How to Uninstall Built-In Apps in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Why Windows 11 Has Built-In Apps You May Not Want

When you first boot up a new Windows 11 PC, one thing’s immediately clear—it comes with a lot of extras. From Microsoft Teams and Xbox Game Bar to Weather, News, and other apps you might never use, Windows 11 built in apps often feel more like a bundle deal than a clean slate. This is where the line between helpful tools and bloatware starts to blur.

Now, there’s a reason behind it. Microsoft wants to create a ready-to-go environment with productivity and entertainment apps already installed. That includes features like Copilot, which is deeply integrated with the OS. But not everyone wants or needs these things. In fact, searches for how to uninstall copilot windows 11 have skyrocketed as users look for more control over their setup.

The bigger issue is choice. While some apps can be removed easily from the Settings menu, others require more advanced steps—like using a windows 11 remove built-in apps powershell script. And some system components can’t be uninstalled at all. So when users ask how to uninstall apps on windows 11, they’re really asking: “What can I actually remove, and how deep can I go?”

Whether you’re looking to declutter, save space, or just clean up the Start menu, understanding why these apps are here—and how to remove them—is the first step.

Microsoft’s goal with Windows 11 was to offer a system that’s ready for productivity, gaming, and even light creativity the moment you turn it on. That’s why so many windows 11 built in apps are preloaded—things like Paint, Photos, Clipchamp, Xbox Game Bar, and Copilot. From Microsoft’s perspective, it’s about convenience. But for many users, it ends up feeling more like unnecessary clutter.

The truth is, not all of these apps are bad. Some are genuinely helpful for casual users who just want to open a document, edit a screenshot, or join a quick Teams call. But if you’re building a custom setup or using your PC for gaming or work, chances are you’ll want to trim the fat. That’s when people start looking into how to uninstall apps on Windows 11—not just for space, but for a cleaner, faster, more personalized desktop.

What makes things confusing is that some apps can be removed with a few clicks, while others require advanced tools or scripts. There’s also the issue of system apps—certain windows 11 built in apps are tied to core functionality and shouldn’t be removed. Still, users often go as far as running windows 11 remove built-in apps tools or PowerShell commands just to regain control over what runs on their machine.

Understanding which apps are safe to remove—and why they were included in the first place—can help you make smarter choices about what stays and what goes.

Uninstalling Apps Using the Windows 11 Settings Menu

If you’re wondering how to uninstall apps on Windows 11 without messing with commands or scripts, the Settings menu is the easiest place to start. Just open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. From there, you’ll see a full list of everything currently installed on your system, including third-party software and windows 11 built in apps like Xbox, Weather, or Skype.

To remove an app, scroll through the list or use the search bar. Click the three-dot menu next to the app name, then select “Uninstall.” That’s it—Windows will prompt you to confirm, and the app will be removed from your system. This works well for many pre-installed apps, especially those Microsoft considers optional.

However, you’ll quickly notice that some windows 11 built in apps can’t be removed this way. Apps like Microsoft Edge, Photos, or Copilot may not show the uninstall option at all. This is where many users hit a wall and start looking into windows 11 remove built-in apps tools or PowerShell alternatives. Still, for basic cleanup, the Settings route is a great place to begin—simple, safe, and no technical skills required.

It’s ideal for users who just want to declutter without digging into advanced tools. And for many people, that’s all they really need.

For all its convenience, the Windows Settings menu only gets you so far. If you’ve tried to uninstall something like Microsoft Edge, Copilot, or even the Photos app, you’ve probably noticed the “Uninstall” option is missing. That’s because certain windows 11 built in apps are considered essential by the system—even if you don’t actually use them.

These apps are embedded a bit deeper into the operating system, which is why Windows protects them from casual removal. And while this might make sense from a stability standpoint, it can be frustrating for users who just want a cleaner, faster experience. This is where the default Settings method hits a wall, especially for anyone trying to fully customize their setup.

If you’re determined to go further, your next step is learning how to uninstall apps on Windows 11 using more advanced tools. That usually means turning to PowerShell. With a properly written windows 11 remove built-in apps powershell script, you can remove system apps that don’t appear in the normal uninstall list—just make sure you know what you’re deleting.

Settings is perfect for cleaning up obvious clutter. But if your goal is full control over every piece of preloaded software, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves. We’ll walk you through it in the next part.

