The 11 Microsoft Apps I Ditch on Every New Windows Install – and the 11 I Keep

Windows 11 comes preloaded with a wide range of apps, some essential for the operating system’s functionality, and others geared toward pushing Microsoft’s paid services, like Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Xbox. The real question is: which apps are necessary, and which ones can you live without? In this article, we’ll dive into the apps I keep, the ones I ditch, and those I replace, offering a practical approach to streamlining your Windows experience.

Every time you install Windows 11, you’re greeted with a long list of pre-installed apps, most of which are necessary for the system to function smoothly. However, there are a few that are just there to bolster Microsoft’s ecosystem. The issue isn’t so much the storage space they take up – it’s about having unnecessary apps cluttering your system. Thanks to a 2023 European regulatory change, you now have the freedom to uninstall these apps and customize your system the way you see fit. In this article, I’ll share which apps I keep, which I replace, and which I simply remove from my Windows 11 installations.

The Apps I Keep

While there are many built-in apps in Windows 11, some earn a permanent spot on my system. Here’s the list of apps I always keep:

Microsoft Store – Essential for updating system apps and finding secure desktop apps.
Microsoft Edge – A robust browser based on Chromium, offering compatibility with Chrome extensions and built-in tracking protection.
Snipping Tool – An intuitive screen capture tool for both images and videos.
Terminal – A powerful command-line tool that replaces the outdated PowerShell for advanced tasks.
Quick Assist – A handy remote desktop app for assisting friends and family with technical issues.
Notepad, Paint, Calculator, and Windows Clock – These classic utilities have received modern updates and remain useful for daily tasks.
Microsoft OneDrive – A solid cloud storage service that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 and ensures your files are backed up.
Copilot – A generative AI tool that promises to evolve into a powerful productivity assistant.
Sticky Notes – A simple note-taking app that syncs across devices for quick reminders.
Solitaire & Casual Games – A guilty pleasure, offering a fun distraction with a paid ad-free experience.
Microsoft Teams – A collaboration tool I keep for professional meetings and connecting with friends.

The Apps I Replace

While Windows tries to cover every category with its pre-installed apps, some fall short. Here are the apps I replace:

Media Player – While the new Media Player is functional, I prefer using alternatives like MediaMonkey for a better experience.
Microsoft Photos – A competent photo viewer and editor, but I prefer other apps for editing and managing images.
Microsoft Clipchamp – A video editing tool that pushes for premium features, which I don’t need. I replace it with more powerful video editing software.
Outlook (New) – Microsoft’s replacement for Mail and Calendar is underwhelming, and I stick with the classic Outlook app for a more reliable experience.

The Apps I Ditch

Some apps are simply outdated or unnecessary, and I don’t hesitate to uninstall them:

Microsoft To Do – A simple task manager that’s too complicated for basic use. I prefer Todoist for task management.
Microsoft 365 Copilot – This app’s confusing name and its redundancy with other tools make it a candidate for removal.
Movies & TV – A media player app tied to Microsoft Store content, but I prefer VLC for all my media playback needs.
Maps – With Google Maps being more reliable and accessible, there’s little reason to keep this app around.
News and Weather – These apps haven’t seen meaningful updates in years and are redundant with other features in Windows.
Cortana – Officially deprecated and rarely useful anymore, Cortana is an app that’s best left uninstalled.
Sound Recorder – This app is redundant, and I prefer using my phone for audio notes.

The Apps You Shouldn’t Touch

There are some system-related apps that, while not immediately necessary, should be left alone:

System Components – Apps like Ink.Handwriting.Main.Store are crucial for specific system functions and shouldn’t be uninstalled.
Bing – While I rarely use it, removing the Bing app would disable key search functions in Windows, so it’s best to leave it be.
Camera – Even if you don’t plan to use the camera, this app can be helpful for diagnostics and checking camera functionality.
Feedback Hub – While it may seem unnecessary, this app allows you to provide feedback on Windows issues and upvote common problems.

What Undercode Says:

As a tech enthusiast, I fully understand the desire to streamline your Windows installation by removing apps that you don’t need. However, it’s important to approach the task with caution. While some of the apps bundled with Windows 11 may seem unnecessary, many are deeply integrated into the system, and removing them could cause unexpected issues or hinder certain functionalities.

For example, even though apps like Cortana or Sound Recorder seem outdated or redundant, they still have their place in Windows. Cortana, for instance, may be deprecated, but it still provides core voice-command functions for those who need it. Similarly, the Feedback Hub is invaluable for submitting bug reports and troubleshooting, and removing it could impact your ability to engage with Microsoft’s development process.

On the flip side, Microsoft’s bundling strategy does feel a bit like an attempt to push paid services, especially with apps like Microsoft 365 Copilot or OneDrive. While I use OneDrive due to my Microsoft 365 subscriptions, the free version can feel like a push toward Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem, and many users prefer other alternatives like Google Drive or Dropbox.

I recommend treating each app individually and considering your personal usage habits. If you’re a user who loves using Microsoft Edge and Teams for work, these apps are essential. But if you prefer alternative browsers and communication platforms, you might want to uninstall or replace them. Media Player, for example, is a functional tool, but replacing it with MediaMonkey or VLC will likely provide you with more flexibility and a better user experience.

Ultimately, Windows 11 gives you the flexibility to choose, and that’s a win for customization. Just be mindful that some apps, even if they seem unnecessary, play crucial roles that aren’t always immediately visible. Whether you keep or ditch apps, it’s about crafting a setup that works best for you.

Fact Checker Results:

Microsoft does allow uninstallation of many pre-installed apps in Windows 11, thanks to the 2023 regulatory decision.
Apps like Microsoft Edge are deeply integrated but remain removable as a backup browser for users.
Some apps, like Cortana and Maps, have been deprecated or rarely used, but removing them doesn’t break the system’s core functionality.

References:

Reported By: https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-11-microsoft-apps-i-ditch-on-every-new-windows-install-and-the-11-i-keep/
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