Issue How to Uninstall Zoom

How to Uninstall Zoom

There are apparent reasons why anyone might have familiarized themselves with long-distance streaming technology these days, including video conferencing services like Zoom. However, last year's publication on Twitter of unsafe and semi-non-consensual installation practices for the program offer a contrary viewpoint that might give users reasons for thinking twice about what's on their computers or phones. Users who would prefer to remove Zoom and do without, or switch to a competing service, should uninstall it through approved methods that will remove all program components.

First, consider if there's any possibility of using Zoom in the future. Users who want to cut all ties with the program should delete their accounts before removing the local software. Navigate to Zoom's sign-in page (such as https://zoom.us/signin/phone) and log into your account. Click the 'Account Management' and then 'Account Profile' links. Then, choose to terminate the account – you'll need to create a new Zoom account if you decide to use the service in the future.

Users can also leave the accounts intact and only remove the software, which experts recommend if there's any uncertainty about the service's future usage. However, they should sign out of their accounts before uninstalling the local application from their devices.

Windows users could remove Zoom's files and other components, such as Registry entries, manually. Doing so isn't ideal and usually is reserved for extreme troubleshooting scenarios. For a traditional uninstall routine, Type 'Add or remove programs' in the taskbar's search field and click the result. Scroll down to find the Zoom entry, left-click it and click the Uninstall button. Alternately, find the Zoom program's shortcut in the Windows Start Menu, right-click it and click Uninstall there.

Users of Apple's macOS operating system have a different but equally straightforward route. Open the Zoom desktop application, click 'zoom.us' from the top menu and select the Uninstall Zoom option.

However, many Zoom users are likely to enjoy mobile devices' teleconferencing features, whether they're Android phones, iPhones, or iPads. Thanks to Apple's strict design philosophy, iPhones and iPads use the same procedure. Initiate a press-and-hold or 'long press' on the Zoom icon, holding your fingertip down for several seconds. The pop-up menu that appears should display a 'Delete application' button for uninstalling it.

The Android equivalent requires slightly more menu navigation. Go to the Apps & Notifications section and 'See all applications,' if necessary. Scroll down to Zoom's application entry, tap it and choose to uninstall it.

Zoom's brief security debacle over unconventional installation methods isn't an issue for current users; the developers updated the program for a more safe and user-friendly install routine. Nonetheless, it brings the point home that one should always be careful of what's on one's PC, phone, or tablet and aggressive about curating the programs sitting on any hard drive.

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