Removing bloatware from a new PC is a rite of passage for most Windows users when they get a new machine. But removing all those pre-installed Metro apps in Windows 8 isn't that easy, and Microsoft actually installs a bunch of them.
For the most part, the only option was to uninstall the modern apps piece by piece by right clicking on them and Uninstall to select - not difficult, but a lot of manual work.
A new, free program is trying to change that. Windows 8 App Remover is a desktop program that automates the uninstall process of modern user interface apps. You only need a couple of clicks to remove them all at once, kind of like a Live Tile hating version of PC Decrapifier.
While pre-installed modern apps are less annoying than typical desktop crapware, there are good reasons to uninstall the apps you don't use. You free up some space on your hard drive, and you also get fewer updates from the Windows Store. If you have fewer apps, you can organize the Start screen more easily and get less clutter in the All Apps view.
How to use Windows 8 App Remover
To get started, download Windows 8 App Remover from Sourceforge and install the program just like any other desktop program. Unfortunately, Windows 8 App Remover is not available for Windows RT tablets because it is a desktop program.
From the drop-down menu, select your version of Windows 8. You have three choices: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8.1.1 (choose the latter option if you have the Spring Update for Windows 8.1 that puts the Windows Store app on your taskbar ).
Then click on the List Apps knob.
You will then be presented with a list of all Windows 8 apps installed on your PC, with boxes next to them that are no longer gray.
Now all you have to do is check the boxes next to the apps you don't want. Click on the Remove Apps button to delete them.
A final warning appears that what you are about to do cannot be undone. If you are sure you want to remove the apps, click yes.
A few seconds later, the apps you selected will turn gray, meaning they are no longer on your system.
You can also remove all default apps by pressing Select All clicking and then Remove Apps - but while this is an enticing feature, you'd better be careful. For example, if you remove Communication, you'll lose Calendar, Mail, and People, which come together in one package from the Windows Store. These apps are useful, and require some configuration, so you'll probably want to keep them.
Also, don't forget that the Start menu will be making a comeback in Windows 8.1 - possibly as early as August. When the Start menu returns, it will provide the ability to display some data from modern apps at a glance, such as the local weather and calendar appointments. So some apps are useful to keep even if you're not currently using them.
That said, if you ever want to get a deleted modern app back, you can always download it from the Windows Store.
This is a freely translated article from our American sister site PCWorld.com. Described terms, operations and settings may be region specific.
