Removing pre-installed bloatware one app at a time through Settings works fine, but it's slow, especially on a new laptop loaded with a dozen unwanted extras. Free batch-removal tools like PC Decrapifier were built specifically for this job: they scan your installed software, flag the well-known bloatware entries, and let you remove several at once.
Key takeaway: A batch-removal tool can clear out common bloatware from a new PC in a fraction of the time of removing each app individually, but always review its suggestions before confirming.
Before you start: Only download batch-removal tools from their official website, never from a third-party download aggregator, and create a restore point before running one.
Downloading and running the tool
- Download PC Decrapifier (or a similar reputable option) from its official website.
- Run the installer or portable executable, granting administrator permission when prompted.
- Let it scan your list of installed programs — this typically takes under a minute.
- Review the presented list, which usually separates suggested removals from software the tool isn't sure about.
Reviewing suggestions before removing
These tools work from a known database of common bloatware, so their suggestions are generally reliable, but no database can know your personal habits. Before ticking anything for removal, quickly scan the list for software you actually use.
- Untick anything you recognise as useful, such as a specific game launcher or creative app you installed deliberately after buying the PC.
- Keep ticked anything clearly labelled as a trial security suite, sponsored app, or manufacturer promotional tool you don't want.
- Click the Remove or Uninstall button to process your selections as a batch.
- Wait for each uninstaller to run in sequence; this can take several minutes depending on how many apps you selected.
- Restart your PC once finished.
What these tools can and can't do
Batch tools handle standard Windows-uninstallable software well, but they generally won't touch preinstalled Microsoft Store apps, deeply integrated manufacturer control panels, or driver software — those are best left to Settings > Apps or handled with care individually, as covered in our other bloatware guides.
Tip: Run a batch-removal tool once, right after unboxing a new PC, rather than waiting months — it's much faster to clear bloatware before you've personalised the machine and started relying on some of the pre-installed extras.
Alternatives worth knowing about
PC Decrapifier is one of the longest-running tools of its kind, but it isn't the only option. Some users prefer Windows' own built-in "Uninstall multiple programs" style approach, achieved by simply selecting several entries in Settings > Apps and going through them individually, which takes longer but requires no third-party download at all. More advanced users sometimes reach for PowerShell-based removal scripts to strip out pre-installed Microsoft Store apps that don't always appear in a standard batch tool's database, though this approach carries more risk and is best left to those already comfortable with basic command-line use.
For the vast majority of home users, a reputable free batch tool strikes the right balance: fast enough to save real time, but simple enough not to require any technical background to use safely.
Frequently asked questions
- Is PC Decrapifier safe to use?
- Yes, when downloaded from its official source. It simply automates standard Windows uninstall commands rather than deleting files directly, so it carries no more risk than manual uninstalling.
- Will a batch tool remove apps I actually want?
- Only if you leave them ticked. Always review the suggested list carefully before confirming, since the tool can't know your personal preferences.
- Do I need to run this more than once?
- Usually not, unless you reinstall Windows or buy another new PC. It's mainly useful as a one-off clean-up tool for freshly purchased machines.