What is Debloating?
Debloating refers to the process of removing unnecessary pre-installed applications (bloatware) from your smartphone or computer to free up storage space and improve performance. Many devices come with lots of bloatware from the manufacturer or carrier that most users don’t need or want. Debloating gets rid of this extra software to “slim down” your device.
Why Should You Debloat Your Device?
Here are some of the key benefits of debloating your smartphone, tablet, or computer:
- Frees up storage space – Removing unused apps can significantly reduce the amount of storage that’s taken up on your device.
- Speeds up performance – Having fewer apps and processes running in the background means your device has more memory and processing power available for the apps and tasks you actually use.
- Increases security – Bloatware can sometimes contain security vulnerabilities that put your data and privacy at risk. Removing it eliminates potential threats.
- Improves battery life – Apps running in the background drain your battery even when you’re not actively using them. Debloating can extend battery life.
- Customizes your experience – Bloatware apps are often unwanted. Debloating declutters your device and allows you to tailor it to your needs.
How to Debloat Your Smartphone
Here are the steps to debloat an Android smartphone overnight:
1. Identify and assess apps
Go through all the apps installed on your phone and classify them into:
- Essential apps you want to keep
- Non-essential apps that are safe to remove
- Apps you’re unsure about
Any apps that came pre-installed that you don’t use or need can potentially be removed. Be cautious about removing apps tied to core device functionality.
2. Research apps
For any apps you’re unsure about removing, research whether it’s safe to uninstall them and if doing so could cause problems. Some manufacturer or carrier apps support key device features.
3. Backup data
Do a full backup of your smartphone data to the cloud or external storage. This protects you in case anything goes wrong during debloating.
4. Enable developer options
Activate developer options on Android by tapping Build Number 7 times in Settings > About Phone. This allows you to uninstall more system apps.
5. Remove apps
Start uninstalling unnecessary apps:
- Open the Play Store, go to My Apps and Games, select unwanted apps and Uninstall.
- Use the Settings > Apps menu to uninstall apps if needed.
- Use adb/Fastboot commands on a computer to remove stubborn bloatware.
Restart your phone once between uninstalling batches of apps.
6. Check for leftover files
Some apps leave leftover files, caches and folders even after being uninstalled. Use storage analyzer apps to identify these remnants and delete them.
7. Restore backups
With debloating complete, restore app data and settings from your backups. Reinstall any mistakenly removed apps.
8. Monitor device
Use your phone for a few days and monitor for any issues caused by removing apps. Troubleshoot problems and reinstall apps if needed.
How to Debloat a Windows PC
Here is a step-by-step guide to debloating a Windows 10 or 11 PC overnight:
1. Review installed programs
Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and go through your installed programs. Identify any unnecessary bloatware to target for removal.
2. Research program removal
For programs you’re unsure about, research whether they are safe to uninstall completely or just disable. Some pre-installed apps support Windows functions.
3. Back up data
Back up important data and files in case something goes wrong during debloating. Use Windows’ built-in backup tools or third-party software.
4. Download debloating tools
Obtain trusted debloating utilities like the open source Windows10Debloater script. This makes it easy to remove many apps.
5. Disable startup programs
Use the Task Manager or utilities like CCleaner to disable unnecessary programs from starting up automatically with Windows. This already speeds up boot time.
6. Remove built-in apps
Right-click unwanted built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, OneDrive etc. in the Start Menu and select Uninstall or Disable. Use debloating scripts for more options.
7. Clean up with CCleaner
Run the CCleaner utility to get rid of temporary Windows files, caches, logs and other residual clutter left behind by uninstalled apps.
8. Delete folders
Navigate to the Program Files and ProgramData folders. Delete any remaining empty folders and directories related to bloatware you removed.
9. Reboot and optimize
Reboot your PC. Then run optimizations like disk defrag and a full antivirus scan. Monitor system performance and stability.
Key Apps to Debloat on Windows 10
Here are some common examples of bloatware apps that can likely be safely removed from a stock Windows 10 installation:
| Bloatware App | Description |
|---|---|
| 3D Viewer | Basic 3D model viewer |
| Calendar and Mail | Windows’ basic email and calendar clients |
| Candy Crush Saga | Preinstalled game |
| Get Office | Office 365 promotions |
| Get Skype | Skype promotions |
| Get Started | Onboarding help app |
| Groove Music | Retired music app |
| Maps | Basic maps app |
| Messaging | SMS messaging app |
| Mixed Reality Portal | Utility for Windows Mixed Reality headsets |
| Money | Personal finance app |
| News | News aggregator app |
| OneDrive | Cloud storage app |
| People | Contacts app |
| Phone Companion | App for Android phone integration |
| Photos | Basic photo management app |
| Solitaire Collection | Collection of card games |
| Sticky Notes | Virtual sticky notes |
| Sway | Presentation app |
| Tips | Built-in tips app |
| Voice Recorder | Audio recording app |
| Weather | Weather information app |
| Xbox | Gaming ecosystem apps |
Debloating Risks and Considerations
While debloating has many benefits, there are also some risks and factors to be aware of:
- Removing certain system apps can cause instability or make features stop working.
- Accidentally deleting important apps or data can lead to problems. Always back up first.
- Debloating takes time and technical expertise. Enlist help if you’re unsure how to proceed.
- Apps removed from app stores can no longer be reinstalled if you change your mind later.
- With fewer apps, you may miss out on useful functionality that you later decide you want.
- Some bloatware does provide useful services, even if you don’t actively use it.
Go slowly, research before deleting apps, and keep backups to avoid issues. Overall though, debloating with care can make a big positive difference in how your device runs.
Alternative Debloating Approaches
If completely deleting apps makes you nervous, here are a couple alternative approaches to debloating:
Disable Apps
Instead of uninstalling apps, you can disable them instead. This prevents removed apps from running or showing up in your menus, while still keeping them installed if you change your mind.
Freeze Apps
Tools like Titanium Backup for Android let you “freeze” apps so they don’t run or show up, without removing data and settings. Freezing is reversible.
Delete App Data
You can delete just the data and cache files associated with unwanted apps to remove bloat and free up space, without uninstalling them fully. This is lower risk but provides less benefit.
Use Package Disabler
On Samsung Galaxy devices, apps like Package Disabler Pro allow you to safely disable any pre-installed bloatware without rooting your phone. This is reversible too.
Conclusion
Debloating your smartphone, PC, or other device by removing unwanted pre-installed bloatware apps can provide a variety of performance, security and customization benefits. Just be sure to research apps before deleting, work slowly and deliberately, keep backups, and monitor your device after debloating to avoid potential issues. With care, you can safely optimize and streamline your device overnight with a thorough debloating.