The Programs and Features allow users to manage (Uninstall or Change) the installed software in Windows OS. And while the addition of the Setting in newer versions of Windows (8 & 10) brought its own native version — named Apps and Features, the Control Panel Programs and Features still exist.
Scroll down to find all the ways to open Programs and Features in Windows 10. You will also find the solution to Programs and Features not showing in Windows 10. Further, you will learn how to uninstall a program in Windows OS.
Method 1. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 from Control Panel
Programs and Features is renamed as Apps & features in Windows 10; however, the older settings — the evergreen Control Panel is still the same like it used to be in the older editions, i.e., Windows 7 & Vista, and incorporates this option as Programs and Features.
Follow these simple steps to learn how to open Programs and Features in Windows 10 from Control Panel:
Step 1. Navigate to the Search menu and type in Control Panel.
Click on the top Best match to open the Control Panel in Windows 10.
Step 2. Hover to the upper-right corner and change View by: option to “View by: Large icons.”
Click on the Program and Features (alphabetically arranged)
Method 2. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 by Searching
Of course, one of the quickest ways to locate anything in Windows OS is via the Search menu. Here’s how to locate Programs and Features in Windows 10 from the Search:
Step 1. From the Search (🔎) bar, type in Programs and Features.
You will see the Add or Remove Program on the right pane. Click Open.
Step 2. As soon as you hit Open, the new Add or Remove Programs menu will open in Windows 10 native Settings tab.
Navigate to the right-most pane, under Related settings — click on Programs and Features.
There you go! Choosing the option, you can access the Windows 10 Control Panel Program and Features menu.
Method 3. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 via Power User Menu
Standing true to its name, the Power User Menu (also known as Win+X menu) gives you one-click access to some powerful features on Windows 10, one being the Apps and Features.
Step 1. Press Win+X to quickly open the Power User Task Menu on Windows 10. For a keyboard-free approach, you can right-click on the Start(⊞).
Step 2. Select Apps and Features (first option).
As stated, when you opt for Apps and Features, Windows will take you to Programs and Features-like functions accessible in the PC Settings. And the Apps and features being its official replacement, it is more straightforward to handle. Nonetheless, if you want to access the Control Panel Programs and Features in Windows 10, you can repeat the steps in the above steps, i.e.,
Hover to the Related setting, and choose the Programs and Features option, like in the above step.
Method 4. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 Via Run
The Run dialog box is a single-line command utility that permits you to access the Programs (present in the Windows directory) if you know the name, i.e., path.
Follow these simple steps to access the Programs and Features in Windows 10:
Step 1. Press Win(⊞)+R to open the Run windows on Windows 10.
Step 2. Type in appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
There you go! A method that is similar in all recent Windows OS versions including Windows 10, 8, & 7. As soon as you enter, you will be able to access native Control Panel Programs and Features in Windows 10.
Method 5. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 via Settings
PC Settings is the new, more straightforward GUI of the Control Panel and contains configurational options like it. And, as Control Panel has its version of Programs and Features in Windows 10, the Settings includes its own newer version of Programs and features as App and Features.
Follow these simple steps to learn how to access the Apps and Features in Windows 10:
Step 1. Press Win+I to open the Settings menu on Windows 10.
Step 2. Choose Apps.
Choose the first option, i.e., Apps and features.
Step 3. To locate the Control Panel Programs and Features in Windows 10:
- Go to the Related setting on the right most pane.
- Select the Programs and Features option to access it.
And that’s the way to do it! The good-old Programs and Features from the Settings Tab on Windows 10.
Method 6. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 Through This PC
This PC option on your desktop (My Computer on older versions) allows users to manage the contents of the computer drives. Additionally, you can use it to explore files and adjust system settings. For instance, accessing the Uninstall or change a program tab.
Here’s how to open the Programs and Features via This PC on Windows 10:
Step 1. Click on the This PC icon on your desktop. You can also access it via the File Explorer shortcut present in the Taskbar (by default) and choose This PC from the left pane.
