Uninstall bloatware

Here’s the deal: Windows 10 PCs and laptops often arrive with a shed-load all bloatware that manufacturers preinstall, such as trial software, antivirus and unwanted games. This uses up precious disk space and can even slow down your brand new machine. Fortunately, Microsoft has got a neat solution for getting rid of it.

The Refresh Windows Tool is a free app that you can download directly from Microsoft (tinyurl.com/jz52gsv). When you run it the tool installs a clean and unencumbered version of Windows 10 onto your machine, removing any apps that are not core to the system. This means it will also delete apps you’ve downloaded yourself, so ensure you not only backup your data but that you’ve also got the original disks or files for any application you want to keep.

It’s kind of a nuclear option in some ways, although the app can leave all of your personal data alone if you choose that option when you initially launch it. Windows does slow down over time, so using the refresh tool every couple of years is an easy way to keep your system up to snuff, plus the tool is an excellent idea if you’ve just bought or been given a second-hand PC.

If you simply want to remove a few programs manually, they can be deleted in the same way as any program. To do this, go to the Start Menu and scroll through the application list until you find one you want to remove. Right-click on its name and then select the Uninstall option.