Uninstall PostgreSQL on Windows — complete removal guide

Completely remove PostgreSQL from Windows

• 1

  Back up your databases first

  cmd.exe

  # Back up all databases before uninstalling:

  C:\> pg_dumpall -U postgres -f C:\backup\final_backup.sql

  This is your last chance to export your data. Once the service is removed, you cannot use pg_dumpall.
• 2

  Stop the service

  cmd.exe — Administrator

  C:\> net stop postgresql-x64-18

  The postgresql-x64-18 service was stopped successfully.
• 3

  Uninstall via Settings or the EDB uninstaller

  Settings → Apps → Installed apps → search PostgreSQL → click the three-dot menu → Uninstall. Or run the uninstaller directly:

  cmd.exe — Administrator

  # Run the EDB uninstaller directly:

  C:\> "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\18\uninstall-postgresql.exe"
• 4

  Delete the data directory to free disk space

  The uninstaller leaves the data directory intact. Delete it manually to free disk space:

  PowerShell — Administrator

  # Check size first:

  PS> (Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL" -Recurse | Measure-Object Length -Sum).Sum / 1GB

  # Delete the entire PostgreSQL folder:

  PS> Remove-Item "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL" -Recurse -Force
• 5

  Remove Windows Firewall rule

  PowerShell — Administrator

  PS> Remove-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "PostgreSQL 5432"
• 6

  Clean up PATH

  Settings → System → Advanced system settings → Environment Variables → select Path under User variables → Edit → remove any PostgreSQL entries.

What the uninstaller leaves behind

Uninstall questions