Debloat Windows: Major performance improvements

Debloat Windows 11.
Photo: Josh Hild, Pexels.

Windows 11 offers a total software solution and comes full featured out-of-the-box, to get started right away. This release is a step in the right direction, bringing various customization options and improvements to the user experience. Obviously: Each advantage has its disadvantage. 

A fully featured operating system provides a surfeit of programs, features and options. Windows 11 arrives from the all-or-nothing principle. Without tweaking the system will not offer choices to omit certain programs and features. Thus, the system does install them in advance. You get it all. Whether you're actually going to use it or not. Is irrelevant.

Debloat Windows 11

There is an opportunity to rid Windows 11 of excess ballast. The so-called debloating of the operating system. It is possible to debloat Windows 11 before it is even installed, processed in the installation media. With the ability to provide multiple systems with the same, optimized operating system. Or after Windows 11 is installed, during a live and running operation. 

Debloating the Windows 11 installer image

Removing unwanted applications and anchor this in the installation image, is fairly easy to accomplish.

  • Dowload the Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) 
  • Select the product language and choose your preferred region. For example: Dutch and confirm.
  • Mount the ISO file (double click on the installation ISO file).
  • Download the Tiny11 builder and extract the files and folder.
  • Open and edit tiny11 creator.bat with your favorite text editor.
    Replace in case your system language is Dutch: en-us for nl-nl. 
    For American English, nothing needs to be changed.
  • Remove the lines about: Removing Edge, Removing OneDrive, Removing Media Player Legacy, Microsoft Teams and Cortana as they cannot be completely removed anyway *

    Not writing that we are necessarily fans of the relevant program. They are so deeply rooted in the system. Removing these specific APPS in the first place is not recommended. It can always be done later. if you really have to.
  • Save and run the script as administrator.
  • Enter the drive letter for the image and enter to confirm.
  • Select the corresponding image. I.e.: Professional, Enterprise and confirm with enter.
  • Use the created tiny11.iso to create a physical DVD or USB flash drive of your choice.
  • Install the debloat Windows edition as you are used to. 

Debloat the already installed Windows 11 operating system

Debloat the already installed Windows 11 operating system. An already existing installation can also be optimized.

  • Start a Windows Powershell with administrator rights.
  • Open tiny11 creator.bat and copy the APP which should be removed.
  • For example: Get-AppxPackage -all *clipchamp* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers
    Where Clipchamp is the example application. And can be replaced by an application of choice. Within the realm of modern APPS.
  • Repeat for all the preferred APPS to be removed.
  • For Microsoft Edge, Microsoft OneDrive and all other legacy Win32 APPS. Use the Command Prompt with administrator rights to remove APPS if needed.
Resuming

You probably know by using your debloated system. The computer is booting faster, APPS are running smoother, cleaner and also faster. Without all the programs, features and options. Which you weren't going to use anyway. When you want to take optimization one step further. And also speed up surfing? Consider blocking ads and trackers. For a better browsing experience. In addition, you can also make your computer privacy friendly with the how to: Protect your privacy in Windows.

In retrospect, however, regret that a particular APP was removed? No problem. Open the Microsoft Store and simply search, download and reinstall the APP. Are you missing an APP on Windows (win32) or the Microsoft Store (Universal Windows Platform (UWP), that is available on your smartphone? You can run Android APPS on Windows, these days. Try it out.

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* Microsoft Teams (personal) and Cortana are still here. If you find a way to remove them before I find one, feel free to help!