What does uninstalling mean?
Uninstalling means removing a software program or application from a computer or other device. It is commonly used when an application is no longer needed, is causing problems, or is being replaced by a newer version. The term usually describes a formal removal process rather than the simple act of moving a program's icon to a wastebasket or deleting one of its files. Depending on the software and operating system, uninstalling can also remove settings, libraries, or other associated components, although some files may remain. In everyday conversation, the word appears in instructions, technical support, and discussions about maintaining computers or mobile devices. It can also be used figuratively in business and media contexts, as when a company is “uninstalling” a service or product from its portfolio. The related noun construction, such as “the uninstalling of the application,” is understood as the gerund of the verb.
verb (present participle/gerund of uninstall)Removing a software program or application from a computer or other device. The process may also remove associated files and settings, depending on the program and operating system.
- Removing software or an application from a computer or other device.
"Before uninstalling the old version, save your preferences and back up any important files."
"I spent the morning uninstalling unnecessary applications and freeing up storage space."
"The system administrator recommended uninstalling the legacy software before installing the updated version."
The prefix un- here means “reverse,” not simply “not”: uninstalling takes a program out of a device rather than merely leaving it uninstalled.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does uninstalling come from?
Uninstalling is an English inflectional form of uninstall, formed by adding the prefix un- to install and then using the present-participle ending -ing. The prefix un- here expresses reversal: to remove something that has been installed. The base verb install comes through French and Latin usage and ultimately derives from Latin installare, “to put into a place or position.” In modern English, install and uninstall became established especially in relation to placing and removing software on computing devices.
How uninstalling is actually used
Uninstalling is standard, generally neutral computing terminology. It normally refers to removing a complete program through an operating system or program-specific uninstall process; for removing an individual file, delete is more precise.