Microsoft has finally introduced an official way to remove bloatware from Windows 11 in the upcoming 25H2 update. After years of users relying on PowerShell scripts and third-party tools, this new Group Policy setting promises a cleaner, more streamlined approach to Windows app management.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Microsoft’s new bloatware removal feature, including how it works, which apps you can remove, and most importantly, who can actually use it.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft added an official bloatware removal method through Group Policy in Windows 11 25H2
- The feature only works on Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise editions – Home users are excluded (But can use PolicyPlus)
- Currently available only in Windows Insider builds, with stable release expected later in 2025
Requirements
To use Microsoft’s official bloatware removal feature, you’ll need:
- Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise edition (or PolicyPlus on Home)
- Windows Insider Program enrollment (Dev or Beta channel)
- Build 26200.5670 (Dev channel) or 26120.4520 (Beta channel)
- Administrative privileges to access Group Policy Editor
Why Remove Default Windows 11 Apps?
Many Windows 11 installations come with pre-installed Microsoft Store apps that users don’t need or want. These apps take up storage space, consume system resources, and can clutter the Start menu and app list. Previously, removing these apps required complex PowerShell commands that could potentially break Windows during setup or cause issues with enterprise deployment tools like Autopilot.
System administrators have been requesting a native solution for years because scripted removal methods are fragile and can cause deployment failures. This new Group Policy approach provides a supported, reliable method for enterprise environments.
How to Access the Windows 11 Bloatware Removal Policy
The new Group Policy setting is located in a specific path within the Group Policy Editor. Here’s how to find it:
Navigating to the Policy Setting
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
- Type
gpedit.mscand press Enter to open Group Policy Editor - Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment
- Look for the policy named “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system”
Understanding the Policy Configuration
When you open this policy, you’ll see a curated list of Microsoft Store apps that can be removed. The policy description explains that selected apps will be uninstalled from the system when new user profiles are created.
Important: This policy only affects new user profiles, not existing ones. If you already have user accounts on the system, those apps will remain installed for existing users.
Which Apps Can Be Removed
Microsoft’s official bloatware removal policy covers a specific set of built-in Microsoft Store applications:
Removable Microsoft Store Apps
- Clipchamp – Video editing application
- Feedback Hub – System feedback and diagnostics tool
- Microsoft 365 Copilot – AI assistant application
- Microsoft News – News and content aggregation app
- Microsoft Photos – Photo viewing and editing application
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection – Card game collection
- Microsoft Sticky Notes – Digital note-taking app
- Microsoft Teams – Communication and collaboration platform
- Microsoft To Do – Task management application
- MSN Weather – Weather information app
- Outlook for Windows – Email and calendar application
- Paint – Basic image editing application
- Quick Assist – Remote assistance tool
- Snipping Tool – Screenshot and screen capture utility
- Windows Calculator – Calculator application
- Windows Camera – Camera and photo capture app
- Windows Media Player – Media playback application
- Voice Recorder – Audio recording application
- Windows Sound Recorder – Audio recording utility
- Windows Terminal – Command-line interface
- Xbox Gaming App – Xbox gaming platform and social features
- Xbox Gaming Overlay – In-game overlay and capture tools
- Xbox Identity Provider – Xbox authentication services
- Xbox Speech To Text Overlay – Voice-to-text gaming feature
What’s Not Included
This policy has important limitations regarding which applications can be removed:
- Third-party bloatware like Spotify trials or manufacturer software
- Pre-installed games like Candy Crush (these aren’t Microsoft’s own apps)
- System-critical applications that Windows requires for basic functionality
- Web browsers and other essential Windows components
Technical Implementation Details
Understanding how this feature works technically can help you troubleshoot issues and potentially expand its functionality.
Registry Key Creation
When you enable the policy and select apps for removal, Windows creates a registry key at:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx\RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages
Each selected app gets its own subkey using the package family name. This registry-based approach opens up possibilities for advanced users.
PowerShell Workaround for Additional Apps
Since the feature works through registry keys, you can potentially use PowerShell to add other apps to the removal list, even if they’re not shown in the Group Policy interface. This means you could theoretically remove apps like:
- Copilot
- Other Microsoft Store apps not listed in the official policy
However, this requires knowing the exact package family names and involves editing the registry manually or through scripts.
Current Limitations and Issues
While this feature represents significant progress, it’s not perfect in its current state.
