How To Quickly Remove Unwanted Apps on Windows 10/11: Solutions for Stubborn Programs

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Learn how to remove unwanted apps on Windows 10/11 with simple, effective methods to uninstall stubborn programs that can’t be easily removed.

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Windows 11 and Windows 10 come with a number of pre-installed programs and apps that are often not needed by many users. These apps can take up valuable system resources and clutter your interface, yet they can be difficult to remove using the traditional uninstallation methods.

In this guide, we explore how you can efficiently remove stubborn programs on Windows 11 and Windows 10 that we can not uninstall via microsoft stores. So, we’ll walk through two powerful solutions, including a new feature in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update and a versatile method using PowerShell, which works for both Windows 10 and 11. Let’s dive into how we tested both methods and what we learned along the way.

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The Hidden Challenge of Uninstalling Built-in Apps

While many apps on Windows can be easily uninstalled through the Settings app or Control Panel, Windows 11 and Windows 10 often come with pre-installed programs that can’t be easily removed. These include built-in Microsoft apps such as Microsoft Teams, Xbox apps, Cortana, Paint, Microsoft News, and many others.

For enterprise users and business environments, this bloat can be a significant issue, consuming storage space and system resources that could otherwise be used for more important applications. Even when users try to remove these apps, they are often met with the frustration of apps that simply won’t go away.

But fear not! We have bring out with the two effective solutions that can help you get rid of these unwanted programs once and for all.

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The Exciting New Update for Windows 11

One of the most anticipated features of the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update is the introduction of a new Group Policy feature that simplifies the removal of unwanted Microsoft apps. This update will particularly benefit businesses and enterprise users who need to quickly clean up multiple installations across their organization.

Here’s what we learned when we tested the 25H2 update:

Enrolling in the Windows Insider Program

To gain access to the 25H2 update, we had to enroll in the Windows Insider Program. This step is necessary for early access to the update, as the 25H2 build is only available in preview versions for Insider members.

Upgrading from Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2

If you do not want to get into windows insider program just for your wills. We have also tried another method and was successful, and we were able to download and install the Windows 11 25H2 update. However, we found that this update wasn’t available directly via Windows Update for non-Insider users. So, we decided to upgrade manually using the Windows 11 ISO.

Here’s how to upgrade from Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 (if you’re already running Windows 10):

1. Mount the Windows 11 ISO: Download the official Windows 11 ISO from the Microsoft website and mount the file.
2. Run the Setup Install Wizard: After mounting the ISO, run the Setup installer.
3. Accept the License Agreement: Follow the prompts to accept the license terms.
4. Choose Update Options: When prompted with “Change how Setup downloads updates,” select Not right now.

We were unable to find the update directly through Windows Update, which led us to go the manual install route. Once the update was installed, we had access to the Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages feature, which helped us easily remove apps like Microsoft Teams, Paint, Cortana, and others.

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The Versatile Solution for Windows 10 and 11 Users

For those using Windows 10 or for those who don’t want to go through the hassle of the Insider Program or ISO installation, there’s another powerful solution: PowerShell.

PowerShell, combined with the Windows Package Manager (Winget), is an extremely efficient method to remove unwanted system apps in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you don’t want to join the Insider program or get into the complexities of bootable ISOs, this is your go-to solution.

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Solutions That Actually Work

First Method: The Windows 11 25H2 Update for Removing Microsoft Apps

With the 25H2 update for Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced a much-needed Group Policy feature that allows users to quickly remove unwanted Microsoft apps. Here’s how we used this new feature to streamline the uninstallation process:

1. Open Group Policy Editor: Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment.
2. Enable the “Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages” Policy: After enabling the policy, you can choose which apps to remove from the list.
3. Select the Apps to Uninstall: You can now remove multiple apps at once, including Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Paint, Xbox, OneNote, and others. This feature is especially helpful for businesses looking to streamline Windows installations across multiple devices.

While this method is fantastic for Windows 11 users, Windows 10 users or those not enrolled in the Insider program can turn to PowerShell for similar results.

Second Method: PowerShell for Both Windows 10 and 11

If you’re running Windows 10 or prefer not to join the Insider program, PowerShell offers a highly flexible method for removing unwanted apps from both Windows 10 and Windows 11. We found this method to be especially useful for advanced users who want more control over the uninstallation process.

Here’s how you can use PowerShell to remove stubborn apps:

Open PowerShell as Administrator: Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin). If prompted, click Yes to allow changes.

List All Installed Apps: Use the following command to display a list of all installed programs:

winget list

Uninstall Specific Apps: To uninstall an app, use this command, replacing "App Name" with the exact name of the app you want to remove: twinget uninstall "App Name" For example, to uninstall Microsoft Teams, run:

winget uninstall "Microsoft Teams"

Use App IDs for Ambiguous Names: If the app name doesn’t work, try using the app’s ID. For example:

winget uninstall --id=Microsoft.Teams_8wekyb3d8bbwe

Silent Uninstallation: To uninstall without prompts, use the -h flag:

winget uninstall "App Name" -h

Remove All Data Associated with the App: To completely remove the app, including its data, use the --purge flag:

winget uninstall "App Name" --purge

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Avoid Common Pitfalls and Potential Issues: Think Before Deleting Apps in Windows

Before removing apps, it’s essential to weigh the potential risks. Some built-in apps, like Windows Defender or Microsoft Store, are critical for system stability and functionality. Removing them could lead to unexpected issues or even break key Windows features, so proceed with caution.

Always create a system restore point before uninstalling apps. This ensures you can revert to a stable state if something goes wrong. Remember, some apps, like Edge or Windows Store, are protected and can’t be removed, so think twice before deleting anything crucial for system operations.

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Conclusion

Whether you’re on Windows 11 or Windows 10, there are now powerful and efficient ways to remove stubborn apps that won’t uninstall through the regular methods. The Windows 11 25H2 update introduces a much-needed Group Policy feature for removing Microsoft apps, while PowerShell provides a versatile, command-line solution for both Windows 10 and 11 users.

By using these methods, you can ensure that your Windows installation remains clean, fast, and free of unnecessary bloat. We hope you found this guide useful—don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions!

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