If you’ve ever opened a shiny new Windows 11 laptop, felt the rush of excitement as it powered up, and then immediately noticed it's running slower than expected, you might have stumbled upon a common yet frustrating menace: bloatware. These sneaky, pre-installed programs aren’t just minor annoyances hiding in the shadows of your apps menu—they can significantly bog down your PC’s speed and devour storage space like some unwelcome holiday guest overstaying their welcome. If it feels like your computer is carrying extra weight, it probably is.
Never fear; this guide will arm you with the know-how to identify and evict these digital freeloaders from your PC, giving it back the performance it deserves.
Even “useful” apps like Xbox Game Bar or utilities like video editors may be entirely irrelevant if, say, you’re not interested in gaming or video production.
To use safely:
And hey, after de-bloating your system, why stop there? A few extra optimization tweaks—like updating device drivers, managing startup apps, or running built-in troubleshooters—could truly make your PC feel brand new.
Have you already gone toe-to-toe with bloatware on your Windows PC? Share your success stories (or horror tales) in the comments below! If you need more advice on taming chaos in Windows 11 or achieving other technical feats, we’ve got you covered at WindowsForum.com.
Source: TechRadar Windows 11 PC slow or low on storage? Bloatware could be to blame - here's how to find and remove it
Never fear; this guide will arm you with the know-how to identify and evict these digital freeloaders from your PC, giving it back the performance it deserves.
What Is Bloatware, and Why Should You Care?
Imagine you’ve just bought a new device—yay! But that excitement wanes as you power it on and discover a fleet of unnecessary software queued up, waiting for attention. That’s bloatware in its worst form. Think of it as unused apps that came with your PC, hogging precious disk space and consuming memory resources like an all-you-can-eat buffet.Why Does Microsoft Include Bloatware?
Many manufacturers pre-load trial versions of software, promotional apps (“Get this antivirus for free for 30 days!”), and utility programs that developers are paid to insert. While it may seem harmless, these apps consume system power, slow memory speeds, and even create potential entry points for security threats (hello, tracking and data harvesting).Even “useful” apps like Xbox Game Bar or utilities like video editors may be entirely irrelevant if, say, you’re not interested in gaming or video production.
Why Should You Remove It?
- Boost Performance: These apps often occupy RAM even when idle, slowing down your system.
- Free Up Storage: The average PC has roughly 15GB of “fluff” apps lurking in the corners.
- Tighten Security: Fewer apps = fewer vulnerabilities; why risk it?
- Improve User Experience: Do you really need popup reminders about “premium” antivirus subscriptions? No thanks.
How To Identify and Remove Bloatware
You’re probably raring to start axing programs left and right, but hold up—before sharpening that proverbial sword, it’s important to identify which software is actually safe to remove. Accidentally uninstalling vital drivers could make your PC even less functional, so tread cautiously.Step 1: Evaluate Your Apps with Windows “Installed Apps” Feature
The easiest way to spot bloatware is this:- Open Settings by hitting the Windows key and typing “Settings.”
- Navigate to Apps > Installed Apps.
- Browse the list of every program hanging out in your PC’s system.
- DO NOT TOUCH:
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (crucial for app compatibility).
- .NET Frameworks/DirectX frameworks (especially for gamers or media apps).
- GPU Drivers, such as NVIDIA/AMD drivers (handles graphics processing).
- Audio Drivers, e.g., Realtek/Turtle Beach (handles sound).
Step 2: Uninstall Bloatware Safely
Ready to wave goodbye to the programs you don’t need?- In the Installed Apps list, click the three-dot menu (usually to the right of each app).
- Select Uninstall.
- Confirm the uninstall prompt, and voilà—bye-bye, bloatware.
- Trialware like McAfee or Norton antivirus.
- Apps you never use, like Clipchamp or Microsoft’s Weather program (download it any time later if you change your mind).
- Default games or unused utilities, like Candy Crush or Dell shortcuts.
Step 3: Hunt for Hidden Bloatware in the Task Manager
Sometimes, bloatware doesn’t appear in your Installed Apps menu. Instead, it operates sneakily as background processes.- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select it).
- Switch to the Processes tab.
- Sort columns by Memory Usage and inspect programs hogging the most memory.
- Look out for third-party apps you didn’t install or don’t recognize.
- Essential Windows processes like “Desktop Window Manager” or “Windows Audio Device Graph Isolation” must stay untouched.
But Wait, There Might Be More...
While manually uninstalling apps is highly effective, you can escalate your fight against bloatware using tools designed to safely declutter your PC.Try Bloatware Removal Apps for Advanced Cleaning
Applications like PC Decrapifier, O&O AppBuster, and CCleaner are designed to detect redundant or obsolete software on your PC. These tools go beyond what Windows can show, delving into more deeply-hidden services and components.To use safely:
- Enable their analysis mode to preview the list of flagged apps before deletion.
- Toggle off anything you aren’t yet ready to part with.
Before You Go Full Marie Kondo: A Few Precautions
It’s easy to get overzealous when clearing out unnecessary programs; however, this can backfire spectacularly. To avoid an “oops” moment:- Research before deleting anything you’re unsure of.
- Backup important files or create a system restore point before making major changes.
- Test your setup after uninstalling key apps—make sure your audio, graphics, and printing still work.
A Lighter, Snappier PC Awaits
There you have it—bloatware doesn’t stand a chance with the right tools and know-how. Removing unused programs will reclaim valuable resources, boost your PC’s speed, and maybe even spark a little joy in your daily computing.And hey, after de-bloating your system, why stop there? A few extra optimization tweaks—like updating device drivers, managing startup apps, or running built-in troubleshooters—could truly make your PC feel brand new.
Have you already gone toe-to-toe with bloatware on your Windows PC? Share your success stories (or horror tales) in the comments below! If you need more advice on taming chaos in Windows 11 or achieving other technical feats, we’ve got you covered at WindowsForum.com.
Source: TechRadar Windows 11 PC slow or low on storage? Bloatware could be to blame - here's how to find and remove it