How to Get Rid of Bloatware on Windows

Bloatware. It's the stuff that just seems to take up unnecessary space on your computer. Software and applications you never asked for, never needed, but somehow found their way onto your machine.

While it may seem as though these extra programs are merely an annoyance, they can significantly decrease your computer's performance. While some of these programs are harmless, others may run in the background without you knowing it, consuming valuable system resources. Whether you'd like to clean up your computer or improve its performance, this tutorial is for you. We are going to show you how to rid your Windows computer of bloatware.

What is Bloatware?

Before we dive into the how-to section of this guide, it's crucial to understand what exactly bloatware is. Bloatware refers to numerous pre-installed software and applications on your computer that you don't need or ever use. It includes trial versions of software, adware, toolbars, and unwanted free games. These often come pre-installed on your new Windows from the manufacturer.

How Does Bloatware Affect Your Computer?

Having these unwanted applications on your computer may not seem like a big deal. However, they can have severe effects on your computer's performance. These include slowing down your computer, taking up valuable space on your hard drive, consuming your computer's resources in the background, affecting your privacy, and making your system vulnerable to security risks.

Full Tutorial on How to Get Rid of Bloatware

Now that you understand the adverse effects of bloatware let's take a closer look at how you can get rid of it for a smoother computing experience.

Uninstall Programs Manually

The most direct way to remove bloatware is by uninstalling the programs manually. You can do this by navigating your way through the 'Control Panel' and choosing the 'Uninstall a program' option. From there, you'll be able to see a list of all the apps on your system. Go through this list and uninstall any programs that you don't use or need.

But here's a warning: Some programs are essential for your computer to run correctly. Therefore, if you don't know what a program does, it's best to leave it untouched.

Use Windows 10 Refresh Tool

Windows 10 has a built-in refresh tool. It's a convenient way of removing not just bloatware, but also resetting your system back to a "fresh" state. To use the tool, click the 'Start' button, then 'Settings', 'Update & Security', 'Recovery', then 'Get started' under 'Reset this PC'. Select 'Keep my files', then 'Local reinstall'. Follow the on-screen instructions from there.

Use Third-Party Software

Another method of removing bloatware is through third-party software like CCleaner, IObit Uninstaller, or PC Decrapifier. These are powerful tools specially designed to remove unwanted software and optimize your system. They are relatively easy to use, but always ensure you download these tools from their official websites to avoid any issues.

Conclusion

Bloatware is not just a nuisance but can significantly impact your computer's performance. However, getting rid of this unwanted software isn't too complicated with the right steps or tools. By using the guidelines we've provided, you can efficiently clear bloatware from your system, resulting in a cleaner, faster, and safer computing experience. Remember, prevention is better than cure. So, next time you buy a new computer, consider getting one with a minimal amount of pre-installed software.