windows bloatware

For many Windows 10 users, the persistent presence of certain built-in applications such as Phone Link—previously branded as Your Phone—has sparked persistent curiosity and sometimes frustration. Windows has evolved to include an ecosystem of services designed to integrate devices and platforms...

The growing ecosystem around Windows 11—from official Microsoft releases to third-party utilities—has made the process of maintaining and reinstalling the operating system more accessible than ever before. Yet, this convenience comes with an underbelly: an explosion of unofficial reinstallation...

As of July 2025, Windows 11 has officially surpassed Windows 10 to become the most widely used Windows desktop operating system, capturing 50.88% of the market. This shift follows a gradual increase in adoption since its 2021 release, initially starting with under 10% market share in 2022 and...

Windows 11, the latest iteration of Microsoft’s iconic operating system, continues to stir up strong emotions in the PC user community—both fervent praise and pointed criticism. As the countdown to October 14, 2025, approaches—a date when Windows 10 support officially ends and most users will...

After nearly three years of Windows 11 in the mainstream and widespread anticipation for Microsoft’s next moves, many longtime users find themselves increasingly nostalgic for features from older versions of Windows—particularly those from Windows 7 and even the much-maligned Windows Vista and...

When you boot up your Windows 11 PC, countless unseen processes spring to life. They hum quietly in the background, consuming precious resources long before you open your favorite apps or navigate to your workflow. For most Windows users, these background programs are out of sight, out of...

Few things frustrate seasoned Windows users more than the persistent, creeping feeling that their familiar desktop environment is morphing into something less about productivity and more about persistent promotional nudges. Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest flagship OS, has doubled down on this...

Below is an in-depth analysis and guide that takes a fresh look at a popular MakeUseOf piece recommending the removal of certain Windows apps. While Microsoft bundles many useful tools with Windows, over the years some preinstalled apps have lost their shine—or worse, become bottlenecks in your...