OSGeo4W uninstall
Uninstall QGIS installed via OSGeo4W
- 1
Re-run osgeo4w-setup.exe
Run the OSGeo4W setup installer. Choose Advanced Install.
- 2
Set QGIS packages to Uninstall
In the package list, find
qgis-ltrorqgis. Click the version number and select Uninstall from the dropdown. Repeat for any other QGIS-related packages you want to remove. - 3
Complete the uninstall
Click through to finish. OSGeo4W removes the QGIS packages. Other OSGeo packages (GDAL, Python) remain unless you also mark them for removal.
- 4
Remove OSGeo4W entirely (optional)
To remove the entire OSGeo4W environment including GDAL and Python:
# Remove the entire OSGeo4W folder:PS> Remove-Item "C:\OSGeo4W" -Recurse -Force# Remove Start menu shortcuts:PS> Remove-Item "$env:ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\OSGEO4W" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Standalone MSI uninstall
Uninstall QGIS standalone MSI
# Via Settings > Apps:
Settings > Apps > QGIS 3.40.5 > Uninstall
# Or via command line:
C:\> msiexec /x "QGIS-OSGeo4W-3.40.5-1.msi" /quiet /norestart
# Or find the product code and uninstall:
C:\> wmic product where "name like 'QGIS%'" get name,identifyingnumber
Remove profile
Remove QGIS settings and plugins
The QGIS uninstaller leaves your profile (settings, plugins, custom styles) intact. To remove it completely:
# Remove QGIS profile (settings, plugins, styles):
C:\> rmdir /s /q "%APPDATA%\QGIS"
# Remove QGIS temp files:
C:\> rmdir /s /q "%TEMP%\qgis"
Your GIS data files (.shp, .gpkg, .tif, etc.) and QGIS project files (.qgs/.qgz) are stored in your own folders and are never affected by uninstalling QGIS.
FAQ
Uninstall questions
Will uninstalling QGIS delete my GIS data?
No. QGIS never stores your spatial data or project files inside its installation directory. Your data is wherever you saved it (Documents, a project folder, an external drive). Only QGIS application files, settings and plugins are removed.
I cannot find QGIS in Settings > Apps
For OSGeo4W installs, QGIS does not always appear in Settings → Apps. Use the OSGeo4W setup method described above. Alternatively, delete the
C:\OSGeo4W folder and Start menu shortcuts manually.