For more stubborn cases (e.g., a .pkg that fails during verification), macOS also includes a hidden "Installation History" list. While not directly in System Settings, you can access it via System Settings → General → Software Update → More info... → Installation History. From there, failed updates can be cleared.
Apple’s emphasis on not cluttering System Settings with low-level details means some partial installations are automatically removed during the next successful update or during a "Storage" cleanup.
If the standard "Uninstall" does nothing, Windows has a built-in troubleshooter specifically for this problem:
When Windows installs an app (especially from the Microsoft Store or via MSIX packages), it goes through a "staging" phase. If that process is interrupted—by a crash, a reboot, or a corrupted download—the app remains in a staged state. Windows knows it should be there, but the files aren't complete. Click the info "i" button next to any
Last month, I tried installing a CAD tool on Windows 11. The installer crashed at 67%. Every reboot, a popup asked me to “Finish installing” — which would then crash again.
I opened Settings → Apps → Installed apps, found the CAD tool listed with no icon, clicked Uninstall, and within 10 seconds, the partial contents were gone. No registry hunting. No safe mode. No stress.
The modern System Settings applet has evolved. It now acts less like a simple list of apps and more like a package manager with a user-friendly face. For more stubborn cases (e
When the system detects a package or application in a "partially installed" or "broken" state, the Settings applet now offers a direct solution: Remove Partially Installed Content.
This seemingly simple button does a lot of heavy lifting under the hood:
While the exact location varies depending on your distribution (this is a standout feature in recent KDE Plasma and GNOME environments), the workflow is usually identical: If the standard "Uninstall" does nothing, Windows has
The system will run a quick maintenance script, wipe the incomplete files, and return your storage to a clean state.
Before we delve into the removal process, it is essential to define the term. "Partially installed contents" refer to any files, registry entries, configuration profiles, or cached data left behind by an installation process that did not complete successfully.
You can find a more exhaustive list of contributers on the wiki.
