How to Remove Built-In Apps in Windows 10

Windows 10 often comes with numerous pre-installed apps, many of which may not be useful to every user. Fortunately, it's possible to safely remove unwanted programs, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through how to do it easily and efficiently.

Why Remove Windows 10 Built-In Apps?

Removing unnecessary apps can free up disk space, reduce CPU and memory load, and improve overall system performance. For some users, it’s also about convenience; fewer unused icons make the desktop less cluttered and the interface easier to use.

Methods to Remove Built-In Windows 10 Apps

1. Removing Apps via “Settings”

The simplest way to uninstall built-in apps is by using Windows Settings:

  • Open “Settings” (you can find it in the Start menu).
  • Go to “Apps” > “Apps & features”.
  • Find the desired app in the list and select “Uninstall”.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions.

Note that some apps, like “Calendar” or “Mail,” cannot be removed through this method. For these, you can use PowerShell commands.

2. Removing Apps via PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool for managing your system and can be used to uninstall most built-in apps. Here’s how:

  1. Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Enter the command to remove a specific app. For example, to remove “Mail and Calendar”, type:
Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage

Here are commands for other common apps:

  • Calculator: Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
  • People: Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
  • Weather: Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage
  • 3D Builder: Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage

Run the appropriate command to uninstall the desired app. If you want to remove all built-in apps at once, use the following command:

Get-AppxPackage | Remove-AppxPackage

Note: Using this command will remove all apps, including Microsoft Store. This method is recommended only for advanced users.

3. Using Third-Party Programs

There are also dedicated tools that can help you uninstall Windows 10 built-in apps. Some popular options include:

  • CCleaner — allows you to remove specific apps via the “Tools” section.
  • O&O AppBuster — a free utility for managing all built-in Windows apps.