I finally understand why everyone is uninstalling Windows bloat

There are things that Windows knows well, and others aspects in which it fails. Bloatware, I believe, falls under the latter. Over the years, Microsoft has introduced more and more programs to Windows that offer no real help to the vast majority of users. The list grew even longer after AI integration became stronger.

Bloatware is defined as software or software that comes pre-installed on devices and has no meaningful use for the end user. Windows has two sources for this. Microsoft pushes many apps to keep users from leaving its ecosystem, while OEMs add few apps to generate revenue. The bigger problem is that most of these apps are automatically configured to load at startup and have background permissions. This means that fewer system resources are available to you. Thankfully, you can Download Windows 11 or any old iteration in a matter of minutes. All you need is a list of programs to uninstall.

Anything from Microsoft that isn’t essential

The list continues to grow

Microsoft itself provides a large amount of bloatware on Windows. I’m not saying you don’t need any of the pre-installed Microsoft apps, but for the average user, most of them offer little value. For example, if you use Google Meet or Zoom for video calls, Microsoft Teams serves no purpose. Likewise, when there are better third-party alternatives available or a web version is available, apps like OneNote, Microsoft To Do, and Weather just seem pointless.

Microsoft’s AI chatbot Copilot is again an unnecessary addition to Windows for trusting users. web-based AI tools. And the worst part is that you have two: Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot. The latter is a rebranded version of Microsoft 365 (Office), focusing on productivity and work. But weak names confuse users. However, if you’re not a fan of AI on Windows, this falls under the bloatware list.

Years later, Microsoft continues to provide Windows with Solitaire and other light games. Honestly, it’s not as fun as it used to be, and it even has ads now. I’m a big fan of the old games, but like Microsoft messing up Solitaire, this is one app I remove from every game. fresh Windows installation.

Here is the full list of Microsoft programs I removed:

1. Microsoft Teams

2. Copilot

3. Microsoft 365 Copilot

4. Solitaire and Casual Games

5. Movies and TV

6. News

7. OneNote

8. Skype

9. Weather

10. Family

11. Mail and Calendar

12. Microsoft Clipchamp

13. Microsoft To Do

14. Contact center

15. Voice recorder

OEM applications are another concern

Some may be useful, but not all

Every OEM out there installs a bunch of software before shipping Windows devices. I agree, a few can be useful, especially when working with system components and controlling the PC, but most of them should be removed. They serve no purpose and better alternatives already exist.

The number of apps shipped by OEMs varies from one manufacturer to another, but you can easily find 5-10 of them on every new Windows device. In addition to their own software, OEMs usually install third-party antivirus software as well. Trust me, the trial version of this is the way Worse than Microsoft’s built-in Windows Security. For everyday users, the latter is a better solution.

Here are the ones I removed almost immediately on my Dell PC:

1. Dell SupportAssist (and all related programs)

2. Dell Movie Guide

3. Dell Mobile Connect

4. MyDell

5. Dell Digital Delivery

6. Dell Optimizer

There may be more to your Dell computer. As for other manufacturers, look under “Publisher” to list any apps that your OEM has.

Don’t treat every program the same way

You may need a few

That’s all, you don’t need to uninstall every program. It’s important to understand that what might be bloatware for one user can complete another user’s workflow. For example, many users consider Microsoft Edge, the built-in browser in Windows, to be bloatware and uninstall it immediately. Others Use Microsoft Edge as your primary browser. Similarly, for non-gamers, the Xbox and related components can be a waste of resources, but for gamers, the same can elevate the gaming experience.

Some even rely on apps provided by OEMs to manage their systems. Take Dell SupportAssist. I believe it has no real use since most of its features are natively integrated into Windows. Whether it’s checking for updates, scanning hardware, boosting performance, or optimizing hardware, I can now do all that and more from within Windows. But many find Dell SupportAssist useful simply because it provides all these options on one page.

I’m not saying you should ditch them all, but don’t discount every software bloat just because someone says so. The correct approach is to take some time, analyze the programs, see what they have to offer, and then remove what you consider to be bloatware. The same applies even to the apps I listed earlier. This is especially important for programs listed under “System Components,” including the Microsoft Store, Get Help, and Windows Security.

Removing bloatware early is a smart habit

When it comes to removing bloatware, the sooner the better. Ideally, you should do this as soon as you set up a new computer, or as soon as you reset or reinstall Windows. With Microsoft’s ever-growing list of pre-installed apps and OEM-added apps, it doesn’t take long for a system to become cluttered. And it’s not as hard as you think. The most programs can be deleted You can use Settings or Control Panel, and for the rest a PowerShell script to unload Windows. It shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes at most, and your system should feel cleaner and faster as a result.