How to perform a safe debloat in Windows step by step

If you use Windows daily, you've probably wondered at some point why your computer It's slower than it should be, it starts up with a thousand things open, and it uses a lot of RAM. without you having touched anything. To a large extent, the culprit behind that "bloated Windows" feeling is the infamous bloatware, and this is where the concept of debloat.

In the following lines you will see in detail what exactly debloat is in Windows, what doing it safely entails, what real benefits it provides and What are the best methods for cleaning the system without damaging anything important?You'll see options for all levels: from manually removing apps to using specialized tools or scripts, with their risks clearly explained.

What does debloat mean in Windows and where does so much bloatware come from?

Before touching anything, it's important to be clear about what we're doing. The term Debloat literally means "deflating" Windows by removing bloatware and pre-installed components. and which are not essential for the system to function. This bloatware consists of programs, services, and utilities that are installed without the user's request, take up space, and in many cases run in the background.

The word bloatware comes from “Bloat” and “software” perfectly describe that system loaded with extras that nobody asked for.In Windows you see it clearly when you've just installed the system and you already have applications like Spotify, telemetry services, suggestions, widgets and a long etcetera that are not strictly necessary to start the PC or to use it normally.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to Microsoft. The mobiles Android They usually come pre-loaded with apps from the manufacturer and third parties., and even in iPhone On your iPad, you have Apple apps that you can't completely uninstall. It's the same idea: pre-installed programs are added for commercial purposes or to promote their own services.

So why do they exist? Basically, because there are agreements between companies behind them. If after reinstalling Windows you find Spotify, promoted games, or shortcuts to online servicesThat's because Microsoft and the hardware manufacturers have made deals to ensure those programs appear in front of you from the very beginning. Boot.

When we talk about “debloating Windows” we are referring to the entire process of Remove software you don't need, disable unnecessary services, and cut back on features that only add noise.Done thoughtfully, this process leaves the system lighter, more private, and with fewer distractions.

Why debloat is worthwhile in Windows

Applying debloat to a modern computer isn't mandatory, but it has very clear advantages. The first point is performance: Each pre-installed application that stays running at startup steals RAM, CPU cycles, and in many cases, also makes internet calls.By removing or disabling these components, the system runs more efficiently, especially on computers with limited memory or modest processors.

Another key aspect is privacy. Many of the extra features that Windows offers, such as telemetry or certain cloud services, They collect usage data, statistics, and, in general, information about how you use the systemBy debloating and disabling what you don't need, you reduce that tracking surface, both for Microsoft and for third-party companies that collaborate with the platform.

There's also a very tangible benefit: disk space. Although it may seem insignificant, Between pre-installed applications, language packs, duplicate utilities, and remnants of previous versions of Windows, several gigabytes can be used up.If you have a SSD Small, you'll notice quite a difference when you clean all that up properly.

Finally, there's the feeling of order. A Start menu full of shortcuts to things you don't use, widgets you're not interested in, or apps that only serve to invite you to subscribe. They make Windows feel more chaotic and less like yours.Reducing it to what you actually use provides a cleaner and more consistent experience.

However, it is worth noting that The impact of debloat is much greater on fair hardware systems.On very powerful machines you may only notice a slight improvement in RAM consumption or boot times, but where it really shines is on computers that are struggling with CPU and memory.

Safe methods to debloat in Windows step by step

To lighten Windows, you have several possible paths, with varying levels of risk. Ideally, you should start with the least aggressive and gradually move to the most aggressive: Start by manually removing apps, then use well-known third-party tools, and only if you know what you're doing, touch automated services or scripts.Let's review each option carefully.

1. Manually remove pre-installed applications

The simplest and least risky method consists of Delete one by one the pre-installed applications that you don't useIt doesn't require advanced knowledge, and if you make a mistake with any of them, you can almost always reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

The easiest way to do this is through System Settings. Press the key combination Press Windows + I to open the Settings app Then go to the "Applications" section. From there you will have access to everything that is installed, both classic programs and modern apps.

Within “Applications” you will see the “Installed Applications” section. It appears there. the complete list of programs and applications that Windows recognizes as installedYou can use the search engine, sort by size, by date, or browse the list at your leisure to review what you want to remove.

When you find something you're not interested in, such as the Bing-integrated web search, apps like Sticky Notes, Clipchamp, certain recommended games, or other utilities, you just have to Click on the three-dot button that appears on the right and choose “Uninstall”The uninstallation wizard will take care of the rest.

