Bloatware on a New Laptop: What It Means for Editing

What bloatware is

Bloatware is the name for the extra programs and utilities that a laptop maker installs on a new computer before you receive it. The operating system, like Windows 11, is the base. On top of that, the maker may add its own apps for system updates, support, or customization, and sometimes trial versions of other software. None of it is needed to edit video.

You will see these programs in the Start menu, in the system tray, or as notifications. Some run in the background even when you do not open them. For an editor, the concern is simple: every program that runs uses some of the same RAM, storage, and processor time that your editing software needs.

• Trial versions of office suites or antivirus programs
• Maker-specific apps for updates, support, or account sign-in
• Utilities for keyboard lighting, fan control, or display settings
• Media players, cloud storage apps, or messaging apps you did not ask for

How bloatware affects an editing laptop

Video editing is demanding on three parts of a laptop: RAM, storage, and the processor. Bloatware touches all three. Programs that start automatically when you turn on the laptop use RAM before you even open your editing app. If your laptop has 16GB of RAM and several utilities are running, less is available for your timeline and your footage.

Storage is also affected. Every installed program takes space on the SSD. A laptop that lists 1TB of storage may have a noticeable portion already used by the preinstalled software. That matters because video footage, project files, and cache files need space. The guides compare laptops on stated storage, so you can see the capacity a listing promises, but the actual free space after setup will be lower.

The processor can be busy too. Some utilities check for updates, sync files, or run background tasks. While that happens, your editing program gets less processor attention. The effect is not something the guides can measure, because the guides compare stated details like RAM, graphics, and storage, not how a laptop behaves under load.

What you can do about it

You do not have to live with bloatware. On Windows 11, you can open Settings and go to Apps to see everything installed. From there you can uninstall programs you do not need. Some maker utilities are tied to hardware features like keyboard backlighting or fan control, so read what a program does before removing it.

You can also stop programs from starting automatically. In Task Manager, the Startup tab lists what runs when you sign in. Disabling a program there does not remove it, but it stops it from using resources until you open it yourself. This is a good first step before you start a long editing session.

For a new laptop, a clean setup helps. After you uninstall what you do not want, restart the laptop and check that your editing software and drivers are up to date. The maker's support page is the place to find driver updates. The guides cannot tell you which programs to remove, because that depends on the specific laptop and what the maker installed.

Choosing a laptop with less bloatware

Some laptop lines are aimed at creators and professionals, and they tend to ship with less extra software. For example, ASUS has a ProArt line for creative work, and HP has Z workstations for heavy workloads. These lines are built for people who edit video, so the maker focuses on the hardware and keeps the software lighter.

When you read a listing, look at the stated details: RAM, graphics, storage, and processor. A laptop with 32GB of RAM and a strong graphics card will handle bloatware better than one with 16GB, because there is more headroom. But the guides do not rank laptops by how much software they ship with, because that is not a stated detail.

If you want a laptop that is likely to have less extra software, consider a creator-focused line or a workstation. The best laptop for content creation guide covers laptops built for creative work, and the best workstation laptop for video editing guide covers professional machines. Both are good places to start.

MacBook and bloatware

MacBooks do not have the same kind of bloatware as Windows laptops. Apple controls the hardware and the operating system, so a new MacBook comes with macOS and Apple's own apps, like Final Cut Pro if you buy it separately. There are no trial versions of third-party software preinstalled.

That does not mean a MacBook is free of extra software. Apple includes its own apps for productivity, media, and system functions. You can remove some of them, but others are part of macOS. For an editor, the advantage is that the system is consistent and you know what you are getting.

The best MacBook for video editing guide compares MacBook models on stated details like chip, RAM, and storage. If you prefer a Mac, that guide is the place to start. If you are deciding between Mac and Windows, the choice often comes down to the software you already use and your budget.

What the guides compare

The laptop guides on this site compare laptops on stated details only: RAM, graphics memory, storage, screen size, weight, operating system, processor, and battery capacity. They do not compare how much bloatware a laptop ships with, because that is not a stated detail and it can change with each configuration.

That means you should use the guides to shortlist laptops by hardware, then check the maker's page for what software comes installed. The maker's support page often lists the apps that ship with a model. You can also read the listing carefully: some listings mention trial software or maker utilities.

For an editor, the hardware matters most. A laptop with 32GB of RAM and a strong graphics card will give you more headroom even if it has some extra software. The best 64GB RAM laptop for video editing guide is for projects that need maximum RAM, and the best RTX 5070 laptop for video editing guide covers laptops with a popular graphics card.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Does bloatware slow down video editing?

Bloatware can use RAM, storage, and processor time, which are the same resources your editing software needs. If many programs run in the background, less is available for your timeline. You can remove or disable most of it through Windows settings.

Can you remove bloatware from a new laptop?

Yes. On Windows 11, open Settings, go to Apps, and uninstall programs you do not need. You can also use Task Manager to disable startup programs. Some maker utilities are tied to hardware features, so read what a program does before removing it.

Do MacBooks have bloatware?

MacBooks do not have third-party trial software preinstalled. Apple includes its own apps as part of macOS. You can remove some of them, but others are part of the system. This makes a MacBook a clean choice for editors who want consistency.

How do you know what bloatware is on a laptop before buying?

Check the maker's support page for the model, which often lists the software that ships with it. You can also read the listing carefully for mentions of trial software or maker utilities. The guides on this site compare hardware, not preinstalled software.

Should you choose a laptop with more RAM to handle bloatware?

More RAM gives you more headroom for background programs, which helps when you edit. A laptop with 32GB of RAM will handle extra software better than one with 16GB. But the best approach is to remove or disable what you do not need.