How to Uninstall BlueStacks on Windows

BlueStacks is an extremely nifty little app that’s a breeze to set up on your computer. Uninstalling it, on the other hand, can be a bit tricky, as many users have experienced various issues after attempting a traditional removal. This comprehensive guide shows how to uninstall BlueStacks, along with all of its residual files, on Windows while sidestepping the issues most people encounter.

What Is BlueStacks?

BlueStacks is a program for Windows and Mac operating systems that allows you to run Android apps on your computer. Essentially, it’s an Android emulator that’s regarded by many as the best one around. It’s incredibly handy for mobile gamers who prefer using a keyboard and mouse or enjoy playing Android games on a full-screen PC.

It’s also useful for people who need to access to Android-exclusive apps on their PC or laptop. It’s worth noting, however, that the latest version of the program (BlueStacks 5) is only available on Windows as of this writing, though the developers plan on releasing the version for Mac users in the near future.

Also read: How to Install Google Play Store on Windows 11

Why You May Want to Uninstall BlueStacks

There are many different reasons you may want to uninstall BlueStacks from your computer. Perhaps you’ve decided to move to one of its competitors, like NoxPlayer, LDPlayer, GameLoop, or MeMU. Or you could be running into issues that warrant the app’s removal or just done with Android emulators altogether.

Whatever your reason for wanting to remove the app, it’s important to uninstall it completely so that it doesn’t cause trouble for other programs or interfere with future reinstallations.

Also read: How to Run Old Games on Windows

How to Uninstall BlueStacks

The BlueStacks uninstall process begins in the same way you’d remove any program on your Windows PC or laptop, but you’ll need to do a few extra things to make sure you get rid of all the additional files that are left behind by the app. To completely uninstall BlueStacks from your machine, follow the steps below:

1. Press the Win + R keys to open the “Run” tool, then typing in “control” and hitting Enter.

2. Click the “Uninstall a program” link under “Programs.”

3. Locate BlueStacks among the list of apps, then right-click and select “Uninstall“.
4. Follow the uninstallation wizard’s instructions until it tells you that the program was successfully uninstalled.
5. Do the same for any other iterations of BlueStacks that are installed on your system.

6. Head to the drive where Windows is installed and open the “ProgramData” folder.
7. Look for the “BlueStacksSetup” folder and press Shift + Delete, then click the “Yes” button to delete the folder permanently. This folder is hidden by default, so you’ll have to make sure the “Hidden items” checkbox in the View tab of your File Explorer is ticked.

Note: it seems that not all versions of BlueStacks create a “BlueStacksSetup” folder. Our installation of BlueStacks 5 didn’t have one in the “ProgramData” folder.

8. Open the Run tool once more, type in “%temp%”, and press the Enter key.

9. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to highlight all the files in the folder and delete these files permanently as well.

10. Launch the Run tool again and type in “regedit,” then press Enter. This will open the Windows Registry Editor.
11. Expand the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” folder on the panel to the left of the window, followed by the “SOFTWARE” folder.
12. Right-click “BlueStacksInstaller” inside this folder and select the “Delete” option.

13. Click “Yes” on the confirmation screen that follows.

Also read: 6 Ways to Clean the Windows Registry

Once you finish, BlueStacks will be completely uninstalled from your machine, including all the residual files that the uninstallation wizard overlooks. The BlueStacks developers seem to be completely aware of the issues users are facing when it comes to uninstalling their products.

They’ve come up with a cleaner tool that can properly uninstall all versions of BlueStacks currently installed on a computer. Download the uninstall tool and run it. The cleaner will take care of the rest.

Also read: How to Install Android Studio and SDK Tools in Windows

What Might Not Work When BlueStacks Is Uninstalled

The main issue people run into after uninstalling BlueStacks is being unable to reinstall the program. Some of the registry files that are left behind cause the BlueStacks installer to believe that the app is still installed, which prevents the installation wizard from completing.

Many people were also complaining about the “Error 2318” that appears when they attempt to install or uninstall the app – another problem that’s likely caused by leftover registry files.

Whichever uninstall-related issue you’re encountering with the app, a complete BlueStacks uninstall like the one outlined above will probably take care of it.

Also read: 9 Awesome Projects that Allow You to Run Android on PC

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the advantage of BlueStacks compared to other Android emulators?

For starters, BlueStacks allegedly uses much less CPU power than its competitors, making it a great choice for users who have machines that are a little on the weaker side. It’s also much wiser with its RAM consumption. As a result, users have reported smoother usage overall and faster load times for the Android apps they run.

2. What’s the difference between BlueStacks 4 and BlueStacks 5?

It’s mostly just improved overall performance and reduced stress on your machine. You can expect shorter loading times as well as lower CPU and RAM consumption. As a result, you’ll end up with better app performance and an increase in the maximum number of BlueStacks instances your device can handle.

3. What are the minimum system requirements for BlueStacks?

Minimum System Requirements:

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 or newer
• Processor: Intel or AMD Processor
• RAM: 4GB
• HDD: 5GB Free Disk Space

Recommended System Requirements:

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10
• Processor: Intel or AMD multi-core processor with a single-thread benchmark score > 1000
• Graphics: Intel/Nvidia/ATI, onboard or discrete controller with benchmark score >= 750
• RAM: 8GB or higher
• HDD: SSD
• Virtualization MUST be enabled on the machine

You can reinstall BlueStacks whenever you want. If BlueStacks isn’t your cup of tea, there are many other awesome projects that let you run Android apps on your PC as well.