How to Remove Bloatware From Windows 11

Pre-installed software, often called bloatware, can clutter your Windows 11 experience from the moment you first turn on a new PC. These unwanted applications consume valuable disk space, use up system memory, and can even pose security risks, ultimately slowing down your computer’s performance.

By removing this unnecessary software, you can improve your system’s responsiveness and boot times. A cleaner system is not only faster but also more secure, with fewer programs running in the background and a smaller potential attack surface for malware.

This guide will walk you through several methods to reclaim your PC’s performance. While the basic methods require no special permissions, the more advanced techniques for permanent removal will require you to have administrative rights on your computer.

We will cover everything from manual uninstallation through the Windows Settings to automated solutions using PowerShell, the DISM command-line tool, and trusted third-party applications. Each method is designed for different user comfort levels, from beginner to advanced.

What Is Bloatware in Windows 11?

Bloatware refers to any software pre-installed on your operating system that you do not want or need. PC manufacturers and Microsoft often include these applications as part of partnership deals, which provides a financial incentive for them.

This can range from trial versions of antivirus software to games and utility apps you’ll never use. If you are ever unsure if a program is bloatware, you can search for its name online on community sites to see if it is safe to remove.

In Windows 11, bloatware often appears in two forms. The first is fully installed applications, such as Clipchamp or the Xbox app. The second form includes “ghost apps” or installer links pinned to your Start Menu. These icons for apps like Spotify don’t represent an installed program but will immediately download and install the app if you click them.

While not all bloatware is malicious, it contributes to system clutter and consumes resources. Identifying and removing these programs is a key step in optimizing a new or existing Windows 11 installation for better performance and a cleaner user experience.

How to Manually Uninstall Bloatware via Settings and Start Menu

Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes

The most straightforward way to begin removing bloatware is by using the built-in tools provided by Windows 11. This approach is suitable for all user levels because it is reversible and does not involve complex commands.

It allows you to review each application individually before deciding to uninstall it. Note that this action only removes the application for the current user account.

1. Open the Windows 11 Settings App

   Press the Windows Key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. You can also press the Windows Key to open the Start Menu and click the Settings icon if it is pinned there.

   

2. Navigate to the Installed Apps List

   In the left sidebar of the Settings app, select Apps. On the right side, click the Installed apps option to see a complete list of software on your PC.

   

3. Find and Uninstall the Unwanted App

   Scroll through the list to locate an application you wish to remove. Click the three-dot menu icon on the far right of the app’s name, and then select Uninstall from the menu that appears. If the ‘Uninstall’ button is grayed out, the app is considered a system component and requires an advanced method to remove.

   

4. Confirm the Uninstallation

   A small pop-up will appear to confirm your choice. Click the Uninstall button again to proceed. Windows will then remove the application. You can confirm it worked when the app vanishes from the list.

   

5. Alternative: Uninstall from the Start Menu

   You can uninstall many apps directly from the Start Menu. Open the menu, find the app’s icon by clicking All apps, right-click it, and select Uninstall. Confirm the action to remove it. This works well for the “ghost app” installer links.

How to Prevent Bloatware Using the Group Policy Editor

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 5-7 minutes

This method is ideal if you want to proactively stop Windows from suggesting new apps, especially if you are setting up a PC for multiple users. By using the Local Group Policy Editor, you can disable a feature that downloads suggested content. ⚠️ Note: This method is not available on Windows 11 Home edition.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor

   Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc into the field and press Enter. If you receive an error stating ‘gpedit.msc’ cannot be found, it is because your version of Windows does not include this feature.

   

2. Navigate to the Cloud Content Policy

   In the left navigation pane, go to the following location: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content.

   

3. Enable the Policy to Turn Off Cloud Content

   In the right-hand pane, double-click the policy named Turn off cloud optimized content. In the window that opens, select the Enabled radio button. Click Apply, then OK. To verify the change, confirm that the policy’s state is now listed as ‘Enabled’.

   

4. Optional: Reset the Current Start Menu Layout

   The policy change prevents new suggested apps from appearing. To clean up existing ones, you can reset your Start Menu layout. Open File Explorer, enable “Show hidden items” in the View menu, and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy. Delete the LocalState folder and restart your PC.

Before attempting the advanced command-line methods below, it is highly recommended that you create a System Restore Point. This action allows you to revert your system to its current state if you accidentally remove a critical component.

