Exploring Effective Utilities for Windows 11 Optimization
Tiny11 Builder has emerged as a compelling solution for users looking to enhance their Windows 11 experience, albeit with the caveat of requiring a clean installation. Many users, myself included, have ventured into the realm of various utilities aimed at optimizing existing Windows 11 installations without the need for a fresh start. However, having witnessed the transformative capabilities of Tiny11 Builder, I have refined my search to focus on utilities that can replicate its benefits.
To align with the functionality offered by Tiny11 Builder, any utility I consider must fulfill several key criteria:
- Disable all telemetry
- Remove preinstalled bloatware
- Address undesirable behaviors associated with Microsoft Edge (including its uninstallation)
- Mitigate issues linked to Microsoft OneDrive (also through uninstallation)
In addition to these essential features, I employ a selection of other utilities to further refine my Windows 11 setup:
- Rufus: This tool allows for the creation of installation media without the mandatory Microsoft account sign-in or hardware checks.
- MSEdgeDirect: It enables the use of my preferred web browser for accessing stories from Widgets and web-based search results.
- ExplorerPatcher: This utility addresses performance and reliability concerns within File Explorer.
The overarching objective is to tackle the issues outlined in my Windows 11 Enshittification Checklist. My findings suggest that utilizing Tiny11 Builder alongside the aforementioned utilities effectively resolves these concerns. However, the question remains: can I achieve similar results on existing Windows 11 installations using a de-enshittify utility in conjunction with the other three tools?
After some experimentation, I believe the answer is affirmative. I have revisited Win11Debloat, a well-regarded utility in the Windows 11 optimization space. While it may not be the most intuitive option, it appears to meet my requirements. Notably, Win11Debloat has undergone some changes since my last review in August 2024. Previously, users had to download the tool as a PowerShell script and execute it locally, which necessitated disabling a built-in script execution block in Windows 11. Now, the process has been streamlined: simply launch a Terminal with admin privileges and use a specific command line to download and run Win11Debloat on the fly.
The utility presents three primary modes: Default mode, Custom mode, and App removal. I tend to bypass the Default mode, as my preference leans toward customizing the settings to determine what remains and what is removed. The App removal feature is straightforward, providing a user interface that lists all uninstallable apps. For efficiency, filtering the view to display only installed apps simplifies the process of selecting which applications to remove, including Edge and OneDrive.
Custom mode offers a more robust experience, guiding users through various tasks, including the aforementioned app removal. This mode encompasses a broader range of options, such as:
- App removal
- Disabling telemetry and tracking
- Turning off tips and suggestions
- Disabling and removing Bing web search, Bing AI, and Cortana, with additional options for disabling Copilot and Recall
Through this exploration of utilities, it becomes evident that users seeking to optimize their Windows 11 experience have a variety of effective tools at their disposal, each contributing to a more streamlined and user-friendly operating system.
