How to remove bloatware from Windows 11 and disable invasive services

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If you've just gotten a new PC with Windows 11 or have noticed for some time that the system is running slower than usual, it's very likely that much of the blame lies with the bloatware and invasive services that come with the system by defaultWe're talking about all those applications, processes, and functions that no one asked you to install, but that are there hogging RAM, CPU, disk space, and, worse for many, personal data.

The good news is that you can regain control and make Windows 11 much lighter, more private, and more manageable. Throughout this guide, you'll see What exactly is bloatware, how does it affect you, which invasive services should be disabled, and what methods (from the simplest to the most advanced) are available to properly "debloat" your system?Everything is explained in detail, with practical examples and warnings so you don't mess anything important up along the way.

What is bloatware in Windows 11 and why does it exist?

The term bloatware is used to refer to Software, services, and components that come pre-installed on a device without the user's request and are not essential for the system to functionIn English, “bloat” means to swell, and that’s exactly what these apps do to your Windows: they inflate it to the brim with things you rarely need.

Within bloatware we find everything from Promoted applications (Spotify, games, demos, social media apps), equipment manufacturer utilities (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.), trial versions of paid programs, and duplicate service tools These processes replicate functions that Windows already performs automatically. All of this adds up to active processes, memory consumption, and storage usage.

Manufacturers and Microsoft include bloatware primarily because commercial agreements and by trying to differentiate their teams with “added value”For example, if you turn on a new laptop and see pre-installed music apps, games, or antivirus trials, it's usually because there's a financial agreement involved. It's profitable for them; it's almost never profitable for you.

In addition to the bloatware visible in the form of icons and programs, there is also more hidden services and functions that collect data, send diagnoses, display internal advertising, or activate "smart" suggestionsThey can't always be considered pure bloatware, but they are part of that "burden" that many people want to get rid of, especially if they are concerned about privacy.

Types of bloatware and how it affects performance and privacy

To properly clean Windows 11, it's helpful to distinguish between the different categories of bloatware and understand What dangers does each one pose and how does it impact the day-to-day use of the PC?Not everything is equally harmful or equally easy to eliminate.

On one hand there are promotional applications, also called adware and trialwareThese are programs that launch ads, banners, or pop-ups with offers and free trials, as well as shortcuts to stores, online games, or subscription services. They don't usually offer anything useful. They consume memory, can display intrusive advertising, and in some cases, open the door to security problems..

Another classic group are the toolbars, unnecessary extensions, and secondary browsers Installed without you even noticing. This type of bloatware often hijacks your browser, changes your homepage, adds extra cookies, and, of course, consumes resources. If your browser already uses a lot of RAM, imagine what happens if you add layers and layers of useless toolbars.

You will also find what is known as white-label service applications or utilitiesThese are parallel versions of tools you already have (cleaners, power managers, control panels, basic editors, etc.) created by the manufacturer or third parties. Sometimes they offer something, but often they are slower, less reliable, and end up taking up space without anyone actually using them.

Added to all this are the productivity apps, messaging apps, basic games, financial widgets, music or video players, and other software you did not requestMany of them you'll never even open, but they'll still be there taking up space and, in many cases, running in the background every time you start Windows. Sometimes we even talk about music players like Spotify which can consume space if you don't manage their cache correctly.

Why it's worth removing bloatware and disabling invasive services

Debloating Windows 11 isn't a geeky fad or a whim of a few performance-obsessed users. There are very specific and reasonable reasons why... Removing bloatware and cutting unnecessary services can be a very good idea, especially on modest computers..

The first reason is performance. Many of these pre-installed applications start up with the system or maintain Resident processes that consume RAM, CPU and, in laptops, batteryOn machines with 8 GB of RAM or less, the difference between a "bloated" Windows and an optimized one can be several gigabytes of memory used right after turning on the computer.

Another key point is privacy. Windows 11 and some of its accompanying software They collect telemetry, usage statistics, diagnostic data, and activity data.Although some of this information is used to improve the system, many people prefer to limit as much as possible what is sent outside the PC. Disabling telemetry services and intrusive features significantly reduces the tracking surface.

Don't forget about disk space. If you're running low on storage, especially on small SSDs, Removing pre-installed games, demos, unused languages, additional Office packs, or other large apps can free up many gigabytes.And if you also delete directories like Windows.old after a major upgrade, the space relief is even greater; if you need more help on how Remove low disk space warnings You'll find useful guides.

