Completely Uninstall Opera Browser From Windows 11/10

If you no longer use Opera Browser on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, simply removing its shortcut from the desktop is not enough. You need to uninstall the browser properly and, if your goal is a complete removal, clean up the remaining Opera files and settings as well.

Windows normally provides an easy way to uninstall Opera through Settings or Control Panel. However, browser profiles, cached files, update components, crash reports, and other folders can sometimes remain after the main application has been removed.

Before you begin, remember that deleting Opera’s profile data can remove locally stored browser information such as history, bookmarks, saved passwords, cookies, extensions, and settings. If you still need this information, back it up or synchronize it with your Opera account before uninstalling the browser.

The steps I have explained below tell you how to remove Opera from Windows 11 and Windows 10 and then check for leftover files.

Completely Uninstall Opera Browser From Windows 11/10

To completely uninstall Opera Browser from Windows 11/10, first close Opera and all related processes. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11 or Apps & features in Windows 10, find Opera, and select Uninstall. Complete the Opera uninstall wizard and choose the option to delete your Opera data if you want a clean removal. Then restart Windows and manually check common Opera folders in AppData, Program Files, and other locations. Remove only folders clearly belonging to Opera, and finally check the Windows startup and installed-app lists to make sure Opera has been removed.

Let’s explore the complete process in detail!

Step 1: Back Up Your Opera Data

Before uninstalling Opera, decide whether you need any information currently stored in the browser.

Open Opera and check your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, extensions, and other important settings.

If you use Opera Sync, make sure your important browser information has synchronized with your account before removing the application.

You can also export bookmarks if you want an additional backup. This is particularly important if you have been using Opera for a long time and have saved many websites.

If you do not need any Opera data, you can continue with the uninstall process.

Remember that a complete removal can delete the local Opera profile, so do not skip this step if there is information you may want later.

Step 2: Close Opera Completely

Before uninstalling Opera, close every open Opera window.

Select the X in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

However, simply closing the visible browser window may not always stop every Opera process. Some browser components can continue running in the background.

To check, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

Look through the list of running processes for Opera or other processes clearly associated with Opera.

If you find one, select it and choose End task.

Do this carefully and only terminate processes that clearly belong to Opera. Once Opera-related processes have disappeared, you can proceed with the uninstall.

Step 3: Open Windows Settings

The easiest way to uninstall Opera on modern Windows versions is through the Settings application.

On Windows 11, press Windows + I to open Settings.

Select Apps, and then select Installed apps.

On Windows 10, open Settings, select Apps, and then select Apps & features.

The exact wording differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10, but both sections display applications installed on your computer.

Step 4: Find Opera Browser

In the list of installed applications, search for Opera.

Windows may display the browser under a name such as Opera Browser, Opera, or another Opera-related product depending on the version installed.

Use the search box at the top of the installed applications list if you have a large number of programs.

Once you locate Opera, select the application’s menu or entry to reveal the available options.

Step 5: Start the Opera Uninstall Process

Select Uninstall next to Opera.

Windows may display a confirmation message asking whether you are sure you want to remove the application.

Select Uninstall again if required.

Windows will then launch the Opera uninstall process.

Do not simply delete the Opera installation folder manually at this point. Using the official Windows uninstall process allows the browser’s uninstaller to remove the main application and perform its normal cleanup operations.

Step 6: Choose Whether to Delete Opera Data

During the uninstall process, Opera may display an option asking whether you want to remove your user data.

If your goal is to completely remove Opera and you have already backed up anything important, select the option to delete your Opera data when it is presented.

This is an important distinction.

Removing only the application can leave your personal Opera profile behind. Choosing to remove the browser’s data helps clear information associated with the local Opera installation.

If you plan to reinstall Opera later and want to preserve your profile, you should not delete this data.

Step 7: Wait for Opera to Be Uninstalled

Allow the uninstaller to finish its work.

The process may take only a short time, although the duration depends on your computer and the version of Opera installed.

Once the uninstall process finishes, Opera should disappear from the Windows installed applications list.

Do not manually delete folders while the uninstaller is still running.

If Windows reports that Opera cannot be uninstalled because it is still running, return to Task Manager, close the remaining Opera processes, and try again.

Step 8: Restart Windows

After Opera has been uninstalled, restart your computer.

Open the Start menu, select the Power button, and choose Restart.

Restarting Windows helps close any remaining processes and releases files that may have been in use.

It also gives you a clean starting point for checking whether Opera left any folders or components behind.

Step 9: Check the AppData Folder

After Windows restarts, you can check the user profile folders for remaining Opera data.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Enter:

%AppData%

Press Enter.

