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How to Remove Bloatware from a New PC

October 6, 2026 · LuxuriousComputers Repair, Marion OH

You just bought a brand-new laptop or desktop, and it's already slow. The Start menu is cluttered with apps you didn't install. Notifications are popping up for antivirus trials, games you'll never play, and "PC optimization" tools that do the opposite. That's bloatware — and removing it is the single best thing you can do for a new Windows PC.

What Is Bloatware?

Bloatware is software that comes pre-installed on new computers by the manufacturer. PC makers like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Acer get paid by software companies to bundle their apps on new machines. These programs run in the background, slow down your startup, waste RAM, and clutter your storage — all before you've installed a single thing.

Common examples include:

• McAfee or Norton trials — 30-day antivirus trials that nag you to pay and conflict with Windows Defender
• Manufacturer "helper" apps — HP Support Assistant, Lenovo Vantage, Dell SupportAssist (some are useful; most aren't)
• Games you didn't ask for — Candy Crush, Spotify, Disney+, TikTok, Instagram shortcuts
• PC "optimizers" — apps that claim to clean your registry or boost speed but actually do nothing (or worse)
• Manufacturer browsers/search bars — custom toolbars or browser extensions nobody wants

What's Safe to Remove (and What to Keep)

Not everything pre-installed is junk. Before you go on an uninstall spree, here's a quick guide:

Safe to Remove

• Antivirus trials (McAfee, Norton, Avast) — Windows Defender is enough for most people
• Games and entertainment apps (Candy Crush, Solitaire Collection, Netflix, Spotify)
• Third-party browsers you won't use
• PC "cleaner" or "booster" utilities
• Shopping or coupon extensions
• Manufacturer cloud storage apps (unless you plan to use them)

Keep These

• Driver/firmware update tools — HP Support Assistant, Dell SupportAssist, or Lenovo System Update are useful for keeping drivers current. Keep one, remove duplicates.
• BIOS/UEFI update utilities — these update your motherboard firmware and shouldn't be removed
• Audio and graphics drivers — Realtek Audio, Intel Graphics Command Center, NVIDIA GeForce Experience
• Fingerprint/security software — if your laptop has a fingerprint reader or IR camera for Windows Hello

Step 1: Uninstall from Settings

This is the standard and safest method. It works for most pre-installed apps.

1. Open Settings (Win + I)
2. Click Apps → Installed apps
3. Sort by Install date to see what came with the machine
4. Click the three dots next to an app → Uninstall
5. Follow the uninstall prompts for each app

Some built-in Windows apps (like Cortana or the Xbox app) won't show an Uninstall option here. For those, you'll need PowerShell (see below).

Step 2: Remove Pinned Start Menu Junk

Windows 11 pins apps to your Start menu even if they aren't fully installed yet — they're "placeholder" shortcuts that download the app when clicked. To remove them:

1. Open the Start menu
2. Right-click any app you don't want
3. Click Unpin from Start
4. If the app is actually installed, also right-click → Uninstall

Step 3: Remove Stubborn Apps with PowerShell

Some Microsoft apps can't be uninstalled through Settings. PowerShell removes them cleanly.

1. Right-click the Start button → Terminal (Admin)
2. To see all installed packages, type: Get-AppxPackage | Select Name
3. To remove a specific app, type: Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage

Common removals:

• Get-AppxPackage *BingNews* | Remove-AppxPackage — removes Bing News
• Get-AppxPackage *CandyCrush* | Remove-AppxPackage — removes Candy Crush
• Get-AppxPackage *Spotify* | Remove-AppxPackage — removes Spotify
• Get-AppxPackage *Disney* | Remove-AppxPackage — removes Disney+

Step 4: Disable Startup Programs

Some bloatware reinstalls itself or runs background services even after uninstalling the main app. Clean up your startup list:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the Startup apps tab
3. Right-click anything you don't need at startup → Disable
4. Pay attention to the Startup impact column — "High" items slow your boot the most

Step 5: Stop Windows from Reinstalling Junk

Windows 11 has a habit of reinstalling "suggested" apps after updates. To stop this:

1. Open Settings → Personalization → Start
2. Turn off "Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more"
3. Open Settings → Privacy & security → General
4. Turn off "Show me suggested content in the Settings app"
5. Turn off "Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID"

How Much Faster Will My PC Be?

On a typical new HP or Lenovo laptop, removing bloatware and disabling unnecessary startup programs can cut boot time by 30–60 seconds and free up 2–5 GB of storage. You'll also see less random disk activity, fewer pop-up notifications, and better battery life on laptops.

The biggest improvement comes from removing antivirus trials. McAfee and Norton run heavy background scans that compete with Windows Defender, effectively running two antivirus programs simultaneously. Removing the trial and letting Defender run alone makes a noticeable difference.

When to Get Professional Help

If your new PC is severely bloated (some budget laptops come with 15+ pre-installed apps), or if you're not comfortable using PowerShell, our $39 computer tune-up includes complete bloatware removal, startup optimization, Windows updates, and a full system check. We'll get your new machine running the way it should have from the factory.