How to remove bloatware from a Windows 10 VM

As of 2026, many users continue to leverage virtual machines (VMs) to run Windows 11, whether for legacy applications, testing, or development. However, Windows installations often come with preloaded applications—commonly referred to as 'bloatware'—that can clutter your system and consume valuable resources. This article provides a comprehensive guide to effectively removing unnecessary applications from your Windows VM, helping to optimize performance and create a more streamlined user experience.

While Windows 11 has made strides in user experience and performance, the presence of bloatware can still hinder the efficiency of your VM. Removing these unwanted applications is crucial, especially if you are running resource-intensive software. Thankfully, Windows 11 offers robust command-line tools, along with an improved graphical interface, to help you eliminate this bloatware effectively.

TL;DR — Open a command prompt with elevated permissions, run PowerShell, and utilize the dism (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool to identify and uninstall any unnecessary apps.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Open a command prompt with administrator permissions
2. Run PowerShell
3. Get a list of installed apps
4. Remove the apps you don't want
5. Reboot and enjoy a cleaner Windows environment
6. More about DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

1. Open a command prompt with administrator permissions

1. Click the 'Start' menu.
2. Search for 'Command Prompt', right-click it, and select 'Run as administrator.'

2. Run PowerShell

1. Click into the Command Prompt window.
2. Type powershell and press 'Enter'.

3. Get a list of installed apps

Windows 11 features a command-line tool that simplifies application management. Use the following command to generate a list of provisioned apps:

dism /Online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages | select-string Packagename

The output will display a list of installed packages, which may include a variety of applications that you might not need.

4. Remove the apps you don't want

Identify any applications that are unnecessary for your workflow. For example, if gaming features are not of interest, you may want to remove Xbox-related applications. To uninstall an app, use the command below, replacing Packagename with the actual name of the app:

dism /Online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /Packagename:

Upon completion, you should see a confirmation message indicating the successful removal:

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> dism /Online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /Packagename:Microsoft.XboxApp_48.48.7001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 11.0.22621.1

Image Version: 11.0.22621.1

The operation completed successfully.

5. Reboot and enjoy a cleaner Windows environment

What's changed in 2026?

In 2026, Windows 11 has continued to evolve, focusing on enhancing user experience and performance. Microsoft has introduced a more intuitive app management interface within the Settings menu, allowing users to easily manage installed applications without needing command-line tools. This interface offers centralized access to application settings, making it more user-friendly.

Additionally, Microsoft has expanded its efforts to reduce bloatware on new installations, with more streamlined setups that include fewer unnecessary applications. For power users and those managing VMs, however, command-line tools like DISM still provide essential functionality for precise control over application management.

About DISM - Deployment Image Servicing and Management

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool remains a vital component of Windows, enabling users to manage Windows images before deployment. It allows for the installation, uninstallation, configuration, and updating of Windows features, packages, and drivers. While traditionally used for offline images, many DISM commands are also effective on a running operating system like Windows 11.

For more detailed information, refer to Microsoft's official documentation: DISM - Deployment Image Servicing and Management.

Note: While the command-line experience has remained consistent, it continues to be a powerful tool for those familiar with it, enabling effective management of Windows installations.