Win 10 / 11 · Cleaning

Uninstall the apps you never use

Every installed app is small overhead — background services, update checks, context-menu entries. Remove what you don't open.

DifficultyEasy
Time10 min
RiskLow
ReversibleYes
PlatformWin 10 / 11
UpdatedSep 22, 2026

Written and tested by emdottech

What that means

Low risk. This fix only checks things, or changes settings you can switch back in the same place. This change is reversible — you can return to the previous state without professional help or data loss.

Installed apps list sorted by size with an abandoned 84 GB game and a trial 'security' app marked for uninstall, and a daily driver marked to keep

Steps

01
- SettingsAppsInstalled apps
02
- Click 'Sort by'Size— the biggest offenders are almost always games or creative-suite trials you installed once and forgot
03
- Uninstall anything you haven't opened in 6 months; check the 'Recently used' info if you're unsure
04
- Open 'Optional features' from the same Apps page to strip out Windows components you don't use — Xbox extras, legacy media codecs, sample apps
05
- Some apps leave residual folders in %appdata% and %localappdata% after uninstalling — safe to delete once you've confirmed the app itself is gone
06
- Restart after a big cleanup pass; a few background services only fully release on the next boot

How to verify the fix

Uninstalled apps no longer appear in Installed apps, and background overhead (services, update checks) is reduced.

If this didn't fix it

An app you still need is gone or a shortcut breaks — reinstall it from its official source.

Next stop: the related fixes below, or start a guided diagnosis.

Still stuck? Diagnose my problem Browse all Windows fixes

Uninstall the apps you never use

Steps

✓How to verify the fix

!If this didn't fix it

Related fixes

How to verify the fix

If this didn't fix it