I deleted these 5 Windows inbox apps and didn’t miss them

When I do a clean install or get a new Windows PC, there are always inbox apps that I can do without, and I remove them if I even think of them. Even without a fresh install, you might want to remove inbox apps. Inbox apps are essential applications that are installed by default on your Windows system. For instance, apps like Paint, Notepad, Clock, and Phone Link are examples of inbox apps. Microsoft continually adds inbox apps, with Sound Recorder and Clipchamp being recent additions.

Still, many remain unused or have seen limited adoption by users. I may delete certain inbox apps on Windows if I find them to be of no use. However, with each new PC, I think that I’ll try using them if they make my workflow more efficient. However, that’s usually not the case, and I end up deleting them — still, other apps I will delete without touching and not miss at all.

5

Xbox app

Since I’m not a gamer

To date myself a bit, I stopped gaming around the time when the Sega Dreamcast was released. After that, I played Xbox and computer games, but realized I no longer had an interest. I might have an Xbox profile, but I have never needed to check or use the Xbox app on Windows. I don’t buy games or need to manage a game library or use cloud gaming. So, I deleted it on Windows, so it’s out of the way. In the rare situation where I need it for a screenshot or to test a feature, I can always reinstall it from the Microsoft Store. Otherwise, once it’s deleted, it’s forgotten.

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4

Clock app

I never use it anyway

Not to be confused with the system clock in the taskbar tray, Windows has the Clock app, which offers options for using focus sessions to improve productivity, creating custom timers and alarms, and integrating app timers. While this is helpful for some users, I don’t have any use for it, and I deleted it and haven’t thought twice about it. I have my phone sitting next to me while I am working on my PC, and I use its clock and timer functionality instead. The focus session option is something that might make me want to try it again, but so far, I haven’t found it necessary. Like most other apps on this list, if there is a specific reason I need to use it, it can be reinstalled.

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3

Teams

My organization uses other meeting and collaboration tools

Many companies are deeply entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem, which means they often utilize Teams for video conferencing and collaboration. I’m an independent contractor and do need a video collaboration tool, but it’s not Microsoft Teams. I also don’t need to use Teams with friends or family. When my family needs to have a video conference, we use Google Meet because of its ease of use and compatibility across multiple platforms. When I volunteered for the Red Cross, I had to use the Teams app, but since then, I have deleted it and haven’t missed it.

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2

Sound Recorder

Audacity is my audio recording app

The Sound Recorder Windows app is something I tried a few times and promptly deleted. It allows you to record any audio, like lectures, podcasts, or your own notes. It features audio importing, sharing, and trimming recordings. Depending on what you need, its basic functionality and ease of use might make it a winner. It’s also solid if you don’t like the idea of installing additional software on your PC.

However, it’s too limited for me, and I prefer Audacity, a digital audio workstation (DAW). It offers far more editing options when I record audio from my PC, such as for YouTube videos. I also use it to record guitar anyway, so it’s a familiar tool for recording and editing audio from any source. Using Sound Recorder might be a better solution for some, and I don’t expect everyone to use a DAW. However, since I’m comfortable using Audacity, there is no audio job that is too big or too small.

1

Notepad

Despite Microsoft’s AI parlor tricks, it’s useless compared to alternatives

Notepad has been part of Windows for some 40 years, but I seldom use it. I used to use Notepad to create time-stamped logs, but I now have other options available to me. While Microsoft continues to add Copilot features to the basic note-taking app, it’s only fluff in my opinion. When I recently did a clean installation of Windows, I decided to delete it. I thought I might miss Notepad, but I haven’t. Plus, there are better alternatives out there, like Notepad++ for coding or Notion for journaling and more.

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Promptly deleting Windows inbox apps

Typically, I simply ignore Windows inbox apps, but I decided to delete them and see if I missed anything. The truth is, I don’t miss them at all. I can complete all the tasks in my workflow efficiently, as I already have an alternative to any necessary inbox app that does the job better. I don’t delete inbox apps like The Snipping Tool, Calculator, and Media Player, which I occasionally use for FLAC files. The good news is that you don’t need any of the Windows inbox apps. You can safely remove them and set your favorite open-source alternative as the new default.