How to Debloat Windows 11 Using Microsoft's Official Tools!

[@briannewman6216]

Some guidance as to what bloatware can be safely un-installed from windows 11 would be useful.

[@John7No]

the ones that ChrisTitus tool has for example can be removed. The question is what you want to use the machine for so what you don't have to install. But his can be a very complicated question since there will be a lot of possible combinations. The tool has some tooltips upon hovering and in the read me, but I guess the answer is it depends.

[@BrockGunterSmith]

I really appreciate this video in terms of: 1. Teaching everyone how to do this themselves instead of relying on someone else’s work 2. Step by step instructions leaving nothing out 3. Keeping the video free from strong bias/opinions and sticking to the methodology, data, implementation, and results. 🎉

[@TVCHLORD]

My PC didnt have any network drivers after reinstalling windows so I recommend putting your PC drivers in the windows installer usb

[@tinkering_geek]

Thanks for a very clean straight forward tutorial. Many others get lost in the weeds providing too much info. This is quick and straight ot he point. Very Nice !

[@oraz.]

The worst thing Windows does is replaces user folders like Desktop with onedrive link folders, and you need to edit the registry to fix that. I think that is completely crazy.

[@nls3081]

why using OneDrive? Is the first thing i uninstall, after Telemetry and Cortana. If you don't trust Mega, there is GoogleDrive.

[@Digmen1]

Yes that is the thing that I really dislike

[@DarthFurball]

Everyone seems to be making these videos on using scripts or tools, but not actually showing which specific settings within Windows can be disabled / toggled.

[@GaryExplains]

That is why I recommend using the pre baked configuration files. There are way too many options to cover in a short video.

[@a.yashwanth]

This video is for people who don't want to invest a lot of their time searching for each option and disabling it.

[@Turneleius]

Thanks for this! This is the cleanest method i've come across so far.

[@EcoHamletsUK]

This looks like a really useful way to do a minimal install in a VM, where I use Windows just to run a few specialised programs I haven't found a Linux replacement for.

[@KWPZ21]

Great! Thanks. I just hope Windows 11 won't put the bloat back on an update.

[@madwilliamflint]

Bet that they will.

[@chat-1978]

That's actuallyh the issue. Same with Android.

[@marcusk7855]

I remember do this to Windows XP. The last Windows version I used before going linux.

[@Stef.Cata051]

Linux would be great if there was any software to run on it....

[@k1ry4n]

​@Stef.Cata051 The less they know, the more they talk. And with 'they' I mean 'you'. Excluding some very specific professional applications, 99% of the user will have MORE options than they have with windows. The only real difference is the will to learn something new. That's why people come up with excuses like yours.

[@Stef.Cata051]

@k1ry4n no they don't have more options, god damn android has more software available... Stop it! Get some help

[@k1ry4n]

@@Stef.Cata051 Make some specific example of software you don't have on Linux. You said i need help, so help me understand.

[@k1ry4n]

@Stef.Cata051 And please help understand another thing. In other comments You claimed to be an Ubuntu user. Now you are here to tell there's no software on Linux. Can you help understand that too?

[@calebbeals5099]

Thank you for the video! I’ve been wanting stripped down version of Windows 11

[@bobsalita3417]

This made "Gary Explains" top 10 videos.

[@Kawer]

I am about to make my gaming rig lean and mean , thanks for explaining this topic so well.

[@EmilyDenton-kd2pu]

This is simply a great solution. I've been using it to create light VMs for testing different settings. The VMs are responsive and customisable after the fact. I love it.

[@Hiram8866]

I've been using Windows 11 LTSC, breath of fresh air.

[@benjaminklunkim4549]

The Office legos in the background is a nice touch😃

[@RobinBecker-e9e]

Hi Gary, thanks for this it's very useful. One thing you didn't mention was if it's possible to install a user with no Microsoft Account ie local account only. Lots' of people seem to want no MS account and to ditch onedrive etc etc.

[@GaryExplains]

Yes that is possible just using Rufus or the Standard config I used from Memory’s Tech Tips’ Unattended Windows Installation also sets that.

