Computer-Cleaning! (github tool, guide)
When you buy a new PCāwhether a high-end gaming device or an entry-level laptopāyou expect it to be clean from the start. However, Windows 11 typically comes with at least a few unwanted pre-installed apps, called bloatware. How should you remove bloatware from your PC?
What Is Bloatware, and Which Apps Should You Uninstall?
(skip to about 50% if you just want the juicy bits).
Windows 11 Start Menu apps
As mentioned, bloatware is a term for apps you donāt want or need, but that come pre-installed on your Windows PC. These could be Microsoft apps the company pushes, like Microsoft Teams or the Mail and Calendar app. Or it could be third-party apps from your device manufacturerāthis is especially prevalent among pre-built computers and laptops.
Common bloatware apps on Windows 11 include OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and Candy Crush. Third-party bloatware apps, like McAfee or Norton antivirus apps, Netflix, and CCleaner, could also come with your PC.
The apps we mentioned are not necessarily bad for your computer; you may even prefer them over available alternatives. For example, IĀ use OneNote as my to-do listĀ andĀ switched to Microsoft Edge from Google ChromeĀ in 2021. Because of this, I didnāt remove those when I bought a new Windows laptop. But if you donāt use the pre-installed apps on your Windows PC, you have the option to uninstall them.
Uninstall Bloatware Using Windows 11 Settings
The easiest way to remove bloatware isĀ through the Windows 11 Settings app. As long as you know where to go, uninstalling bloatware (or any app, for that matter) on Windows 11 is quick and simple:
PressĀ Win + I, or click theĀ CogĀ icon on the Start menu, to open Settings. In the sidebar, clickĀ Apps,Ā then chooseĀ Installed apps.
Windows 11 Settings menu
Under theĀ Installed appsĀ window, find the app you want to remove. Once youāve found the app you want to remove, click on theĀ three-dot menuĀ and chooseĀ Uninstall.
Uninstalling an app using the Windows 11 Settings Menu
A small pop-up window will appear after you pressĀ Uninstall; click onĀ UninstallĀ again to confirm your choice.
With this, you can manually remove pre-installed apps quickly, as the Settings window does not close after uninstalling one app. Note that you cannot remove some apps, like Photos and the Microsoft Store, with this method.
Uninstall an app from the Windows 11 Start Menu
You will then see a pop-up box asking you to confirm app uninstallation; clickĀ UninstallĀ once again, and the app will be removed.
This is great if you notice an app you donāt use while scrolling through the Start menu, as you donāt have to dive into the Settings app to uninstall it.
Remove Bloatware Using Win11Debloat
The above method is painful and not doesn't get rid of everything, another way to tackle the windows bloat problem is to use an open source script i found on github, developed and tested by many, with code that you can read yourself!
Download the Win11Debloat scriptĀ from GitHub.com and go to the folder where you downloaded it.
Extract the ZIP file. After extracting it, copy the foldername where u placed it, usually C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Desktop\Win11Debloat-master
Now press windows button and write powershell, choose run as administrator.
Now write cd and press cntrl v.
For example: cd C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Desktop\Win11Debloat-master
Now write run and press tab and enter, or write ".\Run.bat" and press enter.
UAC pops up, press yes
Type eitherĀ 1Ā orĀ 2Ā to choose the method of removing bloatware, then hitĀ Enter.
Once youāve chosen, remember to follow the on-screen instructions to run the uninstallation process successfully.
Win11Debloat is a third-party script that automates the process of clearing up your PC, making it handy if you want to remove several apps or if youāre setting up multiple PCs. You can view the sourcecode on github yourself and it does nothing related to your crypto or security!
I personally ran this twice, once in default, then again in custom to get rid of somethings and not others.
If you want to regret something open the readme.MD file in notepad and follow the instructions.
Njoy your new faster computer while we wait for BTC and SOL to take us to the moon!
Inspired by www.makeuseof.com