How to Uninstall System Apps on Windows

Ever noticed your Windows PC filled with apps you never use? Some come pre-installed, taking up space and, frankly, getting in the way. These are called system apps or bloatware, and Microsoft doesn’t always make them easy to remove. The good news: You can uninstall most of them. Here’s how to do it safely.

What Are System Apps?

System apps are programs that come bundled with Windows—like Xbox, Cortana, Weather, or Groove Music. Microsoft says these are for your convenience, but if you don’t use them, they just take up space.

Why Remove System Apps?

• Free up storage: Especially useful if you have a small SSD.
• Improve performance: Fewer background apps means a faster PC.
• Reduce clutter: Your Start menu looks cleaner.

Method 1: Uninstall from the Start Menu

Some apps are easy to remove:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Find the app you want gone.
3. Right-click it.
4. Click Uninstall.

Done. But this only works for some apps. What about the stubborn ones?

Method 2: Use Windows PowerShell

For the more persistent system apps, you’ll need PowerShell—a powerful command-line tool built into Windows.

Warning: Be careful. Don’t remove apps if you’re not sure what they do.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
   • Press Windows Key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Find the App’s Name
   • Type this and press Enter:
     Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
   • This shows a list of all installed apps.
3. Uninstall the App
   • To remove, use this command:
     Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage
   • Replace *appname* with a unique part of the app’s name. For example, to remove Xbox:
     Get-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Tool

If you’re not comfortable using PowerShell, there are safe tools like O&O AppBuster or CCleaner. These let you tick boxes and uninstall system apps with a few clicks. Only download software from trusted sites.

What NOT to Uninstall

Some apps are tied to Windows and removing them can break things. Don’t remove:

• Microsoft Edge (the browser)
• Windows Shell Experience
• Microsoft Store

When in doubt, Google the app before removing it.

How to Restore System Apps

Regret uninstalling? You can always reinstall from the Microsoft Store or use PowerShell:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.YourAppName | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Final Thoughts

Cleaning up Windows system apps isn’t hard, and it can make your PC faster and less cluttered. Just be careful with what you remove, and your system will run better for it.

Got stuck or have a question? Drop it in the comments below.

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Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!