[@chmun77]

Which one is Microsoft official tool which you have mentioned? I do not see any tools which I can download from MS except the ISO file.

[@JxcksonSF]

The xml files is used to configure the installer. The "Microsoft Tool" that run the xml already come installed on the iso.

[@rmo9808]

Windows ADK

[@davidspencer5668]

Brilliant Gary, thanks Buddy

[@kodaph]

Is there a way to debloat existing Win11 OS x64?

[@GaryExplains]

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility might be able to help as well as Winaero Tweaker.

[@incandescentwithrage]

Most bloat is installed in the form of Appx packages. You can list and uninstall them from the windows terminal. Search online for the commands

[@nls3081]

@@kodaph o&o has 2 sublime apps: AppBuster and ShutUp10++.

[@nls3081]

@@kodaph AppBuster and ShutUp10++

[@Rayu25Demon]

I just choose the region worldwide to force windows not downloading none Microsoft apps like tiktok, after installation i open some registry file to disable some stuffs like disabling Microsoft apps from background. Also some other two tools to disable automatic updates.

[@ade-ade]

Thanks Gary. Great clip as always. Does this work with the newer Windows on ARM as well?

[@LabelsAreMeaningless]

Wouldn't windows just add some of those things back in upon the next update?

[@twinflametaurus]

no. this xml file turns off non secutity , aka feature updates for 1 year. that way windows update wont install everything back.

[@BatoriDavid6000]

3:43 Can't wait to doenload the iso file from minecraft. Jokes aside really helpful video!

[@test40323]

awesome, this may work well on a virtual machine.

[@GaryExplains]

Yes it will work with VMs but you need to manipulate the ISO file with a tool like AnyBurn. See here: github.com/memstechtips/UnattendedWinstall?tab=readme-ov-file#method-2-create-a-custom-iso-file

[@kwazar6725]

Now we need to automate cdkey activation as well.😊

[@heinzerbrew]

What you mean??? you can add the key.

[@colinreece3452]

I have a debloateed version of Windows10 on my PC, I had the full version which I debloated myself using another program. Also the program I used also deleted any left over files from the programs I took off. Doing this though you also need to know what programs are safe to uninstall as Brian mentions below.

[@chrisross2916]

Thanks, Gary. Any hints on how to do this while creating a VM (ie: No USB to boot)?

[@GaryExplains]

You can use AnyBurn to manipulate an ISO file and add the XML file. There are some brief instructions here github.com/memstechtips/UnattendedWinstall?tab=readme-ov-file#method-2-create-a-custom-iso-file

[@chrisross2916]

@@GaryExplains Thanks again, Gary. Appreciate your reply.

[@henryijeoma]

will a windows update bring back the bloatware?

[@xlostlovex]

I used this option even if I choose the option to sign in the microsoft account it just couldnt. I had been formatting over and over again, each time first setup after install will fail after entering email. Any idea how do I use this to debloat yet choose to stay sign in to microsoft after formatting?

[@spudtaters8419]

What about disabling ads?

[@ranjitmandal1612]

Looks amazing

[@DavidTatham-k8k]

Thanks Gary. I tried using your standard file with an Intune-Autopilot setup but failed to log in and set up. It must need some components. Do you have any idea which ones?

[@um8778]

until it does a Windows Update and reinstalls everything again

[@τετέλεστα]

Plenty of programs and scripts to prevent this

[@unimagin2ble]

​@@τετέλεστα seems unsafe

[@saminkhan4395]

is there any way to use ythis method to install bootcamp winodws 11 on macbook pro 2019 i5 ? thank you very much

[@RupertBruce]

What is the shortfall with the Rufus options?

[@GaryExplains]

The Rufus options allow you to remove requirements for Secure Boot + TPM, and the need for an online account, but there are no debloat options.

[@XeZrunner]

It adds its own XML file, so they're also useless to tick with this guide.

[@browski7655]

I wouldn't discribe things like network and graphics drivers as bloat. Now my laptop is completely useless and finding all the drivers and copying them via USB will be even more work than just uninstalling one-drive, x-box and stuff.

