How to Detect and Remove Bloatware from Windows 11 and 10

Windows is a powerful operating system that comes with crappy bloatware (pre-installed software), which includes trialware, shareware, adware, and demo versions of extensive programs. These take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow down your PC, so most users look for ways to uninstall bloatware.

This article explains how to identify and remove bloatware from Windows 11 and 10 and boost PC performance.

What is Bloatware?

Bloatware (a.k.a. Potentially Unwanted Programs—PUP) is software that slows your device. It consists of installed packages on the device you no longer use. These unused portions of software programs are often enormous and hidden. Some researchers consider bloatware malware and suggest occasionally checking the device for threats. It can be installed on your device in two ways.

Pre-installed software

This is likely the oldest way manufacturers, including Microsoft, promote their software programs and make extra money. They provide additional programs, including safety suites, document managers, track apps, etc. At a glance, this might not look nasty, but bloatware brings the risk of outside attacks.

Online downloaded Software

These are considered riskier than the pre-mounted ones because they are primarily designed to damage the device. Therefore, to stay safe from them, use a PC cleanup tool with a security module. We recommend using Advanced System Optimizer, a trusted PC optimization software with 20+ system tweaking tools, including System Protector, which scans and cleans the malware, spyware, adware, and other infections from the PC.

Common Bloatware App Examples

• Weather & sports apps
• Financial or money apps
• Map or navigation apps
• Health and fitness apps
• Messaging or video apps
• Music and video players

How To Remove Bloatware From Your PC?

There are several methods for removing bloatware from your PC. Some are complicated, while others can be confusing. The ideal method is to use a bloatware remover. It is safe, easy to use, and, above all, feasible. Here are the steps to use it.

Method 1 – Remove Bloatware Using a Bloatware Removal Tool on Windows 11 and 10

1. Download and install Advanced System Optimizer.
   

   

2. Click the Security & Privacy section > System Protector.
3. Scan the PC for threats by clicking the Scan Now button.
4. Wait for the process to finish.
5. If any threat is detected, they will be automatically quarantined.
6. Select the threats and click Clean Infections.
7. Restart the PC to apply changes. This is how you can eliminate malware, adware, spyware, and similar threats.

In addition to this, you can use Uninstall Manager to remove bloatware from the PC. To use, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Advanced System Optimizer.
2. Click Regular Maintenance > Uninstall Manager.
   
3. Click Software List, which allows the app to scan the PC for installed applications.
4. Wait for it to check for the installed software.
5. Select the bloatware you wish to remove and click the Uninstall button.
6. Restart the PC to save changes. This is how you clean PC storage occupied by bloatware.

Manual Ways to Remove Bloatware from PC

Method 1 – Uninstall Bloatware Using the Windows 11 Settings App

The simplest way to remove unwanted apps from Windows 11 is through the Settings app. To remove bloatware using it, follow these steps:

1. Type Settings in the Windows search bar.
2. Select the best match and open the Settings app.
3. Choose Apps > Apps & features tab.
4. From the App list, search for the apps you want to remove > click on the three dots > and click Uninstall.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Uninstall again.

This will permanently remove the selected application from your PC.

Method 1.1 – Remove Pre-Installed Windows Apps Using the Start Menu

Another way to remove bloatware from Windows 11 is to use the Start menu and uninstall apps.

1. Click Start menu > All apps.
2. Locate the app you want to delete > right-click > Uninstall > confirm the action by clicking Uninstall.

Using the Start Menu, you can uninstall the pre-installed Windows app from the Windows 11 app.

Method 1.2 – Uninstall Bloatware – Windows 10

Removing bloatware from Windows 10 is not as complicated as you think. You can remove it through regular uninstallation steps. Although the method varies from application to application, certain apps like Money, News, and Sports that hog the startup menu can be removed by simple uninstallation.

You need to find the application > right-click >  Uninstall to remove them.

However, when you cannot find the uninstall button, use the DISM and PowerShell commands.

Read Here- How to Spot and Protect Yourself from Fake Antivirus Software

Method 2 – Remove Bloatware Using Group Policy Editor

To remove bloatware from the Start menu in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open “group policy” in the Windows 11 start menu and select the Edit group policy app.

2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content in the group policy editor.

3. Double-click on the Turn off cloud-optimized content policy.

4. In the “Turn off cloud optimized content” policy, click Enabled and click OK to save and close the policy.

5. Enable the policy and click OK.

6. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<current_user>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy (show hidden items if necessary).

