Experts: Uninstall These 12 Windows Apps Now

Setting up a new Windows computer often means wading through a collection of pre-installed software that can slow down your system. This built-in software, commonly called bloatware, not only consumes valuable storage space but also runs background processes that drain memory and processing power. For users with older machines or those who prioritize a clean, efficient system, removing these applications is a crucial first step. Beyond performance, many of these programs collect usage data, raising legitimate privacy questions for a growing number of users. The following list highlights applications that experts consistently identify as safe to remove, helping you reclaim system resources and streamline your computing environment.

The primary issue with these bundled applications is their impact on system performance and user privacy. They often launch automatically with Windows, consuming RAM and CPU cycles that could be used for your actual work or entertainment. This background activity can lead to noticeably slower boot times and reduced overall responsiveness. Furthermore, a significant number of these apps are designed to send diagnostic and usage information back to Microsoft. While the company states this data helps improve services, the opaque nature of what is collected and how it is used makes many people uncomfortable. From a practical standpoint, these applications are frequently redundant, offering features that are either built directly into the operating system or better handled by superior third-party software.

Candy Crush Saga and similar game promotions are classic examples of bloatware. These tiles appear in the Start Menu as advertisements, not as fully installed games. Clicking them initiates a download from the Microsoft Store. They serve no functional purpose on your system until you choose to install them, making their promotional presence an unnecessary clutter.

The “Get Help” app is pre-installed to connect users with Microsoft support. However, if you rarely use official support channels, this application simply takes up space. Most users find online forums, knowledge bases, or direct web searches to be faster and more effective for solving common problems.

Microsoft Solitaire Collection comes bundled to provide a classic card game experience. While harmless, it is often ad-supported and pushes microtransactions. If you don’t play these games, it’s just another application using background resources. Plenty of free, ad-free alternatives exist online or through other stores.

Microsoft News and Weather applications aggregate content from various sources. The concern here is their constant background activity to fetch updates and notifications, which uses network bandwidth and system resources. You can easily get the same information from your preferred web browser or a dedicated, more configurable news app.

The “Movies & TV” app is Microsoft’s default video player. It offers limited format support and functionality compared to robust, free alternatives like VLC Media Player. Unless you purchase content from the Microsoft Store, this app is largely redundant for playing your personal media files.

OneNote is a capable note-taking application, but it is often installed by default even if you use a different service like Evernote, Notion, or Google Keep. If you have no plans to use the Microsoft ecosystem for notes, uninstalling it removes a background process and frees up storage.

Outlook may come pre-loaded, but this is typically just a desktop link or a minimal installer that requires a full download upon first use. If you use a different email client like Thunderbird or prefer web-based email, this placeholder serves no purpose and can be removed.

People is an app that attempts to centralize contacts from various services like Outlook and Skype. In practice, most users manage contacts directly within their email client, phone, or a dedicated CRM. The app often goes unused and can sync data in the background unnecessarily.

Skype is still included by default, despite Microsoft’s shift in focus to Teams. For many users, Skype has been replaced by Zoom, Discord, FaceTime, or Teams itself. If you don’t have an active Skype account, this is another application that can be safely uninstalled.

Tips is an app designed to offer Windows tutorials and suggestions. After the initial setup period, most users find they no longer open it. The information within is often basic and can be found through a quick internet search if needed, making the dedicated app superfluous.

Xbox and related gaming services are bundled for gaming functionality. However, if you are not a PC gamer who uses Xbox Live, Game Pass, or other Microsoft gaming services, these apps run background processes related to game recording and social features that you will never use.

Your Phone is an app that links your Android device to your Windows PC. While useful for some, it requires specific setup and permissions. If you do not own an Android phone or prefer other methods of syncing, this app simply sits idle and can be removed without consequence.

Removing these applications can lead to a snappier system startup and more available memory for your daily tasks. The process is straightforward: you can uninstall most through the Settings menu under “Apps & features,” or by right-clicking on them in the Start Menu. For a few persistent apps, you might need to use Windows PowerShell with administrator privileges. Taking the time to declutter your system of these pre-installed programs is a simple yet effective way to optimize performance and tailor Windows to your actual needs.

(Source: BGR)