Another, even more direct way is to use the Start menu. From there, If you right-click on an application icon, you will see the "Uninstall" option in many of them.It's very useful for removing shortcuts to apps that Windows suggests or that aren't even fully installed, but only download the complete application when you open them.

Note that Some entries you see in the Start menu are simply shortcuts to content that is downloaded on demand.Removing them won't free up disk space, but it will help clean up the menu and reduce visual clutter, leaving only the apps you actually use.

2. Use third-party tools for a deeper debloat

If you want to go a step further, there are community-created apps that allow you to disable services, hidden features, and components that Windows Settings itself doesn't allow you to easily access.They are more powerful tools, but they also require you to carefully read what each one does before applying it.

Most of these projects are published as open source software on GitHub, and are frequently updated thanks to enthusiastic users. One of the utilities that usually works best for debloat is Win Debloat Tools, which stands out for offering a relatively user-friendly interface on top of a set of scripts of PowerShell.

The typical workflow for using a tool like this is very similar. First, you need to go to the project page on GitHub and Download the content by clicking on the “Code” button and choosing “Download ZIP”This way you'll have all the necessary scripts and files on your computer, without needing to clone the repository with Git.

If you want to automate settings and also Customize and optimize WindowsThere are utilities that group common tweaks and privacy options into a single interface, although it's always a good idea to check what each setting does before applying it.

Once you've downloaded the ZIP file, you need to extract it to a folder of your choice. Inside you'll find several files, including a file like “OpenTerminalHere”, designed to open a terminal directly on that routeRunning that CMD You'll save yourself from having to manually navigate the file system from the console.

With the terminal open in the project folder, the next step is to allow the execution of PowerShell scripts and unlock the files. To do this, An instruction like this is usually used: Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope CurrentUser -Force; ls -Recurse .ps1 | Unblock-File; .»WinDebloatTools.ps1″This command adjusts the execution policy for the current user, unlocks all .ps1 scripts in the directory, and finally launches the script main tool.

When you run Win Debloat Tools, a graphical interface with different sections appears. From there you can Check boxes to disable telemetry, remove hard-to-uninstall pre-installed apps, change interface settings (such as enabling the default) dark mode) or delete large folders like Windows.old, which is created when you upgrade to a new version of Windows and can take up many gigabytes.

One of the great advantages of this type of tool is that They reach components that Windows doesn't let you uninstall manually, such as Microsoft Edge or certain system applicationsHowever, they must be used with great caution: if you remove something the system expects to find, you can break functions such as search, the store, or integration with certain services.

Another positive point is that many of these utilities include Options to restore what you have uninstalled or revert the changes appliedEven so, before you rush to apply dozens of "tweaks" at once, the wisest thing to do is always create a backup or at least a system restore point.

3. Manually disable services to lighten the system

Beyond the visible applications, Windows runs a number of services in the background. Some are absolutely essential, but Others handle secondary functions that you may not need, but which consume resources and can impact performance.Selectively disabling services is an effective way to debloat, but also one of the most delicate.

To access the list of services, the quickest way is Use the Windows search bar and type "Services" to open the corresponding console.You will see a window with all the services registered on the system, their current status (running or stopped) and the startup type (automatic, manual or disabled).

A good practice is to filter or sort the list so that Only show the services that are currently running.This will make it easier for you to identify which ones are loaded along with the system and decide if any of them offer something that really interests you, or if it's simply an add-on that you could live without.

Double-clicking a service opens its properties window. From there you can see a brief description (if available), change the startup type, and, if you wish, Stop it with the "Stop" button to make it stop runningIf you also change the startup type to "Disabled" or "Manual", you will prevent it from starting up automatically when you turn on the computer.

The biggest risk here is touching something you shouldn't. If you disable a critical service, you might... Some parts of Windows may stop working correctly, automatic updates may fail, search may break, or certain network functions may have problems.That's why it's essential to know what each service does before changing it, and to write down the original settings so you can revert if something goes wrong.

If you notice unusual behavior after disabling one or more services (for example, a Microsoft application won't start or a system component is malfunctioning), the most sensible thing to do is Re-enable that service, set it to automatic startup, and restart your computer.This way, you can check if the problem disappears and, if so, leave those services as they were.

4. Automated debloat scripts: powerful but with many risks

There are numerous PowerShell scripts available online designed for Perform a massive Windows debloat with a single clickThey usually promise to leave your system completely clean in just a few minutes, disabling telemetry, deleting apps, changing advanced settings, and adjusting registry values ​​to optimize performance.

