Uninstall Preinstalled Apps in Windows 11

Windows 11 comes with a variety of apps already installed, allowing users to get started immediately after setting up their computer. These apps include communication tools, entertainment apps, productivity software, and Microsoft services. While many users find these applications useful, others may never use them and prefer a cleaner, more organized system.

Over time, unused preinstalled apps can clutter your Start menu, occupy storage space, and make it more difficult to find the applications you actually use. Fortunately, Windows 11 makes it easy to remove many of these apps through the Settings app. Advanced users can also remove additional built-in apps using Windows PowerShell.

In this guide, you’ll learn what preinstalled apps are, whether you should remove them, and the safest methods to uninstall them. 

What are Preinstalled Apps in Windows 11?

Preinstalled apps are applications that come included with Windows 11 before you install anything yourself. Microsoft adds these apps to provide essential features and services immediately after installation.

Some common preinstalled apps include Get Help, Microsoft Clipchamp, Microsoft News, Windows Media Player, Paint, Notepad, Calculator, Photos, Xbox, Microsoft Teams, Weather, Camera, Voice Recorder, Mail, and several others.

Some of these apps are considered essential because they support important Windows functions. Others are optional convenience apps that many users never open.

It is also important to understand that not every preinstalled app can be removed. Microsoft protects certain system apps because removing them could affect Windows features or overall stability. However, many optional apps can be safely uninstalled without causing problems.

If you ever need an app again, most removable apps can be downloaded again from the Microsoft Store.

Should You Uninstall Preinstalled Apps in Windows 11?

Whether you should remove preinstalled apps depends entirely on how you use your computer.

If you regularly use apps like Photos, Calculator, Notepad, or Paint, keeping them installed makes sense because they provide useful everyday functionality.

However, if you never use apps like Xbox, Microsoft Teams, Clipchamp, or News, removing them can make your Start menu less cluttered and slightly reduce background activity.

Uninstalling unnecessary apps may also free up a small amount of storage space. While the space savings are usually modest, every bit helps on devices with limited storage.

That said, you should avoid removing apps unless you know they are optional. Some Windows components are closely integrated with the operating system. Removing essential apps could prevent certain features from working properly.

For most users, the safest approach is to uninstall only those apps that Windows allows you to remove through the Settings app. If you decide to use PowerShell, make sure you understand exactly which app you’re removing.

Steps to Uninstall Preinstalled Apps on Windows 11 [Complete Guide]

To uninstall preinstalled apps on Windows 11, open Settings, select Apps, click Installed apps, find the application you want to remove, select the three-dot menu, and choose Uninstall. 

If the app cannot be removed through Settings, you can use Windows PowerShell for certain removable built-in apps. Avoid uninstalling essential system applications because they may affect Windows functionality.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

The first step is opening the Settings app, where Windows stores nearly all system configuration options, including app management.

Begin by clicking the Start button located on the taskbar. Once the Start menu appears, click Settings. The Settings icon looks like a small gear.

If you cannot find the icon, simply type Settings into the Start menu search bar and press Enter. Windows will immediately open the Settings window.

Another quick method is pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut opens Settings instantly without navigating through the Start menu.

Once Settings opens, you’ll see several categories listed on the left side of the window. These categories allow you to customize different parts of Windows.

Take a moment to become familiar with the Settings interface before moving to the next step. Doing so makes it easier to locate options in the future.

Step 2: Navigate to Installed Apps

After opening Settings, you’ll need to locate the section that lists every application installed on your computer.

Click Apps from the navigation menu on the left side of the Settings window. This section contains everything related to software management.

On the right side, click Installed apps.

Windows will now display a complete list of installed applications. This includes apps you’ve downloaded yourself as well as many of the apps that came with Windows 11.

Depending on how many programs are installed, the list may take a few seconds to load.

You’ll notice a search box at the top of the page. This search feature makes finding specific apps much faster than scrolling through a long list.

For beginners, this page may appear overwhelming because dozens or even hundreds of applications can be listed. There’s no need to worry. You’re only looking for the app you want to remove.

Step 3: Find the Preinstalled App You Want to Remove

Now it’s time to locate the specific application you no longer need.

If you already know the app’s name, type it into the search box near the top of the Installed apps page. Windows will immediately filter the results.

For example, you can search for Clipchamp, News, Xbox, Weather, or Get Help.

If you’re unsure of the app’s exact name, slowly scroll through the alphabetical list until you find it.

Before uninstalling anything, take a moment to verify that you’ve selected the correct application. Some app names are similar, and removing the wrong one may not be what you intended.

If you’re unfamiliar with an app, consider searching its purpose before removing it. This extra step can help you avoid uninstalling something you might use later.

Once you’ve identified the correct app, you’re ready to begin the uninstall process.

Step 4: Start the Uninstallation Process

With the app located, Windows makes removing it fairly straightforward.

Look to the right side of the application’s listing. You’ll see a three-dot menu.

Click this menu to reveal additional options.

If the application supports removal, you’ll see an Uninstall option.

Click Uninstall.

Windows will ask you to confirm your decision because uninstalling removes the application from your computer.

Read the confirmation message carefully to ensure you’re removing the intended app.

If you’re certain, click Uninstall again.

Windows will begin removing the application. Most preinstalled apps uninstall within a few seconds, although larger apps may take slightly longer.

