Dolphin Emulator is certainly one of the best emulators out there that allows you to play GameCube and Wii games on your Windows PC. However, there comes a time when you will need to uninstall it. Whether you are having some issues, want to clear some space, or want a fresh version, it is necessary to understand how to uninstall Dolphin Emulator Windows 11. This guide illustrates how you can remove Dolphin Emulator from your Windows 11 computer without leaving any files behind.
Importance of Knowing Dolphin Emulator Installation Types
There are different techniques of uninstalling software from your computer, however your first step should be identifying how Dolphin was installed on your PC. The method you used will affect how you uninstall it, therefore, you need to know the three main installation types:
Standard Installation: This is most likely the method you used. If you employed a package manager or an installer, it generated program subdirectories and registry keys on your PC.
Portable Version: The portable edition of Dolphin does not require any further installations. You just download the zip folder and run the program. If you are using the portable version, removing it is simple; you can just delete the folder.
Development/Beta Versions: You may have a nightly or beta version of Dolphin that is located in a folder, or folder, and settings different from where the main Dolphin application is.
Understanding what version of Dolphin you possess enables you to delete it more effectively.
Best Ways to Uninstall Dolphin Emulator on Windows 11
Several methods exist for removing the Dolphin Emulator. Depending on the means through which you installed the software, we will analyze the primary methods of removal.
Method 1: Uninstalling Dolphin through Windows Settings (For Standard Installations)
If you have Dolphin configured like a standard software package, do the following:
Open Windows Settings: To access Settings, press the Windows + I keys together.
Go to Installed Apps: In the Settings window, choose Apps, and then click on Installed apps.
Find Dolphin Emulator: To locate it, you can either scroll through the list or search “Dolphin Emulator” in the search bar.
Click Uninstall: Click on the three dots (⋮) next to Dolphin Emulator, and select Uninstall. Accept any verification that shows up.
Follow the Uninstallation Wizard: If an uninstallation wizard appears, follow the steps that were provided to perform the deletion.
Method 2: Deletion via the Control Panel
For those who wish to use the more traditional method of uninstalling programs via the Control Panel, here is one possible way:
Access the Control Panel: Use the shortcut Windows + R and enter control panel in the dialog box before hitting Enter.
Access the Programs Tab: In the Control Panel window, click Programs and choose Programs and Features.
Search for Dolphin Emulator: Scroll through the list of installed programs and select Dolphin Emulator.
Proceed with the Uninstall: Choose Dolphin Emulator, right-click on it, and select Uninstall. Proceed with the instructions to delete the program.
Method 3: Deletion of Portable Versions
For those who have the portable version of Dolphin, the following steps will be far less complex:
Locate Dolphin Folder: Find where you extracted the Dolphin folder. It is likely to be in Downloads, Documents, or any custom folder you might have created.
Delete the Folder: Locate Dolphin Emulator folder, perform right-click, and select Delete.
Permanently delete folder: Head over to Recycle Bin and empty it out, thereby deleting the folder and freeing space on your computer.
As there are no system entries or registry files created with the portable version, one can be assured that their computer is completely free with just the deletion of the folder.
Deleting Residual Files and Cleaning Up the Registry
Some files and settings may be retained even after Dolphin has been uninstalled. In order to confirm that Dolphin has been removed entirely, carry out the following tasks:
Deleting Configuration Files
Dolphin captures settings and other information in the AppData folder. To remove these files:
Navigation to AppData Folder: Hold Windows + R, enter in the search box %appdata%, and hit Enter.
Locating Dolphin Emulator Data: Check for Dolphin Emulator in these two places of the AppData folder:
%appdata% (Roaming folder)
%localappdata% (Local folder)
Delete Folder: Locate the Dolphin Emulator Folder and perform a right-click, then select Delete from the options available.
Advanced Users: Amending Registry Entries
For those wanting to ensure no trace of Dolphin is left, the following steps delete the system registry:
Opening the Registry Editor: Hold Windows + R, type in regedit and press Enter.
Locating Registry Keys: Go to the next addresses:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Dolphin Emulator
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Dolphin Emulator
Removing Registry Entries: Perform a right-click in both folder locations of Dolphin Emulator and choose Delete.
Warning: Care must be taken when accessing the Registry as keys can be modified that may negatively affect the system. It is recommended when making alterations to the registry to first create a backup.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Wondershare Uninstaller and Solutions to Common Problems
A clean uninstallation is crucial, but sometimes it can be a hassle. Remove any remaining drones with these simple but effective solutions.
Dolphin Does Not Uninstall
In this case, you can try:
Ultimate Fixes: To remove dolphin-related tasks, you need to perform the following steps. Task manager can be accessed using Ctrl + Shift + Esc, pause all processes related to dolphin and select end task.
Reset Computer: In some cases, resetting the machine is enough to solve the problem.
Safe Mode: The next step is if you cannot uninstall the application through normal means, try safe mode and use the uninstall feature again.
Uninstalling Access Denied
In this instance, you need the solutions provided below:
Set Up as Administrator: Double-click the administrator folder once your file explorer is open. Pause all other commands and right-click dolphin setup and select run as administrator.
Try manual uninstall: Go to the installation folder of Dolphin and attempt to remove it.
Try a different application uninstaller: If nothing else works, download another application uninstaller such as mentioned above, and let them do the dirty work.
Can You Trust Third-party Uninstallers?
For users having trouble uninstalling Dolphin, look no further to ensure a complete removal. Use third-party uninstallers such as week uninstallers, IOBIT uninstallers, or geek uninstallers. They amped their skills up during the years capturing leftover trackers and those pesky registry files that try to tag along after the uninstallation process.
How to Use Revo Uninstaller
Begin by downloading and installing Revo Uninstaller.
To uninstall a program, open up Revo and look for Dolphin Emulator on the programs list.
Dolphin will be removed from your system after you click Uninstall.
Advanced Scan: After you uninstall, turn on Advanced Scan to get rid of any leftover files or registry entries.
Unnecessary third-party uninstallers still come in handy for extensive cleanup.
Reinstalling Dolphin Emulator After Uninstallation
To reinstall Dolphin after uninstallation, whether it was to deal with some issues or upgrade, follow these few simple steps:
Restart Your Computer: Doing this makes sure that any remaining settings or files are wiped off.
Download the Latest Version: Go onto the Dolphin website and get the most recent stable version available.
Run the Installer: For the standard version, right-click on the installer and choose to run it as administrator.
Configure Settings: You will need to set up Dolphin again. Unfortunately, all previous settings will be lost upon uninstallation.
Uninstallation can assist with performance issues or incompatibility problems with Dolphin.
Conclusion: Steps on Removing Dolphin Emulator for Windows 11
To remove Dolphin Emulator from Windows 11, it is a straightforward process as you just need to do the following steps. You could uninstall Via Windows Settings, Control Panel, or if you have the portable version, simply delete the folder. Remember to delete any extra files and registry entries that may remain after the uninstallation for a clean removal.
FAQs on Steps on Removing Dolphin Emulator for Windows 11
Will my save files be deleted upon removal of Dolphin?
Not at all, your save files are located within the Dolphin Emulator's folder in AppData. If you wish to keep the save files, just be sure to make a copy before deleting Dolphin.
Why am I still seeing my game files after removing Dolphin?
Dolphin does not control your game files. It only emulates them. It is up to you to remove your ROMs or ISO files from your storage.
If I have several versions of Dolphin installed, can I remove just one version?
Of course, you are able to remove specific versions independently of the others. But if you wish to remove all of it, you will have to remove all the versions and their base files.