How to Remove Built-In Apps with PowerShell

If you’re ready to go beyond what the Settings menu allows, PowerShell gives you real control over what stays and what goes. It might sound intimidating, but it’s actually straightforward once you get the hang of it. PowerShell is a command-line tool built into Windows that lets you manage the system in a deeper way—including how to uninstall apps on Windows 11 that are otherwise locked.

To get started, search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu, right-click it, and choose “Run as administrator.” This gives you permission to run system-level commands. Now type the following:

Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName

This command lists all installed windows 11 built in apps. To remove one, such as the Xbox app, you’d run:

Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage

It’s that simple. Just replace “xboxapp” with the part of the app name you want to remove. You can even create a windows 11 remove built-in apps powershell script to automate this process across multiple devices or users. But be cautious—removing system-critical apps can break things you might not expect.

PowerShell opens the door to full customization, but it’s always smart to remove one app at a time and test as you go.

Once you’re comfortable with basic commands, PowerShell can do even more—including removing built-in apps for all users on the device. This is especially useful if you’re setting up a shared or work PC and want to keep things streamlined. You’ll just need to run a slightly modified version of the script:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage

This command targets the app across all user profiles. It works for most non-essential windows 11 built in apps like OneNote, Xbox Game Bar, or Tips. If you’re managing multiple devices, you can even create a batch-style windows 11 remove built-in apps powershell script that runs all your preferred removals in one go.

That said, a word of warning: don’t remove core apps like Microsoft Store, Settings, or Windows Shell components unless you really know what you’re doing. Deleting the wrong package can cause crashes, glitches, or make it difficult to restore apps later. There’s a difference between personalization and breaking system functionality.

Stick to removing apps that are clearly optional—news apps, game services, or communication tools you never use. PowerShell is a great way to fully clean up Windows 11, as long as you take a measured approach and avoid going overboard. When in doubt, back up your system before diving into advanced changes.

Uninstalling Windows Copilot and Other Locked Apps

Windows Copilot is one of the more divisive features in Windows 11. Marketed as a productivity-enhancing assistant, it lives in your taskbar and ties into Bing, Microsoft Edge, and system settings. But not everyone’s a fan. Some users find it distracting, unnecessary, or too connected to online services. That’s why so many are searching how to uninstall Copilot Windows 11—but unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Copilot is one of those windows 11 built in apps that Microsoft has deeply embedded into the system. You won’t find an uninstall button in Settings, and running standard PowerShell commands won’t touch it. This is by design—Microsoft treats Copilot as a core feature, similar to Edge or the Microsoft Store. Even so, there are ways to disable or hide it if you don’t want it running in the background.

If you’re comfortable digging deeper, you can remove the Copilot button from your taskbar and prevent it from launching using Group Policy Editor or a registry tweak. These methods don’t technically uninstall the app, but they do make it invisible and stop it from using resources. For many users, that’s good enough.

So while you can’t fully remove Copilot like other apps, understanding your options helps you stay in control. We’ll explore those deeper tweaks in the next part.

If you’re serious about disabling Windows Copilot, there are a few reliable methods that work—no sketchy third-party tools required. While you can’t technically uninstall it like other windows 11 built in apps, these steps will fully hide it and prevent it from launching.

Option 1: Use Group Policy (Pro or Enterprise users)
Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. Then go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot
Double-click “Turn off Windows Copilot” and set it to Enabled. This disables Copilot completely.

Option 2: Use the Registry Editor (Home edition workaround)
Press Win + R, type regedit, and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot
Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called TurnOffWindowsCopilot and set it to 1. Reboot, and Copilot will disappear.

These tweaks don’t technically uninstall Copilot, but for all practical purposes, it’s gone. If you change your mind later, you can always reverse the setting. It’s a clean way to reclaim your desktop without risking damage to other windows 11 remove built-in apps or core system files.

For users who want control without breaking things, this is the best approach to how to uninstall Copilot Windows 11—even if “uninstall” isn’t technically what’s happening under the hood.

What Happens When You Remove Built-In Apps?

After you uninstall a few built-in apps, it’s natural to wonder—what’s actually changing? The good news is, removing windows 11 built in apps doesn’t typically harm your system. In fact, most of them are designed to be modular, which means you can uninstall things like Xbox, Weather, or OneNote without affecting your PC’s core functions.

