There are things Windows is good at, and other aspects where it fails miserably. Bloatware, I believe, falls under the latter. Over the years, Microsoft has been pushing more and more apps on Windows that offer no real utility to the vast majority of users. And after AI integration picked up, the list got even longer.

Bloatware is defined as an app or software that comes preinstalled on devices and is of no meaningful use to the end user. On Windows, there are two sources for it. Microsoft pushes many apps to keep users from leaving its ecosystem, while OEMs add a few to generate revenue. The bigger problem is that most of these apps are auto-configured to load at startup and have background permissions. This means fewer system resources are available to you. Thankfully, you can debloat Windows 11 or any older iteration within a matter of minutes. All you need is the list of apps to remove.

Everything non-essential from Microsoft

The list keeps growing

Microsoft itself contributes a major portion of bloatware on Windows. I am not saying you don't need any of the Microsoft apps that come pre-installed, but for the average user, most of them offer little value. For instance, if you use Google Meet or Zoom for video calls, Microsoft Teams doesn't serve a purpose. Similarly, when better third-party alternatives exist 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 users who rely on web-based AI tools. And the worst part is, you have two: Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot. The latter is a rebranded version of the Microsoft 365 (Office) app, focused on productivity and work. But the poor naming is confusing users. Nevertheless, if you are not a fan of AI in Windows, this too falls under the list of bloatware.

Even after years, Microsoft continues to ship Windows with Solitaire and other lightweight games. Let's be honest, it's not as fun as it used to be, and it even has ads now. I am a big fan of old games, but the way Microsoft has messed up Solitaire, it's also an app I remove from every fresh Windows install.

Here's the complete list of Microsoft apps I remove:

1. Microsoft Teams
2. Copilot
3. Microsoft 365 Copilot
4. Solitaire & Casual Games
5. Movies & TV
6. News
7. OneNote
8. Skype
9. Weather
10. Family
11. Mail and Calendar
12. Microsoft Clipchamp
13. Microsoft To Do
14. Feedback Hub
15. Sound Recorder

OEM apps are another concern

Some might be useful, but not all

Every OEM out there installs a set of apps before shipping Windows devices. I agree, a few could be useful, especially when it comes to handling system components and managing the PC, but most ought to be removed. They serve no purpose at all, and better alternatives already exist.

The number of apps shipped by OEMs differs from one manufacturer to another, but you can expect to easily find 5-10 of these on every new Windows device. Apart from their own apps, OEMs generally also install third-party antivirus software. And believe me, a trial version of this is way worse than Microsoft's built-in Windows Security. For everyday users, the latter is a much better solution.

On my Dell PC, here are the ones I removed almost instantly:

1. Dell SupportAssist (and all related apps)
2. Dell Cinema Guide
3. Dell Mobile Connect
4. MyDell
5. Dell Digital Delivery
6. Dell Optimizer

There could be more on your Dell PC. As for other manufacturers, look through the list of apps for any that have your OEM under "Publisher."

Don't treat every app the same way

A few might be needed down the line

All that said, you don't need to remove every app. It's important to realize that what might be bloatware for one user can complement another user's workflow. For example, many users consider Microsoft Edge, the built-in browser on Windows, as bloatware and remove it right away. Others use Microsoft Edge as the primary browser. Similarly, for non-gamers, Xbox and related components might be a waste of resources, but for gamers, the same can uplift the gaming experience.

Some even rely on apps pushed by OEMs to manage their systems. Let's take Dell SupportAssist. I believe it offers no real benefit as most of its functions are natively integrated into Windows. Whether it's checking for updates, scanning hardware, boosting performance, or optimizing hardware, I can already do all that and much more within Windows. But many others find Dell SupportAssist useful simply because it provides all these options on a single page.

I am not saying you should leave them all, but don't consider every app bloatware just because someone says so. The right approach is to take some time, analyze the apps, see what they have to offer, and then uninstall what you consider bloatware. The same applies even to the apps that I listed earlier. This is especially important for applications listed under "System Components," including Microsoft Store, Get Help, and Windows Security.

Removing bloatware early is a smart habit

When it comes to removing bloatware, the sooner, the better. You should ideally do it as soon as you set up a new PC, or reset or reinstall Windows. Because of Microsoft's growing list of pre-installed apps and OEM-added programs, it doesn't take long for the system to feel cluttered. And it's not as difficult as you think. Most apps can be uninstalled from Settings or the Control Panel, and for the rest, you can use a PowerShell script to debloat Windows. It shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes at the most, and in the end, your system should feel much cleaner and faster.