How to remove bloatware from Windows 11

To remove bloatware from Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the three-dot menu next to each app you do not want, and choose Uninstall. That covers most preinstalled games, trial software, and promotional apps. For built-in Microsoft apps that hide the Uninstall option, you can use PowerShell or winget, and for a completely clean start, a fresh installation removes manufacturer extras entirely.

What Counts as Bloatware?

• Manufacturer extras: trial antivirus (often McAfee or Norton), support assistants, photo and media suites, and branded utilities installed by Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others.
• Promotional apps and links: games and streaming apps pinned to the Start menu, some of which are just shortcuts that install when clicked.
• Built-in Microsoft apps you never use: such as Clipchamp, Solitaire Collection, News, Weather, or Microsoft To Do.

Not everything preinstalled is bloat. Keep drivers, audio and touchpad utilities, firmware update tools from your PC maker, and core Windows components such as the Microsoft Store, Windows Security, and the Photos app.

Method 1: Uninstall Apps From Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Apps > Installed apps.
3. Use Sort by to sort by name, size, or install date, or type in the search box.
4. Select the three-dot menu next to an app and choose Uninstall, then confirm.
5. Repeat for each unwanted app. Some desktop programs open their own uninstaller; follow its prompts.

Trial antivirus can be stubborn. See how to remove McAfee from Windows 11 if it will not uninstall cleanly. Windows Security turns back on automatically once third-party antivirus is removed.

Method 2: Uninstall From the Start Menu

Open Start, right-click any pinned or listed app, and choose Uninstall (or Unpin from Start for promotional shortcuts that are not installed yet). To stop Windows suggesting apps and content, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more, and see how to remove Recommended from the Start menu.

Method 3: Use winget or PowerShell for Stubborn Built-in Apps

Some inbox apps have Uninstall greyed out in Settings. You can remove them for your account from an administrator Terminal.

With winget

1. Right-click Start and choose Terminal (Admin).
2. Run winget list to see installed apps and their names or IDs.
3. Run winget uninstall "App Name", using the exact name or ID shown.

With PowerShell

1. Run Get-AppxPackage | Select Name to list Store-style apps for your account.
2. Remove one with Get-AppxPackage *Clipchamp* | Remove-AppxPackage, replacing Clipchamp with part of the app’s package name.

Avoid removing packages you do not recognize, especially anything containing Store, Windows, VCLibs, UI.Xaml, NET.Native, or WebExperience, as other apps depend on them. Removed apps can be reinstalled from the Microsoft Store.

Method 4: Turn Off Startup and Background Apps

Even apps you keep can slow the PC by starting with Windows. Open Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off anything you do not need right away. You can also stop individual Store apps from running in the background; see how to turn off background apps in Windows 11. For web-search clutter in Start and the taskbar, see how to remove Bing from Windows 11.

Method 5: Start Fresh

A clean installation from Microsoft’s own Windows 11 media includes far fewer extras than a typical manufacturer image. Back up your files, then either use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC > Remove everything > Cloud download (which may reinstall the manufacturer’s apps on some PCs) or install from a USB drive created with the Media Creation Tool. See how to reinstall Windows 11 for each option. Install drivers from your PC maker’s support site afterward.

What About Debloat Scripts?

Community “debloat” scripts can remove dozens of apps and change many settings at once. They are popular, but they can also remove components that Windows Update, the Store, or other apps rely on, and some disable security features. If you use one, create a restore point first, read exactly what it changes, download it only from its official repository, and avoid options that turn off Windows Update or Windows Security. For most people, the manual methods above remove the clutter with much less risk.

Troubleshooting

The Uninstall button is greyed out

The app is a system component or required by Windows. Use winget or PowerShell if it is a removable inbox app, or simply unpin it.

Removed apps came back

Major Windows feature updates or a manufacturer’s update tool can reinstall some apps. Uninstall them again, and turn off automatic app installs in your PC maker’s utility if it has that option.

Something stopped working after removing an app

Reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or your PC maker’s site, or use System Restore to go back to the restore point you created.

The PC is still slow

Bloatware is only one cause. Check Task Manager for programs using high CPU, memory, or disk, keep at least 15 to 20 percent of your drive free, and make sure Windows and drivers are up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bloatware?

Software that comes preinstalled on a PC but that you did not ask for and do not use, such as trial programs, promotional games, and duplicate utilities.

Can I remove all bloatware from Windows 11?

You can remove most of it. A few built-in components cannot be removed, but you can unpin or disable them.

Will removing bloatware speed up my computer?

It can, especially if the apps ran at startup or in the background. It also frees storage space and cleans up the Start menu.

Is it safe to remove bloatware?

Yes, for third-party and promotional apps. Be careful with drivers, hardware utilities, and Windows components.

Can I reinstall apps I removed?

Yes. Microsoft apps are in the Microsoft Store, and manufacturer tools are on the PC maker’s support website.

Related: uninstall PC App Store on Windows 11.