Windows 11’s turbulent relationship with default apps and bloatware has long sparked frustration among everyday users and enterprise admins alike. With the incoming Windows 11 25H2 update, Microsoft appears poised to address one of the most persistent complaints—removing unwanted pre-installed apps—but its new approach comes with notable caveats. As testing progresses, reaction from the Windows community is varied, and the promise of easier bloatware removal may not be as universal or straightforward as it seems at first glance.
For years, “bloatware” has been an unwelcome hallmark of new Windows installations. Whether it’s consumer desktops laden with trialware or business systems equipped with redundant utilities, the experience of firing up a freshly unboxed Windows PC is often marred by an array of superfluous programs. Some, like Notepad or Media Player, are mainstays of the operating system, but others—particularly games and third-party trials—are often relegated to the digital wastebasket shortly after setup.
Historically, removing core Microsoft apps (such as the Xbox suite or the Edge browser) has required digging into PowerShell scripts or leveraging third-party tools. Even tech-savvy users find the process cumbersome, while less experienced individuals frequently leave the extras untouched, contributing to system clutter, reduced performance, or just a sense of lost control over their own environment.
However, this new lever isn't universally accessible. Only editions of Windows 11 that include the Group Policy Editor can take advantage: namely, Pro, Enterprise, and Education. Windows 11 Home users, who arguably face the most friction from bloatware, are left out unless they implement unsupported workarounds—an approach Microsoft discourages and which may be rendered moot by future updates.
Despite this, security experts warn that manual or forced removal of core Windows components can destabilize the OS if not done with care. Microsoft, for its part, frequently updates Windows guidelines to recommend against aggressive app removal—though with 25H2, the company signals a shift toward recognizing (and supporting) more user autonomy.
With 25H2, Microsoft’s choice to adopt an enablement package model reflects a desire to restore user trust and streamline the update cycle. Insiders and system administrators alike hope this means fewer update failures, bricked devices, and lost productivity.
Yet this progress is uneven. Millions remain without official tools to clean up their desktops, while core apps are still locked down too tightly for those seeking a minimalist OS. Microsoft’s tentative steps in 25H2 may foreshadow a future where all users—regardless of edition or geography—can finally claim their PCs as true personal computers, rather than platforms managed at a distance.
Until then, trust in Microsoft’s vision for Windows 11 will continue to depend on its willingness to listen to user demands, adapt to regulatory pressures, and deliver on promises not just of performance, but of genuine user empowerment. As always, savvy Windows users will keep one eye on upcoming updates—and another on the third-party tools that, for now, still carry the torch for real OS customization.
Source: Notebookcheck The Windows 11 25H2 update enables some users to remove pesky apps and bloatware from the OS
The Bloatware Dilemma: A Persistent Windows Pain Point
For years, “bloatware” has been an unwelcome hallmark of new Windows installations. Whether it’s consumer desktops laden with trialware or business systems equipped with redundant utilities, the experience of firing up a freshly unboxed Windows PC is often marred by an array of superfluous programs. Some, like Notepad or Media Player, are mainstays of the operating system, but others—particularly games and third-party trials—are often relegated to the digital wastebasket shortly after setup.Historically, removing core Microsoft apps (such as the Xbox suite or the Edge browser) has required digging into PowerShell scripts or leveraging third-party tools. Even tech-savvy users find the process cumbersome, while less experienced individuals frequently leave the extras untouched, contributing to system clutter, reduced performance, or just a sense of lost control over their own environment.
What’s New in Windows 11 25H2?
The forthcoming Windows 11 25H2 update, now in public Insider testing, introduces a new official method for removing certain Windows apps, making progress—though perhaps only incremental—toward a cleaner and more user-focused OS. Specifically, the update empowers some users to uninstall default Microsoft Store apps like Media Player, Notepad, and Xbox-related applications without reverting to command-line gymnastics.The Group Policy Twist
Central to this new capability is a setting in the Group Policy Editor: “Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages.” This option, located in the somewhat obscured depths of the Windows Components > App Package Deployment menus, grants the ability to select and remove specific bundled apps. In practice, this means users can—on supported systems—finally say goodbye to certain packages that, until now, felt welded to the Start menu.However, this new lever isn't universally accessible. Only editions of Windows 11 that include the Group Policy Editor can take advantage: namely, Pro, Enterprise, and Education. Windows 11 Home users, who arguably face the most friction from bloatware, are left out unless they implement unsupported workarounds—an approach Microsoft discourages and which may be rendered moot by future updates.
EU Users and the Digital Markets Act
Even among Pro and Enterprise users, there are further restrictions. In response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), users in the EU will enjoy a unique freedom: the ability to uninstall Microsoft Edge. This freedom doesn’t (yet) extend to people outside Europe, who remain locked to Edge as a default system app. Though Microsoft says the move is legally required, critics view it as an acknowledgment that consumer control lags behind what is technically possible.Bloatware Removal: Progress With Limits
The central promise of Windows 11 25H2 is enticing: increased control over bundled software, with fewer draconian protections for apps many consider superfluous. Yet the specifics reveal a more complex reality:- Only select built-in apps can be removed. Core Windows components such as Microsoft Store itself, Windows Security, and File Explorer remain untouchable. Media Player, Notepad, and Xbox Game Bar—arguably less “mission-critical” elements—are among those that can be excised.
- Availability is dictated by OS edition. Only owners of Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with access to Group Policy Editor can use the new method natively.
- Uninstallation is not globally available. The ability to remove Microsoft Edge is limited to users in the EU, in compliance with DMA regulations.