Finally, there's the user experience aspect. A system full of shortcuts, test notifications, suggestions, and internal announcements is more confusing, slower to operate, and gives the impression of being disorganizedA clean installation, with only what you need, is much more pleasant, whether you're a home user or managing PCs in a company.

Methods to remove bloatware in Windows 11

In Windows 11 you can address the bloatware problem in several ways, from From the safest and most manual, ideal for any user, to more automated ones that should only be touched if you know what you're doing.The best approach is to start with less and gradually increase the intensity.

Uninstall pre-installed apps from Settings

The simplest and least risky way is to Manually remove applications you don't need using the Settings panelYou won't be able to delete absolutely everything, but you will be able to delete a good portion of the visible bloatware.

The process is very straightforward. First, open the Windows 11 settings from the Start menu or with the Windows + I shortcutOn the left side, go to the "Applications" section and then enter "Installed applications" (in some versions it may be called "Applications and features").

In that list you'll see all the installed apps. Take a moment to Review them one by one, and locate the promotional ones, games you won't use, demos, or utilities you don't need.Once you know what you want to remove, click the three dots or the app name and select "Uninstall." If an app won't uninstall, see how. force the uninstallation of programs and clean the registry.

You can also get rid of many sponsored apps directly from the Start menu. When you open it, you'll see icons for recommended or "suggested" apps; if you right-click on one of them, You can choose "Uninstall" instead of just "Unpin" so they don't reappear.However, keep in mind that some of those buttons are just shortcuts to downloads, so deleting them won't free up space, but at least it will visually clean up the menu.

Using third-party tools for a deeper debloat

When Windows Settings falls short because there are components that It won't uninstall; the use of specialized third-party tools comes into play.These utilities reach areas of the system that the standard panel hides.

There are many projects of this type published as Open source code on GitHub, developed by enthusiasts and system administrators who want to thoroughly tame WindowsOne of the best known and most accessible is Win Debloat Tools, which combines a simple graphical interface with powerful scripts under the hood.

The typical procedure with Win Debloat Tools involves going to its GitHub repository, downloading the compressed file, Unzip it and run the script that opens a console in the corresponding folderFrom there, a PowerShell command is launched that adjusts the execution policy, unlocks the .ps1 files, and opens the tool's main panel.

Once inside, you'll see different sections with boxes for Disable telemetry, remove pre-installed applications, delete system components that are normally untouchable (such as certain browsers or Microsoft utilities), and clean up residual files.Simply select what you want to change and click on “Apply Tweaks” for the tool to automatically execute the necessary commands.

The advantage of this type of solution is that, in just a few clicks, you can Remove tracking services, get rid of apps that the standard settings won't let you delete, and recover several gigabytes of storageIn addition, many of these tools include options to revert changes if something goes wrong, although it's advisable to read the documentation for each project.

PowerShell scripts and custom images (for advanced environments)

For highly technical users or system administrators, there is the option of Automate bloatware removal using PowerShell scripts and tools like DISM on Windows imagesThis approach is especially interesting in business contexts with many computers that need to be cleared of consumer software.

Using scripts, you can list all pre-installed UWP applications, filter out the unnecessary ones, and schedule its deletion from both the current session and future user accountsYou can also remove languages, multi-language Microsoft 365 bundles, OEM components (such as Dell, HP, etc. specific packages), and other items that don't appear as simple apps in the Microsoft Store.

In environments managed with Microsoft Intune, for example, there used to be an option to add certain applications from the Microsoft Store for Business and select to automatically uninstall instead of deploySince that option is no longer available, many companies are migrating to models based on scripts and configuration templates to achieve the same effect.

This approach offers enormous control, but it also involves risks: a poorly written command, an app that seemed dispensable but turns out to be critical, or A Windows update that changes the behavior of certain packages can leave the system damaged.That's why it's essential to test scripts on test machines, document every change, and always have a rollback plan.

Non-interactive “third-party” automated scripts: why you should avoid them

The internet is full of "all-in-one" debloat scripts that promise Clean Windows 11 from top to bottom with a single click, with minimal user interaction.It sounds tempting, but in practice they can be a ticking time bomb.

The problem is that, by not allowing you to choose what is removed and what is not, You run the risk of them removing components that you need or that are important for the stability of the system.In extreme cases, a malicious or simply poorly designed script can corrupt the installation, delete data, or leave Windows in a state where a clean reinstall is required.

Therefore, unless you know exactly what each line of code does, the sensible thing to do is Opt for tools with an interface that clearly shows you the options and allows you to select only what you want to modify.And if you decide to use scripts, make sure they are from reliable and audited sources, always reviewing their content before running them.