Windows will open the Roaming folder inside your user profile.

Look for folders clearly associated with Opera. Depending on the Opera version, the folder names and locations can vary.

If you find an Opera folder and you have already chosen to remove your Opera data, you can delete the remaining Opera folder.

Only remove folders that clearly belong to Opera. Do not delete unrelated folders simply because their names look unfamiliar.

Step 10: Check the Local AppData Folder

You should also check the Local AppData location.

Press Windows + R again and enter:

%LocalAppData%

Press Enter.

Look for folders associated with Opera.

Opera may store browser profiles, caches, update information, or other application files in this location.

If Opera has already been uninstalled and you want a completely clean removal, you can remove leftover Opera folders that are clearly associated with the browser.

Again, do not delete unrelated folders. The AppData folder contains important information for many Windows applications.

Step 11: Check Program Files

The next location worth checking is Program Files.

Open File Explorer and navigate to your Windows installation drive.

Look inside:

C:\Program Files

Also check:

C:\Program Files (x86)

Depending on the version of Opera and your Windows installation, Opera may have been installed in one of these locations.

If you find a remaining folder clearly named Opera, and the browser has already been uninstalled, you can remove that leftover folder.

If Windows says a file is currently being used, do not force-delete it immediately. Restart Windows again and check whether the file is still locked.

Step 12: Check for Opera’s Update Components

Some applications use separate update components that can remain after the main application has been removed.

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and search for Opera again.

Check carefully for other Opera-related applications.

If you find an Opera component that you no longer need, verify what it belongs to before uninstalling it.

Do not remove software simply because its name contains the word Update. Windows and other applications may have their own update components.

Only remove a component when you are confident that it belongs to Opera and is no longer required.

Step 13: Check Startup Applications

It is also worth checking whether Windows still has an Opera-related startup entry.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

Select Startup apps on Windows 11. Windows 10 may show a Startup tab.

Look for Opera or another clearly identifiable Opera-related entry.

If Opera has been completely removed but a startup entry remains, it may be a leftover configuration entry.

Restart Windows once more after cleaning up any legitimate Opera-related startup entry and check that it no longer appears.

Step 14: Check Your Default Browser

Uninstalling Opera does not necessarily mean that Windows will automatically select the browser you want to use next.

Open Settings and go to Apps > Default apps.

Search for the browser you want to use, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or another installed browser.

Set your preferred browser as the default for the relevant web and file-link protocols.

This step is not required to uninstall Opera, but it prevents Windows from leaving you without the browser preference you expect after removing Opera.

Step 15: Perform a Final Search for Opera

The final step is to confirm that Opera has actually been removed.

Open File Explorer and search your computer for Opera.

Windows may return files that are unrelated to the browser, so do not delete everything that appears in the search results.

Look carefully at each result and its location.

If a file or folder is clearly associated with an old Opera installation and you no longer need Opera data, you can remove it.

If you are unsure about a particular file, leave it alone. A truly clean system is not worth accidentally deleting a Windows system file or another application’s data.

FAQs

Does uninstalling Opera delete my bookmarks?

It can, particularly if you choose to delete Opera’s user data during the uninstall process. If your bookmarks are important, back them up or synchronize them before uninstalling the browser.

Does uninstalling Opera remove all files?

Not necessarily. The standard uninstall process removes the main application, but user profile data, cache files, update components, or other folders can sometimes remain. That is why checking AppData and other installation locations can help when you want a complete removal.

Can I uninstall Opera using Control Panel?

Yes. Open Control Panel, select Programs > Programs and Features, find Opera, select it, and choose Uninstall. This method can be useful on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Why can’t I uninstall Opera?

Opera may still be running in the background. Open Task Manager, locate Opera-related processes, select them, and choose End task. Then try uninstalling Opera again.

Should I delete the Opera folder from Program Files manually?

You should first use the normal Windows uninstall process. If Opera has already been removed and an empty or leftover Opera folder remains, you can remove it. Avoid manually deleting installation files before running the official uninstaller.

Will uninstalling Opera remove Opera GX too?

Opera and Opera GX are separate browser installations. If you have both installed, check the Windows installed applications list and uninstall the version you no longer need.

Do I need to edit the Windows Registry?

Usually, no. Editing the Registry is not necessary for a normal Opera uninstall and can create additional problems if the wrong entries are removed. Use Windows’ standard uninstall process and manually clean up clearly identifiable leftover folders instead.

How can I reinstall Opera later?

You can download Opera again from its official website and install it normally. If you previously removed your local Opera data, you may need to restore bookmarks, settings, and other information from your backup or synchronize them again.