How to Effectively Remove Bloatware from Your Windows 11 PC

If you’ve just unwrapped a shiny new Windows 11 PC or laptop, the setup process is thrilling. That is until you open the Start menu or Apps list and find yourself drowning in a sea of apps like Solitaire, Groove Music, and who knows what else. Congratulations, you’ve met the modern menace known as bloatware—a curated collection of applications no one asked for but mysteriously appear on your machine anyway.
But don’t worry: Bloatware isn’t the unsolvable puzzle it appears to be. Armed with a few tips, the right tools, and a smidge of patience, you can rid your PC of bloatware and bring peace and performance to your Windows setup. Let’s dive into the how and the why.

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Bloatware: What Is It and Why Should You Care?​

In simple terms, bloatware refers to the unnecessary, pre-installed apps that vendors (OEMs—Original Equipment Manufacturers) and even Microsoft include on your Windows PC. These can range from promotional apps and redundant utilities to free-trial software like antivirus programs.
Here are some common bloatware culprits:

• Unnecessary apps: Solitaire, Microsoft Maps, Movies & TV—fun, but...do you really need them?
• Trial software: Examples include McAfee antivirus and VPN apps that incessantly hound you for subscriptions.
• Manufacturer customizations: HP printer tools, Lenovo’s utilities, and Dell SupportAssist are examples of software bundled with devices to "enhance your experience" but often fall into obscurity after a couple of uses.

Although bloatware doesn't inherently harm your system (it's benign in the malware sense), removing it has some significant benefits:

• Improved performance: Some bloatware apps run continuously in the background, hogging RAM and CPU cycles.
• Faster boot times: Less bloat means Windows loads up faster, giving you more time to actually use your PC.
• More storage space: Hard drives and SSDs reap the reward of gigabytes gained.
• Less clutter: An uncluttered interface makes finding the apps you do want far easier.

Now that you’re fired up, let’s talk about execution. You’ve got options—manual removals or using specialized tools.

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Step One: How to Identify the Bloat​

Before you start uninstalling apps willy-nilly, identify what you actually consider bloatware. Remember that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. For example:

• Microsoft Teams: Essential for work-life organization or just another resource-sapping inconvenience you never use?
• Clipchamp: If editing videos isn't in your wheelhouse, this is expendable.

One excellent tool for evaluation is Should I Remove It—a database that identifies unnecessary manufacturer-installed apps. Simply select your PC brand (Lenovo, HP, Dell, etc.), and you’ll receive recommendations on apps you might want to remove.

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Step Two: Removing Bloatware Manually​

For those who want to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, you can masterfully purge bloatware manually. Follow these steps:

Using the Windows Settings App:​

• Press Win + I: This opens the Settings app.
• Navigate to Apps > Installed Apps: Here, you’ll see all applications currently on your PC.
• Find and Destroy: Identify an app you want to remove, and click the three-dot menu next to it.
• Uninstall: Confirm your selection to bid farewell to the offending app.
• Repeat as Necessary: Unfortunately, this method handles apps one at a time, so persistence and patience are virtues.

Directly Through the Start Menu:​

• Open the Start menu and select “All Apps” in the upper-right corner.
• Go through the list of installed programs.
• Right-click on any app, and select Uninstall.

Tip: Before deleting an app, do this quick task: Look up its purpose online if you’re unsure. Nothing is worse than accidentally uninstalling something critical (looking at you, .NET Runtime).

Dealing with Stubborn Bloatware:​

Some software, like trial antivirus programs (McAfee) or manufacturer tools, might refuse to uninstall easily. These programs often require specialized removal tools you’ll need to download from the vendor’s official site.

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Step Three: Taking the Shortcut with Win11Debloat​

Manually uninstalling bloatware is effective but time-consuming. If you’d rather optimize your system swiftly, Win11Debloat is your new best friend. It’s a free PowerShell script available on GitHub, designed specifically for Windows 11 to rid you of bloatware with minimal effort.

How to Use Win11Debloat:​

• Download the Tool:
• Go to GitHub and download Win11Debloat as a ZIP file.
• Unzip the Files:
• Extract the contents into a folder.
• Run the Script:
• In the folder, double-click the Run.bat file.
• Approve the pop-up for User Account Control (UAC) by selecting Yes.
• Choose Your Settings:
• Type “1”: Apply the default recommendations.
• Type “2”: Customize which options to tweak (granular control for advanced users).
• Type “3”: Only remove apps without changing privacy settings.
• Sit Back and Relax:
• The script will clean up your PC and may tweak privacy options like disabling telemetry, targeted ads, and Copilot suggestions.

The beauty of Win11Debloat is that it goes beyond app removal—it optimizes your system for peak privacy and performance.

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Why You Absolutely Should Remove Bloatware​

The question might linger—why bother with this process? Here’s the kicker: Beyond simply decluttering your apps list, ridding your PC of bloatware has profound impacts:

1. Improved Performance​

Many bloatware apps launch and run secretly in the background, leaching your CPU and memory without adding any real value. Blocking these resource hogs translates directly to faster, snappier performance.

2. Battery Life on Steroids​

If you're on a laptop, killing off unnecessary processes means your battery isn’t hemorrhaging energy keeping those pesky apps alive.

3. No More Annoying Popups​

Trial versions of software like McAfee love bombarding users with pop-ups post-trial, nudging you feverishly to buy their full versions.

4. Clean Slate​

Unnecessary software clutters your PC’s interface. Streamlining by removing pre-installed apps allows you to focus on tools you not only want but also need.

Real-Life Example:​

Imagine being meditated during your work when an antivirus notification barges in to celebrate the anniversary of "free trial software.” Removing bloatware ensures that your workflow remains uninterrupted and free of distractions.

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Final Thoughts: Plan Your Purge​

Whether you aim to do it yourself through Windows Settings or call upon the heavy-duty automation of Win11Debloat, erasing bloatware transforms your Windows 11 experience from cluttered chaos into productivity heaven. No CPUs bogged down, no pop-ups vying for your attention, and most importantly—no uninvited apps hogging your space.
Start small and build a routine. Clean up your Windows setup once after purchase, and afterward, revisit every few months for apps that mysteriously make their way back in. So go forth, declutter, and enjoy all that extra speed!
Have any bloat-busting tips of your own? Let us know in the forums below!

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Source: SlashGear https://www.slashgear.com/1769513/bloatware-how-remove-windows-11-why-should/