Windows 11 25H2: Empowering Users to Remove Bloatware Easily

Microsoft’s willingness to listen to user feedback has been uneven in the past, but with the arrival of Windows 11 25H2, the company is taking a small yet significant step towards giving users more control over their operating system. For years, Windows users—especially those outside the “power user” demographic—have expressed frustration about the baked-in, often unwanted “bloatware” that clutters new PCs and fresh OS installations. Whether it’s Xbox, Copilot, Notepad, or Clipchamp, these built-in apps are not universally valued, and until now, removing them typically required a willingness to wade into PowerShell commands or the installation of sometimes-shady third-party utilities. With the Windows 11 25H2 update, Microsoft is making it officially possible—at least for some users and some apps—to uninstall these persistent system programs directly through the familiar graphical interface.

A User-Controlled Cleanup: What’s Changing in Windows 11 25H2​

With builds 26200.5670 and 26120.4520, now available in the Dev and Beta channels of the Windows Insider Program, users can test a new feature that finally allows direct removal of several default Microsoft Store packages, including well-known fixtures like Clipchamp, Windows Media Player, Windows Terminal, and Notepad. While these changes may seem modest on the surface, they represent a marked shift in Microsoft’s approach to system customization and user empowerment.

The Bloatware Problem: A Longstanding Complaint​

Bloatware—in the context of PC operating systems—refers broadly to pre-installed software that occupies valuable disk space and system resources while delivering little or no value to some users. This is not a problem unique to Microsoft; many hardware manufacturers bundle their devices with trialware, demos, and proprietary utilities. Yet for Microsoft, whose “Out of Box Experience” (OOBE) is defined by its own app ecosystem, the gripes have been especially persistent and credible. User forums, tech publications, and social media are full of complaints about Xbox Game Bar, Groove Music, Weather apps, and more, which often reappear even after removal due to aggressive automatic updates and system resets.
Previously, the only “almost official” way to get rid of these entrenched apps involved using PowerShell, which requires both administrative access and confidence in the CLI—a non-starter for less technical users. Third-party utilities like O&O AppBuster or Bloatbox rose in popularity, but these tools bring their own risks, from accidental system damage to malware.
With Windows 11 25H2, Microsoft is finally lowering the barriers for its users, though several caveats remain.

What’s Actually Uninstallable?​

In keeping with the incremental approach seen throughout Windows’ modern development, not everything is eligible for removal—even with this new feature. Rather than allowing users to strip all default Windows applications, Microsoft maintains a curated list, heavily weighted toward apps that are neither system-critical nor closely integrated with the operating system’s core features.
The list of removable apps now includes:

• Xbox app
• Copilot (Microsoft’s AI assistant)
• Clipchamp (the video editor)
• Windows Media Player
• Windows Terminal
• Notepad

This list is likely to expand as newer Insider builds arrive and Microsoft collects user feedback, but core utilities such as File Explorer, Edge, or the Settings app remain non-negotiable components.

How Does the New Removal Policy Work?​

Unlike granular, right-click-uninstall options for individual apps, the change comes with a new Group Policy setting titled Remove default Microsoft Store packages from the system. This new policy, accessible only via Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), gives IT administrators and advanced users the ability to trigger the automatic removal of supported built-in apps. When enabled, this policy causes Windows to set a specific registry key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx\RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages. Each value in this registry key represents a specific default app that can be uninstalled via the system tools.
The policy is disabled by default—no apps are removed automatically. Users must seek out, enable, and customize this Group Policy to take effect.

Who Gets Access? The Pro/Home Divide​

Notably, this feature is gated behind the Group Policy Editor, a utility only available in the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows. For users of the widely distributed Home edition, little has changed. They are still directed to PowerShell—for now, at least. This classic tiered approach to Windows features, which echoes longstanding differences in BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Remote Desktop access, will frustrate some Home users hoping for similar ease of use and control.

Why Microsoft Waited—and Why They’re Moving Now​

The Reluctant Shrinkage of Bloat​

Why has it taken Microsoft so long to provide this level of bloatware control, especially when consumer demand has long been clear? The answer is complex, involving technical, business, and strategic considerations:

• Ecosystem Cohesion: Microsoft wants new features and services like Copilot or Clipchamp to gain traction, and default installation guarantees a user base—at least in theory.
• App Reliability: Many built-in apps are updated through the Microsoft Store, and some (like Xbox or Copilot) act as gateways for wider company initiatives in gaming and AI.
• Support Burden: Allowing users to uninstall “too much” risks destabilizing the base OS, increasing support calls, and generally complicating troubleshooting.
• Enterprise Demands: Businesses and IT admins—Microsoft’s Pro edition mainstay—routinely cite bloatware as a support and deployment headache. Responding here first addresses a key demographic.

The result is a cautious, configurable approach—give power users what they want, but don’t risk mass confusion among typical home users.

Industry Trends and Regulatory Pressures​

It’s no coincidence that Microsoft’s new openness comes amid broader regulatory and market scrutiny. The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has forced several large tech platforms—Microsoft included—to loosen their grip on default apps, promote interoperability, and provide real uninstallation options. Windows 11 25H2’s new group policy is consistent with earlier changes in Windows 11, such as the ability to uninstall the Edge browser or replace default widgets in regulated markets.

Critical Analysis: The Pros and Cons of App Removal in Windows 11​

While the ability to uninstall system apps in Windows 11 is a worthwhile upgrade, its impact will depend on how broadly and consistently Microsoft applies it. The move has several strengths, as well as risks and missed opportunities.

