The YouTube app on Windows 11 is usually installed as a browser-based app (Progressive Web App) through Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, not as a traditional system application. Many users install it for quick access, but later want to remove it to reduce clutter, stop background activity, or because they prefer using YouTube directly in a browser tab.
Uninstalling the YouTube app on Windows 11 can be confusing because it may not appear like a normal app in some cases. The uninstallation process depends on how the app was installed. Understanding this first will help you remove the YouTube app completely without leaving shortcuts or background entries behind.
Things to Check Before Uninstalling the YouTube App
Before proceeding, it is important to identify how the YouTube app is installed on your Windows PC. In most cases, the YouTube app is not a traditional desktop application but a Progressive Web App (PWA) installed through Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Because of this, it may not always appear in the list of Microsoft Store apps.
On some systems, you may only see a YouTube shortcut on the desktop, taskbar, or Start menu rather than a fully installed application. The steps required to uninstall it can vary depending on whether it was installed through Edge, Chrome, or another method. Once you determine how the app was installed, you can use the appropriate removal method to uninstall it successfully.
How to Uninstall YouTube App on Windows 11
Use the method that matches how the YouTube app is installed on your system.
1. Uninstall YouTube App from Windows Settings
If the YouTube app appears in the Installed apps list, you can remove it directly from Settings, making it the quickest way to uninstall the application.
1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps
3. Search for YouTube
4. Click the three-dot menu next to it
5. Select Uninstall
6. Confirm the action
Restart your PC after uninstalling to ensure complete removal.
2. Uninstall YouTube App Installed via Microsoft Edge
Most Windows 11 users install the YouTube app using Microsoft Edge, typically as a Progressive Web App (PWA) that provides an app-like experience on the desktop.
1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
3. Go to Apps > Manage apps
4. Find YouTube in the list
5. Click Uninstall
6. Confirm when prompted
This removes the app, Start menu entry, and desktop shortcut.
3. Uninstall YouTube App Installed via Google Chrome
If you installed the YouTube app using Google Chrome, you can remove it through Chrome’s app management options or by uninstalling it from the Windows installed apps list.
1. Open Google Chrome
2. Click the three-dot menu
3. Go to Apps
4. Right-click on YouTube
5. Select Remove from Chrome
6. Confirm the removal
The YouTube app will be fully removed from Windows.
4. Remove YouTube App Desktop or Start Menu Shortcut Only
If YouTube was never fully installed and only exists as a shortcut, simply deleting the shortcut is enough to remove it from your desktop or Start menu.
1. Go to the Desktop or Start menu
2. Locate the YouTube shortcut
3. Right-click on it
4. Select Delete
This does not uninstall anything from the system because it was only a shortcut.
5. Disable YouTube App Background Activity
In rare cases, the YouTube app may not show an uninstall option, requiring you to remove it through the browser that was used to install it or by deleting its associated app data.
1. Open Settings
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps
3. Locate YouTube if it appears
4. Open Advanced options
5. Set Background apps permissions to Never
This prevents the app from running in the background.
Common Issues While Uninstalling YouTube App
Some users may encounter minor issues while removing the YouTube app from Windows. For example, the app may not appear under Installed apps because it was installed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) through a browser rather than as a traditional application. In other cases, YouTube may continue opening in a browser after the app is removed, which is normal behavior since the website remains accessible online.
Another common issue is the YouTube shortcut reappearing after browser synchronization restores installed apps and shortcuts. Users with multiple browser profiles may also become confused if the app remains installed in a different profile. In most cases, signing out of browser sync temporarily or removing the YouTube app from all browser profiles resolves these issues and prevents the shortcut from returning.
Final Thoughts
Uninstalling the YouTube app on Windows 11 is straightforward once you identify how it was installed. Since the YouTube app is often installed through Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome as a Progressive Web App (PWA), the removal process may differ from that of traditional desktop applications. In some cases, what appears to be an app is simply a shortcut, which can be removed directly from the desktop, taskbar, or Start menu.
Using the correct uninstall method helps ensure the app is removed completely, including any associated shortcuts and browser-based permissions. After removal, you can still access YouTube through any web browser whenever needed, without keeping the app installed on your system.
