New PCs and fresh Windows installs come with apps most people never open – games, trials and companion apps that take disk space and add background tasks. You can remove them in a few minutes with PowerShell, without third-party tools.
Before you start
Create a System Restore point (Start → “Create a restore point” → Create) and read the app list. Remove only what you are sure you don’t need – some apps (e.g. Phone Link, Sticky Notes) are useful to many people.
Step 1 – Save the script
Copy the script into Notepad and save it as debloat.ps1. Delete any line from the list for an app you want to keep.
# Remove common Windows 10/11 bloatware – Inder Kocharn# Run in an elevated PowerShell window. Delete lines for apps you want to keep.nWrite-Host u0022Starting debloat…u0022 -ForegroundColor Cyannn$bloatwareApps = @(n u0022Microsoft.3DBuilderu0022,n u0022Microsoft.XboxAppu0022,n u0022Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlayu0022,n u0022Microsoft.XboxGameOverlayu0022,n u0022Microsoft.Xbox.TCUIu0022,n u0022Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlayu0022,n u0022Microsoft.BingNewsu0022,n u0022Microsoft.GetHelpu0022,n u0022Microsoft.Getstartedu0022,n u0022Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHubu0022,n u0022Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollectionu0022,n u0022Microsoft.MixedReality.Portalu0022,n u0022Microsoft.OneConnectu0022,n u0022Microsoft.Peopleu0022,n u0022Microsoft.SkypeAppu0022,n u0022Microsoft.WindowsAlarmsu0022,n u0022Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHubu0022,n u0022Microsoft.WindowsMapsu0022,n u0022Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorderu0022,n u0022Microsoft.ZuneMusicu0022,n u0022Microsoft.ZuneVideou0022,n u0022Microsoft.Todosu0022,n u0022Microsoft.Whiteboardu0022,n u0022Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotesu0022,n u0022Microsoft.YourPhoneu0022,n u0022Microsoft.Walletu0022n)nnforeach ($app in $bloatwareApps) {n Write-Host u0022Removing: $appu0022 -ForegroundColor Yellown # Installed copies, for every usern Get-AppxPackage -Name $app -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers -ErrorAction SilentlyContinuen # Provisioned copies, so new user accounts don't get themn Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -eq $app } | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -ErrorAction SilentlyContinuen}nnWrite-Host u0022Bloatware removal complete.u0022 -ForegroundColor GreenStep 2 – Run it as administrator
- Right-click Start → Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
- Go to the folder where you saved the file, e.g.
cd $HOMEDownloads. - Allow the script for this window only and run it:
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Forcen.u005cdebloat.ps1The execution-policy change applies only to the current window; it resets when you close it.
What the script does
- Removes each listed app for all existing users.
- Removes the provisioned copy so new user accounts don’t receive it.
- Leaves core components (Store, Settings, Edge, security) untouched.
Changed your mind? Reinstall an app
Most apps can be reinstalled from the Microsoft Store, or with winget:
winget install u002du002did 9NBLGGH5R558 u002du002dsource msstore # Microsoft To DoAbout one-line “debloat” commands
You may see commands that download and run a script directly, such as iwr … | iex. They run code you haven’t read with administrator rights. If you prefer a GUI tool, Chris Titus Tech’s WinUtil is popular – launch it only from its official address (irm https://christitus.com/win | iex) and on PCs where you can accept the risk. On business machines, use a reviewed script like the one above.
Frequently asked questions
Will this speed up my PC?
It frees disk space and removes some background tasks. On a slow PC, also check startup apps, disk health and system files – see the guide on DISM and SFC.
Does it work on Windows 11?
Yes. App names that don’t exist on your version are skipped silently.
Written by
Inder Kochar
Systems & Network Engineer – I write up the fixes I use with clients, tested on real systems. Stuck on something similar?