Strengths​

1. Enhanced Customization and Control​

By empowering users and IT departments to decide which default apps remain, Microsoft delivers on long-standing feedback and aligns itself with modern principles of digital autonomy. For privacy-minded and minimalist users, being able to finally banish Xbox or Copilot is a win for both peace of mind and system performance.

2. Reduced System Bloat​

For years, users have lamented the accumulation of non-essential apps that slowly eat up storage and clutter the Start menu. While the disk footprint of most Microsoft Store apps is relatively small, the cumulative effect—combined with bundled OEM apps—can be frustrating on devices with limited storage, such as Windows tablets.

3. Improved Enterprise Deployment​

Enterprises deploying Windows at scale benefit most. Tools like the new Group Policy make it easier to create lean, consistent images for hundreds or thousands of workstations, reducing post-deployment cleanup. It means fewer Group Policy tweaks, less reliance on custom scripts, and simpler support.

4. Security and Privacy​

Having fewer unnecessary apps reduces the attack surface for malware and supply chain threats, and allows privacy-minded users to uninstall programs that might leak telemetry or personal data.

Risks and Limitations​

1. Incomplete Coverage​

Not all default apps are uninstallable. While this is understandable for mission-critical system tools, it means users are still saddled with some Microsoft-preferred experiences. Power users may continue to use third-party scripts or tools for more aggressive cleanup, with all attendant risks.

2. Home Edition Frustrations​

The omission of Windows 11 Home users feels particularly arbitrary. While Microsoft’s enterprise customers are a major focus, the vast majority of new PCs ship with Home editions, meaning the most frequent bloatware critics are left out.

3. Policy Complexity​

For less-technical users, even finding and configuring Group Policy options represents a barrier. As the majority of users rarely interact with Registry keys or the Group Policy Editor, Microsoft’s “fix” may go unnoticed without further simplification.

4. Reappearance of Apps​

History shows that Microsoft is sometimes overzealous in re-installing removed apps after major feature or security updates. Users may find that Xbox or Copilot reappear after a major patch, dampening the new feature’s credibility unless Microsoft changes its update approach.

5. Potential for System Instability​

If users—particularly in business or educational environments—remove too many core apps, they could encounter unforeseen compatibility or support issues. However, restricting uninstallable apps largely sidesteps this risk.

Is It Enough? Comparing Windows 11 to Other Platforms​

In the mobile world, Apple and Google have made similar concessions over the years, now allowing users to uninstall, hide, or at least offload most bundled apps. On macOS, while Apple does not permit removal of true system apps, most ancillary software can be deleted or hidden, offering a comparable, if not more liberal, approach.
Chromebooks and Linux distributions, meanwhile, typically grant users even greater freedom. With many Linux environments, nothing—not even the default file browser or graphical shell—is sacred. By comparison, Windows 11’s new Group Policy is a measured, “best of both worlds” compromise between control and safety.

What It Means for the Average Windows User​

For most users, especially those with Windows 11 Home or little inclination to spend time customizing their OS, the arrival of app removal in 25H2 won’t change much in the short term. The new feature is oriented toward power users, IT admins, and businesses looking to streamline their Windows installations. However, it sets an important precedent: Microsoft is explicitly acknowledging that not all users want or need the company’s latest vision for integrated apps and cloud services.
Over time, as regulatory pressure, competitive dynamics, and user feedback continue to mount, it’s plausible the list of removable apps—and the number of users eligible for such features—will expand. If Copilot’s AI integration remains controversial, or Xbox services remain underutilized on the world’s PCs, the company may further decouple its feature set.

Looking to the Future: Next Steps and Recommendations​

For Microsoft​

• Expand Coverage: Add more first-party apps to the removal list and, eventually, allow power users to unbundle even more system-integrated features—optionally and with adequate warnings.
• Include Home Users: Lower the Group Policy barrier or provide a clear, supported GUI path directly in Settings for all users, not just those on Pro or Enterprise.
• Guarantee Persistence: Ensure that removed apps stay removed after future feature and security updates, building credibility and trust in the feature.
• Increase Transparency: Publish up-to-date lists of uninstallable apps for each build, and provide plain-language descriptions of what each app does, so users can make informed decisions.
• Monitor and Respond: Collect and respond to user feedback through the Windows Feedback Hub, Insider Program, and other channels. Failures to meet user expectations risk alienating key communities.

For Users​

• Test Early, Report Often: Windows Insider Program members should test the feature and submit feedback, particularly around coverage gaps, confusing policies, or reappearance of removed apps.
• Backup First: Before experimenting with app removal, especially via registry or PowerShell, users should always create restore points or system backups.
• Stay Skeptical of Third-Party Tools: With official options improving, reliance on third-party uninstallers (which may carry malware or break updates) should decrease—but users should remain vigilant.

Conclusion​

For years, persistent bloatware has stood as a running joke in the Windows community, signifying Microsoft’s corporate priorities more than actual user needs. With the rollout of the Windows 11 25H2 update’s new app removal capabilities, Microsoft is making a small but important concession: sometimes, less really is more. By providing a native, supported pathway to shed superfluous stock apps—at least for some users—Windows is becoming a little more customizable, a little cleaner, and a little more responsive to its user base. It’s not a revolution, and it’s certainly not complete, but it’s a genuine move in the right direction. If early signals are any guide, the push to “demolish” bloatware in Windows will continue—a welcome trend for Windows fans, power users, and everyday PC owners alike.

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Source: ITC.ua «Demolish» Xbox and Copilot: Windows 11 25H2 will allow you to uninstall system programs