7. Delete the LocalState folder. You can move it to another directory if you want to save it.

8. Restart the PC.

After rebooting and logging back in, the Start menu should be bloatware-free. Only bloatware links like ESPN, Spotify, and Messenger will be removed, not other APPX packages. This process applies to the current user and new user accounts only.

Be aware that Windows updates may reverse these changes. After installing updates, monitor your configuration settings to ensure the changes persist.

Method 3 – Hide Bloatware Using PowerShell Commands

Often used interchangeably, PowerShell and Command Prompt aren’t similar. PowerShell is a command and scripting language that gives enough control over Windows installation.

Follow the steps to hide bloatware from PowerShell.

1. Press Windows + X > Windows PowerShell (Admin)

2. Next, ensure you know the app you want to hide because PowerShell commands can remove packages ranging from fitness to health to Windows calculator.

3. Below are the commands you can use to hide applications:

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.ZuneMusic" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.Music.Preview" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingTravel" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingHealthAndFitness" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingFoodAndDrink" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.People" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingFinance" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.3DBuilder" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.WindowsCalculator" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingNews" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.XboxApp" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingSports" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.WindowsCamera" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.Getstarted" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.Office.OneNote" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.WindowsMaps" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BingWeather" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.BioEnrollment" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.WindowsStore" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.Windows.Photos" | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage -name "Microsoft.WindowsPhone" | Remove-AppxPackage

Read More – How to Protect Your Devices Against Malware

Method 4 – Delete Bloatware from Windows 11 & 10 Using DISM

If you are sure you just want to delete bloatware, you’ll need a different command line. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + X > Windows PowerShell (Admin)

2. Enter the following command into PowerShell window :-

DISM /Online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages | select-string Packagename

3. You will now get a list of all bloatware apps. To remove them, enter the following command:

DISM /Online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:PACKAGENAME

Note: Replace PACKAGENAME with the app’s name selected from the generated list.

4. After the operation, restart the PC to apply changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Does Bloatware Do?

Bloatware eats up system resources and consumes memory and storage, thus crippling the PC’s performance. It even clogs your machine, and adware fills the browser with commercials, causing a protection threat.

Q2. What are the different types of Bloatware?

Now that you have a fair idea of bloatware, the trouble it can cause, and the danger it represents. Let us learn about different types of bloatware. These are not the only bloatware examples, but by far, they are the most common you might encounter:

• Trialware

Common for Windows computers, trialware is pre-installed software that stops working once the trial is over. They are not typically harmful but can be annoying. The silver lining is that they are not hidden in the background so you can uninstall this bloatware.

• Utilities

Some utilities, such as backup, file management, and video editors, are helpful, but not everyone uses them. They fall under the category of Bloatware, but if you use them, it might not be bloatware.

You can easily remove third-party utilities, while uninstalling the ones the manufacturer offers is difficult.

• Adware

Contrary to the ones discussed, adware is likely installed on your PC through an internet download. It displays constant ads on your web browser.
This bloatware is easy to delete. However, watching what you download is always better than reviewing and removing it several days later. You can remove adware manually or can use System Protector.

Q3. Can you Debloat Windows 11?

You can debloat Windows 11 by manually removing apps using the Settings app or uninstalling unwanted apps from the Start menu > All apps.

Q4. How do I uninstall preinstalled apps on Windows 11?

To uninstall bloatware from Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Type Control Panel in the Windows search box.

2. Under Program Settings, click Uninstall a program.

3. Select the application you want to delete > Uninstall.

Q5. What should I uninstall from Windows 11?

The answer to this varies from user to user. However, any application you did not install or deem unnecessary can be uninstalled. Some examples are:

• QuickTime.
• uTorrent.
• Microsoft Silverrlight.
• Junk Browser Extensions.
• Potentially Unwanted PC Cleaner.
• Shockwave Player.
• PC Manufacturer Bloatware and other unwanted applications.

Q6. Why does Microsoft deliver Bloatware?

The answer is simple: to make a profit.

Say Goodbye to Bloatware

Bloatware might not seem problematic, but it can cause issues. It is suggested that you keep the PC clean and remove bloatware from the PC. Advanced System Optimizer will help clean the PC, free up space, optimize performance, and scan it for infections. We hope you like the post and will give the fixes a try.

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