11 Must-Keep vs. 11 Must-Ditch Windows Apps on a Fresh Install

Setting up a new Windows 11 computer involves a critical first step: deciding which pre-installed applications to embrace and which to remove. A fresh Windows installation comes loaded with software, some essential for productivity and others that simply take up space. Thanks to recent regulatory changes, you now have the freedom to uninstall most of these built-in programs. The key is knowing which tools genuinely enhance your workflow and which ones you can safely discard without impacting your system’s performance.

Upon inspecting a new PC, you’ll find dozens of apps under Settings. While they consume minimal resources, their presence can clutter your experience. I’ve organized these applications into clear categories based on daily use. Some earn a permanent spot on my taskbar, others I uninstall immediately, and a few remain available in the background for occasional needs.

Essential Applications to Keep

Certain Microsoft apps are simply too valuable to remove. They form the backbone of a smooth Windows experience.

Microsoft Store is indispensable. It’s the secure hub for updating system components and installing new software. Never attempt to remove it.

Microsoft Edge serves as a robust, Chromium-based browser with excellent compatibility and built-in privacy tools. It makes a perfect primary or backup browser, even if you customize its start page.

The Snipping Tool is a powerhouse for screen captures and basic video recordings. Its continuous improvements, like text extraction from images, make it a daily driver for quick sharing and documentation.

Terminal unlocks advanced system management through PowerShell. It’s a customizable command-line environment where you can automate tasks and manage your PC with precision. Consider upgrading to PowerShell 7 for the latest features.

Quick Assist is a lifesaver for providing remote tech support to friends and family. This built-in tool allows you to view and control another PC securely, eliminating the need for third-party downloads during stressful troubleshooting sessions.

Classic utilities like Notepad, Paint, Calculator, and Windows Clock have evolved into modern, capable tools. Notepad handles tabs and Markdown, Paint edits screenshots, Calculator graphs equations, and Clock manages focus sessions. They remain wonderfully practical.

Microsoft OneDrive offers seamless file syncing across devices. Even the free tier provides useful cloud storage, though you should monitor its backup settings to avoid unexpected file migrations.

While Copilot is still developing, its integration into Windows settings and apps shows promise for reducing manual configuration drudgery. It’s worth keeping an eye on as it evolves.

Sticky Notes provides a simple, synced note-taking experience across your PC and smartphone, making it easy to capture thoughts anywhere.

For a bit of fun, Solitaire & Casual Games offers a classic diversion. I even pay a small annual fee to remove the ads.

Finally, Microsoft Teams now combines work and personal accounts in one app, making it a convenient communication tool for both professional meetings and social calls.

Applications Worth Replacing

Some built-in apps are functional but outclassed by superior third-party alternatives. I leave these installed but remove their shortcuts from my Start menu.

The confusingly named Media Player is adequate for basic playback, but enthusiasts will prefer dedicated software like VLC or MediaMonkey for advanced codec support and library management.

Microsoft Photos is competent for viewing images and light editing. However, most users have a preferred, more powerful photo editor they should promote instead.

Microsoft Clipchamp is a basic video editor. Its premium features are tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription, but the market offers many clearer and more capable options for video creation.

The new Outlook app, which replaces Mail and Calendar, feels underdeveloped. Many find it merely adequate and choose to stick with the classic Outlook desktop application or other email clients.

Applications to Remove Entirely

Several apps are deprecated, neglected, or simply unnecessary for most users. You can confidently uninstall these to declutter your system.

Microsoft To Do overcomplicates task management. Simpler, more intuitive applications like Todoist often provide a better experience.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a misnamed app that merely opens the Office website in a dedicated window. You can achieve the same result by bookmarking office.com in your browser.

The Movies & TV app primarily fronts for content purchased from the Microsoft Store. A versatile media player like VLC is a far more useful replacement.

The Maps application feels like a relic from Microsoft’s mobile era. For finding locations on a PC, using Google Maps or Bing Maps in a web browser is more effective.

News and Weather apps haven’t seen meaningful updates in years. Microsoft now pushes news content through Widgets and the Edge browser homepage, making these standalone apps redundant.

I have never found a use for the Sound Recorder app. For quick audio notes, a smartphone is a more convenient tool for most people.

System Components to Leave Alone

A final category includes apps and system components that support core Windows functions. It’s best not to remove these, even if their purpose isn’t immediately clear.

This includes everything listed under System Components in your Apps settings. A prominent example is the Microsoft Bing app, which powers taskbar and Start menu search. Instead of uninstalling it, simply remove the search icon from your taskbar if you don’t use it.

The Camera app is useful for testing your webcam and adjusting its settings, so keep it installed. The Feedback Hub is also a keeper; it allows you to report issues or upvote existing problems, providing valuable input that can shape future Windows updates.

(Source: ZDNET)