All articles tagged with #bloatware
PCWorld highlights Winhance, a free open-source tool that centralizes Windows 11 debloating, privacy tweaks, update control, and customization into a single interface, making it easy to uninstall preinstalled apps and tune system settings—though turning off updates is optional and not generally advised.
The article lays out three easy ways to debloat Windows 11 for a faster PC: use Windows Setup and Group Policy to remove default apps for new accounts; run FlyOOBE (a GitHub debloating tool) and select a profile (Balanced, Full Microsoft Experience, Minimal Windows, or Community) to uninstall chosen apps; and read FAQs noting that core apps aren’t removed, FlyOOBE can affect updates, and changes can often be undone by reinstalling removed apps, with a backup recommended before proceeding.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is the company's first device with pre-installed third-party apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which cannot all be uninstalled, highlighting a shift from its traditionally clean Android experience. The pre-installed apps are partly a revenue strategy to offset hardware costs, and the device also features a default 'Lock Glimpse' wallpaper feature that can be disabled.
The article highlights five preinstalled Samsung apps—Global Goals, Samsung Free, Samsung TV Plus, Samsung Shop, and Samsung Kids—that are often unnecessary for many users. It recommends uninstalling or disabling these apps to save memory and battery life, especially if they don't align with the user's needs, while noting that some apps may be useful for specific users like parents or entertainment enthusiasts.
The 2024 Moto G Power impresses with its design and affordability, but is marred by bloatware, including pre-installed apps and ads that compromise user privacy. The phone's camera and display also fall short of expectations, but its $300 price point still offers value compared to higher-end flagships. The bloatware, which includes apps from a company called Swish and a weather app with ads and suggested apps, raises concerns about data privacy and user experience, overshadowing the phone's potential.
Windows 11 often comes with bloatware and unnecessary pre-installed applications, which can slow down the system and pose security risks. Users can manually remove these programs through the Settings app or use specialized tools like Windows 11 debloater, CCleaner, IObit Uninstaller, and O&O Appbuster. Removing bloatware can improve system performance and free up storage space. Additionally, an unofficial minimal edition of Windows 11 called Tiny 11 has been developed to reduce system requirements and eliminate unnecessary components.
Windows users are reporting that HP printer bloatware is automatically installing itself on their computers, even if they don't have any HP gear. This bloatware, which is the entry point to a subscription service for ink, has caused HP to acquire a reputation for bad behavior. Microsoft has confirmed that the issue is related to the Microsoft Store but has not provided any workarounds or temporary fixes. Users are advised to uninstall the HP Smart App if they do not use HP printers.
The OnePlus Open, the brand's first foldable phone, comes pre-installed with Facebook/Meta bloatware that cannot be removed. The phone includes three system apps, branded as "Meta" apps, which allow Facebook/Meta to bypass the Play Store for specific tasks and force updates on their apps. These apps have system privileges and can install apps and updates without notification. OnePlus had previously promised not to include these apps on future devices but has backtracked on that commitment. The inclusion of these apps is positioned as optimization for the foldable design, but OnePlus has not provided further explanation.
Amazon's Echo Show smart displays come with a lot of bloatware promoting Amazon's services, but there are ways to set it up to show only what you want. By toggling off various options in the settings, you can remove the spam and have the Show display only pretty pictures. Additionally, you can customize the photo display settings in the Alexa app for a more personalized experience.
A clean install of Windows 11 without bloatware is possible by selecting "English (World)" as the Time and Currency format during installation and skipping the "OOBEREGION" error message. This method prevents prompts for Microsoft 365 and OneDrive subscriptions, and avoids cluttering the Start menu with unwanted apps. However, the Windows Store may not work initially, but can be fixed by changing the Country or Region setting in the Settings app. Alternatively, users can manually uninstall unwanted software from the Start menu and use tools like Bulk Crap Uninstaller to remove additional unwanted programs.
Microsoft is allowing Windows 11 users to uninstall preinstalled bloatware apps for the first time, including the Camera, Cortana, Photos, People, and Remote Desktop apps. These apps, referred to as "inbox apps," were previously considered essential to the Windows experience but are now deemed removable. Microsoft has also reduced the number of supported Intel processors for Windows 11 and introduced new widgets for monitoring CPU, memory, and GPU usage.
Bloatware apps on Android phones can be uninstalled using the Settings app or the Google Play Store. However, if the app is integrated with the system, it can only be disabled. Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a powerful command-line tool that can remove such apps, but it requires downloading files, enabling USB debugging, and executing command lines. ADB can permanently delete the app from the phone's memory.
Android users have been warned to delete flashlight apps that could be trying to steal their information, as they have been found to contain malware that infects users who install them. Other apps that can be removed from your device include scanner apps, Facebook, and bloatware apps that come pre-loaded onto your smartphone.