How to remove bloatware in Windows 11

How to remove bloatware in Windows 11

Is your Windows 11 PC lagging or running slower than expected? You may be dealing with bloatware, those unnecessary preinstalled apps that hog your system's resources. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to identify and remove these unwanted programs to improve your system's performance and overall user experience.

What is bloatware?

Bloatware, sometimes referred to as junkware or crapware, includes preinstalled software on your computer that is often unnecessary and takes up valuable storage space and processing power. Manufacturers or third-party vendors typically include these programs, which can range from trial software and games to toolbars and more.

While some of these preinstalled apps might be helpful, most are non-essential and can slow down your computer. In some cases, bloatware can even pose security risks. Removing these programs can enhance your PC's performance, free up storage, and help safeguard your privacy.

How to remove bloatware in Windows 11

There are several methods to remove bloatware from your Windows 11 device, depending on your comfort level with technology and the specific apps you want to remove.

Using the Settings menu

This straightforward method is perfect for removing a few apps and is accessible for users of all experience levels:

  1. Open the Settings menu by clicking on the gear icon in the Start menu or pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.
  2. Navigate to Apps from the list of options.
  3. Under Apps & features, browse the list of installed apps on your device. Click on any app you'd like to remove.
  4. Click the Uninstall button and confirm your choice when prompted.
  5. Repeat for any other unwanted apps.

Using the Control Panel

For those with a bit more technical know-how, the Control Panel offers a more in-depth approach:

  1. Search for "Control Panel" in the search bar or press Windows + R and type "control panel" in the Run box.
  2. Select the Control Panel app from the search results or click OK in the Run box.
  3. Click on Programs > Programs and Features to view all installed programs, including bloatware.
  4. Right-click or double-click on any program you'd like to remove and select Uninstall.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete the process, and repeat for any other apps you wish to remove.

Using PowerShell

For more persistent bloatware that won't budge using standard methods, PowerShell can come to the rescue. This approach requires some technical skill, as it involves running commands that can affect your system:

  1. Search for "PowerShell" or press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Confirm any prompts to allow the app to make changes to your system. The PowerShell window will open.
  3. Type Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers and press Enter to list all installed apps.
  4. Identify the bloatware you want to remove and note the app's name under the Name column.
  5. Type Remove-AppxPackage [PackageName] (replace [PackageName] with the app's name) and press Enter.
  6. Repeat for any additional apps you wish to remove.
  7. To remove all bloatware at once, type Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage and press Enter.

Using a bloatware removal tool

If manual removal seems daunting or if you want a more comprehensive solution, third-party bloatware removal tools can help. These tools scan your device for unnecessary apps and allow you to remove them quickly. Some even detect malware or adware disguised as bloatware.

After removing the bloatware, restart your PC to apply the changes.

For more tips on optimizing your Windows 11 experience or for expert IT support in Fresno, contact Bellwether IT today!