Disable Windows 11 services to reduce resource consumption and telemetry

Beyond the visible applications, Windows 11 runs a considerable number of background services. Some are essential, while others handle... auxiliary tasks, data collection, comfort features, or features you may never useThere are even services that can cause that Windows takes a long time to shut down if they are misconfigured or malfunctioning.

The Windows Services tool itself lets you view and manage everything that's running. To open it, the quickest way is to use the Search the Start menu and type "Services" to launch the corresponding console.There you'll find a fairly long list of entries.

A convenient way to start is to filter so that only the services that are running at that timeThis way you can focus on what's actually consuming resources. By accessing each program's properties, you'll see its startup type (automatic, manual, disabled) and buttons to stop or restart it.

The key here is to proceed with extreme caution. Before touching anything, it's advisable to Investigate the purpose of each service, check if it is critical to the system, and note any changes you make.If you later notice that something stops working (for example, a network function, a printing feature, or a security component), simply go back and reactivate the associated service.

If your main goal is to strengthen privacy, you can combine this manual review with specific tools like O&O ShutUp10++, W10Privacy, or Winaero Tweaker. These applications focus on Disable telemetry, activity tracking, detailed diagnostics, location services, and features such as Copilot or certain Office integrations.all through an interface of selectable options with risk indicators.

Specific tools for cleaning and hardening Windows 11

In addition to generic debloat utilities and scripts, there is a set of very useful tools geared towards both to improving privacy and to customizing and fine-tuning the systemSome are ideal for advanced users, but others are surprisingly user-friendly.

One of them is the Winaero Tweaker, a kind of Swiss Army knife packed with adjustments. With it you can Disable telemetry, remove unwanted apps, change update behavior, modify the appearance of Windows 11, and adjust performance detailsIt's not just a simple "cleaner," but a huge panel of options that should be used wisely.

Another well-known tool is O&O ShutUp10++, designed especially for Protect user privacy by controlling what data is sent to Microsoft and other servicesAlthough it was created for Windows 10, it works perfectly on Windows 11 and allows you to disable geolocation, diagnostics, Office telemetry, advertising integration, and leave assistants like Copilot virtually inactive.

For those looking for something more focused on privacy and less on the visual aspect, W10Privacy offers a very detailed panel of Options grouped by categories (privacy, default applications, system services, etc.) with clear explanationsThis makes it easier to know what each switch is touching and what impact it might have.

Finally, for broader tasks including junk file cleaning, maintenance, and removal of unnecessary programs, there are suites like AVG TuneUp. These types of solutions They analyze the system for bloatware, rare or little-used apps, automatic startup entries, and temporary files that can be safely deleted.Their advantage is that they don't require extensive knowledge and usually present everything in a very user-friendly way.

Business context: bloatware on OEM computers and Intune

In corporate environments, bloatware is not just an aesthetic nuisance: It affects performance, complicates support, and clashes with the organization's security and productivity policies.This is especially evident in OEM laptops such as the Dell Latitude, HP ProBook, etc., which come loaded with their own utilities.

Many administrators work with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and They are automatically upgraded to Enterprise through subscription activation associated with the Microsoft 365 tenant.This way they avoid maintaining traditional image servers, but they encounter the problem of having to manually remove all the unnecessary files on each new machine.

Previously it was possible to use Microsoft Intune alongside the old Microsoft Store for Business to mark certain apps (games, Solitaire-type collections, OEM utilities) as “automatically uninstall”With this option gone, the strategy has shifted towards PowerShell scripts, configuration policies, and templates that apply to all enrolled devices.

In practice, this involves creating lists of unwanted UWP packages and OEM applications (such as display managers, manufacturer optimizers, multilingual Office modules, etc.) and automate its removal either during the initial deployment or right after enrollment in IntuneAlthough it involves a bit more work at first, in the medium term it is more manageable than struggling with each laptop at hand.

The general recommendation in these cases is to combine Intune policies, tested scripts, and clear internal documentation outlining what is allowed on corporate devices and what must be removed. This is how it's achieved. a more homogeneous PC park, with less junk, safer and easier to maintain.

Cleaning Windows 11 of bloatware and keeping invasive services in check is one of the best ways to make the system run more smoothly, consume fewer resources, and better respect your privacy; whether on a home PC with limited hardware or a fleet of company laptops, spending some time learning about these tools and techniques allows you to to have a Windows that's much more your own and less loaded with things you didn't ask for.