If you've recently bought a new laptop or desktop, you've almost certainly inherited a pile of pre-installed software you didn't ask for. From manufacturer toolbars to game demos, third-party antivirus trials and links to streaming services — this collection of unwanted apps is what most people call bloatware, and removing it is one of the quickest ways to make a Windows 11 PC feel faster and cleaner.
At our workshop in Edinburgh, customers from Morningside, Leith, Corstorphine and as far out as Livingston regularly bring in new machines that already feel sluggish straight out of the box. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to spot bloatware on Windows 11, the safest ways to uninstall it, and the apps that are usually safe to remove.
What Is Bloatware, Really?
Bloatware is any pre-installed software that adds little or no value to your day-to-day use of the PC. It typically falls into three categories:
- Manufacturer software — utilities from Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS or Acer that often duplicate features Windows already provides.
- Third-party trials — McAfee or Norton trials, Office 365 promos, music streaming shortcuts and partner apps bundled by the OEM.
- Microsoft Store apps — game demos, news widgets and lifestyle apps Windows 11 ships with by default.
None of these are technically dangerous, but together they consume memory, disk space, startup time and battery life. On a budget laptop with 8 GB of RAM, simply removing the worst offenders can shave several seconds off boot time and free up gigabytes of storage.
Step 1: Audit What's Installed
Before you start removing things, make a list. Open Settings → Apps → Installed Apps and sort by name or install date. Look out for entries you don't recognise, anything labelled "trial", and apps with the manufacturer's name in the title. Make a note of anything you're unsure about — a quick search will usually tell you whether it's safe to remove.
If your PC feels especially slow, also check Task Manager → Startup apps. Many bloatware utilities load themselves at boot, so disabling them here gives an immediate speed boost even before uninstalling.
Step 2: Uninstall the Easy Wins
From the same Apps → Installed Apps screen, you can remove most bloatware with three clicks. Common candidates that are almost always safe to remove on a fresh Windows 11 machine include:
- McAfee or Norton trials (Windows Defender is more than enough for most home users)
- Manufacturer "registration" or "support" apps
- Candy Crush, Solitaire Collection, Disney+, Spotify shortcuts, TikTok stubs
- Microsoft News, Weather, Tips and Get Started apps
- Old versions of Office or shortcut "buy" promos
Be more cautious with anything labelled "Driver", "Audio", "Graphics", "Power Manager" or "Hotkey Utility" — these often control hardware features like fan curves, the function keys, or the battery profile. If in doubt, leave it alone or check the manufacturer's website first.
Step 3: Clean Up the Start Menu and Taskbar
Windows 11 also "promotes" apps you haven't installed yet by pinning placeholder tiles to the Start menu. Right-click each one and choose Unpin from Start, or open Settings → Personalisation → Start and turn off "Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more". Do the same with the taskbar widgets if you don't use them — every running widget consumes a small amount of RAM.
Step 4: Use PowerShell for Stubborn Apps
A handful of Microsoft Store apps refuse to uninstall through Settings — Cortana, Xbox Game Bar and certain news widgets in particular. For these, PowerShell is your friend. Right-click the Start button, choose Terminal (Admin), and run:
Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage
Replace appname with a keyword from the package name (for example, *xboxgamebar*). Always research a package before removing it — some apps that look unnecessary are tied into Windows Update or licensing, and removing them can cause unexpected issues. If you're not comfortable with the command line, leave this step to a professional.
Step 5: Reset Windows for a Truly Clean Slate
If your PC is truly drowning in bloatware — or if you've inherited a second-hand machine with years of accumulated junk — the cleanest fix is a fresh Windows 11 installation. This wipes everything and starts from a clean Microsoft image, with none of the manufacturer's add-ons. Our OS installation service can do this for you and migrate your files across, so you don't lose anything important. If you'd prefer not to wipe the drive, our software troubleshooting service can do a guided debloat without a full reinstall.
Bonus Tips for a Faster PC
Removing bloatware is only one piece of the puzzle. To get the most from your machine, also consider:
- Freeing up disk space with Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup
- Tackling other common slowdown causes like full SSDs and runaway background tasks
- Upgrading to an SSD or adding more RAM if your machine still struggles after a clean-up
Need a Hand With Your PC in Edinburgh?
If you'd rather not poke around in PowerShell or aren't sure which apps are safe to remove, we can do it for you. Whether you're in Edinburgh city centre, Musselburgh, Penicuik, Bonnyrigg or anywhere else across the Lothians, our team can debloat, optimise and tune up your Windows 11 PC. Drop your machine into the workshop or take advantage of our home and office callout service and we'll come to you. Book a repair online or get in touch for a chat.