User Interface Problems
Even when apps are successfully removed through the policy, you might encounter:
- Broken shortcuts in the Start menu that don’t launch
- App icons appearing in the All Apps list despite being uninstalled
- Error messages when trying to launch removed applications
These UI inconsistencies suggest the feature is still in development and needs refinement before general release.
Windows Edition Restrictions
The biggest limitation is the Windows edition requirement. Since Group Policy Editor is only available in Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions, Windows 11 Home users cannot access this feature.
However, there are potential workarounds:
- Policy Plus – A third-party tool that might add support for this policy on Home editions
- Registry editing – Direct manipulation of the registry keys (advanced users only)
- PowerShell scripts – Custom implementation of the same functionality
Enterprise and Intune Integration
This feature is primarily designed for enterprise environments where IT administrators need to deploy clean Windows installations at scale.
Future Intune Support
Microsoft has created a Policy CSP path for this feature:./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ApplicationManagement/RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages
This indicates that Intune (Microsoft’s cloud-based device management service) will eventually support this policy natively, allowing organizations to:
- Deploy bloatware removal policies through cloud management
- Apply consistent app removal across all managed devices
- Integrate with existing Autopilot deployment workflows
Benefits for System Administrators
This official method addresses several pain points that IT professionals have faced:
- Reliability – No more fragile PowerShell scripts that break during updates
- Support – Official Microsoft feature with proper documentation
- Consistency – Standardized approach across all enterprise deployments
- Logging – Proper event logging for troubleshooting and compliance
Timeline and Availability
Currently, this feature is only available through the Windows Insider Program, but here’s what we know about broader availability:
Current Status
- Dev Channel: Build 26200.5670
- Beta Channel: Build 26120.4520
- Stable Release: Expected later in 2025
What to Expect
Given that the feature is present in both Dev and Beta channels, it’s likely to be included in the final Windows 11 25H2 release. However, Microsoft hasn’t provided an official timeline for:
- General availability date
- Intune integration timeline
- Potential expansion to Home editions
Alternative Solutions for Home Users
If you’re running Windows 11 Home and want to remove bloatware, you still have several options:
My Custom Solutions
I’ve developed tools specifically for this purpose:
- Winhance – A utility that debloats and optimizes Windows 11
- UnattendedWinstall – Custom installation files that create cleaner Windows deployments
These tools work on all Windows editions and provide comprehensive bloatware removal beyond what Microsoft’s official policy offers.
Manual Removal Methods
You can still remove individual apps manually:
- Right-click on unwanted apps in the Start menu
- Select “Uninstall”
- Confirm the removal in the popup dialog
However, some system apps may require PowerShell commands for complete removal.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s new official bloatware removal method in Windows 11 25H2 represents a significant step forward for enterprise users and system administrators. The Group Policy approach provides a reliable, supported way to deploy clean Windows installations without relying on potentially fragile scripts.
However, the limitation to Pro editions means most home users won’t benefit from this feature directly. The registry-based implementation does offer potential workarounds for advanced users, but these require technical knowledge and come with risks.
For now, Windows 11 Home users will need to continue using traditional removal methods or third-party tools. As someone who’s spent years developing solutions for cleaner Windows installations, I’ll continue monitoring this feature’s development and updating my tools to provide the best possible experience for all Windows users.
If you’re interested in trying this feature, you can join the Windows Insider Program, but remember it’s still in testing and may have issues. For production environments, wait for the stable release and thoroughly test the policy before widespread deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use this bloatware removal feature on Windows 11 Home?
No, this feature requires access to Group Policy Editor, which is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise editions. Home users will need to continue using manual removal methods or third-party tools like PolicyPlus until Microsoft provides an alternative solution.
Will removed apps affect Windows functionality?
The apps included in Microsoft’s official removal list are considered safe to remove without breaking core Windows functionality. However, some users may rely on apps like Terminal or Notepad, so consider your specific needs before removing them.
Can I add more apps to the removal list beyond what Microsoft provides?
Technically yes, since the feature works through registry keys, advanced users can potentially add other Microsoft Store apps by editing the registry or using PowerShell scripts. However, this requires knowing exact package family names and involves unsupported modifications.
When will this feature be available in the stable version of Windows 11?
Microsoft hasn’t announced an official release date, but since the feature is currently in both Dev and Beta channels of the Windows Insider Program, it’s expected to be included in the final Windows 11 25H2 release sometime in 2025.
Does this policy remove apps for existing users or only new users?
The policy only affects new user profiles created after the policy is enabled. Existing user accounts will retain all their currently installed apps. This is an important limitation to consider when planning deployments.
