How to Decrapify Windows 11 & 10 [Guide]

A new Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC can come with many unnecessary apps, startup programs, notifications, promotional features, and background services. Some of these are installed by Microsoft, while others may come from the computer manufacturer or third-party software providers. This extra software is often called bloatware, and removing unnecessary items is commonly described as decrapifying Windows.

Decrapifying Windows does not mean deleting everything you do not recognize. Some Windows components are essential for the operating system to work correctly. The safest approach is to review installed applications, remove programs you do not need, control startup apps, reduce unnecessary background activity, and keep important Windows components untouched.

In this guide, I have explained how you can safely decrapify Windows 11 and Windows 10 without relying on aggressive scripts or randomly deleting system files.

How to Decrapify Windows 11 & 10 [Complete Guide]

To decrapify Windows 11 or Windows 10, review and uninstall unnecessary applications, remove unwanted manufacturer software, disable unnecessary startup programs, reduce unwanted notifications, clean temporary files, control background permissions, remove unused browser extensions, and review optional Windows features. Before removing anything, identify what the program does and create a restore point or backup so you can reverse changes if necessary. 

Let’s explore the steps in detail!

1: Create a Restore Point Before Making Changes

Before you start removing software or changing Windows settings, create a System Restore point. This gives you a way to return important Windows settings to an earlier state if something goes wrong.

In Windows 11 or Windows 10, press the Windows key, type Create a restore point, and open the matching result. In the System Properties window, select your Windows system drive, usually C:, and choose Configure if System Protection is disabled. Turn on System Protection and allocate some disk space for restore points.

Return to the previous window and select Create. Give the restore point a name such as Before Windows Cleanup, and select Create again. Wait for Windows to confirm that the restore point was created successfully.

Remember that System Restore is not a replacement for a complete backup. If you have important documents, photographs, or other personal files, keep them backed up separately.

2: Review Your Installed Applications

The first major step in decluttering Windows is checking which applications are actually installed on your computer.

In Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. You will see a list of applications installed on your computer.

Take your time instead of uninstalling programs simply because their names look unfamiliar. Look for applications that you knowingly installed a long time ago but no longer use. You may also find manufacturer utilities, trial applications, promotional software, games, duplicate applications, and other programs you do not need.

Select an application you recognize as unnecessary and choose Uninstall. Follow the application’s removal instructions until the process is complete.

Avoid removing applications simply because they have names such as Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, .NET Runtime, Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, or hardware drivers. These components can be required by other programs.

3: Remove Unwanted Manufacturer Software

Many Windows computers come with additional software supplied by the computer manufacturer. Some applications provide useful hardware controls, diagnostics, driver updates, or support features. Others may be promotional or unnecessary for your particular usage.

Open the installed applications list and look for software associated with your PC manufacturer. Before uninstalling anything, search for its purpose or check the manufacturer’s documentation.

For example, a manufacturer’s support application might provide driver updates, warranty information, hardware diagnostics, or recovery options. If you use those features, keeping the application may make sense.

However, if you find a trial antivirus program, promotional application, duplicate media player, or software you never use, you can consider removing it after confirming what it does.

4: Clean Up Unnecessary Startup Programs

Some applications automatically start when you sign in to Windows. Too many startup programs can make the computer take longer to become fully usable and can consume memory in the background.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. In Windows 11, select Startup apps from the left side. In Windows 10, select the Startup tab.

Review the applications listed there. If a program does not need to start with Windows, select it and choose Disable.

Disabling a startup application does not normally uninstall it. It simply prevents the application from automatically launching when Windows starts. You can still open the program manually whenever you need it.

Be particularly careful with security software, hardware utilities, touchpad software, audio utilities, graphics components, and other hardware-related programs.

5: Remove Unnecessary Windows Apps

Windows includes several applications that you may never use. Some can be uninstalled normally, while others are integrated more deeply into Windows.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11 or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10.

Look for applications you recognize and do not use. Examples might include games, trial applications, optional communication apps, or other software you installed but no longer need.

Do not attempt to forcefully remove every Microsoft application. Some apps and components are connected to other Windows features, and removing system components can create unnecessary problems.

A good rule is simple: remove what you understand, leave what you do not understand until you have verified it.

6: Reduce Unnecessary Notifications

Notifications can make Windows feel cluttered even when your computer is running normally.

In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Notifications. In Windows 10, open Settings > System > Notifications & actions.

Review which applications are allowed to send notifications. If an application constantly displays advertisements, reminders, or other notifications that you do not need, turn its notifications off.

You can also review Windows suggestions and other notification-related options. Reducing unnecessary notifications makes the desktop less distracting without affecting essential Windows functions.