Although these scripts can be very effective, They are not the most recommended option for most usersThe main problem is that they often don't offer a clear interface for choosing what you want to change and what you don't: you simply run the script and it launches a series of commands predefined without you seeing in detail everything it is altering in the system.

Furthermore, a poorly designed or malicious script may include commands capable of removing critical components, erasing important data, or leaving Windows in an unstable stateIn the worst-case scenario, you might end up having to reinstall the system from scratch because some key functions have become unusable.

Therefore, the use of automated debloat scripts should only be considered if You have experience with PowerShell, understand what each command does, and are able to review the script's contents before running it.Even so, it's a good idea to make a full system backup or at least a disk image so you can recover your computer if something goes terribly wrong.

In short, these scripts exist and can clean Windows from top to bottom, but They are not a safe method for someone seeking a quick solution without understanding the implications.If you only want to lighten the system a little, it's best to stick to manual uninstallation or third-party tools with a reversible interface and options.

Debloat during installation with Unattend files

A very powerful way to remove bloatware is Take advantage of a fresh Windows installation to automate cleanup from the startThis is done using Unattend.xml response files, which allow you to customize almost every step of the installation wizard and apply settings automatically.

There are websites that generate these files in a guided way, so you just have to choose the options you want to select and Download a ready-to-add Unattend.xml file to your Windows installation USB driveOne of these online tools allows you, among other things, to select which pre-installed applications you want to avoid from the first startup.

With this type of generator, it is possible to include automated scripts that perform tasks such as prevent that Windows Update restart your computer without your permission, make Edge uninstallable, force File Explorer to open in "This PC" instead of "Quick Access" or restore the classic right-click context menu Windows 11.

In addition, practical adjustments can be defined such as Always show file extensions, disable the Widgets panel, or remove Bing results when using the Start menu search bar.All of this is applied silently during installation, so when you get to the desktop you already have a Windows closer to what you want, without having to manually disable things.

One particularly interesting feature of these Unattend file generators is the ability to Select all the applications you want to remove during installationFrom there you can get rid of OneDrive, Office 365 trial version, Cortana, Clipchamp and a good number of promotional applications that would normally be installed by default.

If you've never worked with Unattend files, it's recommended consult some step by step guide or watch an explanatory video showing how to integrate the configuration file with the Windows installerOnce you understand the flow, it's a very convenient way to always install a clean system, without bloatware or surprises on the first boot.

Is it worth debloating Windows? When is it and when isn't it?

Once you've considered all the options, it's time to ask yourself if it's really worth it. Debloating on Windows, especially when If you delve into advanced tools, scripts, or service deactivation, it carries risks that not everyone is willing to take.Removing a few harmless applications is straightforward, but going further requires caution.

On modern computers with ample RAM and powerful processors, the system usually performs reasonably well even with all the pre-installed bloatware. In these cases, You'll probably notice more benefit by turning off telemetry and disabling gaming. Copilot and adjust a couple of privacy settings. that by doing an extreme cleanup. You might reduce memory consumption a little while at rest, but the improvement won't be dramatic.

The situation changes completely when we talk about more modest computers. On machines with 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM and low-end processors, a well-planned debloat can make all the difference. having a system that sluggishly starts up or one that uses half the memory at the beginningThere are practical experiences where, after removing bloatware and unnecessary services, Windows 11 has gone from using about 4 GB at idle to around 2 GB.

However, achieving this level of optimization usually involves making quite a few changes, and each one adds a little risk. Therefore, if your computer has plenty of resources, It might not be worth it to play around with aggressive tools just to squeeze out a little performance gain.However, if you're trying to extend the life of a PC, the balance tips more in favor of debloat.

In any case, disabling telemetry and certain tracking functions is usually recommended for virtually all users. From a privacy standpoint, reducing what the system sends to Microsoft and third parties is a prudent measure.although the impact on performance is not that huge.

Ultimately, the important thing is to find the balance between to have a lightweight Windows while maintaining stability and ease of useDebloat doesn't have to mean breaking half the system: you can stay at an intermediate level, removing what is clearly superfluous and leaving the key pieces intact.

Taking a progressive approach, starting by manually uninstalling apps you don't use, then moving on to well-rated third-party tools, and leaving aggressive scripts only for very specific cases, allows you to Enjoy a faster, cleaner, and more discreet Windows without sacrificing functionality or having to reinstall every other day.If you plan the changes well, make backups, and find out what each adjustment entails, debloat can become one of the best ways to tame your system and leave it exactly to your liking.