De-Enshittify Windows 11. This book will be available for purchase soon, hopefully by the end of February.
For those looking to enhance their experience with Windows 11, the tool Win11Debloat offers a flexible and granular approach to removing unwanted elements while preserving the features you cherish. The concept of de-enshittification isn’t new; tools aimed at “cleaning” or “debloating” Windows have existed for decades. Initially designed to optimize performance on older machines, today’s tools have evolved to focus on eliminating user-unfriendly behaviors, in addition to streamlining the operating system itself.
💚 De-Enshittify Windows 11 with Win11Debloat
Win11Debloat, much like Tiny11 Builder, operates through a PowerShell script that can be executed remotely. However, it distinguishes itself with a user-friendly graphical interface, making it accessible to a broader audience.
To embark on this journey, visit the Win11Debloat page on GitHub. Follow the “Quick method” instructions under “Usage,” and open a Terminal window with administrator privileges. Execute the following script:
& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm “https://debloat.raphi.re/“)))
Upon running the script, a User Account Control (UAC) prompt will appear, leading to the welcoming interface of Win11Debloat.
Despite its seemingly simple design, Win11Debloat encompasses three main screens filled with numerous options. It’s crucial to navigate these thoughtfully. At a glance, Win11Debloat enables users to:
- Uninstall applications, including those typically resistant to removal, such as Microsoft Edge.
- Adjust various Windows 11 features, including disabling intrusive telemetry.
- Specify whether changes apply to the current user or all users on the device.
To initiate the process, simply click “Start.”
App Removal
In this initial phase, you will select which applications to uninstall. Ensure that you toggle “Only show installed apps” to “On” to view the relevant options.
While many bundled applications in Windows 11 are functional, they may not always meet user expectations. A thorough examination of the list may reveal unnecessary applications worth removing. However, a word of caution: do NOT remove the Microsoft Store app, as it is essential for reinstalling other applications.
Consider uninstalling the following unless you find them indispensable:
- Enshittified apps and potential nuisances: Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, Office Hub, and Widgets Experience.
- Low-quality bundled apps: Bing News, Bing Search, Dev Home, Microsoft Journal, Power Automate, Solitaire Collection, and Whiteboard.
- Unwanted applications from your PC manufacturer: Look out for any unnecessary software, such as McAfee or proprietary AI chatbot apps.
Once you’ve made your selections, proceed by clicking “Next.”
System Tweaks
The multitude of options available in this section may require careful consideration. For those focused on de-enshittification, several key settings can be adjusted:
In Privacy & Suggested Content:
- Disable telemetry, tracking, and targeted advertisements.
- Turn off tips, tricks, and suggested content throughout Windows.
- Disable lock screen tips and tricks.
- Eliminate ads and suggestions in Edge.
- Hide Microsoft 365 ads in Settings Home.
In AI:
- Disable Microsoft Copilot.
- Turn off AI features in Microsoft Edge.
In Windows Update:
- Prevent automatic restarts during updates while signed in.
- Disable sharing downloaded updates with other PCs.
In the Start menu:
- Disable Bing web search and Copilot integration.
After configuring your preferences, click “Next.”
Overview
The Overview screen provides a summary of your selections and presents four essential options:
- Apply changes to: By default, changes will affect only the current user, but you can opt to apply them to all users.
- Remove apps from: Apps will typically be removed for all users, but you can limit this to the current user.
- Create a system restore point: It’s advisable to create a restore point for safety, allowing you to revert changes if necessary.
- Restart Windows Explorer: If you’ve altered File Explorer settings, check this option for immediate effect.
Click “Apply Changes” to let Win11Debloat execute your commands. You’ll see the progress in a command line interface, culminating in a notification that all changes have been applied.
💚 Use Win11Debloat effectively
Before proceeding, consider these additional insights:
Update apps before using Win11Debloat
⛔ The problem: The Microsoft Store has reinstalled an app I removed with Win11Debloat.
💚 The solution: To avoid this, update all in-box apps via the Microsoft Store before running Win11Debloat after a clean install or reset. This prevents the Store from silently reinstating removed applications.
Win11Debloat doesn’t “see” all the apps I want to remove
⛔ The problem: Some unwanted apps remain in the Start menu after using Win11Debloat.
💚 The solution: If Win11Debloat misses an app, simply uninstall it through the Start menu by right-clicking and selecting “Uninstall.”
Microsoft Edge doesn’t want to be removed
⛔ The problem: Uninstalling Microsoft Edge requires an additional step.
💚 The solution: If the initial removal fails, Win11Debloat will prompt you to forcefully uninstall it. While this method is marked as “NOT RECOMMENDED,” many users have found it effective. Just ensure you’ve created a restore point.
Some apps require Microsoft Edge
⛔ The problem: After removing Microsoft Edge, it reinstalls itself unexpectedly.
💚 The solution: Certain apps depend on the Microsoft Edge runtime. If you encounter this issue, install the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime and attempt the removal again.
The changes that Win11Debloat makes are all reversible
⛔ The problem: I want to revert a change made with Win11Debloat.
💚 The solution: According to the developer, all modifications can be easily reversed, and most removed apps can be reinstalled via the Microsoft Store or Windows Package Manager. The only exception is the Microsoft Store app itself, which should not be uninstalled.
Take your time with Win11Debloat
⛔ The problem: The plethora of options is overwhelming.
💚 The solution: There’s no rush. Take your time to familiarize yourself with Win11Debloat. You can make incremental changes and rerun the tool as needed.
What about the future?
⛔ The problem: Will Windows 11 revert my changes made with Win11Debloat?
💚 The solution: Future updates from Microsoft may alter your configurations. While a monitoring tool is being sought, you can always rerun Win11Debloat to reapply your desired settings if any changes occur.
