Across the more recent versions of Windows 10, Microsoft has substantially improved in removing unnecessary apps. Even so, there are many legacy programs and apps which hog system resources, and it is better to remove them early. The following list is comprised of some popular apps which should be uninstalled from Windows 10. And if you thought of reinstalling any, read on to learn why you shouldn’t.
1. Microsoft Silverlight
At its launch in 2007, Microsoft Silverlight was intended as a universal tool for writing rich web applications similar to Adobe Flash. Today, if you visit the official Silverlight page on Microsoft Edge, you will see a notification that it is no longer compatible with Microsoft’s official browser. That tells us everything about how useless the program has become.
While it is still possible to run Silverlight on the now discontinued Internet Explorer browser, the official site states that Silverlight 5 will reach the end of support after October 2021. If you’re accidentally stuck with any Silverlight plug-ins, you can easily uninstall them using this link.
2. Adobe Flash
Once the universal standard for videos, games, and Web content, Adobe Flash has finally been retired for good. This is mainly because it was prone to zero-day attacks due to its many inherent vulnerabilities, which made it a favorite with malware authors. Clearly, the writing was on the wall for Adobe Flash.
Does Flash still have any uses? Certainly not on smartphones and tablets, as it’s not good for displaying mobile content. In any case, most desktop users have migrated to new GUI formats since modern browsers no longer support this legacy program. Unless you’re nostalgic about old Flash games (which is the only valid reason to keep it going), it’s time to say goodbye to Flash.
3. Java
“Did someone say, ‘Java’? No way!” As hard as it is to believe, using Java today is seen as an unnecessary security risk, and you can thank millions of cyber-criminals for using this bland program as their preferred attack vector. While developers still like to use Java programs, such as Java Development Kit (JDK), it’s not the same thing as the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which is what you need to uninstall from Windows 10.
Essentially, Java’s irregular updates are a major cause of its dangerous vulnerabilities. Unlike other programs which quietly update in the background, with Java, users are manually prompted to act on the irregular updates. This is something malware authors love. The worst part is that Java’s vulnerabilities can be transferred to secondary programs, such as Adobe Reader or VLC Media Player. Although Java may look harmless on your Windows 10 system, getting rid of it is the safest option for most users. If they ever fix Java issues in the future, you can download it again from the official site.
4. iTunes
Since this list is dealing with Windows programs, it’s recommended to not deal with iTunes on a Windows 10 device. The user experience can become painfully slow due to the auto-syncing feature. There’s plenty of software incompatibility, which can make plain menu items render incorrectly on your Windows screen. Currently, running an Apple software update on Windows 10 feels like it was just born in a cabbage patch.
If you’re using a Windows 10 device, save yourself the trouble and get rid of iTunes. Windows just wasn’t designed for this program. Uninstalling iTunes and its tiny components can also be a hassle, so if you’re stuck with a legacy app, refer to Apple’s latest guide on how to get rid of it and its related components.
5. QuickTime
There’s no shortage of high-quality media players on Windows devices. From Microsoft Photos to VLC, there are many programs to choose from. QuickTime is not one of them. Many users may be stuck with QuickTime 7, which is no longer supported by Apple. This makes it necessary to go for a fresh installation, which is available.
However, a patchy installation should be the least of your worries. Like iTunes, QuickTime works superbly on Mac but just doesn’t feel right for a Windows environment. The program is not officially available for Windows 10 alone, as Apple had stopped support for Windows way back in January 2016. Sometimes QuickTime residual files linger on in Windows long after you’ve uninstalled them. Therefore, it just can’t be a good idea to bring it back on a Windows device.
6. CyberLink PowerDVD
Once an unrivaled choice for media playback in Windows and other systems, CyberLink PowerDVD has started behaving as a heavy-duty bloatware. The whole experience can feel like an adware slideshow on steroids. Even after you uninstall PowerDVD, there will be residual software and registry entries all over the place. So you need to learn how to remove all this bloat from your system.
The PowerDVD program is usually bundled on the Windows 10 system as part of a laptop sales promotion strategy or other activities. If you want a better Blu-Ray media player, go for an Xbox One device or Leowo Blu-Ray Ripper.
7. Dell Bloatware
This is an issue mainly affecting Dell users, as many new laptops come bundled with all kinds of crapware named “Dell.” While removing all this bloat from a brand new Dell computer looks counterintuitive, as it feels so integral to the system, it is actually beneficial for you unless you want to use any of the features.
Some of these unnecessary programs include Dell Dumpster Fire, Dell SupportAssist (which is very bug-friendly), Dell Digital Delivery, Dell Customer Connect, and a few others. Unless you’re a fan of Dell slowing down your newly purchased device, get rid of these extra apps.
Even Lenovo and Acer can have crapware out of the box which need to be removed at once. But the Dell bloat really weighs you down and is just not what you want to have on your system.
8. CCleaner
Unlike many other programs on this list, CCleaner has its fine points. It can be used to clean your Windows registry and remove unwanted programs. Most computer-savvy technicians often use this program and recommend it for daily use. But is it really as good as it sounds?
We must remember that CCleaner was useful at a time when Windows devices had many gaps in security and features. As of 2021, that’s no longer the case, as recent Windows updates have taken care of many core vulnerabilities. By using a third-party program to handle your registry errors, you may be doing more harm than good. The current Windows updates allow the various CCleaner issues to be resolved through manual intervention alone.
9. McAfee Bloatware
Similar to Dell bloatware, if you find yourself stuck with several anti-virus programs that take forever to update and scan, then you’re doing it wrong. McAfee, once “the” anti-virus software, can today bloat your system out of proportion, and your system will be better off without it.
Personally, I don’t use any anti-virus apart from Windows Defender, which has been proven to be good enough across multiple tests. But if you must use one, go for a program which does not bloat too much and works silently in the background without causing interruptions. We have a useful and handy list of such anti-virus software for Windows users. Also, the programs should uninstall easily which, just isn’t the case with McAfee bloatware.
10. Torrent Software
Are you still using Torrent software, such as UTorrent and BitTorrent on a Windows device? You must know that Microsoft hates them, as they’re often used to pirate software. It is now increasingly difficult to run those pirated applications on a recently updated system. The vehicle apps such as UTorrent suffer, as the end user just cannot prevent a downloaded software from being blocked by Windows.
Technically, you can still use torrents on Windows, but the days of old-style Torrent clients seem numbered now. If you want to use one, go for a pre-approved torrent app on the Microsoft Store. They not only have a better, modern GUI but also offer access to legitimate and legal torrent download links. That surely will not cause any red flags with Windows.
We have discussed some of the most popular programs that you need to uninstall from Windows 10. For some of these programs, the developers are abandoning them in droves, so you won’t get the support you need. The others are riddled with bloat and crapware and should be jettisoned quickly for your system’s long-term health.
