Windows 10 Sun Valley update will start to get rid of the bloatware

Future
(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft's next major Windows 10 update, codenamed Sun Valley, will start to get rid of those pesky unwanted apps that always find their way onto a fresh Windows installation.

Anyone who builds a new system, or buys a new gaming PC, will understand the annoyance and frustration of seeing a bunch of apps on your desktop that you don't want and/or care about. 

3D Paint

(Image credit: Future)

The new Sun Valley update for Windows 10 coming later this year is looking to make our lives a little easier by getting rid of those low usage apps from our precious machines. 

According to the latest Insider Preview release notes (via Windows Latest), 3D Viewer and Paint 3D will no longer be pre-installed on clean installs of Windows (along with the '3D Objects' folder). Both apps skew towards creators such as 3D artists, which you can imagine does not apply to the broader Windows 10 userbase. 

Also, say goodbye to Math Input Panel, an app I never knew existed before writing this article. It's a program that lets you write formulas and put them into documents using input tools like a stylus. Apparently. 

While these apps won't be on your PC after a clean install in the future, you can still download them from the Windows Store, and Windows won't delete them if you're simply running an in situ update rather than coming at it fresh. So, 3D artists shouldn't worry; the apps are still being supported, for now. Trust me, I'm still reeling from the loss of Windows Movie Maker (RIP). 

3D Viewer

(Image credit: Future)

Depending on the OEM, some new systems can be rotten with a bunch of bloatware which can slow down start-up times, or even use up precious CPU usage. Sadly that's not going away, but it's good to see Microsoft taking steps in that direction itself. 

The Sun Valley update, for its part, is on track to be the most significant overhaul of Windows 10 since launch when it releases this fall. On top of getting rid of some bloatware, Windows 10 will be seeing per-app multiple GPU management, new design, and a Windows 10x-based Action Center, just to start. 

Windows Insiders should see these updates coming and going in their preview builds as Microsoft tests them out on the public ahead of the final release. 

Jorge Jimenez
Hardware writer, Human Pop-Tart

Jorge is a hardware writer from the enchanted lands of New Jersey. When he's not filling the office with the smell of Pop-Tarts, he's reviewing all sorts of gaming hardware, from laptops with the latest mobile GPUs to gaming chairs with built-in back massagers. He's been covering games and tech for over ten years and has written for Dualshockers, WCCFtech, Tom's Guide, and a bunch of other places on the world wide web. 

Read more
A photo of the Windows update menu, showing that I'm all up to date
Latest Windows 11 Insider Build fixes 24H2 update's most annoying issues, including Auto HDR bugs and mouse stuttering
woman using pc
9 Windows 11 settings we recommend changing
Microsoft wants to 'recruit your squad' in the latest unbidden Game Pass ad on your Windows Settings homepage. Also, it might crash
Microsoft Windows 11
The latest Windows 11 dev build gives you the ability to snap together commonly paired apps for access in a single click, and I'm already sold
Windows 10 operating system logo is displayed on a laptop screen for illustration photo. Gliwice, Poland on January 23, 2022.
Valve's monthly survey reveals that almost 45% of Steam users on PC are still using Windows 10 even with the sword of Damocles hanging over them
EA announces the guillotine will finally fall on Origin this April thanks to Microsoft's abandonment of 32-bit Windows and, if you don't like it, 'use a newer computer'
Latest in Windows
Microsoft Windows 11
The latest Windows 11 dev build gives you the ability to snap together commonly paired apps for access in a single click, and I'm already sold
Windows 11's new emoji button in the taskbar.
You might mock Microsoft's new emoji button in Windows 11 but as someone that's explained how to quickly access emojis and special characters too many times, I get it
Windows 10 operating system logo is displayed on a laptop screen for illustration photo. Gliwice, Poland on January 23, 2022.
Valve's monthly survey reveals that almost 45% of Steam users on PC are still using Windows 10 even with the sword of Damocles hanging over them
Microsoft Windows 11
If you installed Windows 11 with certain security updates and a USB stick, you may not get any more security updates warns Microsoft
Retro 1990s style beige desktop PC computer and monitor screen and keyboard. 3D illustration.
Microsoft nixes details of its Windows 11 TPM 2.0 security bypass though there are still other ways of getting the latest OS on 'unsupported' hardware
A photo of the Windows update menu, showing that I'm all up to date
Latest Windows 11 Insider Build fixes 24H2 update's most annoying issues, including Auto HDR bugs and mouse stuttering
Latest in News
AMD Radeon RX 9070/9070 XT graphics cards with artistic renders of reference design cards circled
Looks like a reference design AMD RX 9070 XT card has shown up in China, but let's not get carried away with thoughts of MBA cards just yet
Concept art of WoW's upcoming player housing system, showing a warm homestead with a welcoming figure in shade.
WoW flexes its MMO player housing system in a new blog post, and it really might just beat FF14's dated furniture placement into the dirt
spectre divide
Spectre Divide and its studio are shutting down after just six months: 'The industry is in a tough spot right now'
Naoe looking at the wrist blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft backflips, says Assassin's Creed Shadows will support Steam Deck at launch, but I doubt I'll actually want to play it there
Henry from KCD2 wearing nice outfits
'Diversify your fashion endgame' with this Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 mod that gives Henry fly new gambesons, pourpoints, and caftans
Masked Counter-Terrorist in helmet in forefront with sunglasses and beret-wearing CT in background touching headset
There's hope yet for Classic Offensive after its Steam rejection: The team behind the Counter-Strike 1.6 revival mod is in touch with Valve about its 'concerns'