# Uninstall on Windows

This guide will help you perform a complete uninstall of WebSpellChecker Server on a Windows-based environment.

If you have any custom settings and/or dictionaries that you plan to reuse, you need to back up them before uninstalling, migrating, and upgrading.

For example:

* If you have already changed any values of the [AppServer parameters](/v6.12.0/deployment/configuration/application-server/appserver-parameters.md) in the AppServerX.xml configuration file, you may need to transfer these settings to a new server. Otherwise, these parameters' values can become incompatible.
* Back up the **CustomDictionaries** folder (\<WebSpellChecker\_Installation\_Path>/AppServer/CustomDictionaries) with global custom dictionaries and its CustDictConfig.xml configuration file.
* Back up the **UserDictionaries** folder (\<WebSpellChecker\_Installation\_Path>/AppServer/UserDictionaries) with all personal user dictionaries created by end users.
* Back up the **StyleGuide** folder (\<WebSpellChecker\_Installation\_Path>/AppServer/StyleGuide/client) with global style guide rules.

#### 1. Automated Uninstall Using a Wizard <a href="#draft-uninstallonwindows-1.automateduninstallusingawizard" id="draft-uninstallonwindows-1.automateduninstallusingawizard"></a>

Uninstall the existing copy of the application as described below.

1\. [Stop AppServer](https://docs.wproofreader.com/v6.12.0/deployment/installation/windows/pages/IA2KNQLXDh85TwDivL4y#mainappservercommands-stopappserverwindowslinux2.stopappserver) if it is running.

2\. Launch the uninstall wizard. Choose between two options below:

**Option A:**

* Go to the WebSpellChecker installation folder.
* Execute **unins000.exe** to uninstall the existing copy of the application.

**Option B:**

* Go to Windows Start –> Control Panel –> Program and Features.
* Find WebSpellChecker on the list of the installed programs.
* Click Uninstall.

3\. Confirm if you want to uninstall WebSpellChecker Server and all its components.

4\. Confirm if you want to deactivate a license on the current server or skip this step if you perform an upgrade.

Please note that if you want to install your application package on a different server, you need to deactivate your license first.

#### 2. Manual Uninstall <a href="#draft-uninstallonwindows-2.manualuninstall" id="draft-uninstallonwindows-2.manualuninstall"></a>

If the uninstalling process described above fails, and it is impossible to uninstall the package, follow the steps below for the manual process.

1\. [Stop AppServer](https://docs.wproofreader.com/v6.12.0/deployment/installation/windows/pages/IA2KNQLXDh85TwDivL4y#mainappservercommands-stopappserverwindowslinux2.stopappserver) if it is running.

2\. Go to Windows Start → All Programs → WebSpellChecker → AppServer → Uninstall AppServer service to uninstall the AppServer service.

3\. Manually clear the contents of the WebSpellChecker directory located in C:\Program Files\WebSpellChecker.

4\. Go to Windows Start → Control Panel → Program and Features → WebSpellChecker → Uninstall. This should remove the remaining WebSpellChecker records from the Windows system registry.


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