Modern versions of Windows—especially Windows 10 and Windows 11—come packed with bundled apps, background services, telemetry processes, and system bloat that can slow down your PC over time. Whether you’re looking to improve performance, reduce RAM usage, cut down background tasks, or simply create a cleaner, faster Windows experience, debloating your system is one of the most effective steps you can take.
If you’re here reading this guide, you’re likely tired of unnecessary apps, ads, and processes that eat away at performance. The good news? With the right tools and settings, you can safely debloat Windows 11 without damaging the operating system.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through every method to remove bloatware, disable unnecessary services, reduce telemetry, and optimize Windows for maximum performance.
13 Ways to Debloat Windows 11
Debloating means removing unnecessary preinstalled apps (often called bloatware), background services, startup tasks, telemetry and tracking processes, built-in ads and recommendations, and other useless features such as tips, suggestions, and bundled shortcuts in Windows. Once a system is debloated, your PC generally feels faster, cleaner, and more responsive, with better overall optimization for gaming and productivity.
Before you begin, it’s important to create a system restore point because debloating involves system-level changes. To do this, press Windows + R, type SystemPropertiesProtection, and press Enter. Click Create, give your restore point a name, and then click Create again. Once the restore point is created, you’re safe to proceed with making changes to your system.
1. Uninstall Unnecessary Apps from Windows Settings
Windows 10/11 come with many bundled apps you may never use.
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features).
- Look for apps like:
- Xbox
- 3D Viewer
- Movies & TV
- Sketchbook
- Cortana
- Solitaire Collection
- Tips
- Click Uninstall for apps you don’t need.
This alone can clean up several hundred MBs of storage.
2. Use PowerShell to Remove Built-In Apps (Advanced)
If Settings doesn’t allow removal, PowerShell can force it.
- Press Windows + X → click Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Run this command to list all apps:
Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
- Remove a specific app:
Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
Remove most default bloatware:
Get-AppxPackage *xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *solitairecollection* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *yourphone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *clipchamp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bing* | Remove-AppxPackage
Avoid removing Store apps, Calculator, Photos, or system utilities unless you know what you’re doing.
3. Use Popular Debloating Tools (Safe & Effective)
Several tools automate Windows debloating safely.
Win11Debloat / Win10Debloat Scripts
GitHub scripts like Windows Debloat by Sycnex are widely trusted.
What they can do:
- Remove bloatware
- Disable telemetry
- Disable Cortana
- Remove built-in apps
- Disable ads, Start menu clutter
- Optimize for gaming
Download from GitHub:
“Windows10Debloater” or “Win11Debloat”
BloatyNosy by Builtbybel (Formerly ThisIsWin11)
One of the best GUI-based debloaters.
Features:
- Clean UI clutter
- Remove preinstalled apps
- Disable telemetry
- Apply community-based debloat presets
- Optimize Windows settings
Perfect for beginners.
O&O ShutUp10++ (Highly Recommended)
If your main goal is reducing tracking/telemetry, ShutUp10++ is the safest tool.
Features:
- Disable data collection
- Disable location tracking
- Turn off advertising ID
- Disable background sync
- Apply recommended privacy templates
Download: https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
4. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps
Startup apps significantly slow down your PC.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to Startup apps.
- Disable apps with High impact that you don’t need every boot.
This alone can reduce boot time by more than 50%
5. Turn Off Background App
Background apps drain RAM and CPU.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps.
- Click any app → Advanced options.
- Under Background apps permissions, choose:
Never
6. Disable Ads and Suggestions Across Windows
Windows surfaces ads in many areas. Let’s turn them off.
Disable File Explorer ads:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click View → Options.
- Under View, uncheck:
Show sync provider notifications
Disable Start Menu ads:
- Go to Settings → Personalization → Start.
- Turn off:
Show suggestions occasionally in Start
Disable Lock Screen ads:
- Go to Settings → Personalization → Lock screen.
- Set background to Picture.
- Disable:
Get fun facts, tips, and more
7. Turn Off Unnecessary Windows Features
Windows comes with optional features you’ll never use.
- Press Windows + R, type:
optionalfeatures - Disable items like:
- Internet Explorer 11
- XPS Viewer
- Work Folders Client
- Print to PDF (if unused)
- SMB 1.0 (old and insecure)
Click OK and restart.
8. Reduce Telemetry and Tracking (Manual Method)
- Open Settings → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback.
- Set Diagnostic data to:
Required only - Disable:
- Inking & typing personalization
- Tailored experiences
- Activity history
9. Disable Unneeded Services (Advanced Users Only)
Press Windows + R, type:
services.msc
Disable services like:
- Connected User Experiences
- Touch Keyboard Service (if no touchscreen)
- Remote Registry
- Retail Demo Service
Do not disable Windows Update or critical system services.
10. Remove OneDrive (If You Don’t Use It)
OneDrive runs background sync that can slow the system.
Uninstall:
Settings → Apps → Installed apps → OneDrive → Uninstall
Or disable startup sync.
11. Clean Temporary Files
- Go to Settings → System → Storage.
- Click Temporary files.
- Select:
- Delivery Optimization
- Downloads (optional)
- Windows Update leftovers
- Click Remove files.
Also enable Storage Sense to automate cleanups.
12. Disable Widgets, Teams, and Other Built-In Features
Remove Widgets:
- Open Group Policy Editor:
gpedit.msc - Navigate:
Computer Config → Admin Templates → Windows Components → Widgets - Enable:
Disable widgets
Remove Microsoft Teams Chat:
- Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.
- Turn off Chat.
13. Switch to a Local Account (Optional but Privacy-Focused)
Microsoft accounts sync a lot of data by default.
Switching to a local account increases privacy and slightly reduces background tasks.
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Your info.
- Click:
Sign in with a local account instead
Wrapping Up
And that wraps up our definitive guide on how to debloat Windows 11. Whether you want a faster system, better privacy, or a cleaner Windows experience, these methods help you remove the clutter and regain control over your PC.
