Windows 11 comes with various pre-installed apps that you may not want or need. While some of these apps serve useful purposes, others can be considered bloatware that takes up space and system resources. Fortunately, Windows 11 provides several methods to remove unwanted pre-installed apps and declutter your system.
Using Windows Settings
The simplest way to uninstall most pre-installed apps in Windows 11 is through the Settings app:
Step 1: Open the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (gear symbol).
Step 2: In the Settings window, click on “Apps” in the left sidebar.
Step 3: Click on “Apps & features” in the right pane.
Step 4: Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the search bar to find the app you want to remove.
Step 5: Click on the three dots next to the app name and select “Uninstall”.
Step 6: Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
This method works for most third-party apps and some Microsoft apps. However, certain core Windows apps cannot be uninstalled this way.
Using PowerShell
For more advanced users, PowerShell offers a way to remove apps that can’t be uninstalled through Settings:
Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)”.
Step 2: In the Terminal window, type powershell and press Enter to open a PowerShell prompt.
Step 3: To view a list of all installed apps, enter the following command:
Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
Step 4: To remove a specific app, use this command, replacing [PackageFullName] with the full name of the app you want to remove:
Remove-AppxPackage -Package [PackageFullName]
Step 5: To remove an app for all users on the system, use:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers [PackageFullName] | Remove-AppxPackage
Be cautious when using PowerShell to remove apps, as deleting certain system apps may cause instability.
Using Windows Package Manager (winget)
Windows 11 includes a built-in package manager called winget, which can be used to uninstall apps:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Step 2: To see a list of installed apps, type:
winget list
Step 3: To uninstall an app, use the command:
winget uninstall [App Name]
Replace [App Name] with the name of the app you want to remove.
Using Third-Party Uninstaller Tools
For a more comprehensive solution, consider using third-party uninstaller tools. These applications often provide additional features like bulk uninstallation and removal of leftover files:
- Revo Uninstaller
- IObit Uninstaller
- Geek Uninstaller
These tools can be particularly useful for removing stubborn apps or cleaning up remnants left behind by the standard uninstallation process.
When removing pre-installed apps, it’s important to research each app before uninstalling it. Some apps may be necessary for certain Windows functions, and removing them could cause system issues. Always create a system restore point before making significant changes to your Windows installation.