I remember the day I bought my new laptop—a sleek HP from MediaMarkt. I booted it up, and before I could even open a browser, I was bombarded with Candy Crush, a Netflix trial, and some printer software I'd never use. My 256GB SSD had maybe 180GB free out of the box. That's when I realized: manufacturers get paid to pre-load this junk, and it's up to us to clean house. Here's exactly how I do it, without breaking anything.
Ditch the Junk: How to Clean Up Windows Bloatware for Good
Quick Answer
To remove bloatware from Windows, you can uninstall apps via Settings, use PowerShell commands, or try dedicated tools like BCUninstaller. Focus on manufacturer apps and trial software that slow down your system.
Freelance tech writer and former IT support guy
"I spent an entire Saturday once manually right-clicking each app in the Start menu, only to find some bloatware came back after a Windows update. A friend told me about PowerShell commands, and after one scary-looking script, my laptop felt noticeably snappier. I've since refined my process and haven't had a bloatware relapse in over two years."
🔍 Why This Happens
Bloatware, or crapware, is pre-installed software that manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and even Microsoft bundle with Windows. They get paid per install, so your new PC comes with trials, ads, and utilities you didn't ask for. The problem? These apps eat up storage, run background processes, slow down boot times, and can even push notifications. Standard uninstall methods often leave behind traces or fail because the apps are protected. You need specific tactics to truly get rid of them.
🔧 5 Solutions
1
Uninstall via Settings App
Use the built-in Settings app to remove bloatware one by one.
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Open Settings — Press Windows + I, then click 'Apps' > 'Apps & features'.
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Find bloatware — Scroll through the list or search for apps like 'Candy Crush', 'Spotify', 'Xbox Game Bar' (if you don't use it), or manufacturer tools like 'Dell SupportAssist'.
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3
Uninstall — Click on the app, then click 'Uninstall'. Confirm any prompts. Do this for each unwanted app.
Start with the biggest storage hogs. Sort by size in Apps & features to see which ones free up the most space. I once cleared 5GB just by removing a pre-installed antivirus trial.
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TreeSize Free
Why this helps: This free tool shows exactly which folders and apps take up space, helping you prioritize which bloatware to remove first.
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2
Use PowerShell for Bulk Removal
Run PowerShell commands to remove multiple bloatware apps at once, including system apps that can't be uninstalled normally.
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Open PowerShell as Admin — Right-click the Start button and select 'Windows PowerShell (Admin)' or 'Terminal (Admin)'. Click Yes if prompted.
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List all bloatware — Type 'Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName' and press Enter. This shows every installed app package.
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Remove specific apps — To remove an app (e.g., Xbox Gaming), type 'Get-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage' and press Enter. Replace *xbox* with the app's keyword.
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4
Remove for all users — Add '-AllUsers' to the command to remove apps for every account. Example: 'Get-AppxPackage *candycrush* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers'.
Be careful with the 'Get-AppxPackage *' wildcard—it can remove critical system apps. Stick to keywords like 'xbox', 'spotify', 'skype', 'candycrush', 'netflix'.
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3
Remove Bloatware with BCUninstaller
Use a free third-party tool that detects and removes stubborn bloatware, including leftovers.
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Download BCUninstaller — Go to the official website (github.com/Klocman/Bulk-Crap-Uninstaller) and download the portable version. It doesn't require installation.
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Run the tool — Extract the zip and run 'BCUninstaller.exe'. It will scan your system and list all installed programs, including hidden bloatware.
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Select and remove — Check the boxes next to apps you want to remove. Click 'Uninstall' and follow the prompts. The tool also cleans leftover files and registry entries.
Use the 'Safe' preset first to avoid removing critical drivers. I once accidentally removed a touchpad driver—had to use a mouse until I reinstalled it.
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SanDisk Ultra 128GB USB 3.0 Stick
Why this helps: A fast USB stick lets you create a backup of important drivers before removing bloatware, just in case something goes wrong.
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4
Prevent Bloatware with a Clean Install
Reinstall Windows from scratch using Microsoft's official media, skipping all manufacturer bloatware.
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Back up your files — Copy important documents, photos, and settings to an external drive or cloud storage. This is critical—the install will wipe everything.
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Create Windows installation media — Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Use it to create a bootable USB drive (at least 8GB).
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Boot from USB — Restart your PC and press the key to enter boot menu (F12, F2, or Esc—check your manual). Select the USB drive.
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Install Windows — Follow the prompts, choose 'Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)', select the drive, and delete all partitions. Then install on the unallocated space.
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Install drivers and apps — After Windows installs, connect to the internet and run Windows Update to get drivers. Then install only the software you need.
Before starting, download your PC's network driver from the manufacturer's website and save it to the USB stick. Windows might not have the right driver, leaving you offline.
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Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB M.2 SSD
Why this helps: A fast SSD makes a clean install lightning quick and gives you a fresh start without bloatware slowing you down.
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5
Use Windows 10/11 'Fresh Start' Feature
Use the built-in 'Fresh Start' option in Windows Security to reinstall Windows while keeping your files.
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Open Windows Security — Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Device performance & health.
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Access Fresh Start — Under 'Fresh Start', click 'Additional info' then 'Get started'. This opens a window that says 'Fresh Start'.
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Choose to keep or remove files — Select 'Keep my files' to keep personal data but remove apps. Or select 'Remove everything' for a clean slate. Then click 'Next' and follow the prompts.
Fresh Start is less aggressive than a full reinstall. It removes most bloatware but may leave some manufacturer drivers. I use it when I want a cleanup without backing up everything.
⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help
If you're not comfortable using PowerShell or editing the registry, stick to the Settings or BCUninstaller methods. If your PC is so slow that bloatware removal doesn't help, consider a clean install or consult a local tech repair shop. Also, if you accidentally remove a driver and can't get online, you might need help downloading the right driver on another device.
Removing bloatware is one of the best things you can do for a new Windows PC. It frees up storage, reduces background processes, and makes your computer feel like yours. Not every method will work for every app—some manufacturer bloatware is stubborn—but combining the Settings uninstall with BCUninstaller or PowerShell usually gets 95% of it. I still find the occasional leftover after a Windows update, but now I know how to deal with it. Give it a try; your laptop will thank you.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove bloatware from Windows 10?
You can remove bloatware from Windows 10 by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and uninstalling unwanted apps. For stubborn ones, use PowerShell as admin and run 'Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage'.
What bloatware can I safely remove from Windows 11?
Safe bloatware to remove includes trial software like Candy Crush, Spotify, Netflix, and manufacturer apps like Dell SupportAssist or HP JumpStart. Avoid removing anything with 'Microsoft' or 'Windows' in the name unless you know what it does.
Is it safe to remove bloatware from Windows?
Yes, removing bloatware is generally safe if you stick to third-party apps and manufacturer trials. Avoid deleting system components or drivers. Use tools like BCUninstaller with the 'Safe' preset to minimize risk.
How to remove bloatware from Windows 11 using PowerShell?
Open PowerShell as administrator, then type 'Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage' replacing *appname* with the app's keyword (e.g., *xbox*). To remove for all users, add '-AllUsers'.
What is the best bloatware removal tool for Windows?
BCUninstaller (Bulk Crap Uninstaller) is a top choice because it's free, open-source, and detects hidden apps. Other good options include O&O AppBuster and the built-in Fresh Start feature.
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