Windows 11 Cleanup Guide: Free Up Space and Boost Performance
Windows 11 is sleek and modern, but it also comes with pre-installed apps (bloatware) and background processes that can slow it down.
If your system feels sluggish, don’t worry - we’ll cover what to uninstall and how to speed up Windows 11 to get the best performance.
What Windows 11 Bloatware Should You Uninstall? Windows 11 comes with several pre-installed apps that most users don’t need. Removing these can free up storage and improve performance.
Common Windows 11 Bloatware to Remove:
Candy Crush, Solitaire, and other games: Pre-installed and unnecessary for non-gamers.
Xbox Game Bar & Xbox Console Companion: If you don’t game, you can remove these.
Microsoft News, Weather, and Sports Apps: If you don’t use them, uninstall them.
Cortana: No longer a core feature in Windows 11 but still installed.
OneNote, Skype, and Microsoft To Do: If you use alternatives like Notion or Zoom, these are unnecessary.
Microsoft Teams (Personal): If you use Teams for work, keep it. Otherwise, remove it.
3D Viewer & Paint 3D: Legacy apps that most users never touch.
Movies & TV: Redundant if you use VLC, Netflix, or other streaming services.
Tips App: Not useful once you’ve learned Windows 11.
How to Uninstall Bloatware Apps:
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Find the app you want to remove.
Click Uninstall and confirm.
Why Is Windows 11 Slow? If Windows 11 feels sluggish, several factors could be at play:
Too Many Background Processes: Close unnecessary apps and background tasks using Task Manager.
Insufficient RAM: Windows 11 runs best with 8GB+ RAM. Upgrade if you’re running on 4GB.
Outdated Drivers: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates to update drivers.
Windows Updates Running in the Background: Sometimes updates slow down performance. Check if Windows Update is downloading.
Malware or Bloatware: Run Windows Security Scan or use Malwarebytes to check for unwanted software.
Power Settings Set to ‘Balanced’ Instead of ‘High Performance’: Go to Control Panel > Power Options and set it to High Performance.
How to Make Windows 11 Faster. If Windows 11 feels slow, try these performance-boosting tips:
1. Disable Startup Programs.
Too many startup apps slow down boot time.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click Startup Apps and disable unnecessary apps.
2. Turn Off Visual Effects.
Windows 11 has animations that use system resources.
Go to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings.
Under Performance, click Settings and select Adjust for best performance.
3. Free Up Storage.
Running low on storage slows everything down.
Open Settings > Storage and remove unnecessary files.
Use Disk Cleanup (search for it in Start Menu).
4. Uninstall Unused Apps.
The more apps you have, the more background processes.
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
Remove anything you don’t use.
5. Disable Background Apps.
Windows 11 allows many apps to run in the background.
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Select an app, go to Advanced options, and disable Background app permissions.
6. Upgrade to an SSD (If You Haven’t Yet).
If your PC still has an HDD, upgrading to an SSD dramatically speeds up Windows 11.
Windows 11 runs smoothly when optimized properly. Uninstalling bloatware, tweaking settings, and keeping your system clean can boost performance and speed up your PC. If Windows 11 is still slow after these fixes, upgrading your hardware (RAM, SSD) may be the best solution.
Still have questions or need assistance schedule a call with us or visit our Learning Center for more information. We're here to help!
