12 Windows Programs and Software You Should Remove Right Now

How many programs do you use on a regular basis out of all the software on your computer? Most individuals have a lot of useless software loaded on their computers. While some of these apps are simply obsolete, others are Windows bloatware, harmful malware, or rubbish that you may uninstall.

You should delete the following common but useless Windows programs.

How to Check the Programs You’ve Installed on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Because the method is identical in Windows 11 and Windows 10, reviewing the installed programs on your PC is simple. Navigate to the Apps > Apps & Features section of Settings. You’ll find a list of everything installed on your computer here.

To uninstall a software on Windows 11, press the three-dot button and select Uninstall. Simply click the entry in Windows 10 to reveal the Uninstall button.

Click the Start button in Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 and search for Programs and Features. This will reveal a similar list where you may review and uninstall any apps that are currently installed on your system.

Depending on the software, the app may uninstall right away or require you to go through a series of dialog boxes. For additional information, see our guide to removing programs on Windows.

Now let’s look at which Windows apps you should uninstall—if any of the following are present on your machine, delete them!

1. QuickTime

Apple’s video player is QuickTime. While the Mac version is still supported, the Windows version hasn’t been updated since 2016.

announced that QuickTime for Windows has a few major vulnerabilities shortly after Apple announced its deprecation. Because Apple will never patch them, having QuickTime installed is no longer safe.

Because iTunes does not rely on QuickTime, removing it should not cause any problems. If you need a QuickTime substitute, try , which can play almost anything.

2. CCleaner

CCleaner was formerly a trusted Windows junk-cleaning software, but after being acquired by Avast, its reputation suffered. Forced updates without authorization, data collecting that activated itself even when the feature was disabled, and the software unwittingly propagating malware have all been reported in the past.

In 2020, we discovered that CCleaner had improved its performance but was still completely useless. Cleaning tools, including those incorporated into Windows, are available elsewhere. You can get rid of CCleaner by following our step-by-step guide to cleaning your computer.

3. Crappy PC Cleaners

Many individuals have unintentionally (or intentionally) installed a PC-cleaning app. The bulk of these items are either worthless or hazardous, as registry cleaners have little effect on Windows performance. You should uninstall junk apps like MyCleanPC and PC Optimizer Pro from your installed apps list.

For a good cleaning approach, see our cleaning recommendations listed above. If your computer is running slowly, try these tips to speed up Windows.

4. uTorrent

uTorrent was formerly thought to be the best torrenting software. However, it has a slew of flaws that have rendered it untrustworthy in recent years.

uTorrent not only has adverts stuffed into the UI, but it also has offers for other software applications, which is unpleasant. Its worst transgression occurred in 2015, when the app was discovered to have cryptocurrency mining software without informing users. This squandered system resources in the background to generate revenue for the corporation, which purportedly donated part to charity.

There’s no incentive to use uTorrent at all. We believe that is the greatest torrent client because it is devoid of all of this garbage.

5. Adobe Flash Player and Shockwave Player

As of January 2021, Adobe Flash Player is no longer supported. Despite the fact that Flash is currently prohibited in all modern browsers, you should still delete local copies. Because Adobe is no longer upgrading it, this will protect you from any future security vulnerabilities.

Adobe Shockwave Player, a similar runtime plugin, was retired in 2019. It’s no longer available for download, and you’re unlikely to find a website that requires it.

As a result, you should uninstall both Shockwave Player and Flash Player. They’re both remnants of a bygone period and obsolete in today’s world.

6. Java

Java is a media runtime that consists of two parts: Java for the desktop and the Java plugin for browsers (which is notorious for having security problems). Though it was formerly extremely prevalent, it is now used on relatively few websites. estimates that only 0.02 percent of websites use Java at the time of writing.

Java is no longer supported by modern versions of Chrome and Firefox, making it less of a security risk than it formerly was. You should uninstall Java unless you’re an Android developer or use specialist applications that requires it. You’re unlikely to notice a difference.

7. Microsoft Silverlight

Silverlight is a web technology that, like Adobe Flash, used to allow rich media content to be shown in your browser.

Silverlight isn’t even supported by modern browsers; Chrome and Firefox haven’t supported it in years, and it was never compatible with Edge. Only Internet Explorer, which Microsoft expects to retire in mid-2022, is officially supported by Silverlight. Uninstalling Silverlight will not result in any data loss.

8. All Toolbars and Junk Browser Extensions

When considering what else to remove from Windows 10 or 11, garbage in your browser is an easy choice. While toolbars were once a much more common issue, recent versions of Chrome and other browsers have fought back and largely eliminated them. Spammy extensions, on the other hand, still exist.

Look for toolbars like the Bing Bar, Google Toolbar, Ask Toolbar, Yahoo! Toolbar, or Babylon Toolbar in your applications list. Uninstall any that you come across. Review the installed add-ons or extensions in your browsers after that. Make sure you recognize and review everything there, because even reputable extensions can be sold to dodgy businesses.

9. Coupon Printer for Windows

Coupon Printer for Windows is a program that allows you to print coupons from Coupons.com. However, because this software is usually included with other products, you probably didn’t want to install it in the first place.

If you’re a regular Coupons.com customer, you can keep this one installed to take advantage of their deals. Everyone else should delete this application and go to a different coupon site that doesn’t require any installation.

10. Manufacturer Bloatware

Unless you’re using a premium gadget like the Surface Pro or you installed Windows from scratch on a new desktop, your computer probably came with a lot of preinstalled trash. This problem affects laptops from HP, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, and others.

Consider getting rid of these unneeded programs, as none of them are required for Windows to function. Some of the preinstalled branded programs are entirely useless, such as photo software, gaming tools, or anything that duplicates Windows functions. Others, such as driver/BIOS update applications (such as Lenovo System Update), should be kept on hand.

We can’t, of course, comment on every piece of manufacturer software. ?, which includes an overview of what each program does and how others have rated it, is a wonderful place to start to figure out what you should delete from your system.

When in doubt, don’t bother with anything from the maker. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check.

11. Windows 10 Bloatware

Having to remove manufacturer bloatware is bad enough, but Microsoft includes a lot of its own in the form of Store apps in recent versions of Windows. Thankfully, the majority of these ineffective apps are simple to remove.

Some of the built-in Modern programs, such as Xbox and Weather, are beneficial to some users but not to others. Others, such as Candy Crush Saga, should be deleted. See our guides on removing bloatware in Windows 10 and eliminating bloatware in Windows 11 for more information.

12. WinRAR

While having a file extraction and compression program on hand is beneficial, WinRAR is not the ideal option. Due to its old-school “shareware” licensing, the software has become a bit of a joke. You can get a “trial” version of WinRAR for free, but you’ll have to pay after using it for a while. Even if you don’t pay, the app never shuts you out, so you can use it endlessly.

Regardless, there’s no reason to utilize WinRAR in the first place. is a free and simple utility that meets the needs of the majority of users. Please, whatever you do, do not waste money on WinRAR.

Uninstall These Programs From Windows 10

The programs listed above are no longer necessary since they are no longer useful. You can always reinstall anything if you uninstall it and then realize you need it again. Just make sure you don’t install any included software.

Cleaning your system on a regular basis to remove obsolete or junky Windows apps is a smart idea. Some of them could be dangerous “zombie apps.”