During this process, avoid shutting down your computer or closing the Settings window.

Step 5: Verify That the App Has Been Removed

After the uninstall process finishes, it’s a good idea to confirm that everything completed successfully.

Return to the Installed apps list and search for the application again.

If Windows no longer displays the app, the removal was successful.

You can also open the Start menu and search for the application’s name. If no results appear, Windows has successfully removed it from your system.

In some cases, Windows may ask you to restart your computer. Although this isn’t always necessary, restarting helps ensure Windows removes any remaining files associated with the application.

Once your computer restarts, check again to confirm the app is no longer available.

Remove Additional Built-In Apps Using Windows PowerShell

Some preinstalled apps do not include an Uninstall button in the Settings app. Microsoft restricts the removal of certain applications through the standard interface.

For these built-in apps, Windows PowerShell offers an advanced method.

Begin by right-clicking the Start button.

Select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin), depending on your Windows version. If the User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes.

A command window will open with administrator privileges.

To view installed Appx packages, type the following command and press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage

The command displays a detailed list of installed Microsoft Store applications.

To remove a supported app, use the following command:

Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Remove-AppxPackage

Replace AppName with part of the application’s package name.

For example:

Get-AppxPackage *Xbox* | Remove-AppxPackage

Press Enter and wait for PowerShell to complete the operation.

Be very careful when using PowerShell commands. Only remove apps you recognize and know are safe to uninstall. Deleting essential Windows components can cause unexpected behavior or missing features.

Can You Restore Uninstalled Preinstalled Apps on Windows 11?

Yes, you can restore most preinstalled apps after uninstalling them. This is one of the advantages of Windows 11. Even if you remove an app that you later realize you need, reinstalling it is usually a straightforward process.

The easiest method is through the Microsoft Store. Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu, then use the search bar to find the app you previously removed. Once you locate the correct application, click Install. Windows will automatically download and install the latest version of the app.

For example, if you uninstall Get Help, Clipchamp, Windows Media Player, Photos, Calculator, Paint, Voice Recorder, or Weather, you can typically reinstall them from the Microsoft Store within a few minutes.

If you removed an app using Windows PowerShell, you can often restore it using PowerShell as well. Open Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) and run the following command:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

This command attempts to re-register built-in Windows apps that are still present on your system. Depending on your Windows configuration, the process may take several minutes to complete.

If an app still does not return after using the command, open the Microsoft Store and install it manually. In rare situations where multiple built-in apps have been removed or become corrupted, running Windows Update may also reinstall missing Windows components automatically.

The key takeaway is that uninstalling removable preinstalled apps is generally not permanent. As long as the app is supported by Microsoft, you can usually restore it whenever you need it.

FAQs

Is it safe to uninstall preinstalled apps on Windows 11?

Yes, it is generally safe to uninstall optional preinstalled apps that Windows allows you to remove through the Settings app. However, you should avoid removing essential system components because they may affect Windows features or overall system stability.

Which preinstalled apps can I safely remove?

Many users safely uninstall apps such as Get Help, Microsoft Clipchamp, News, Weather, Xbox, Microsoft Teams, Voice Recorder, and other optional Microsoft Store apps. Before removing any application, make sure you understand its purpose and whether you use it regularly.

Why can’t I uninstall some Windows 11 apps?

Some applications are integrated into the operating system and are required for Windows features to function correctly. For these apps, the Uninstall button is unavailable. While some can be removed using Windows PowerShell, others are protected and cannot be safely uninstalled.

Does uninstalling preinstalled apps improve performance?

Removing unused apps can reduce Start menu clutter, decrease background activity for certain applications, and free up a small amount of storage space. However, it should not be expected to significantly improve your computer’s overall performance.

Will uninstalling preinstalled apps free up storage?

Yes, but the amount of storage recovered depends on the application. Some apps occupy only a few megabytes, while larger apps may free up more space. If your goal is to reclaim significant storage, uninstalling large third-party applications and deleting unnecessary files will have a greater impact.

Can I reinstall a preinstalled app after removing it?

Yes. Most removable Windows 11 apps can be downloaded again from the Microsoft Store. If necessary, some built-in apps can also be restored using Windows PowerShell or by updating Windows.

Do I need administrator rights to uninstall preinstalled apps?

In most cases, yes. While some apps can be removed from a standard user account with the necessary permissions, many uninstall operations, especially those involving PowerShell, require administrator privileges.

Does uninstalling preinstalled apps affect Windows updates?

No. Removing optional preinstalled apps does not prevent Windows from receiving future updates. However, major feature updates may reinstall certain Microsoft apps as part of the operating system upgrade.

Summary

Preinstalled apps in Windows 11 are designed to provide useful tools and services immediately after installing the operating system. While many of these applications are helpful, not every user needs them. If you prefer a cleaner Start menu or want to remove software you never use, Windows makes the process relatively simple.

For most users, the safest method is using the Settings app to uninstall optional applications. This approach is beginner-friendly and minimizes the risk of removing important system components. For apps that cannot be removed through Settings, Windows PowerShell provides an advanced option, but it should be used carefully and only when you understand the commands being executed.

Remember that removing unnecessary apps may free up a small amount of storage and reduce clutter, but it is unlikely to improve system performance dramatically. More importantly, most removable apps can be restored at any time through the Microsoft Store or, if needed, via PowerShell.