Learn how to remove old FRC programs on Windows 11 and clean up your workspace for a conflict-free, efficient development environment.
If you’re on an FRC team, you know how intense the build season can be, every second counts. But here’s the thing: if your computer is cluttered with old software from previous seasons, it can cause all kinds of headaches and hurt your digital workplace productivity. Trust me, I’ve been there. One year, our team wasted hours trying to fix issues that turned out to be nothing more than mismatched driver versions.
That’s why I put together this guide: to help you avoid that mess and start the season with a clean setup. In this article, I’ll show you how to uninstall outdated FRC programs on Windows 11 the right way. You’ll also learn why cleaning up matters, what to look for, and how to get it done, so you can focus on building your robot, not troubleshooting your computer, and ultimately boost your digital workplace productivity.
Article Breakdown
Why You Must Clean House Before Installing New FRC Software
Let’s be real: FRC tools aren’t your standard software. Here’s what you’re working with:
- WPILib and the VS Code plugins that go with it
- Driver Station and roboRIO imaging tools from National Instruments
- CTRE Phoenix Tuner, REV Hardware Client, and other vendor-specific SDKs
- LabVIEW runtime environments
- Different versions of Python and Java for simulations or autonomous code
These tools change every season, and if you don’t clean up older versions, they can cause issues. That’s not just frustrating, it could cost you during competitions.
For example, in 2023, our vision processing system kept throwing camera errors during matches. It turned out the system was still using a leftover CTRE driver from 2021. If we’d taken the time to clean up, we could’ve avoided the issue completely.
What Exactly Are You Removing?
This isn’t just about uninstalling a program through the control panel. FRC software spreads itself across multiple directories and registry entries. Here’s what needs to go:
- Old versions of WPILib
- Previous year’s Driver Station tools
- LabVIEW installations no longer needed
- Old CTRE and REV SDKs
- Phoenix Tuner or REV client configs
- AppData folders storing legacy settings
- Registry keys that hook outdated drivers
Think of this like clearing your robot’s memory before uploading new code. You want zero leftover confusion.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Old FRC Software in Windows 11
1. Backup First, Always
Before you uninstall anything, back up your project folders. Trust me on this. I’ve seen mentors cry over accidentally deleted season code. Use Git, export a .zip file, email it to yourself, whatever it takes. Just don’t skip this step.
2. Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program
Search for and remove the following:
- National Instruments Software: Look for any entries like “NI Package Manager” or “LabVIEW 20XX FRC”.
- FRC Game Tools
- WPILib Tools
- Phoenix Tuner (CTRE)
- REV Hardware Client
Follow the uninstaller prompts for each. For NI tools, this may take several minutes and may require a system restart.
3. Dig Into AppData
Hit Win + R and type %appdata%. Then do the same with %localappdata%.
Delete folders related to:
- wpilib
- National Instruments
- Phoenix Tuner
- REV Robotics
- frc
These folders store cached settings, simulator configurations, and sometimes outdated libraries that can interfere with new installs.
4. Clean Up Program Files and Program Files (x86)
Manually browse to these directories and remove any folders named:
- WPILib
- National Instruments
- CTRE
- REVRobotics
Don’t just delete them blindly, only remove them if you’re sure they aren’t tied to active installs. If in doubt, move them to a temporary folder instead.
5. Purge the Registry (Advanced Users Only)
This is optional but recommended for a clean sweep. Hit Win + R, type regedit, and navigate to:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
Search for entries like:
- FRC
- NI or National Instruments
- WPILib
- CTRE
- REV
Right-click and delete these keys if you’re confident they’re legacy. Otherwise, export them as a .reg backup before removal.
6. Restart and Verify
After clearing everything, restart your system. This lets Windows finalize any pending changes. Once rebooted, check that all the software is gone and there are no lingering services running in the background.
7. Optional: Use a Third-Party Uninstaller
If you’re not comfortable digging through the registry or AppData manually, apps like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller can help remove stubborn programs and leftover files.
Lessons From the Trenches: What I’ve Learned After Years With FRC Software
Here’s the thing, every team has that one laptop that’s passed down from programmer to programmer like an heirloom. I once opened ours and found installs dating back to 2016. It was like digital archaeology.
What followed was three hours of manual cleanup, two reinstalls of Driver Station, and one frantic call to our lead mentor. That experience taught me the value of seasonal cleanups and system hygiene. Now, we treat it like a pre-season ritual, right up there with ordering parts and re-reading the rulebook.
Beyond Cleanup: How to Stay Organized Moving Forward
Want to avoid this mess next year? Here’s how to stay ahead:
Create a Season-End Checklist
Every April, after your last competition:
- Backup your codebase
- Uninstall outdated FRC software
- Archive your project folders
- Write a quick summary of what tools and versions were used
Use Version Control Religiously
Git isn’t just for pros. Make it a team norm. This way, even if a system is wiped clean, your code survives. Use GitHub, GitLab, or even a local Git repo, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s versioned.
Document Your Installs
Create a simple Google Doc listing every tool, version number, and install link used for that season. You’ll thank yourself later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep multiple years of WPILib installed?
Technically yes, but it’s risky. Config files and extensions may conflict, especially if you’re using the same user profile on the machine.
Will uninstalling NI tools break LabVIEW completely?
If you’re not using LabVIEW for anything else (and most of us aren’t outside FRC), then no, you’re good. Just uninstall.
Do I need to remove everything if I’m just updating to the latest version?
Not always, but if you’re running into weird behavior or unexpected bugs, a fresh install can often fix what patching won’t.
Key Takings
- Robotics is challenging enough, don’t let outdated tools slow you down.
- Remove old FRC programs before installing new ones to reduce bugs and speed up development.
- Treat this process as a “reset button” for a fresh season and a clean workspace.
- A clean development environment sharpens focus and boosts performance.
- Share this guide with teammates, bookmark it for next season, and consider making it part of your team’s SOP.
- A sharper focus leads to better robots, and more wins!
Additional Resources
- Efficient R Programming Workflow: General tips for creating an efficient programming workflow, adaptable for FRC programming.
- Programming 101 by FIRST Robotics: A foundational guide covering programming languages like C++, Java/Kotlin, and LabVIEW for FRC teams.
- FRC Programming & Managing > 20 Programmers: Best practices for managing and organizing large programming teams in FRC.
