How to Uninstall Dolphin Emulator Windows 11: A Easy Guide

Dolphin Emulator is one of the most popular programs for playing GameCube and Wii games on Windows, but there may come a time when you need to remove it. Whether you’re troubleshooting, freeing up space, or preparing for a fresh installation, it’s essential to uninstall Dolphin properly to avoid leaving behind unwanted files or registry entries.

This guide will walk you through the complete uninstallation process, ensuring your system remains clean and optimized.

Understanding Dolphin Emulator Installation Types

Before diving into the uninstallation methods, it’s important to understand how Dolphin may be installed on your system. The method you used to install Dolphin will determine how you should remove it.

1. Standard Installation: If you installed Dolphin using a package manager like winget or an unofficial installer, it likely created system entries, including registry keys and program folders.
2. Portable Version: The official Dolphin Emulator for Windows is a portable version, meaning it does not require an installation process. Instead, it runs directly from an extracted folder. Uninstalling it is as simple as deleting that folder.
3. Development/Beta Versions: If you have been testing beta or nightly builds of Dolphin, these versions may have their own folders and settings, separate from the stable release.

Knowing which version you installed will help you remove it effectively.

Best Ways to Uninstall Dolphin Emulator on Windows 11

Method 1: Uninstalling Dolphin via Windows Settings (For Standard Installations)

If you installed Dolphin as a standard program, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Settings: To access the Settings menu, press Windows + I.
2. Go to Installed Apps: Navigate to Apps > Installed apps (or “Apps & Features” in older Windows versions).
3. Find Dolphin Emulator: Scroll through the list or type “Dolphin Emulator” in the search bar.
4. Click Uninstall: Click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to Dolphin and select Uninstall. Confirm any prompts that appear.
5. Follow the Uninstallation Wizard: If an uninstallation wizard appears, follow the instructions to complete the removal.

Method 2: Using the Control Panel

If you prefer the classic Control Panel method, follow these steps:

1. Open the Run Dialog: Press Windows + R, type control panel, and press Enter.
2. Go to Programs: Click Programs > Programs and Features.
3. Locate Dolphin Emulator: Find Dolphin Emulator in the list of installed programs.
4. Uninstall: Right-click Dolphin Emulator and select Uninstall. To finish the process, adhere to the instructions.

Method 3: Deleting Portable Versions

If you are using the portable version of Dolphin, follow these steps:

1. Find the Dolphin Folder: Locate the folder where you extracted Dolphin Emulator. It may be in your Downloads, Documents, or a custom directory.
2. Delete the Folder: Right-click the Dolphin Emulator folder and select Delete.
3. Empty Recycle Bin: Open the Recycle Bin and permanently delete the folder to free up space.

Since the portable version doesn’t create registry entries or system integrations, deleting the folder completely removes it from your system.

Removing Residual Files and Registry Entries

Even after uninstalling Dolphin, some leftover files may remain on your system. To guarantee a clean removal, adhere to these procedures.

1. Deleting Configuration Files

1. Open the AppData Folder: Press Windows + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
2. Find Dolphin Emulator Data: Look for the Dolphin Emulator folder inside the AppData directory. It is typically located in:
   • %appdata% (Roaming folder)
   • %localappdata% (Local folder)
3. Delete the Folder: Right-click the Dolphin Emulator folder and choose Delete.

2. Removing Registry Entries (For Advanced Users)

If you want to remove all traces of Dolphin from the Windows registry, follow these steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor: Press Windows + R, type “regedit”, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to Registry Keys: Go to the following locations:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Dolphin Emulator
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Dolphin Emulator
3. Delete Registry Entries: Right-click the Dolphin Emulator folders in both locations and select Delete.

⚠️ Caution: Be careful when modifying the registry. Deleting the wrong keys may affect system functionality. Before making any changes, think about making a backup.

Common Uninstallation Issues & How to Fix Them

1. Dolphin Won’t Uninstall

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find any Dolphin-related processes, and End Task before retrying the uninstallation.
• Restart your PC and try uninstalling again.
• Use Safe Mode if the issue persists.

2. “Access Denied” Error During Uninstallation

• Make sure you have administrator access.
• Try running the uninstaller manually from Dolphin’s installation folder.
• If the issue persists, use a third-party uninstaller.

Should You Use Third-Party Uninstallers?

If you are having trouble removing Dolphin completely, you can use uninstaller software like Revo Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller, or Geek Uninstaller. These tools scan for leftover files and registry entries that may be missed during manual removal.

How to Use Revo Uninstaller:

1. Download and install Revo Uninstaller.
2. Open the program and select Dolphin Emulator from the list.
3. Click Uninstall, and let Revo remove the application.
4. Use the Advanced Scan feature to delete any remaining files.

Third-party uninstallers are useful for ensuring a clean system, but they are not always necessary for standard removals.

Reinstalling Dolphin Emulator After Uninstallation

If you’re removing Dolphin to troubleshoot or upgrade, follow these steps before reinstalling:

1. Restart your computer after uninstallation.
2. Download the latest version from Dolphin’s official website.
3. Run the installer as administrator (if applicable).
4. Configure settings from scratch, as previous configurations will be deleted.

A fresh installation helps resolve performance issues and compatibility problems.

Conclusion: How to Uninstall Dolphin Emulator Windows 11

Uninstalling Dolphin Emulator on Windows 11 is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to ensure that all files and settings are removed. Whether you are troubleshooting issues, upgrading, or simply freeing up space, following this guide will help you remove Dolphin completely without leaving residual data behind.

FAQs about How to Uninstall Dolphin Emulator Windows 11

Does uninstalling Dolphin delete my save files?

No, your save files are stored in the Dolphin Emulator folder in AppData. If you want to keep them, back up the GC and Wii folders before deleting anything.

Why are my game files still on my PC after uninstalling Dolphin?

Dolphin only emulates games—it does not manage ROMs or ISO files. You need to delete them manually from your storage.

Can I uninstall only one version of Dolphin if I have multiple installed?

Yes, you can uninstall specific versions without affecting others. However, if you want to clean everything, remove all versions and associated files.