7: Control Apps Running in the Background

Some applications can continue performing tasks in the background even when you are not actively using them.

Windows 11 provides background activity controls for supported applications through Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Select an application, open its advanced options when available, and review its Background apps permissions.

In Windows 10, some applications provide similar controls through Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

You do not need to disable background activity for every application. Messaging, synchronization, security, and productivity applications may need background access to provide their intended functionality.

Instead, focus on applications that you rarely use and do not need running in the background.

8: Uninstall Unused Browser Extensions

Your web browser can also become cluttered over time. Unused extensions can consume resources, change browser behavior, or create unnecessary notifications.

Open your browser’s Extensions or Add-ons page and review the installed extensions. Remove extensions that you no longer use or do not recognize.

If you are unsure about an extension, research its name before removing it. Avoid installing extensions simply because they promise faster browsing, system cleaning, or other benefits.

9: Clean Temporary and Unnecessary Files

Windows automatically creates temporary files as you use the computer. Some are eventually removed automatically, while others can remain on the storage drive.

Open Settings > System > Storage in Windows 11. In Windows 10, open Settings > System > Storage as well. Select Temporary files and allow Windows to calculate which files can be removed.

Review the categories carefully before selecting anything. Avoid deleting files that you still need, especially items in folders such as Downloads if they contain files you want to keep.

You can also enable Storage Sense, which helps Windows automatically manage certain temporary and unnecessary files.

10: Review Optional Windows Features

Windows contains optional features that you may never use. You can review them instead of removing system components manually.

In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Optional features. Windows 10 provides access to optional features through its Settings interface and Control Panel.

Review installed optional features and research anything you do not recognize before removing it. Some features are required by specific applications, development tools, virtualization software, or older programs.

The goal is not to make the list as small as possible. The goal is to keep only the features that make sense for how you use the computer.

11: Remove Unused Third-Party Software

After reviewing Windows applications, check for third-party software that you installed in the past.

This might include old PDF utilities, media players, compression tools, download managers, PC optimization utilities, duplicate browsers, old games, or trial versions of applications.

If you no longer use a program, uninstall it through Windows Settings rather than deleting its program folder manually. Proper uninstallation gives Windows and the application an opportunity to remove associated files and settings.

12: Restart and Check Windows

After completing your cleanup, restart the computer. This allows Windows to reload its normal startup configuration and can reveal whether any application or service was unintentionally affected.

After restarting, check your Start menu, Task Manager, network connection, audio, Bluetooth, printer, and other hardware features you regularly use.

If everything works normally, you have successfully reduced unnecessary software and background activity without aggressively modifying Windows.

How to Identify Important Programs on Your Device?

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make while de-crapifying Windows is uninstalling a program simply because its name looks unfamiliar.

Before removing a program, check its publisher, installation location, and purpose. Search for the exact program name if you are uncertain. You can also check whether the application is associated with your graphics card, processor, motherboard, printer, audio hardware, touchpad, network adapter, or another device.

Programs from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Realtek, and your computer manufacturer can provide important functionality, although their presence alone does not automatically mean every program is essential.

You should also be cautious with components containing terms such as Driver, Runtime, Redistributable, Framework, System, or WebView. These may be dependencies required by other applications.

If you cannot determine what something does, do not uninstall it just to make Windows look cleaner. Research it first. This simple habit can prevent many Windows problems.

FAQs

Is it safe to decrapify Windows 11?

Yes, decrapifying Windows 11 can be safe when you focus on removing applications and features you understand. Avoid deleting system files or disabling essential services.

Can I decrapify Windows 10 in the same way?

Yes. Windows 10 and Windows 11 have many similar application, startup, storage, and notification controls, although the exact Settings locations can differ.

Does decluttering Windows make a PC faster?

It can help reduce unnecessary startup activity, background processes, notifications, and storage usage. The improvement depends on how much unnecessary software was installed and the hardware configuration of the PC.

Should I use a Windows debloat script?

Be cautious. Some scripts make many changes automatically, and you may not know exactly what they modify. Beginners should generally start with Windows’ own Settings and uninstall tools.

Should I remove Microsoft Edge?

You should not remove Windows components simply because you are trying to decrapify the system. Some Windows features and applications can depend on Microsoft web technologies. If your goal is simply to use another browser, install your preferred browser and make it your default instead.

What should I never delete while decrapifying Windows?

Avoid manually deleting folders from Windows, System32, Program Files, or other system locations unless you know exactly what you are doing. Drivers, runtimes, system components, and hardware utilities should also be researched before removal.