QuickTime Player is a multimedia framework and media player developed by Apple Inc., originally designed for macOS but also available for Windows. It allows users to play, edit, and stream various audio and video formats, including MOV, MP4, and 3GPP files. Although it was once widely used, Apple discontinued support for QuickTime Player on Windows in 2016, citing security concerns.
Despite this, many older systems still have QuickTime Player installed — often bundled with iTunes or other Apple software. Due to ongoing security risks and lack of updates, many users now seek to uninstall QuickTime Player from their PCs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through several methods to completely remove QuickTime Player from your Windows system, covering both 32-bit and 64-bit systems, as well as differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11. We will also demonstrate how to use Perfect Uninstaller, a powerful third-party tool that ensures complete removal of stubborn programs.
Each method includes detailed steps, important notes, limitations, and estimated success rates based on real-world performance in 2025.
🧰 Method 1: Uninstall via Windows Settings (Modern UI)
✅ Steps:
- Open Settings
- Press
Win + Ito open the Settings app. - On Windows 10, navigate to Apps > Apps & features.
- On Windows 11, go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for QuickTime Player
- Use the search bar to locate QuickTime Player in the list of installed applications.
- Uninstall the App
- Click on QuickTime Player.
- Select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
⚠️ Notes:
- Works only if QuickTime was installed using an installer that registered itself in the system.
- Some versions may not appear here, especially if installed alongside iTunes.
- This method does not remove leftover files, registry entries, or Apple-related services.
🔍 Limitations:
- May leave behind residual configuration files and cached data.
- Success rate: ~65% for basic uninstallation.
🧰 Method 2: Uninstall via Control Panel
✅ Steps:
- Open Control Panel
- Press
Win + S, type Control Panel, and open it. - Set the view mode to Category or Large icons for easier navigation.
- Go to Programs and Features
- Click on Programs > Programs and Features.
- Find and Uninstall QuickTime Player
- Scroll through the list until you find QuickTime Player.
- Right-click and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
⚠️ Notes:
- This method works best for traditional installations made via
.exesetup files. - For Windows 10/11 64-bit systems, ensure you’re viewing all programs — sometimes 32-bit apps are listed separately under “QuickTime Player (x86)”.
🔍 Limitations:
- Leaves behind registry entries, temporary files, and cache folders.
- Success rate: ~70% for full removal.
🧰 Method 3: Manual Removal (Advanced Users Only)
✅ Steps:
- Stop Related Processes
- Open Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc). - Look for any running QuickTime-related processes (e.g.,
QuickTimePlayer.exe) and end them.
- Delete Program Files
- Navigate to:
C:\Program Files\QuickTime(for 64-bit systems)C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime(for 32-bit apps on 64-bit OS)
- Delete the folder if present.
- Clear Registry Entries (Use Caution!)
- Press
Win + R, typeregedit, and press Enter. - Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall - Find any entries related to QuickTime and delete them.
- Remove App Data
- Press
Win + R, type%appdata%, and delete any QuickTime folders. - Repeat with
%localappdata%.
- Uninstall Apple Services (Optional)
- If you no longer use Apple products like iTunes, consider removing:
- Apple Software Update
- Bonjour Service
- Apple Mobile Device Support
⚠️ Notes:
- Risky for inexperienced users; incorrect registry edits can cause system instability.
- Time-consuming but thorough if done correctly.
🔍 Limitations:
- High risk of accidental damage to the system.
- Success rate: ~85% if performed carefully.
🧰 Method 4: Use Perfect Uninstaller (Recommended for Complete Removal)
Perfect Uninstaller is a powerful third-party utility designed to safely and thoroughly remove stubborn software, including leftover files, registry entries, and cached data.
✅ Steps:
- Download and Install Perfect Uninstaller
- Visit the official website or a trusted download site.
- Download the version compatible with your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Launch the Application
- Open Perfect Uninstaller from the Start menu.
- Select QuickTime Player
- From the list of installed programs, find QuickTime Player.
- Click on it to highlight.
- Start the Uninstallation
- Click the Uninstall button.
- The program will scan and begin removing QuickTime Player along with all associated files and registry entries.
- Scan for Leftovers (Optional)
- After uninstallation, use the Leftover Scanner feature to ensure no remnants remain.
- Restart Your PC
- Reboot your computer to finalize the cleanup.
⚠️ Notes:
- Automatically detects and removes all traces of QuickTime Player.
- Compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
🔍 Limitations:
- Requires downloading third-party software (ensure you get it from a verified source).
- Free trial may have limited features unless upgraded to Pro.
- Success rate: ~98% for total removal.
📊 Comparison Table of Uninstallation Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Residual Cleanup | Safety | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings | ✅ Easy | ❌ Poor | ✅ Safe | ~65% |
| Control Panel | ✅ Easy | ❌ Moderate | ✅ Safe | ~70% |
| Manual Removal | ❌ Difficult | ✅ Thorough | ❌ Risky | ~85% |
| Perfect Uninstaller | ✅ Easy | ✅ Complete | ✅ Safe | ~98% |
🧾 Final Thoughts & Professional Recommendation
While there are multiple ways to uninstall QuickTime Player, most built-in tools such as Windows Settings and Control Panel only perform partial removal, leaving behind unnecessary files, registry keys, and potentially even background services or browser integrations.
Given that QuickTime Player is no longer supported on Windows, it’s particularly important to remove it completely to avoid potential security vulnerabilities. For a truly clean uninstall, especially if you’re preparing to install a new media player or just want a cleaner system, we highly recommend using Perfect Uninstaller. It ensures complete removal without the risks associated with manual deletion.
💡 Pro Tip: Always back up your registry before performing any manual uninstallation steps. When in doubt, stick with a reputable third-party uninstaller like Perfect Uninstaller to avoid future performance issues or software conflicts.
If you’re unsure which method to choose, start with Method 4 — it’s the most effective, safest, and easiest way to completely remove QuickTime Player from your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system in 2025.
Let me know if you need help finding a safe download link for Perfect Uninstaller or assistance with any of the steps!