[@JohnUllrey]

Just bought a brand new Dell laptop, can you recommend a tool to de-bloat Windows 11 post installation?

[@dktol56]

Chris Titus Tech tool on github is probably the best now for interactively debloating - the support community is constantly updating and enhancing it. Check out the CTT channel for videos. Also, I'd recommend creating a bare-metal backup image of the existing installed Dell Win11 before tinkering. You can use a tool like Macrium Reflect on a bootable WinPE to do that.

[@JohnUllrey]

@@dktol56 thanks

[@guiorgy]

What if I'm using Ventoy?

[@peterpv0001]

With Ventoy you need to copy the Windows 11 ISO file to the Ventoy drive and the installation runs from that ISO file. If you used the ISO file you downloaded from Microsoft, then that would NOT contain the autounattend.xml file, so you would run a default installation, no debloating etc. You could use an ISO file editor (7-zip can add a file to an ISO image) to add the autounattend.xml to the ISO file and then you would get the debloated installation. Another option is to add some customization file to the Ventoy drive which allows to load the autounattend.xml without changing the ISO file, see Ventoy's manual how to do this. On the other hand, Rufus directly unpacks the ISO file to a USB drive for you making it easier (no ISO file editing needed) to copy the autounattend.xml file. So sure, you can use Ventoy but some extra steps are be needed in order to do the debloated installation.

[@guiorgy]

@@peterpv0001 Thanks, I'll have to look at the Ventoy documentation, and if it's too hard, I'll just edit the iso directly. Rufus is not an option, I've got other ISOs there too.

[@GaryExplains]

@guiorgy There are instructions on using Memory’s Tech Tips’ Unattended Windows Installation files with Ventoy here: github.com/memstechtips/UnattendedWinstall?tab=readme-ov-file#method-3-use-ventoy-auto-install-plugin

[@heinzerbrew]

@@GaryExplains or go to the ventory docs and do it the correct way. Doing it the correct way gives you access to runtime varibles as well as choosing between which unattended file to run at runtime.

[@jacko101]

None of the tools are from Microsoft, unless I'm missing something?

[@JxcksonSF]

The "Microsoft Tool" that run the xml already come installed on the iso. The xml is just to set the install parameters.

[@YuNherd]

need this, my work machine is windows11. need every processing juice and ram. thanks.

[@MrAshwijshenoy]

There are ready isos available for download as well

[@GaryExplains]

Indeed, I thought I mentioned that during the intro as well as what the advantage is of this method.

[@dgjm7129]

i guess its good for testing.. but i still wouldnt use this as a dailt driver... as it might break things big time with an update... even if the feature updates are delayed by 1 year.....

[@dipi71]

Just played »Alien Isolation« via Steam on top of my self-built, custom, initrd-less kernel that boots in under 3 seconds into KDE+Plasma+Network. Whenever you talk about debloating Windows, skip the step where you install Windows. Cheers.

[@irfanyaqub9643]

how to debloat the Mac?

[@weirdscix]

I just wish you could buy LSTC without being an enterprise customer.

[@anttiinto1064]

Thanks!

[@Big_Yin]

Pity we didn't know about this for Vista 😂

[@phoenixhenson3689]

good video

[@Psychlist1972]

I despise the term "bloat". Windows is a general purpose OS used by quite a few people. One person's bloat is another's essential tool or feature, and some things later on just fail to install or run because a tool or person removed a feature they didn't realize is important, that other apps just assume will be there (because it normally is). But I appreciate you showing folks how to customize these things themselves vs using opinionated pre-configured packages.

[@Delacrow_l_Chawngthu]

I doubt there's anyone out there using all the tools it came with. I doubt if there's anyone who uses even half of it. So even for those who want to use some of the tools most of it would be useless so that means it's bloated.

[@tg4949]

I prefer the term "spyware".

[@toby9999]

Interesting. I guess if my system was short of RAM or low on storage or bogged down performance wise, I would take a look. But it's not any of those things yet. I know some folk, especially Linux folk can become a little fanatical about trimming everything down. I don't generally care unless it becomes a problem.

