Can You Finally Remove Bloatware from Windows 11 Without Breaking System?

Will Windows 11’s New Update Help You Delete Unwanted Apps for Good?

Windows 11 has too many apps. Nobody asked for them. They slow down your computer and take up space. Microsoft knows this bothers people. Now they’re doing something about it.

What’s New in Windows 11

The latest Windows 11 update brings something users have wanted for years. You can now stop apps from installing when you set up new user accounts. This happens through a new setting called “Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages From The System.”

Here’s what this means for you:

• No more unwanted apps on fresh user profiles
• Cleaner Windows experience from the start
• Better control over what gets installed

How to Use This New Feature

Getting to this setting takes a few steps. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

1. Open the Start menu
2. Type “Edit Group Policy” in the search box
3. Press Enter
4. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment
5. Find “Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages From The System“

If you don’t see this option, you might need a tool called Vivetool. Download it first. Then open Command Prompt as an administrator. Type these commands:

vivetool /enable /id:57056100
vivetool /enable /id:48433719

Which Apps Can You Remove?

The list includes many apps you probably don’t use:

• Microsoft Clipchamp – Video editing tool
• Microsoft To Do – Task manager
• Paint – Basic drawing app
• Sticky Notes – Digital note-taking
• MSN Weather – Weather app
• Xbox Gaming App – Gaming platform
• Snipping Tool – Screenshot tool
• Windows Calculator – Basic calculator
• Microsoft Teams – Video calling app
• Outlook for Windows – Email client

Some apps have special marks:

• Single asterisk (*) = Background apps with no visible interface
• Double asterisk (**) = Important system apps (be careful removing these)

The Catch: It’s Not Perfect

This new feature sounds great. But it has problems you should know about.

Problem 1: Apps don’t disappear right away

When you select apps to remove, they stay on your current account. They only get removed from new user accounts you create later.

Problem 2: Microsoft Edge stays put

The one app everyone wants to remove isn’t on the list. Microsoft Edge remains untouchable through this method.

Problem 3: Only works on certain Windows versions

Windows 11 Home users can’t access this feature. You need Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise.

Who Benefits from This Change?

This feature helps specific groups of people:

• IT administrators setting up computers for others
• Business owners managing company devices
• Parents creating accounts for children
• Power users who want clean installations

Regular home users with single accounts won’t see much difference.

Technical Details You Should Know

When you use this feature, Windows changes its registry. The registry is like a database that stores Windows settings. Each app gets its own entry with a value of 0 (keep) or 1 (remove).

Advanced users can add more apps to the removal list using PowerShell scripts. But this requires technical knowledge. One mistake can break your computer.

The Bigger Picture

Windows 11 has always come with too many pre-installed apps. Some help you get started quickly. Others just waste space. This new feature gives you more control.

But it’s not the complete solution users wanted. Major limitations remain:

• Works only for new accounts
• Missing key apps like Edge
• Limited to certain Windows versions
• Still has bugs and glitches

What This Means for You

If you manage multiple user accounts, this feature helps. You can create cleaner setups for new users. Parents setting up kids’ accounts will appreciate this.

For everyone else, the current app removal methods still work better. You can still uninstall most apps manually or use PowerShell scripts.

Looking Forward

Microsoft is moving in the right direction. They’re listening to user complaints about bloatware. This feature shows they understand the problem.

Future updates might expand this capability. Maybe they’ll add more apps to the list. Perhaps they’ll make it work for existing accounts too.

The Windows 11 25H2 update represents progress. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. Users have been asking for this control for years. Now they’re getting it, piece by piece.

This change proves that user feedback matters. When enough people complain about something, companies eventually respond. The bloatware problem won’t disappear overnight. But features like this move us closer to a cleaner Windows experience.