Setting up a new computer often promises a fresh and speedy experience, yet many users find themselves confronted with an operating system that resembles an advertising platform from the moment they log in. The frustration mounts as basic hardware struggles under the weight of unwanted background tasks. To truly enhance the performance of Windows 11, users may need to disable features that the system insists on enabling.
Why your clean install still arrives full of junk
The system stages unwanted software before you even log in
Upon installing Windows 11, users are greeted with a plethora of pre-installed applications, promotional tiles, and cloud-connected features. The operating system organizes these apps in two phases: initially at the system level, followed by activation for each user. Built-in applications and bundled software reside as dormant templates within the protected system folder at C:Program FilesWindowsApps, consuming no RAM or CPU resources until activated.
When a new user profile is created or an existing user logs in for the first time, the AppX Deployment Service springs into action. This process registers the apps for that specific user and generates user-specific app data folders under %LocalAppData%Packages. Additionally, PC manufacturers and Microsoft utilize LayoutModification.json to embed custom app shortcuts, trial software, and welcome screens directly into the Start menu.
Unfortunately, the promotional elements extend even further. Microsoft’s Consumer Experience feature connects to cloud servers during setup and occasionally in the background, downloading app placeholders—shortcuts for casual games, social media applications, and other software—which are then pinned to the Start menu without prior consent. Local search is also intertwined with the web by default, sending requests to Bing for suggestions, trending news, and promoted content each time a user types in the search box. This pervasive promotional content infiltrates various areas, including the Start menu’s Recommended section, lock screen tips, and promotional cards within the Settings app, often pushing Microsoft 365 and OneDrive.
These pre-installed applications run background processes, scheduled tasks, and startup entries that can significantly drain RAM and CPU resources. For users with lower-end devices featuring limited RAM or slower eMMC storage, removing these unnecessary elements can lead to a noticeable improvement in performance.
You can clear out the extra junk without breaking anything
Basic settings and terminal commands will clear out the files
To effectively clean up Windows 11, it is advisable to approach the task in layers, beginning with the simplest actions. Start by navigating to Settings, then Apps, and finally Installed apps. Sorting the list by size or installation date can help identify non-essential applications such as Microsoft News, Clipchamp, Solitaire, and OEM trial software for uninstallation. However, it is important to note that this action only removes the app from the user profile, leaving the underlying template intact in the system image.
To prevent uninstalled apps from reappearing with each new user login, PowerShell can be utilized. By executing Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online in an elevated session, users can view a list of all app templates staged in the system image. To permanently eliminate a specific template, the command Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName followed by the target package name can be used. This differs from Remove-AppxPackage, which only removes the app from the current user’s profile. Without the former command, any major Windows update may treat the app as a system feature, reinstating it in C:Program FilesWindowsApps and re-registering it for every user upon login.
To disable promotional content and suggestions, navigate to Settings, then Personalization, and select Start. Here, users can turn off recommendations for tips, shortcuts, and new apps, as well as disabling recently added or opened items. Next, return to the main Settings menu and access Privacy & Security, then either General or Recommendation & offers, depending on the version. Disable suggested content, personalized ads, and app launch tracking.
For those wishing to sever Bing integration from search, pressing Windows key + R and typing regedit will open the registry editor. Navigate to HKCUSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer, creating a Windows folder if none exists. Inside, create a key named Explorer, right-click, and create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, setting the value to 1. This action will prevent Windows from sending searches to Bing, ensuring results are sourced solely from the local PC.
Lastly, the Task Manager’s Startup Apps tab (accessible via Ctrl + Shift + Esc) provides insights into startup entries, rated by their impact based on CPU time and disk I/O during boot. Focus on disabling non-essential third-party applications such as update checkers, background chat clients, and browser pre-loaders, while leaving hardware-related entries untouched to maintain proper functionality.
Stripping out system parts comes with real trade-offs
Some core packages need to stay in place to avoid system errors
While trimming down Windows 11 can yield performance benefits, it is crucial to recognize that Microsoft considers many modern services and UWP packages as core system dependencies rather than optional extras. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from removing essential components such as the Edge WebView2 runtime, Microsoft Defender, Windows Security (Microsoft.SecHealthUI), the Microsoft Store (Microsoft.WindowsStore), and App Installer (Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller). These elements should remain intact to avoid potential system errors.
Moreover, debloating is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing maintenance. Windows updates may reinstall any apps that were not completely removed, necessitating a repeat of the cleanup process.
Take the time to make your PC feel like your own
Investing time in eliminating system bloat can significantly enhance the performance of older machines, but it demands regular upkeep. The expectation that Microsoft would eventually cease pushing bloat and advertisements into Windows has diminished. This reality is now an inherent aspect of Windows PC ownership. Fortunately, users have the ability to remove most of this unwelcome clutter. Dedicating just twenty minutes to silence the background noise can transform a computer into a personalized tool, rather than a device that feels borrowed.
