Win 10 / 11 · Cleaning

Uninstall the apps you never use

Every installed app is small overhead — background services, update checks, context-menu entries. Remove what you don't open.

  • Difficulty Easy
  • Estimated time 10 min
  • Platform Win 10 / 11
  • Last updated
Uninstall the apps you never use — schematic diagram

Before you start

Low risk. This change is reversible — you can return to the previous state without professional help or data loss.

Steps

  1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps
  2. Sort by size — the biggest offenders are usually games you've abandoned
  3. Uninstall anything you haven't opened in 6 months
  4. Use the built-in optional-features list to remove bloat you don't use (Xbox extras, sample apps)

How to verify the fix

Uninstalled apps no longer appear in Installed apps, and background overhead (services, update checks) is reduced.

If this didn't fix it

An app you still need is gone or a shortcut breaks — reinstall it from its official source.

Next stop: the related fixes below, or start a guided diagnosis.

Related fixes

Still stuck? Diagnose my problem Browse all Windows fixes