Step 2. Select the Computer option from the upper-left corner.
And click on the Uninstall or change a program in the System ribbon (the last one).
The option will take you to the Apps and features tab under the Setting tab. And once again — you can access the Programs and Features menu of the Control Panel by accessing the Related settings.
Method 7. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 via Command Prompt
Command Prompt, a command-line interpreter, can be helpful in most cases, like performing advanced administrative functions as well as troubleshooting issues. The condition being — you must know the particular command (instructions) to perform the task.
Here’s how to open Programs and Features in Windows 10 via the cmd:
Step 1. Hover to the Search (🔎) bar.
Type in Command Prompt and click on the Best match to open Command Prompt on Windows 10.
Step 2. In the cmd tab, type in appwiz.cpl.
Press Enter to open Programs and Features in Windows 10 successfully.
Method 8. Open Programs and Features in Windows 10 via Windows Powershell
PowerShell, another command-line shell, could also help you perform similar functions like the earlier Command Prompt. Be that as it may, it is more powerful than the actual cmd. Still, it can help access the Programs and Features too.
Follow these simple steps to access Programs and Features in Windows 10 via the PowerShell:
Step 1. Navigate to the Search (🔎) bar and type in PowerShell.
Click on Open to access the PowerShell on Windows 10.
Step 2. Type in appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open the Programs and Features.
Yes, exactly like the above method. As soon as you click Enter, both the cmd as well as PowerShell will open the Control Panel Programs and Features.
FAQs About Programs and Features in Windows 10
1. How can I create a shortcut of Programs and Features in Windows 10?
Follow these simple steps to create a desktop shortcut of Programs and Features in Windows 10:
- Right-click on an empty section on your desktop.
- Choose New. Then, choose Shortcut.
- In the new windows, copy and paste the following in Type the location of the item box: C:\Windows\System32\appwiz.cpl
- Click Next.
- On the next tab, enter the desired name like Programs and Features.
- Click Finish to create a desktop shortcut of Programs and Features successfully.
Now, you can simply click on the desktop shortcut to open the Control Panel Programs and Features in Windows 10 quickly.
2. Why is Program and Features not showing all programs in Windows 10?
While there could be many reasons for the programs and features not showing all programs in Windows 10, the most common one is: the installed program may have a registry key name longer than 60 characters in length.
Note: before you move on with the following steps, it is better to check if the program is really installed or you have uninstalled it (by mistake). You can ascertain this by searching — through the Search menu and view whether the program still exists or not.
Also, be careful while accessing the Registry as it could lead to irreparable damage. Further, it is salutary to create a Registry backup.
That said, here’s how to shorten the Registry Key name:
- Open Run box. Type in Regedit.exe and press Enter to open it.
- Copy and paste the following string in the address bar of Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- Right-click on the installed program from the left pane.
- Choose Rename.
- And, Type in a new name of character length less than 60.
Once done, close the registry cautiously. Now, use any of the above methods in Windows 10 to access the Control Panel Programs and Features in Windows 10. You will see the installed program will be accessible in the Programs and Features window. Alternatively, you can also use a third-party Registry editor to make this process even simpler.
As stated earlier, there could also be other reasons for an installed application to not show in the Program and Features in the Control Panel on Windows 10. But that’s a story for some other time.
3. How can I Uninstall an installed software on Windows 10?
Follow these simple steps to remove software from Programs and Features via the Control Panel on Windows 10:
- Use any of the above-mentioned methods to access the Programs and Features in Windows 10.
- Right-click on the program name that you want to remove from Windows 10.
- Select Uninstall.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (changes depending on the software) to uninstall the program successfully.
Conclusion
Too many unwanted programs can slow down your computer. Thus, it is better to keep only the ones you actually need and regularly use. You can use any of these methods to access the Programs and Features in Windows 10. And uninstall the undesired applications conveniently. Nonetheless, software alone may not be the reason for slow computer performance. There are too many factors involved. And if a slow computer is a reason you are reading this guide — it is much better to utilize the best PC cleaner instead.
