Help me navigate the world of debloated/custom Windows 11 Installs

I've never had to use Windows 11. I have Windows 10 on my main machine and toy around with different Linux distros on my spares.

Now that I'm building a computer for my folks, I'm faced with the real problem that Windows 11 is going to be a big shift for them (also using windows 10) and it's going to contain so much crap (Copilot, Start Menu ads, etc) that is going to ruin the experience/overwhelm/turn them off.

I've read, with passing interest, about the myriad of "debloated" Windows installs, but never took a serious look at what is going on and what is good. Here's where I hope c/technology can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

Edit - I should have known to expect the Linux suggestions despite specifically asking about modifications to Windows. Linux is not an option due legacy software compatibility - they do more than use a browser.

potkulautapaprika ,

Not reading the whole thread, but ltsc or looking into ameliorated playbooks seems like the right answer

uninvitedguest OP ,
@uninvitedguest@lemmy.ca avatar

I had forgotten about ameliorated windows!

I probably won't use it for my folks (LTSC looks like the ticket there), but I'll definitely play around with it myself.

DaCrazyJamez ,

Ive installed ReviOS on my media pcs and have been very happy with it. You install over top of a clean windows install and it takes care of all debloating automatically.

mikyopii ,
@mikyopii@programming.dev avatar

I think there are two options personally.

  1. The Windows 11 LTSC version just leaked on Chinese forums. I wouldn't use that ISO but would wait for the official release. Seems like the "best" version of Windows.

  2. Use Chris Titus' WinUtil on a normal install: https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil. He has put a lot of effort into this tool and it works great.

If you want to go full try-hard you can do it yourself. Buy NTLite and go to town on stripping stuff out. You'll probably break something but it is fun to play with.

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