Alright, let's get Opera GX off your Windows 11 machine! It's a fairly straightforward process, but let's walk through it step-by-step to ensure everything is squeaky clean.
Ready to say goodbye to Opera GX? Let's dive right in!
Step 1: Closing Opera GX (The Obvious First Step!)
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's crucial. You can't uninstall an application that's currently running.
- Check the Taskbar: Look for the Opera GX icon on your taskbar. If you see it, right-click on it and select "Close window" or "Exit". Make sure all Opera GX windows are closed.
- System Tray Check: Sometimes, Opera GX might be running in the system tray (that little area usually in the bottom right corner of your screen, with icons for things like Wi-Fi and volume). Look for the Opera GX icon there as well. Right-click on it and select "Exit" or a similar option to fully close the application.
Step 2: Accessing the Uninstall Options
Windows 11 offers a couple of ways to get to the uninstall area. Let's explore both:
Method 2a: Using the Settings App (Recommended)
This is generally the more modern and user-friendly way to uninstall applications in Windows 11.
- Open the Settings App: You can do this in several ways:
- Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard. This is the quickest shortcut.
- Click on the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner), then click on the gear icon (Settings).
- Navigate to Apps: In the Settings app window, on the left-hand sidebar, click on "Apps".
- Select Apps & features: In the main pane, you'll see a few options. Click on "Apps & features". This will display a list of all the applications installed on your computer.
Method 2b: Using the Control Panel (The Classic Approach)
While the Settings app is the modern way, the Control Panel still exists and works for uninstalling programs.
- Open the Control Panel:
- Click on the Start button.
- Type "Control Panel" in the search bar and press Enter.
- Select Programs and Features: In the Control Panel window, under the "Programs" category, click on "Uninstall a program". If your Control Panel is in "Large icons" or "Small icons" view, you'll directly see "Programs and Features".
Step 3: Locating Opera GX in the List
Now that you're in the "Apps & features" (Settings) or "Programs and Features" (Control Panel) list, you need to find Opera GX.
- Scroll Through the List: Carefully scroll down the list of installed applications until you find "Opera GX". The list is usually alphabetized, so it should be under the "O" section.
- Using the Search Bar (Settings App Only): If you have a lot of applications installed, the search bar at the top of the "Apps & features" window can be very helpful. Type "Opera GX" into the search bar, and it should quickly filter the list to show you Opera GX.
Step 4: Initiating the Uninstall Process
Once you've found Opera GX in the list, the next step is to start the uninstallation.
- In the Settings App: Click on "Opera GX" in the list. You should see an "Uninstall" button appear. Click on this button. A confirmation prompt will likely appear. Click "Uninstall" again to confirm.
- In the Control Panel: Click on "Opera GX" in the list. You will see an "Uninstall" option appear in the toolbar at the top of the list, or you can simply right-click on "Opera GX" and select "Uninstall" from the context menu.
Step 5: Following the Uninstaller Prompts
After you initiate the uninstall process, the Opera GX uninstaller window will appear.
- Confirmation: The uninstaller will likely ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall Opera GX. Click "Uninstall" or a similar button to proceed.
- Optional: Deleting Your Data: During the uninstallation process, you might be presented with an option to delete your browsing data, such as bookmarks, history, cookies, and settings.
- If you plan to reinstall Opera GX later or want to keep your data, uncheck any boxes related to deleting your personal data.
- If you are completely removing Opera GX and don't want any of your data to remain, check the box (or boxes) to delete your browsing data. Be absolutely sure about this, as this action is usually irreversible.
- Wait for Completion: Let the uninstaller do its job. A progress bar might be displayed. Once the uninstallation is complete, you will likely see a confirmation message. Click "Close" or "Finish".
Step 6: Restarting Your Computer (Recommended)
While not always strictly necessary, restarting your computer after uninstalling software is generally a good practice. This ensures that any remaining files or processes related to Opera GX are completely removed from your system's memory.
- Save Your Work: Before restarting, make sure you have saved any open documents or work in other applications.
- Restart: Go to the Start button, click the Power icon, and select "Restart".
Step 7: Verifying the Uninstallation (Optional but Recommended)
After your computer restarts, it's a good idea to double-check that Opera GX has indeed been removed.
- Check the Start Menu: Open the Start Menu and look for "Opera GX" in the list of applications. It should no longer be there.
- Check Program Files: Open File Explorer and navigate to the "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" folders on your C: drive. Look for an "Opera" or "Opera GX" folder. If you don't find it, the uninstallation was likely successful. However, sometimes leftover folders might remain. If you find an empty Opera GX folder, you can safely delete it.
- Check AppData (for leftover user-specific data): Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "%appdata%" and press Enter. Look for an "Opera GX" folder. If you find one, you can delete it. Be cautious when deleting files in the AppData folder, as it contains settings for other applications as well. Similarly, you can check "%localappdata%" for any leftover Opera GX folders.
Congratulations! You have successfully uninstalled Opera GX from your Windows 11 computer.
How to... Frequently Asked Questions
How to uninstall Opera GX if it's not listed in Apps & features or Programs and Features?
If Opera GX isn't showing up in the usual uninstall lists, you might need to use a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools often do a more thorough job of removing all associated files and registry entries. Be cautious when choosing and using such tools and ensure they are from reputable sources.
How to prevent Opera GX from automatically reinstalling?
Opera GX shouldn't automatically reinstall itself unless you have another program that's bundled with it or if you intentionally download and install it again. Ensure you haven't accidentally triggered an installation.
How to delete my Opera GX account?
Uninstalling the browser does not delete your Opera account. To delete your Opera account, you'll need to go to the official Opera website and look for account management or account deletion options. This is usually found in your profile settings.
How to remove Opera GX extensions?
Before uninstalling, it's a good practice to remove any extensions you've installed in Opera GX. Open Opera GX, go to the Extensions page (usually by typing opera://extensions in the address bar), and click the "Remove" button for each extension.
How to back up my Opera GX bookmarks and settings before uninstalling?
If you want to save your bookmarks and settings, you can usually export them from within Opera GX. Go to the Opera menu, look for "Bookmarks," and there should be an option to export them as an HTML file. For other settings, you might need to look for sync options if you have an Opera account.
How to completely wipe all Opera GX data after uninstalling?
During the uninstall process, make sure you select the option to delete your browsing data. After uninstalling, you can also manually check the %appdata%\Opera Software\Opera GX Stable and %localappdata%\Opera Software\Opera GX Stable folders and delete them if they still exist.
How to reinstall Opera GX later if I change my mind?
Simply go to the official Opera GX website and download the installer. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the browser.
How to troubleshoot if the uninstaller gets stuck?
If the uninstaller is stuck for a long time, you can try forcing it to close using Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find the Opera GX uninstaller process, and click "End task"). After that, try running the uninstaller again or restart your computer and try again.
How to know if the uninstallation was successful?
Check the Start Menu and the Program Files folders as mentioned in Step 7. If you can't find Opera GX, it's likely been successfully uninstalled.
How to clean the Windows Registry of Opera GX entries (advanced)?
Caution: Editing the Windows Registry can be risky if not done correctly. It's recommended for advanced users only. Back up your registry before making any changes.
You can use the Registry Editor (type regedit in the Run dialog) to search for and delete any remaining registry keys related to Opera GX. Look under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Opera Software and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Opera Software. Be very careful not to delete any entries that don't clearly belong to Opera GX.