Ease of app removal

[Garnerunit]

Android is famous, or infamous, for the difficulty of removing bloatware. How is the situation with Windows? I don't want to waste space on apps I don't like or use.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Hi and welcome to Windows Central. Which particular apps are you referring to? Are these system apps, carrier-installed apps, or something else?

 

[xandros9]

It's better, but you would likely be better served by choosing an unlocked, unbranded phone. Untouched by both carriers and deals.

See the Google Pixel and other manufacturers with close-to-stock Android like Moto or BlackBerry.

Anyways, third-party apps can all be uninstalled easily. But they will be reinstalled upon a hard reset.

Most core apps cannot be uninstalled. OneNote, etc. are here to stay.

 

[Garnerunit]

Ease of app removal 2

Hi, and thanks for all the answers, but I still don't know if I should get a Windows phone. Can it be rooted the way an Android 'theoretically" can? It's much harder now that Google has switched from Dalvik to Android run time. With a rooted phone it's possible to kick them to the curb, or at least the SD card.

 

[xandros9]

Threads merged for continuity, duplicate/splitting threads isn't too great here!

1. Simple answer is No. However there is something known as an Interop-unlock that may be of interest to you and is analogous to rooting. It is nowhere near the flexibility of Android but its something.

2. You shouldn't get a Windows Phone if you intend to make it your daily driver. It'll be something fun to play with though but don't drop $200 on one.