- PowerShell remains an alternative, though it is generally not recommended for typical users due to its complexity and risk of removing essential system components.
Third-Party Tools: Still Filling the Gaps
The existence of robust third-party uninstallers is a testament to persistent demand for control over Windows installations. Programs like Geek Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller offer granular removal of built-in apps, sometimes sidestepping Microsoft’s ecosystem entirely. Such tools often bundle features like “deep cleanup” or registry scrubbing, appealing to power users and IT professionals who want a pristine system image.Despite this, security experts warn that manual or forced removal of core Windows components can destabilize the OS if not done with care. Microsoft, for its part, frequently updates Windows guidelines to recommend against aggressive app removal—though with 25H2, the company signals a shift toward recognizing (and supporting) more user autonomy.
Installation and Enablement: Faster Updates, Fewer Headaches?
Apart from app removal, 25H2 seeks to improve the overall Windows update experience. In contrast to previous major updates—most recently, the problematic 24H2 rollout in October 2024—25H2 arrives as an enablement package. This means key changes are preloaded but dormant, then switched on with a minor download and system restart. For users, this translates to:- Shorter installation times: No more marathon waits while code is downloaded and deployed.
- Simpler rollbacks: As only select features are toggled on, reverting changes is less likely to break the system.
- Reduced risk of upgrade-related bugs: By treating 25H2 as a “feature unlock,” Microsoft sidesteps the complex in-place upgrade process that frequently causes compatibility woes.
Troubles with Windows 11 24H2: Lessons Learned
The previous major update, 24H2, was notable for several reasons—many of them problematic. Within days of its October 2024 release, users reported failures in AutoHDR (impacting gaming and creative workflows), unreliable network connectivity, and multiple device compatibility issues. Microsoft responded with a spate of out-of-band patches, but reputational damage lingered.With 25H2, Microsoft’s choice to adopt an enablement package model reflects a desire to restore user trust and streamline the update cycle. Insiders and system administrators alike hope this means fewer update failures, bricked devices, and lost productivity.
Performance Claims: Marketing or Measurable Gains?
In parallel with 25H2’s new features, Microsoft has made headlines with claims of significant Windows 11 performance improvements. According to company statements, the OS now delivers faster boot times, reduced background CPU usage, and enhanced battery life on supported hardware. However, critical evaluation—and independent benchmarking—paint a more nuanced picture.- Boot and Sleep/Wake: Anecdotal reports suggest modest improvements in wake-from-sleep performance, especially on new hardware, but minimal changes on systems more than two years old.
- Resource Usage: The reduction in background processes is welcome, but tests by tech publications indicate that real-world gains are measured in single-digit percentages.
- Battery Life: While Microsoft touts longer battery life on ARM and newer Intel chips, independent reviews find the improvements are most pronounced on Microsoft Surface devices—with other OEM laptops seeing little change.
Potential Risks and Gaps: Who Gets Left Behind?
Though 25H2 delivers some overdue concessions to users, certain key issues remain:- Home Edition Exclusion: The lack of Group Policy Editor restricts official removal features for the majority of home users. Unless Microsoft broadens access or introduces alternative mechanisms (such as a redesigned Settings app), complaints are likely to persist.
- Limited Scope of Removable Apps: While progress has been made, many persistent system apps remain non-removable. Users wanting a truly “barebones” OS must still resort to scripts or external utilities, with all associated risks.
- Fragmentation by Region and Edition: The DMA-driven concessions in Europe highlight uneven regulatory environments. Microsoft’s willingness to allow browser removal in the EU—and not elsewhere—may set a precedent, but could dim prospects for unified global improvements.
- Stability After Removal: Although Microsoft is gradually loosening restrictions, forcibly removing certain apps (particularly those with deep system hooks) still poses risks to OS stability and update compatibility.
Community Response: Cautious Optimism, Lingering Frustration
Among Windows power users and IT professionals, 25H2’s changes are met with cautious optimism. The ability to jettison pre-installed gaming overlays or superfluous media apps is broadly welcomed, and the faster enablement-based patching model is considered a step in the right direction. However, expectations remain tempered:- Clamor for More Customization: Tech forums and feedback hubs are replete with requests to further expand the list of removables, especially Cortana, Widgets, and other entrenched tools.
- Concern Over Update Cadence: Some admins worry that “feature unlocks” via enablement packages may eventually mask deeper changes, increasing the need for vigilant change management.
- Apprehension About Regulatory Fragmentation: As Microsoft tailors features for different markets, concerns emerge about a splintered user experience and the possible confusion for cross-border users.
Final Analysis: A (Partial) Win for Windows 11 Control
The Windows 11 25H2 update signals real, if incremental, progress in Microsoft’s long journey toward making the OS more user-centric. For users with Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, the Group Policy-based uninstallation tool represents a tangible win over persistent bloatware. For EU users, DMA-driven reforms grant new browser freedom, albeit only within regulatory boundaries.Yet this progress is uneven. Millions remain without official tools to clean up their desktops, while core apps are still locked down too tightly for those seeking a minimalist OS. Microsoft’s tentative steps in 25H2 may foreshadow a future where all users—regardless of edition or geography—can finally claim their PCs as true personal computers, rather than platforms managed at a distance.
Until then, trust in Microsoft’s vision for Windows 11 will continue to depend on its willingness to listen to user demands, adapt to regulatory pressures, and deliver on promises not just of performance, but of genuine user empowerment. As always, savvy Windows users will keep one eye on upcoming updates—and another on the third-party tools that, for now, still carry the torch for real OS customization.
Source: Notebookcheck The Windows 11 25H2 update enables some users to remove pesky apps and bloatware from the OS
