Windows computers come with a number of useful Microsoft apps, such as Notepad, Photos, and Paint. However, it also includes a number of apps that are not very useful and are worth removing.
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Windows Mail and Calendar have long been essential apps for managing emails and scheduling events on Windows. Many people love using them because of their simplicity. However, with the recent overhaul of the Outlook app, Microsoft has decided to replace the default Mail and Calendar apps on Windows.
If you're running a recent build of Windows, opening the Mail and Calendar apps will automatically redirect you to Outlook or prompt you to install it if you haven't already. This makes keeping the old Mail and Calendar apps on your PC pointless.
Of course, Outlook isn't your only option. There are plenty of great email clients for Windows . If you're looking for a free app that offers a solid user experience, you might want to check out Thunderbird . For something similar to Windows Mail but with modern updates, Mailspring might be worth considering.
Likewise, there's no shortage of quality calendar apps for Windows. Fantastical is a great app that was previously exclusive to the Mac.
Believe it or not, Microsoft's Maps app has been part of Windows for over a decade. It's primarily designed for users who want to view maps and get directions directly on their PC.
However, anyone who has tried the app will likely agree: It can't compete with more powerful and feature-rich alternatives like Google Maps or Apple Maps , both of which are easily accessible through any browser. In fact, you can even install Google Maps as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on your PC for faster access.
One area where Windows Maps still has the edge is offline access. If you’re traveling or living in an area with spotty internet, the ability to download and view maps without a connection can be quite useful.
However, if you don't need offline access, Windows Maps is just another unnecessary app taking up space and resources.
One app that often goes unnoticed but is safe to uninstall for most Windows users is Movies & TV. While it used to be a pretty good option for renting or buying individual movies and shows, the landscape has changed significantly.
With all-in-one streaming services like Netflix , Disney+, and Prime Video, the idea of paying for each title seems outdated and much less cost-effective. Plus, Movies & TV doesn’t offer any unique features you can’t find elsewhere.
If you still want to buy or rent content from Microsoft, the Entertainment tab in the Microsoft Store provides access to the same selection, so there's no need to clutter your system with a separate app.
Microsoft has a habit of confusing users with frequent rebranding – the latest example being the move from Office 365 to Microsoft 365 and now the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. While the new name emphasizes integration with Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot , the app itself may not be necessary for many users.
The Microsoft 365 Copilot app comes pre-installed on Windows 11 and serves as a hub for accessing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft tools, with AI support built in. It promises to streamline productivity by allowing you to create, manage, and share content, provided you're actively using those Office apps and have a Microsoft 365 subscription .
But here’s the thing: the app doesn’t offer much utility. For example, clicking on a Word document opens the Microsoft Word app. You’ll essentially find yourself switching between multiple apps instead of enjoying a seamless experience.
If you want to view and manage all your Office documents in one place, it's best to use the Microsoft 365 website directly. You can also create a shortcut to this website on your desktop or Start menu.
Microsoft News is an app that delivers personalized news stories, similar to Google News Feed on Android phones. While it may be useful to some, it's already available in other parts of the system.
For example, you can access a nearly identical news feed using the Widgets panel on your PC. The app delivers updates in a clean, efficient layout, eliminating the need to open the Microsoft News app itself.
The default browser on PCs, Microsoft Edge , also includes a customizable news feed on the start page. If you use Edge regularly, you may find that it provides the same personalized news. Since you can access news in multiple ways, there's no reason to keep Microsoft News cluttering up your system.
Of all the bloatware apps on Windows, these are some of the least useful and almost pointless to keep. Of course, if you change your mind later, you can always reinstall them from the Microsoft Store. But you probably won't miss them, and your PC will thank you with faster performance and less distractions.
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