Bulk Crap Uninstaller vs Microsoft PowerToys
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Bulk Crap Uninstaller (BCU) is a free, open-source Windows utility built specifically for removing large numbers of unwanted applications efficiently, rather than uninstalling programs one at a time through the Windows Control Panel. It detects installed software from multiple sources, including registered Windows programs, Steam, the Microsoft Store, Chocolatey packages, and even portable apps, and can batch-uninstall many of them with minimal user interaction. Beyond removal, BCU cleans up leftover files after uninstallation, includes a startup manager, and can force-uninstall programs with broken or missing uninstallers, which is a common pain point on older or heavily used Windows systems. It is released under the Apache 2.0 license, actively maintained on GitHub, and translated into more than 13 languages.
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of free, open-source utilities that extend Windows with productivity tools such as window layout management, a quick launcher, bulk file renaming, keyboard remapping, and a system-wide color picker. It is built and maintained by Microsoft with an active open-source community on GitHub.
- Free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license
- Genuinely saves time when removing many programs, such as after a bloatware-heavy PC purchase
- Force-uninstall handles stubborn apps that resist normal removal
- Detects software from more sources than the built-in Windows uninstaller
- Completely free and open source
- Actively maintained with frequent Microsoft-backed releases
- Wide range of independent utilities you can enable individually
- Backed by an active GitHub community for bug reports and features
- Windows only, with no Mac or Linux equivalent
- Bulk force-uninstall carries some risk if the wrong programs are selected
- Interface is functional rather than modern-looking
- Windows-only, no Mac or Linux version
- Some utilities are still experimental and can be less polished
- Requires manually enabling and configuring each utility you want
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Windows uninstaller that scans for and removes leftover files, folders, and registry entries after program removal.
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Multi-monitor management utility for custom taskbars, wallpapers, and window automation.
A free, open-source quick launcher and search bar for Windows, triggered with a hotkey.

