Should I use a debloat script?

Only if it lists exactly what it removes and is updated for your Windows build. Avoid scripts that disable Windows Update or remove WinRE.

✦ PC Optimization

Debloat Windows 11 safely — Remove what you don't need

'Debloat' scripts on GitHub vary wildly in how aggressive they are. Many delete components Windows needs for feature updates. This is a conservative list of safe-to-remove apps.

Time: 15 min
Difficulty: easy
Applies to: Windows 11, Windows 10
Updated: May 25, 2026

Symptoms

▸Start menu cluttered with pre-installed apps you don't use
▸Disk space lost to apps you never opened
▸Bing News / Weather widgets running at idle

Likely causes

▸OEM pre-install bundles
▸Microsoft default app suite (Solitaire, Xbox, Spotify, etc.)
▸Widgets and News & interests

How to fix it — step by step

01
Uninstall through Settings
Settings → Apps → Installed apps. Sort by Name. Uninstall: Spotify, Cortana (Windows 11 24H2+), Xbox Game Bar, Solitaire Collection, Weather, News, Tips, Get Help, Skype, Movies & TV (if unused).

Remove via PowerShell for system apps

Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.GetHelp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage

03
Disable widgets and Bing search
Right-click taskbar → Taskbar settings → toggle off Widgets. Disable Bing search via Group Policy: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Search → Don't search the web.
04
Don't touch these
Microsoft Store, Windows Security, Calculator, Windows Update — keep them all. Removing breaks feature updates.