"Debloating" Windows 11 means removing or switching off the apps, background processes, suggestions and data-sharing settings you don't need, so your PC starts faster, runs lighter and interrupts you less. You can do most of it safely in Windows' own Settings app, in about 30 minutes, without downloading anything.
This guide covers what to remove, what to leave alone, whether debloat scripts are worth the risk, and how to keep Windows 11 lean once you've cleaned it up.
The quick answer
- Start with a restore point, so you can undo any change.
- Uninstall apps you don't use from Settings, then switch off startup apps you don't need at boot.
- Stop apps running in the background, and turn off widgets, tips and Start menu recommendations.
- Switch off ad and tracking settings such as the advertising ID and optional diagnostic data.
- Leave security and system components alone, including Windows Security, Windows Update, the Microsoft Store and your hardware drivers.
- Be careful with debloat scripts. They can remove far more than you intended.
Before you start: create a restore point
A restore point lets you roll Windows back if a change causes problems. Search for Create a restore point, select your system drive, and click Create. If the button is greyed out, click Configure and turn on system protection first. It's also a good moment to back up any files you can't afford to lose.
Step 1: Uninstall apps you don't use
Many PCs come with trial software, games and apps from the PC maker that you never open.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Sort the list by name, size or install date.
- Select the three-dot menu next to an app you don't use and choose Uninstall.
Some built-in apps can't be removed, and that's fine. If you don't recognize an app, search its name before removing it, because some belong to your hardware, such as touchpad, audio or graphics utilities.
Step 2: Switch off startup apps you don't need
Apps that launch at startup slow down your boot and keep using memory in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off anything you don't need the moment you sign in. Chat apps, game launchers and updaters are usually safe to switch off, and they still open normally when you start them yourself. Keep your security software and hardware utilities switched on.
Step 3: Stop apps running in the background
Some apps keep working in the background even when you aren't using them. For apps that allow it, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the three-dot menu next to the app, choose Advanced options, and set its background permission to Never. On newer versions of Windows 11, this setting is labelled Let this app run in background.
Step 4: Turn off widgets, tips and recommendations
Windows 11 surfaces news, suggestions and promoted content in several places. You can switch most of it off:
- Widgets: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, then turn off Widgets.
- Tips and suggestions: Settings > System > Notifications, open Additional settings, and untick the tips and suggestions options.
- Start menu recommendations: Settings > Personalization > Start, then turn off the recommendations for tips, shortcuts and new apps.
- Lock screen tips: Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, then turn off the fun facts, tips and tricks option.
- Unneeded notifications: in Settings > System > Notifications, switch off notifications for apps you don't need to hear from.
Step 5: Switch off ad and tracking settings
These settings don't slow your PC down much, but turning them off is part of a clean setup:
- Advertising ID: Settings > Privacy & security > General, then turn off personalized ads using your advertising ID, along with any other suggestions you don't want.
- Diagnostic data: Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback, then turn off Send optional diagnostic data and Tailored experiences.
Step 6: Clean up what's left behind
Uninstalled apps often leave files behind. Go to Settings > System > Storage and review the Cleanup recommendations, then turn on Storage Sense so Windows clears temporary files automatically. For a deeper clean, search for Disk Cleanup, choose your system drive, and select Clean up system files.
What not to remove
Debloating goes wrong when people remove things Windows needs. Leave these alone:
- Windows Security, unless another antivirus is installed and running.
- Windows Update, which delivers the security fixes your PC depends on.
- The Microsoft Store, which keeps many built-in apps up to date.
- Hardware drivers and utilities for your touchpad, audio, graphics and networking.
- Anything you don't recognize until you've looked it up.
Are Windows 11 debloat scripts safe?
Debloat scripts shared online can remove dozens of apps and change many settings in one go. That speed is also the risk: an aggressive script can remove components you need, break features, or interfere with future updates, and undoing its changes isn't always simple.
If you decide to use one, read exactly what it changes first, create a restore point, and avoid any option that removes Windows Security, Windows Update components or the Microsoft Store. For most people, the built-in steps above get the benefits with none of the risk.
Keep Windows 11 lean automatically with System Mechanic
Debloating isn't a one-time job. New apps add themselves to startup, and clutter builds back up over time. System Mechanic® from iolo is designed to catch that automatically:
- Bloatware and startup control: System Mechanic finds unwanted startup programs that launch and run without your knowledge, and its Startup Optimizer speeds up Windows startup.
- Advanced Uninstaller removes installed programs, and the Deceptive Programs tool finds and removes harmful software.
- Process Scanner finds memory-intensive background tasks.
- Smart ActiveCare® uses AI to detect and fix more than 30,000 different issues while your PC is idle, and System Mechanic removes more than 50 types of hidden junk files.
System Mechanic runs on Windows 11, 10 and 8. One subscription covers up to 10 devices, meaning the personal computers in your home, every paid edition comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and there's a free version to start with.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to debloat Windows 11?
Debloating Windows 11 means removing apps you don't use, stopping unnecessary startup and background activity, and turning off suggestions, widgets and data-sharing settings you don't want. The goal is a lighter, faster and less distracting PC.
Is it safe to debloat Windows 11?
Yes, if you use Windows' own Settings app and leave security and system components alone. Create a restore point first. The riskiest approach is running an aggressive debloat script without checking what it removes.
Will debloating make Windows 11 faster?
Usually, especially on a PC with lots of preinstalled software. Fewer startup apps and background processes mean a faster boot and more free memory. The difference is smaller on a PC that was already clean.
Which Windows 11 apps are safe to uninstall?
Generally, any preinstalled game, trial or app you don't use. Keep Windows Security, Windows Update, the Microsoft Store and your hardware drivers and utilities, and look up anything you don't recognize before removing it.
Can I debloat Windows 11 without a script?
Yes. Uninstalling apps, trimming startup apps, stopping background apps and switching off widgets, tips and ad settings can all be done in the Settings app, as shown above.
Can System Mechanic remove bloatware?
Yes. System Mechanic finds unwanted startup programs that run without your knowledge, removes installed programs with its Advanced Uninstaller, and finds and removes harmful software with its Deceptive Programs tool.