How to Remove Bloatware for a Single User with PowerShell

Difficulty: Advanced
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes

PowerShell provides a command-line interface to remove built-in applications that cannot be uninstalled through the Settings menu. This method removes apps only for the currently logged-in user.

⚠️ Note: This requires administrator privileges.

⚠️ Important: Avoid removing packages with names like Microsoft.VCLibs or .NET.Native. These are shared libraries required by many other applications from the Microsoft Store. Removing them can cause other apps to crash or fail to launch.

1. Open PowerShell as an Administrator

   Press Windows Key + X to open the Power User menu, and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click Yes.

   

2. List All Installed Apps

   To find the precise name of the application you want to remove, you can display a list of all installed packages. Enter the following command and press Enter: Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName

3. Uninstall a Specific App
    
   With the app’s name identified, use the Remove-AppxPackage command. The asterisks () act as wildcards. For example, to remove all Xbox-related apps, use this command: Get-AppxPackage *XboxApp* | Remove-AppxPackage. A successful command will run without errors, and you can verify the app is gone from the Start Menu.
    
   

How to Permanently Remove Bloatware for All Users with DISM

Difficulty: Advanced
Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes

The DISM tool modifies the core Windows installation image, removing an application for all current and future users. This is the most permanent native removal method.

⚠️ Note: This action is difficult to reverse and requires administrator privileges.

⚠️ Important: Avoid removing packages with names like Microsoft.VCLibs or .NET.Native. These are shared libraries required by many other applications. Removing them can cause system instability.

1. Open PowerShell as an Administrator

   Press Windows Key + X and select Terminal (Admin) to open an elevated command-line session.

   

2. List All Provisioned Apps

   To view the apps included in the base Windows image, enter the following command: DISM /Online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages | select-string Packagename

   

3. Remove a Provisioned App Permanently

   From the list generated, you must copy the full package name of the app you want to remove. Wildcards () will not work here.
    
   Use the following command structure, replacing PACKAGENAME with the exact text you copied: DISM /Online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:PACKAGENAME.
    
   If you get an error, double-check that the package name was copied exactly. A success message confirms the app has been removed from the system image.

   

How to Remove Bloatware Using the Winget Command

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 5-7 minutes

Windows Package Manager (winget) is a modern command-line tool built into Windows 11 that can streamline software management. You might prefer this method over older PowerShell commands as its syntax is often more direct.

⚠️ Note: This requires administrator privileges.

1. Open Terminal as Administrator

   Press Windows Key + X and select Terminal (Admin). This will open a PowerShell session with the necessary permissions.

2. List Installed Apps with Winget

   To find the exact name of the program you want to remove, type winget list and press Enter. This will show a list of all installed applications, including their names and IDs.

3. Uninstall an App by Name

   Once you have the name of the app, use the uninstall command. For example, to remove Microsoft To Do, you would use: winget uninstall "Microsoft To Do". Use quotation marks for names with spaces. A successful uninstallation will be confirmed in the terminal output.

How to Remove Bloatware Using Windows Security Fresh Start

Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 15+ minutes

“Fresh Start” is a feature within Windows Security that performs a clean reinstallation of Windows 11. It keeps your personal files but removes most applications. This is a useful option if your PC is heavily cluttered.

⚠️ Note: This is a significant step. You will need to reinstall all your desired applications, such as Microsoft Office and your web browser, after it completes.

1. Open Windows Security

   Open the Start Menu, type Windows Security, and select the app from the results.

   

2. Navigate to Fresh Start

   In the Windows Security app, click on Device performance & health in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Fresh start section and click on Additional info.

   

3. Begin the Fresh Start Process

   On the Fresh start screen, click the Get started button. Read the summary of what will be removed and follow the on-screen prompts. Your PC will restart and reinstall Windows, which may take some time.

How to Remove Bloatware Using a Trusted Third-Party Tool

Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes

For those who prefer a graphical user interface, several third-party tools can simplify the debloating process. These applications provide a user-friendly way to select and remove multiple unwanted apps at once. ⚠️ Note: It is critical to only download these tools from their official developer websites or GitHub pages to avoid installing malware.

1. Download a Reputable Debloater Tool

   Choose a well-regarded tool such as O&O AppBuster or BloatyNosy. Navigate to the official source and download the latest version of the application.

2. Launch the Tool and Analyze Apps

   Run the downloaded file. Most of these tools are portable, meaning they don’t require installation. Upon launching, the tool will scan your system and display a comprehensive list of installed software, often with helpful categories and recommendations.

