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Uninstall workflowsWindows 11 / Windows 10Updated November 1, 2026

Uninstall Software but Keep Personal Settings

Quick answer: Preserve personal configuration by excluding related AppData folders and exportable profiles from leftover removal.

When this applies

User profiles may live under AppData\Roaming, AppData\Local or application-specific Documents folders.

Before changing software registrations, make sure you have identified the exact application, edition and account. A change that is appropriate on a personal Windows PC may not be permitted on a managed company computer.

Step-by-step workflow

  1. Identify the app’s export or backup settings option.
  2. Copy profiles, templates and account data into a safe folder.
  3. Run normal uninstall and inspect every leftover candidate.
  4. Keep AppData and Documents entries that contain data you may reuse.

How to check the outcome

Expected result: Reinstall on a test machine or verify your backup contains the expected profile files.

Cross-check the result in Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps when the target has an installation entry. If Windows asks for a restart, complete it before deciding the operation failed.

Limits and safety notes

Important: Deleting leftover entries can erase the very settings you intended to keep.

Do not treat a proposed leftover as harmless just because its name resembles the removed application. Preserve files needed by other programs, and record changes when troubleshooting.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest first step for uninstall software but keep personal settings?

Identify the app’s export or backup settings option.

How can I verify the result?

Reinstall on a test machine or verify your backup contains the expected profile files.

What should I avoid?

Deleting leftover entries can erase the very settings you intended to keep.

References and further reading

Check the current publisher release notes and Microsoft’s supported uninstall methods before proceeding on a new system. See our sources page for how these references are used.

Related guides

Need the portable tool?

Free edition: personal use only. Verify the file against the publisher’s current package before running it.