How to Stop Windows from Auto-Installing Suggested Apps and Bloatware

What Causes This?

Windows can automatically show or install promoted apps because Microsoft includes consumer features, Store suggestions, and OEM preloads as part of the default experience. These apps often appear after a new setup, a major Windows update, or when you sign in with a Microsoft account. In many cases, they are not full installs at first, but pinned shortcuts, recommendations, or background app provisioning that later downloads the app.

Common Symptoms

• Apps like Candy Crush, TikTok, Spotify, or other promoted software appear without you installing them
• Start menu tiles or pinned apps show up after an update or on a new PC
• Windows keeps suggesting apps, tips, or “recommended” content in the Start menu
• Unwanted apps reinstall or reappear after being removed
• Your PC feels more cluttered with extra notifications, ads, or preloaded software

How to Fix It Manually

1. Turn off Windows consumer features in Settings

   • Open Settings with Windows key + I
   • Go to System > Notifications
   • Scroll down and turn off:
     • Offer suggestions on how I can set up my device
     • Get tips and suggestions when using Windows
   • In Windows 11, also check Personalization > Device usage and disable any categories you do not want Windows using for recommendations

2. Disable Start menu suggestions and promoted content

   • In Settings, go to Personalization > Start
   • Turn off options such as:
     • Show recently added apps
     • Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more
   • This reduces promoted items and suggested apps appearing in Start

3. Remove unwanted apps

   • Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps
   • Find any app you do not want
   • Click the three dots next to it and choose Uninstall
   • Repeat for other unwanted apps
   • If an app will not uninstall from Settings, open Start, search for PowerShell, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator, then use:

     Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage

     Replace appname with part of the app’s name

4. Stop app suggestions from the Microsoft Store

   • Open the Microsoft Store
   • Click your profile icon and review Settings
   • Turn off unnecessary notifications or autoplay installs if available
   • Make sure you are not signed into multiple accounts that may sync app preferences

5. Check for OEM bloatware and startup extras

   • Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc
   • Go to the Startup apps tab
   • Disable non-essential vendor utilities, trial software, or promotional launchers
   • Then go back to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall manufacturer tools you do not use

6. Use Group Policy or Registry settings on supported editions

   • If you use Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education, press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter
   • Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content
   • Double-click Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences
   • Set it to Enabled, then click Apply
   • On Windows Home, this setting is not available in Group Policy, so you will need to rely on Settings cleanup and app removal

7. Restart your PC and check after updates

   • Restart Windows after making the changes
   • After the next Windows update, recheck Start, Installed apps, and Notifications settings
   • Some feature updates can turn recommendations back on

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can quickly detect privacy-invasive Windows recommendations, unnecessary preinstalled apps, and common bloatware settings that cause promoted software to keep showing up. Instead of hunting through Settings, startup entries, and app lists manually, you can use Kudu to clean up the extras and apply safer Windows defaults faster.

Download Kudu Free →