Achieving optimal performance on our PC is not solely dependent on the quality of our hardware. It is a common mistake to overlook the impact of accumulated software on our computer, including pre-installed programs, unnecessary installations, or potential malicious installers.
To help you identify and address this issue, we have compiled a list of programs that are likely installed on your PC without actually needing them. These programs not only occupy valuable storage space but also significantly slow down your computer’s performance. Wherever possible, we will also suggest alternative options for your consideration.
QuickTime
Apple‘s media player, QuickTime, comes pre-installed on macOS and also has a version available for Windows. You may not remember why you installed it in the first place, probably to open and play a .mov file.
While QuickTime remains a current program for macOS, Apple discontinued support for the Windows version in 2016. Shortly after, Trend Micro discovered critical vulnerabilities in QuickTime for Windows. Since Apple will not release any patches to address these vulnerabilities, it is no longer safe to keep QuickTime installed on your Windows system.
Removing QuickTime should not cause any issues, as other apps like iTunes do not rely on it. If you need a replacement for QuickTime, consider using VLC media player, which is a versatile player capable of handling various media formats.
CCleaner
CCleaner, once a reliable Windows junk cleaning application, faced a decline in reputation after being acquired by Avast. Users reported issues such as forced updates without consent, data collection that persisted even after disabling the feature, and the distribution of malware unknowingly.
Additionally, the free version of CCleaner offers fewer features over time, consistently promoting the purchase of the Pro version. Fortunately, there are alternative cleanup tools available, including those built into the Windows operating system, which can serve as suitable replacements.
uTorrent
uTorrent, once considered the leading torrent downloading software, has experienced a decline in reliability due to several problems over the years.
The software’s interface is cluttered with excessive ads, which can be quite frustrating for users. Moreover, uTorrent includes prompts to download additional software tools, further adding to the annoyance. In 2015, it was discovered that the app secretly included cryptocurrency mining software, using system resources without users’ knowledge, with the promise of donating some proceeds to charity.
Given these issues, there is little reason to continue using uTorrent. Currently, qBittorrent stands out as the preferred torrent client, offering a hassle-free experience without these drawbacks.
Adobe Flash Player and Shockwave Player
As of January 2021, Adobe and modern browsers no longer support Flash Player. Although it is blocked in all major browsers, it is still important to uninstall any local copies of Flash to ensure our security.
In addition, Adobe Shockwave Player, a similar plugin, was discontinued in 2019. It is no longer available for download, and it is highly unlikely that you will come across websites that require it. Therefore, it is recommended to remove both Shockwave Player and Flash Player from your system. These plugins are outdated relics and serve little purpose today, except for playing offline Flash games. Removing them eliminates unnecessary security risks and keeps your system up to date.
Windows Bloatware
Bloatware refers to software that comes pre-installed and unnecessarily occupies space in the operating system. Removing manufacturer bloatware can be a hassle, but even Microsoft includes a fair amount of bloatware in the form of Store apps in modern versions of Windows. Fortunately, you can easily uninstall most of these unnecessary programs.
While some default modern apps, such as Xbox and Weather, may be useful to some users, others like Candy Crush Saga are considered unnecessary and can be removed unless you have a personal preference for them.
To simplify the removal process, you can utilize tools like Bloatware Removal Utility. This software assists in uninstalling specific programs that cannot be removed through the standard “Add or Remove Program” feature in Windows. It streamlines the task of removing unwanted bloatware from your system.