Add a shortcut to Add/Remove Programs / Uninstall Programs on your desktop

This tip is for Windows XP through Windows 8

OK, if you’re like us, you install and uninstall a lot of stuff. Come on, admit it. We know you do! And if you’re like us, you wish you had a more convenient way of accessing Control Panel’s Add or Remove Programs applet. Right? You know, you have to click “‘Start” “Control Panel” “Add or Remove Programs” and then wait for the list to be populated. That’s a lot of clicking not to mention waiting.

Now here’s a tip that will come in handy for almost everyone. We’re going to show you how to create an nifty desktop shortcut that will launch “Add or Remove Programs” with just one click and it’s very easy to do:

1. Right-click on your desktop
2. Choose “New” then choose “Shortcut”
3. In the command line that appears type (or paste) control.exe appwiz.cpl
4.Give it a name (whatever you like) – we called ours “Remove Programs”
5. Click “Finish” and you’re done

Now you have a one-click way to access your Add/Remove Programs applet without doing all those clicks. It’s easier on your wrist and faster too! If you hate junky desktops and don’t want yet another shortcut icon on it, just drag the icon to your Quick Launch toolbar. In the Quick Launch Toolbar it will still be more handy than Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs or Control Panel/Programs/Remove a program