> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.4thewords.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Uninstalling the Desktop App

> How to remove the 4thewords desktop app from Mac, Windows or Linux. Your account and words are never touched.

Removing the desktop app takes two short steps: one inside the app, then one on your computer. Your 4thewords account, battles, streak and every word already counted stay exactly as they are.

## Step 1: Remove from this computer

Open the desktop app, go to **Settings**, scroll to the bottom and click **Remove from this computer**.

This closes 4thewords, turns off launch at login and disconnects it from the 4thewords browser extension. Tick **Also delete the data 4thewords saved on this computer** if you want to remove your local data too.

![The Remove 4thewords from this computer box, with the Also delete the data 4thewords saved on this computer checkbox and the Cancel and Remove buttons](https://mintcdn.com/4thewords/z4UqAbpBhkYtWZRZ/images/desktop-app/remove-from-this-computer.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=z4UqAbpBhkYtWZRZ\&q=85\&s=de9717448b9d702a9b0a99963bfc183a)

> [!NOTE]
>
> If something can't be removed, for example because a browser is still using it, the app lists those files. Close your browser, then delete them yourself.

## Step 2: Remove the app itself

**Mac**

Drag **4thewords** from **Applications** to the **Trash**.

**Windows**

Open Windows **Settings**, go to **Apps**, find **4thewords** and choose **Uninstall**. Tick **Also delete my 4thewords data on this PC** to remove your data too.

**Linux**

Remove 4thewords the way you installed it.

* **Software center:** open it, find 4thewords and click **Remove**.

* **Ubuntu, Debian and similar**, from a terminal:

  ```bash theme={null}
  sudo apt remove 4thewords
  ```

* **Fedora and similar**, from a terminal:

  ```bash theme={null}
  sudo dnf remove 4thewords
  ```

* **AppImage:** delete the AppImage file you downloaded.

To count words, the app added you to the `input` group. Removing the app doesn't change that. To leave the group, run this and then log out and back in:

```bash theme={null}
sudo gpasswd -d $USER input
```

> **Do I lose my progress if I uninstall?**
>
> No. Your account, battles, streak and words live on 4thewords' servers, not in the app. Sign in again after reinstalling and everything is there.

> **Does uninstalling remove the Chrome extension?**
>
> No. The extension is separate. It keeps counting on its own once the desktop app is gone. See [Permissions & Privacy](/tools/chrome-extension/permissions-and-privacy.md) to remove it too.


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