permissions are funky.
- Trying an app removal tool like Winhance — but only if you’re comfortable with command line stuff and understand the risks.
And, because Windows has to make everything complicated, some games will stubbornly refuse to uninstall unless you clear leftover folders manually in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps or the game’s specific install directory. Not recommended for the faint-hearted, and sure, hold off unless you know what you’re doing.
Final thoughts
On some machines, this process is smoother than others. Especially if the game’s tied to Xbox or cloud syncing, it can leave a trace behind. Usually, a combination of uninstalling via Apps & Features and rebooting fixes most issues. If you’re still seeing the game after all this, double-check your account settings or try the Microsoft Store troubleshooter — sometimes it’s the store itself acting up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall games from the Microsoft Store if they’re not appearing in my Library?
Yeah, sometimes the game doesn’t show up due to sync issues or cache bugs. Double-check you’re logged into the correct account, and try restarting the store app or your PC.
What should I do if I cannot uninstall a game?
Make sure your Windows is up to date and that no background processes are locking the files. If everything’s current, using PowerShell commands or third-party tools might be necessary. Just keep in mind, some stubborn games will need manual folder deletion in the WindowsApps folder, which is a headache.
Is it possible to reinstall the game after uninstalling?
Absolutely. Just go back to the Microsoft Store, head into your Library, find the game, and click Install. It’s usually seamless, unless the store itself is having issues.
Summary
- Open Microsoft Store and go to Library
- Find your game in Apps & Features
- Uninstall from Settings if needed
- Restart if it refuses to go away
- Sometimes clearing leftover files manually is the only fix
Fingers crossed this helps someone save a bit of time. Usually works fine on most setups, and at the very least, it’s better than the old days of hunting for uninstallers. Good luck!