If your Windows 11 PC feels sluggish, unused preinstalled apps—often called bloatware—could be the culprit. These programs consume storage, memory, and CPU resources, even when you never open them. Fortunately, you can remove bloatware from Windows 11 using several effective methods.
First, try the built-in Settings app. Press Win + I, go to Apps > Installed apps, and scroll or search for unwanted software. Click the three dots next to the app and select Uninstall. This works for most third-party bloatware and some Microsoft apps.
However, certain built-in apps like Xbox, OneDrive, or Microsoft Edge won’t uninstall through Settings. In that case, use PowerShell as Administrator. Press Win + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin). Then run:Get-AppxPackage *<AppName>* | Remove-AppxPackage
For example, to remove Xbox Game Bar, type:Get-AppxPackage *XboxGamingOverlay* | Remove-AppxPackage
To see all installed packages, use:Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
Alternatively, you can simplify the process with third-party tools. Apps like O&O AppBuster or PC Decrapifier offer user-friendly interfaces to identify and remove bloatware safely. Just download the tool, scan your system, select unwanted apps, and click uninstall. These utilities are especially helpful for non-technical users.
Next, disable startup bloatware to speed up boot times. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, and right-click unnecessary apps to Disable them. This won’t uninstall the software but stops it from launching automatically.
After removal, clean up leftover files with Disk Cleanup. Search for “Disk Cleanup,” select your system drive (usually C:), click Clean up system files, and check options like Temporary files and Windows Update Cleanup. Then click OK and Delete Files.
Finally, prevent bloatware from returning after Windows updates. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history and turn off app access to your activity data. On Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can also block the Microsoft Store via Group Policy (gpedit.msc): navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Store, and enable Turn off the Store application.
In summary, to remove bloatware from Windows 11, combine Settings, PowerShell, trusted third-party tools, and proactive maintenance. Doing so will free up space, reduce background activity, and noticeably improve system performance.
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