“How to Debloat Windows 11: Remove Bloatware and Improve Performance”

How to Debloat Windows 11: Remove Bloatware and Improve Performance

Windows 11, like its predecessors, comes bundled with a fair amount of pre-installed software, often referred to as “bloatware.” This can include apps you never use, trial versions of software, and utilities that run in the background, consuming resources and potentially slowing down your PC. Fortunately, there are several methods to debloat Windows 11, reclaim storage space, and improve system performance. This guide will walk you through the various approaches, from simple built-in tools to more advanced techniques.

I. Built-in Methods (Beginner-Friendly)

These methods utilize tools and features already present in Windows 11, requiring no downloads or advanced technical knowledge.

A. Uninstalling Apps from the Start Menu & Settings:

This is the most straightforward approach. Windows 11 makes it relatively easy to remove many pre-installed apps.

1. Start Menu Method:

   • Click the Start button.
   • Right-click on the app you want to remove.
   • Select Uninstall. Some apps may require further confirmation in a pop-up window.

2. Settings App Method:

   • Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
   • Click on Apps.
   • Select Installed apps (or Apps & features in some versions).
   • Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the app you want to remove.
   • Click the three dots (ellipsis) next to the app name.
   • Select Uninstall.
   • Follow any on-screen prompts.

Important Notes:

• Not all apps can be uninstalled this way. Some core system components are protected.
• Be cautious about uninstalling apps you’re unsure of. If in doubt, research the app online before removing it.
• Some Microsoft apps, like the Xbox Game Bar, are deeply integrated. Uninstalling them may not be possible through the standard methods, but you can disable them (see Section III).

B. Using the “Get Help” App (for Specific Apps):

Microsoft’s “Get Help” app can sometimes assist in uninstalling stubborn apps.

1. Press Windows Key + S to open the search bar.
2. Type Get Help and open the app.
3. In the search bar within Get Help, type something like “Uninstall [app name]” (e.g., “Uninstall Candy Crush”).
4. The app may provide a direct link to uninstall the problematic software or guide you through the process. This is not consistently effective for all apps.

II. PowerShell Commands (Intermediate)

PowerShell is a powerful command-line interface that allows for more granular control over Windows. We’ll use it to remove apps that aren’t easily uninstalled via the GUI (Graphical User Interface).

WARNING: PowerShell commands can have significant effects on your system. Incorrect commands can cause problems. Proceed with caution and double-check all commands before executing them. It’s highly recommended to create a system restore point before using PowerShell for debloating.

A. Removing Specific Apps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   • Press Windows Key + X.
   • Select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
   • Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

2. Get the App Package Name:

   • To remove a specific app, you need its package name. Use the following command to list all installed apps and their package names:
     powershell
Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
     This will display a long list. You can pipe this to a text file for easier searching:
     powershell
Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName | Out-File -FilePath "C:\InstalledApps.txt"
     This creates a file named “InstalledApps.txt” on your C: drive containing the list. Open the file and use Ctrl+F to find the app you want.

3. Uninstall the App:

   • Once you have the PackageFullName, use the following command, replacing "PackageFullNameHere" with the actual package name:
     powershell
Remove-AppxPackage -Package "PackageFullNameHere"
     For example, to remove the Microsoft Solitaire Collection, the command might look like:
     powershell
Remove-AppxPackage -Package "Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.14.10181.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe"
     (Note: The exact package name will vary based on the app version and your system.)

B. Removing Apps for All Users:

The previous commands only remove apps for the current user. To remove them for all users on the system, use the -AllUsers parameter:

powershell
Remove-AppxPackage -Package "PackageFullNameHere" -AllUsers

C. Removing Provisioned Apps:

Provisioned apps are pre-installed for new user accounts. Removing them prevents them from being installed when a new user is created.

1. List Provisioned Apps:
   powershell
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Select DisplayName, PackageName

2. Remove Provisioned Apps:
   powershell
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {$_.PackageName -like "*PackageNameSnippet*"} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online
   Replace "*PackageNameSnippet*" with a part of the package name you want to remove. For example, to remove all provisioned packages related to “Microsoft.Zune”, you could use:
   powershell
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {$_.PackageName -like "*Microsoft.Zune*"} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online
   Be extremely careful with this command, as it can remove essential components if you’re not specific enough. It’s generally safer to remove apps one by one using the full package name.

III. Disabling Services and Features (Intermediate)

Some apps and features can’t be fully uninstalled, but they can be disabled to prevent them from running and consuming resources.

A. Disabling Startup Apps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the Startup tab (or Startup apps).
3. Right-click on any app you want to disable at startup.
4. Select Disable.

B. Disabling Windows Features:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type optionalfeatures and press Enter.
3. Uncheck the boxes next to features you want to disable (e.g., Internet Explorer 11, Media Features). Be very careful here. Disabling critical features can cause system instability.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer when prompted.

C. Disabling Services:

1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate services you want to disable. Common targets for debloating (but proceed with caution and research each service first) include:
   • Connected User Experiences and Telemetry: Related to data collection.
   • Diagnostic Policy Service: Used for diagnostics and troubleshooting.
   • Print Spooler: Only disable if you never print.
   • Windows Search: Disabling this will significantly slow down file searching.
3. Double-click the service.
4. Change the “Startup type” to Disabled.
5. Click Stop to stop the service immediately.
6. Click Apply and OK.

IV. Third-Party Debloating Tools (Advanced – Use with Caution)

Several third-party tools claim to automate the debloating process. Use these with extreme caution. Some tools can be overly aggressive and remove essential system components, leading to instability or even data loss. Always research the tool thoroughly, read reviews, and create a system restore point before using any third-party debloater.

Some commonly mentioned (but not necessarily endorsed) tools include:

• O&O AppBuster: Specifically designed for removing Windows apps.
• Bloatbox: Open source, allows more control over what is removed.
• ThisIsWin11: Offers various Windows 11 tweaks, including debloating features.
• Windows11Debloater (GitHub Project): A PowerShell script that automates many of the commands mentioned in Section II. This requires careful examination of the script before running it.

Always download these tools from reputable sources (e.g., the developer’s official website or GitHub repository) and scan them with an antivirus program before running them.

V. Final Steps and Considerations

• Restart Your Computer: After making any significant changes, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
• Create a System Restore Point: Before making major changes, especially using PowerShell or third-party tools, create a system restore point. This allows you to revert your system to a previous state if something goes wrong. (Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start Menu).
• Regular Maintenance: Periodically review your installed apps and running services to keep your system clean and optimized.
• Be Selective: Don’t blindly remove everything. Some pre-installed apps and services are essential for system stability and functionality. Research before you remove.
• Consider a Clean Install: For the most thorough debloating, consider performing a clean install of Windows 11. This installs the operating system without any pre-installed third-party software or OEM bloatware. However, this requires backing up your data and reinstalling all your programs.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of bloatware on your Windows 11 system, free up valuable storage space, and potentially improve your computer’s performance. Remember to proceed cautiously, especially when using advanced techniques, and always prioritize system stability.