The 11 Microsoft apps I ditch on every new Windows install - and the 11 I keep

"Every installation of Windows 11 includes a long list of preinstalled apps. Some tools are there because they're necessary for the operating system to do what it does. Others are there to help Microsoft make more money, because every Windows PC is valuable for its ability to bundle and promote Microsoft's collection of paid services, including Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Xbox, and Copilot. A handful are actually useful."

"Thanks to a 2023 decision by European regulators, you can now uninstall most of those apps. But should you? These built-in apps take up little disk space and use no CPU or graphics power unless you choose to run them. The real issue is simple: if you don't want an app on your PC, you have the right to remove it. You also have the right to ignore it."

"Want to see the entire collection? On a brand new PC, go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and scroll through the list. If you've already installed a bunch of third-party apps, type Microsoft in the search box at the top of the page to filter the list. When I tried that on a relatively new installation of Windows 11 version 25H2 just now, that list included 32 apps, some essential and others completely unnecessary."

Windows 11 includes numerous preinstalled apps. Some are essential for system functions while others promote Microsoft paid services such as Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Xbox, and Copilot. Many built-in apps occupy little disk space and remain idle unless launched. A 2023 European regulatory decision permits uninstalling most bundled apps, giving users the choice to remove or ignore them. Users can view installed Microsoft apps via Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and filter by Microsoft. Practical management approaches include keeping frequently used apps pinned, uninstalling unneeded ones, and retaining optional apps in All Apps for possible future use.

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