The Windows 11 25H2 update enables some users to remove pesky apps and bloatware from the OS

A common complaint with new prebuilt desktops or laptops is the amount of bloatware that ships with Windows 11. While third-party software is often straightforward to uninstall, Microsoft's apps are another matter. The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update may offer a solution, albeit with some caveats.

Insiders testing the Windows 11 update discovered they could remove Media Player, Notepad, and Xbox-related apps. Users normally have to resort to PowerShell, which isn't the most intuitive tool. However, some PCs will now include the Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages option. Finding the shortcut may require digging around in the Windows Components > App Package Deployment menus.

Unfortunately, there are several reasons why not all users will benefit from 25H2. The new configurations require the Group Policy Editor, which isn't part of Windows 11 Home without workarounds. Also, even Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise owners won't have full reign over the stock apps. Empowered by the Digital Markets Act, only EU users can uninstall the Edge browser. These are limitations that third-party alternative software like Geek Uninstaller overcomes.

While not everyone will be able to uninstall unnecessary apps, the Windows 11 update may have other advantages. The patch will arrive as an enablement package, meaning many of the tweaks are already waiting to be activated. That could address complaints about long installation times reported with Windows 11 24H2. Released in October 2024, the major update also caused a range of problems. Some issues included malfunctioning AutoHDR and unreliable network connectivity.

Microsoft recently made some controversial claims about Windows 11 performance gains. Even if shedding the bloatware doesn't speed up PCs, some consumers will at least have more control over the OS.