3. Select and Remove Unwanted Apps

   Review the list of applications and check the box next to each item you want to uninstall. The tool may provide a status indicating whether an app is considered safe to remove. Once you have made your selections, click the Remove button.

4. Create a Restore Point and Confirm

   Before proceeding with the removal, the tool will likely offer to create a System Restore Point. It is strongly recommended that you accept this option. After the restore point is saved, confirm the uninstallation to complete the process.

By following one or more of these methods, you can successfully remove unwanted bloatware from your Windows 11 PC. A clean system not only runs more efficiently but also provides a more pleasant and customized user experience, free from unnecessary clutter.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Bloatware

How much faster will my PC be after removing bloatware?

The performance improvement depends on your PC’s hardware and how much bloatware was removed. Users with less RAM and slower hard drives will notice the most significant improvements, especially in boot times and general responsiveness. Removing apps that run in the background will have a more noticeable impact than removing simple shortcuts.

Will major Windows updates reinstall the bloatware I removed?

Yes, this is a common occurrence. Major annual feature updates for Windows 11 (like the ’24H2′ update) often restore the operating system to its default state, which can include reinstalling built-in apps you previously removed. Debloating may need to be performed again after these significant updates.

What about software from my PC manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc.)?

OEM software can often be removed using Method 1 (via Settings). However, be cautious. While you can safely remove most trialware and media apps, some manufacturer software like “Dell Update” or “HP Support Assistant” may be important for receiving critical hardware driver and BIOS updates.

I used DISM and need an app back. How can I restore it?

Restoring a provisioned app removed with DISM is difficult. The best option is to use a System Restore Point you created before the removal. If you do not have one, the next best option is to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 11 using the Media Creation Tool, which refreshes system files without deleting your personal data.

Why is the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) missing on my PC?

The Local Group Policy Editor is a feature exclusive to the Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 11. It is not included in Windows 11 Home. Users with the Home edition will need to rely on the other methods in this guide.

What is Tiny11 and is it safe to use?

Tiny11 is an unofficial, community-made, modified version of Windows 11 that has been stripped of many components, including most bloatware. While popular with enthusiasts, it is not supported by Microsoft and could contain security vulnerabilities or instability. It is not recommended for use on a primary or work computer.

Will removing bloatware void my PC’s warranty?

No. Removing pre-installed software does not void your hardware warranty. The warranty covers the physical components of your computer. If you encounter a software issue so severe that it requires a system reset, the bloatware would be reinstalled anyway as part of the factory recovery image.

Are third-party debloater tools from GitHub safe to use?

Reputable, open-source tools with active communities and public source code (like BloatyNosy) are generally considered safe, provided you download them directly from the official GitHub project page. Avoid downloading these tools from third-party software sites, which may bundle them with additional unwanted software.

Why do some apps like TikTok or Spotify appear in my Start Menu even if I never installed them?

These are often not installed apps but rather “quick installer” links or web shortcuts. Microsoft includes them as suggestions. Clicking them will trigger a download and installation from the Microsoft Store. They can be removed by right-clicking the icon in the Start Menu and selecting ‘Uninstall’.

Related: How to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 11

Before making significant changes to your system like removing bloatware, creating a restore point is a critical safety step. Our guide shows you how to create a System Restore Point in Windows 11, allowing you to easily revert any changes if something goes wrong.

Related: How to Free Up Disk Space in Windows 11

Removing bloatware is a great first step to reclaiming storage. To further optimize your PC, you can use built-in tools to clean up temporary files and other system clutter. Learn the best techniques in our guide on how to free up disk space in Windows 11.

Related: How to Allow or Stop Apps from Running in the Background

In Windows, many apps don’t stop functioning as soon as you aren’t using them. We typically refer to these apps, which perform actions behind the scenes, as background apps. In our other guide, we show you how to stop apps from running in the background in Windows for individual users, individual apps, and for all users.
 

Related: How to Turn off Automatic Updates for Microsoft Store Apps 

The Windows Store’s ability to update apps automatically can be a very useful tool, but it can also be a nuisance. Often, users will notice that the service host network service is taking up a lot of their bandwidth and slowing things down. Other times, users want to turn off automatic updates because they prefer a certain version of an app. In our other guide, we show you how to turn off automatic updates for the Microsoft Store to prevent performance or network issues.