How to Remove Windows 11 Bloatware | PC Laptops

Windows 11 ships with dozens of pre-installed apps, sponsored tiles, and background services you never asked for. If your PC feels sluggish right out of the box, bloatware is often the reason. This guide walks you through how to remove bloatware from Windows 11 using three proven methods: manual uninstall, PowerShell commands, and Group Policy controls.

At PC Laptops, our technicians handle this process daily across seven Utah locations and through in-home service visits, so every step here reflects what actually works in the real world. Follow these methods and you will finish with a machine that boots faster, uses less memory at idle, and runs fewer background processes.

What Is Bloatware in Windows 11 and Why Does It Matter?

Bloatware in Windows 11 refers to pre-installed apps, sponsored tiles, telemetry services, and OEM-added software bundled onto your PC without your request. Microsoft includes many of these apps through deals with publishers and to promote its own services.

The real cost shows up in performance: longer boot times, higher RAM usage at idle, and background data collection running constantly. According to Microsoft's own documentation on app management, Windows 11 includes several categories of pre-provisioned apps that can be removed without affecting core system functionality.

Windows security researcher Ken Harris sums it up plainly: "Windows hardening and debloating requires systematic removal of unnecessary software and telemetry to improve system security and performance."

Understanding what qualifies as bloatware is the first step toward a faster, more responsive PC.

Before You Start: What You Need

Before starting Windows 11 bloatware removal, make sure you have the following in place.

You will need:

• A backup of your important data. Visit our data backup and transfer service page to learn how PC Laptops can help with this step.

• An administrator account on the Windows 11 machine.

• The built-in Settings app (available on all editions).

• Windows PowerShell, run as administrator (available on all editions).

• Group Policy Editor, available on Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise only, not Home.

Before running any commands, create a System Restore point. Open the Start menu, search "Create a restore point," and follow the prompts. This lets you roll back if anything goes wrong during the process.

One important mistake to avoid upfront: do not remove system dependencies like .NET Framework or Visual C++ Redistributables. Other software relies on them, and removing them can break programs you actually use.

How to Identify Windows 11 Bloatware Before Removing It

Accurate identification prevents costly mistakes.

Step 1: Open Settings, go to Apps, then Installed Apps. Sort the list by Publisher. Microsoft-published apps you have never opened are strong candidates for removal.

Step 2: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Startup and Processes tabs. Apps consuming memory in the background without serving you are worth flagging.

Quick Reference: Safe vs. Risky Apps to Remove

When in doubt, search the app name before removing it. A quick look at Microsoft's list of removable inbox apps confirms which packages are safe to uninstall without affecting Windows functionality.

Three Ways to Remove Windows 11 Bloatware

Each method targets a different scenario. Choose the one that fits your setup, or work through all three for the most thorough result.

Method 1: Manual Uninstall Through Settings

This is the simplest way to remove bloatware from Windows 11 without any extra tools or commands.

1. Open Settings and navigate to Apps, then Installed Apps.

2. Find the app you want to remove.

3. Click the three-dot menu next to the app name and select Uninstall.

4. Confirm when prompted.

Some apps, including certain Microsoft-published titles, will not show an Uninstall option in Settings. For those, move on to the PowerShell method below.

One common mistake to avoid: always confirm removal through the Settings panel rather than right-clicking Start menu icons. Right-clicking a pinned icon and selecting "Uninstall" may remove only the shortcut, not the actual package.

Method 2: Remove Bloatware with PowerShell

PowerShell lets you remove Windows 11 bloatware with precision, including apps that do not offer an uninstall option in Settings.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin), or search for PowerShell and run it as administrator.

2. To find the exact package name, run: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Select Name, PackageFullName

3. To remove a specific app, use this syntax: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *PackageName* | Remove-AppxPackage

4. Example for removing Candy Crush: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *CandyCrush* | Remove-AppxPackage

Always launch PowerShell as administrator. Running it without admin privileges will either fail outright or only remove the app for your current user account, leaving it installed for any other users on the machine.

Method 3: Use Group Policy to Block Bloatware from Coming Back

This method applies to Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise only. Group Policy does not remove apps already installed, but it prevents Windows from reinstalling consumer bloatware through future updates. Disabling consumer experiences is a recommended step in any standard Windows maintenance routine.

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content.

3. Double-click "Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences."

4. Set it to Enabled and click OK.

Skipping this step after manual removal means Windows Update may quietly restore apps like Candy Crush or Solitaire during the next feature update cycle. Running Group Policy after cleanup closes that door.

What Happens After You Remove Windows 11 Bloatware

After removal, most users notice faster boot times and better overall system performance right away. RAM usage at idle often drops noticeably, and background CPU activity tends to calm down.

The reinstallation problem is real, which is why Method 3 matters. Check your Installed Apps list after any major Windows update to catch anything that returned.

Watch for these warning signs that something went wrong during removal:

• The Start Menu stops loading or shows errors.

• Apps you use regularly begin crashing unexpectedly.

• System features like Windows Search or Settings fail to open.

If any of those symptoms appear, use the System Restore point you created before starting. That restore point will roll your system back to its state before removal.

For managed work devices, check with your IT department before removing anything. Some apps that look like bloatware on a personal PC are actually required for corporate security tools or remote management software.

When to Ask a Professional for Help

Removing bloatware from Windows 11 is straightforward when you follow the steps above. But if your PC is still running slowly after cleanup, the problem may go deeper than pre-installed apps. A slow computer can point to hardware issues, a fragmented drive, outdated drivers, or a virus that no amount of bloatware removal will fix.

PC Laptops offers computer repair and tune-up services at all seven Utah locations, and our technicians can come directly to your home through our in-home service program. Every repair is backed by our Lifetime Service Guarantee on parts, labor, and support.

If you have worked through all three methods above and your machine still feels sluggish, give your nearest PC Laptops location a call. We will take a look and tell you exactly what is going on.