Once removed, these apps free up small amounts of storage, and your Start menu usually looks a lot cleaner. Background processes also quiet down a bit, especially if you’ve removed apps that auto-update or run on startup. However, don’t expect massive performance gains—this is more about decluttering than boosting speed.

If you change your mind, you can easily reinstall most apps through the Microsoft Store. Just search for the app and click “Install.” This makes how to uninstall apps on Windows 11 a low-risk process—nothing is truly gone forever unless you go out of your way to break core components.

One caveat: during major system updates, some windows 11 remove built-in apps may return. Microsoft occasionally re-adds apps like Teams or Xbox Game Bar as part of feature rollouts. It’s annoying, but not a deal-breaker if you’re prepared to clean things up again afterward.

Now that you know how to clean up Windows 11, it’s worth stepping back and asking—should you remove everything just because you can? The answer depends on how you use your PC. If you’re a minimalist, it might be tempting to wipe out every app you don’t recognize. But some windows 11 built in apps serve background roles that you might not notice until they’re gone.

For most users, the best approach is to remove only the obvious clutter. Think Xbox Game Bar, News, Weather, or Tips. These apps don’t affect system stability and won’t break anything if removed. On the other hand, leave core apps like Microsoft Store, Photos, and Settings alone—even if you don’t use them daily, they support important system functions.

If you’re an advanced user, using a windows 11 remove built-in apps PowerShell script can give you more freedom. Just be sure you know what each command does before executing it. And whether you’re using PowerShell or the Settings menu, always take your time. It’s easier to uninstall slowly than it is to fix something that breaks unexpectedly.

The key takeaway? Remove what you don’t need, but don’t try to gut the system. A thoughtful cleanup can go a long way in making Windows 11 feel like your own.

Want to go even further and fine-tune your entire system? Check out the full Windows 11 speed up guide for deep tweaks, cleanup tips, and performance fixes that complement app removal perfectly.

Should You Remove All Built-In Apps or Just Some?

Here’s the big question: just because you can remove apps, does that mean you should? The answer really comes down to how you use your PC. Some people want a clean, minimal setup with only the tools they personally choose. Others prefer to keep a full-featured Windows environment, even if that means living with a few extras.

If you’re a casual user or just setting up a new laptop, removing a few windows 11 built in apps like News, Xbox, or Skype can make things feel less cluttered. It’s a quick way to simplify your Start menu and reduce distractions. But unless you’re familiar with system internals, it’s smart to leave essential apps like Microsoft Store, Photos, or the Settings app intact—they support other parts of the system, even if they don’t look critical.

For advanced users or IT pros, running a windows 11 remove built-in apps PowerShell script can be part of a custom setup. But even then, the best strategy is moderation. Keep what’s necessary, remove what’s truly unused, and avoid deleting apps just for the sake of it. A stripped-down PC sounds great—until you realize you removed something your workflow depends on.

Bottom line? You don’t have to remove everything to make Windows 11 feel personal. A balanced cleanup is often the best path forward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I completely uninstall apps on Windows 11?

The easiest way is through Settings > Apps > Installed apps. You can remove most third-party apps and some built-in ones this way. For system apps, you’ll need PowerShell commands. Still, not every app is removable — especially core Windows features. Need to go deeper? PowerShell scripts are your friend for full control.

Can I remove all built-in apps in Windows 11?

You can remove many, but not all. Apps like Xbox, OneNote, and Weather are easy to delete. Others, like Microsoft Store or Copilot, are locked down and require workarounds — or shouldn’t be removed at all. When in doubt, it’s better to disable than delete.

Is it safe to uninstall Windows 11 built-in apps?

For the most part, yes. Removing things like Tips, Xbox, or Skype won’t break your system. But don’t touch apps that are deeply integrated into Windows unless you know what you’re doing. A few Windows 11 built-in apps serve background roles you may not see.

How do I uninstall Copilot in Windows 11?

You can’t fully uninstall Copilot, but you can disable it. Use the Group Policy Editor (Pro editions) or tweak the registry on Home editions. This hides the button and prevents it from running — which for most people, is just as good as uninstalling.

Will Windows updates reinstall removed apps?

Yes, some updates do bring them back. It’s frustrating, but Microsoft sometimes reinstalls apps like Xbox Game Bar during major upgrades. If you’re doing a deep clean, be ready to repeat the process every few months.