[@GaryExplains]

You have some valid points there, but there are other things that can be tweaked like disabling the data telemetry, disabling the need for an online Microsoft account, etc.

[@pumbabeats420]

🔥

[@alexxx4434]

Why use Windows 11? Could you make a video on this?

[@GaryExplains]

No, I won't make a video about that. If you use Windows great, if you don't, also great. Why does it matter to you what OS other people are running on their PCs?

[@alexxx4434]

@@GaryExplains It doesn't matter to me what OS other people are using. I don't understand why you are interpreting my inquiry from that angle. It's just, since you've made a video on HOW to install a Win11, it's only logical to explore the WHY, pros and cons of choosing to use Windows 11.

[@GaryExplains]

Sorry if I misinterpreted your comment, it came in the middle of a bunch of "just install linux" comments. I have several videos on this channel about the pros and cons of different OS including Windows. The first one that comes to mind is my Windows vs Linux video. However Windows is the industry de-facto OS by a huge margin, so I don't think a video about why it is would be worth anything.

[@MinaSchloch]

Win11 is the only supported version in a short time

[@toby9999]

I'm using it because I like it.

[@1K3-s9h]

I use Windows 11 IOT LTSC ENTERPRISE 24H2

[@OrganicStuff1]

I hate using windows but i dont have the mental capacity of learning linux since my education was from the US

[@xeon2k8]

hahaha self-burn are rare nowadays

[@tg4949]

Modern Linux is no more complex than Windows 7, if you get the right flavor. I recommend Linux Mint, Cinnamon edition. Just make a bootable USB for the most recent stable release. Ideally you have an old PC to test it on first, but you can play around with it from within the USB to see how you like it. I was like you once.

[@OrganicStuff1]

@@tg4949 can you put it on a laptop?

[@JohnnyJazZzZz]

Doesn't matter, microsoft will just turn it on the next time you update 🤮

[@skaybaltimore]

Hmmmmm...so you tout this video as teaching how to debloat Win11 using only Win tools then you go off the rails with some website that's NOT MS that offers to provide the necessary xml file. Yeah. Not helpful dude.

[@GaryExplains]

I am sorry to hear you didn't find it useful. The video shows how to do it using Microsoft tools, and it then shows how to do it faster by downloading a configuration file that someone has prepared. Microsoft doesn't offer those files. However the tool is still Microsoft's and you don't need to download the configuration file if you don't want to.

[@thecheaperthebetter4477]

install linux /jk

[@diotitus]

No one wants to.

[@diotitus]

@@abdalnablse10 I was responding to the dude who was saying "switch to Linux". It's stupid to say on a video that was about Windows. No one cares about what OS you use.

[@abdalnablse10]

@@diotitus Understandable. Have a great day. ✌

[@cetangamer3228]

Most people has real work that needs windows or macos to complete their job

[@TheHoonShow]

Installed linux without GNU, now I can’t do shit.

[@billgross176]

expersions? 😂

[@GaryExplains]

You know I speak two languages, English and bad English! 😜

[@RishuKumar-zo2hc]

Obviously I am sure these options are good, but personally I much prefer the GHOST SPECTRE WINDOWS 11 from the website. why? cuz it gives much more configuration and performance options, also it lets you install windows apps without the need for windows store and other bloatware. And it has Dolby sound and video mods as well ...

[@SyrFlora]

I personally don't recommend people use custom window ISO. unless u debloat it personally for security purposes. Thou if u just use that PC for solely gaming.. u can use it at u own risk. But for your laptop or pc that involves sensitive information. Not worth to risk for some tiny performance.

[@toby9999]

I've been using Windows since 1996, and as a developer since 2000. Never used Windows store. Don't even know where to find it, and don't care. Everything I've ever needed has been available from official websites.

[@alexanderpushkin9160]

Or you can just install win7.

[@GaryExplains]

🤦‍♂️

[@heinzerbrew]

you mean windows 3.11

[@tg4949]

Not safe to use in 2024 I'm afraid.