Hands-On Windows 172: Native Apps to Keep or Delete

Host: Paul Thurrott (A)
Air Date: January 15, 2026

Overview

In this episode of Hands-On Windows, Paul Thurrott dives into the world of Windows 11's built-in ("native") apps—commonly called "bloatware" or "crapware" by some users. Paul methodically evaluates which of these apps are genuinely useful, which ones are just “there” for occasional use, and which are better off removed or replaced with something better. The discussion is peppered with Paul's personal recommendations, his favorite workarounds, and some candid opinions on controversial apps.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Philosophy: Not All Bloatware is Bad

• Paul sets the tone by challenging the "bloatware is bad" mantra. He advocates a more nuanced view:
  • Some built-in apps are indispensable.
  • Some are harmless, even if rarely used.
  • Others are easily replaceable and best deleted.
  • Quote: "It's not really a good, bad, ugly kind of a thing. It's more like: which are the keepers, the ones that are truly useful and maybe semi-universally of interest, and which are the complete duds.” (00:22)

2. Apps You Should Keep (Essentials & Workhorses)

• Utilities:
  • Calculator, Clock, Weather—simple utilities that cause no problems, and are handy when needed.
  • Notepad:
    • Praised for its new features: tabbed interface, Markdown support, writing aid (summarize, rewrite, tone shift—even poetic transformations).
    • Highly customizable; disliked features can be switched off.
    • Quote: "To me, [Notepad] is better than it's ever been. It runs perfectly fine. It's not buggy or slow or anything.” (01:27)
  • Clipchamp:
    • A powerful, free video editor included in Windows 11.
    • Paul even pays for premium features like 4K export.
    • Saves him from installing third-party editors.
    • Quote: "It's so good that I don't feel the need to download, say, CapCut or whatever other video editor." (02:41)
  • Microsoft Store:
    • Useful for discovering, installing, and auto-updating apps.
    • Improved a lot since its inception.
    • Combined with Winget (Windows Package Manager), it's a strong solution for app management.
    • Quote: "This combination of Winget and the Windows Store is just... really, really good." (04:33)

3. Apps to Ignore or Use Sparingly (But Sometimes Useful)

• Microsoft Edge:

  • Paul removed Edge using a debloating tool, but admits most users can just ignore it and use their preferred browser.

• Xbox App:

  • Even on ARM devices with limited gaming capability, serves as a single launcher for games—including those installed from Steam, Epic, etc.
  • Good for organizing your game library.

• Paint & Photos:

  • Both have seen major upgrades, including new AI tools (object selection, layers, background blur, restyle, super resolution).
  • Paul uses them for specific, limited tasks, but prefers third-party alternatives for day-to-day image work.
  • Quote: "Paint ... it's turning into a really powerful tool. ... For image editing, I use something called Affinity... and it's wonderful." (08:23–10:50)

• Snipping Tool:

  • Great for quick screenshots.
  • Limitation: can't capture the mouse pointer in screenshots (only in screen recordings).
  • Paul prefers Greenshot for pointer captures, or ShareX if more advanced features are needed.

4. Third-Party Alternatives Paul Recommends

(as replacements or supplements for certain native apps)

• Image Viewing/Edit:
  • Image Class 9 (minimalist image viewer, ~$5 in Store)
  • Affinity Photo, The Gimp, Paint.NET for deeper image editing
• Screenshotting/Screen Recording:
  • Greenshot – his favorite for screenshots with pointer capture
  • ShareX (more complex)
  • OBS Studio – used for recording the episode itself
• Media:
  • VLC Media Player:
    • Plays all file types, can strip audio from video, and more.
    • Far more versatile than the native Media Player.

5. Apps to Delete (or Replace Immediately)

• Microsoft News:
  • Redundant; better to read news in a web browser.
• Media Player:
  • Visually appealing, but lacks flexibility.
  • Most users already use Spotify/Apple Music, or prefer VLC for local files.
• The "New" Outlook:
  • Web-based; widely disliked for lacking parity with classic desktop Outlook.
  • Paul strongly recommends webmail or alternative third-party clients for email.
  • Quote: "I wouldn't touch Outlook with someone else's computer. Frankly, I really dislike this app." (15:01)
• Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot:
  • Two nearly identical AI apps, both pre-installed; confusing presence.
  • Removal possible, but hardware Copilot key becomes problematic (defaults to search).
  • Paul uses PowerToys Keyboard Manager to remap the Copilot key (suggests left arrow).
  • Quote: "I don't know why there are two [Copilot apps]. ... The whole thing is a mess." (15:56)

6. Customizing Your Setup: It's Personal

• Strong encouragement that these lists are subjective—what works for Paul may not work for every user.
• Most built-in apps have robust alternatives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bloatware:

  "You might think of these as bloatware, crapware... but there's good with the bad. It's not really a good, bad, ugly kind of thing." (00:22)

• On Notepad:

  "This thing is better than it's ever been... I use this app every single day." (01:53)

• On Media Player:

  "I wouldn't use Media Player even if I was listening to local files... I use VLC. It plays everything." (14:28)

• On Copilot Apps:

  "I don't know why one of them is assigned to a key on a keyboard. We can't get rid of either. The whole thing is a mess." (15:56)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction to the native apps discussion | | 01:27 | Notepad's new features praised | | 02:41 | Clipchamp as a valuable, default video editor | | 04:33 | Using Microsoft Store and Winget for app management | | 08:23 | Image editing workflows: Paint, Photos, and alternatives | | 12:48 | Screenshotting: Snipping Tool, its limits, and Paul's preferences | | 14:12 | Deletable apps: News, Media Player, and why VLC is better | | 15:01 | Disdain for the new Outlook app and recommendations for alternatives | | 15:56 | The Copilot/365 Copilot mess, keyboard remapping tricks | | 17:45 | Subjective nature of app choice; reminder about alternatives |

Summary Table: Paul's App Categories

| Category | Examples (Paul Recommends) | His Notes | |-------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Keep (Essentials) | Notepad, Clipchamp, Calculator | "I use these every single day" | | Useful, but Optional | Edge, Xbox app, Paint, Photos | Good to have, but 3rd-party alternatives often superior | | Use Alternatives | Snipping Tool | Greenshot for screenshots with pointer, ShareX, OBS | | Delete If Possible | News, Media Player, Copilot apps | "Don't need them, replaced by web or other apps" | | Actively Avoid | New Outlook app | "I really dislike this app" |

Final Thoughts

Paul’s approach is pragmatic: Windows 11’s built-ins are better than ever and for many users can replace third-party software—but your setup should suit your needs and workflow. If you hate an app, there’s an alternative for nearly every function. His recommendations aim to minimize friction and maximize productivity, with a strong emphasis on utility over nostalgia or brand loyalty.

"There are some really good apps that are built into Windows 11 and I use some of those apps literally every single day... these lists are subjective. You may love some of the apps I can't stand." (17:45)

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