If you're feeling like your PC is sluggish, a clean software wipe can help, and the process is getting easier for Windows users.
Microsoft is making it possible to remove other preinstalled Windows apps that were previously difficult to remove. Experts say the new feature could be a game-changer for users.
"This redundant software takes up valuable storage space, clutters the system, and degrades system performance," Vladimir Fomenko, director of technology company Infatica, told Lifewire in an email interview. Bloatware can include trial software versions, promotional tools and utilities that users usually neither need nor want and always run in the background, hogging system performance.
Microsoft recently released a new Windows 11 preview for Insiders that expands the range of preinstalled apps that can be uninstalled. In recent months, Microsoft has gradually enabled the ability to remove default apps that come preinstalled on Windows. This latest version adds even more apps to that list, including Photos, People, and Camera.
“Bloatware is a common problem in the tech world and it hurts people in many different ways,” TechAhead CEO Vikas Kaushik said in an email. "It hurts the overall user experience, slows down system performance, and uses up valuable storage space. People want a smooth, efficient, and user-centric experience. Bloatware adds pointless clutter that leads to frustration and lost productivity .”
Bloatware on your computer includes free trials, factory-installed programs, and third-party marketing tools, Kaushik noted. These programs jeopardize user security and privacy, while also consuming system resources and making your computer run slower, he said.
"We object to the inclusion of such ineffective components by providing simplified mobile apps and digital solutions that ensure consumers enjoy products that meet their needs," he added.
Tech expert Gordon Lear often installs laptops for schools and nonprofits. He says he spends 90 percent of his time cleaning Bloatware software.
"McAfee has two apps, HP has a dozen, and several 'trial' apps like Dropbox, Express VPN and many others," he added. "Most of them remain silent, or act as included apps, only to pop up with a predatory, fear-driven message scaring low-tech users into buying services the operating system already offers, like cloud storage, encryption, and antivirus .”
Laptops are filled with diagnostic data collection and customer service apps that provide redundant tasks, he said.
"All these apps are running in the background, hogging CPU power and wasting energy," he added. "Not only that, but they confuse users and often generate errors that negatively impact the performance of the computer."
Fomenko noted that the best way to prevent Bloatware is to be vigilant during the initial setup of a new computer. You should choose a clean or custom install instead of the default, and look carefully at the list of preinstalled software, he said. Uncheck any unnecessary programs before proceeding.
For existing Bloatware, you can use built-in uninstall tools in the operating system, such as the Control Panel in Windows, and drag specific apps in the Trash in Macs, Fomenko said.
"However, this method may only remove some traces of the software," he added. "For a more thorough solution, third-party uninstallers or new OS installations can help eliminate Bloatware software. Regular system maintenance, such as software updates and disk cleanup, can also help prevent and manage Bloatware."
Some common examples of bloatware include trial versions of antivirus programs, manufacturer-specific apps and third-party promotional software, Fomenko said. He added that while McAfee's antivirus software provides security features, it is considered Bloatware when it comes pre-installed on a device because it tends to be a trial version, often accompanied by a strong prompt to upgrade to the full version. "
"This could create an intrusive user experience and reduce the overall performance of the device," he added. "Users may already have their preferred security solution in mind, and forcing an additional antivirus program can be frustrating for them. Plus, McAfee's systems run continuously in the background without you even noticing. McAfee's Being resource-intensive can slow down your system, resulting in poor performance for productive and recreational activities."