Windows 25H2 will have an inbuilt tool to debloat the OS

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winjer

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Windows 11 25H2 adds tool to debloat the OS and remove built-in apps

Windows Insiders recently discovered a setting in a preview version of Windows 11 version 25H2 that allows users to remove preinstalled apps. This new feature should help...
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Windows Insiders recently discovered a setting in a preview version of Windows 11 version 25H2 that allows users to remove preinstalled apps. This new feature should help users customize the startup experience more easily, particularly IT admins who manage multiple devices in enterprise environments where some Microsoft programs are unneeded.

Patch My PC reports that the setting, called Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages, is located under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment.

Selecting it opens a menu where users can choose programs for removal, including the Camera, Sound Recorder, Windows Media Player, Xbox, Windows Terminal, Notepad, and more. It does not affect preinstalled third-party applications such as LinkedIn.
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Removing these apps in current public versions of Windows typically requires complicated workarounds, such as using PowerShell. The feature introduced in version 25H2 is a native policy, which will likely become the preferred method moving forward.
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Considering the gigantic amount of crap that Windows 11 ships with, this is a huge improvement.
Though this seems to have several limitations. It seems there is no way to remove Edge, unless you are on the EU.
This seems to work only through Group Policy, meaning people with the Home version won't have access to it.
And these seems that there is no way to remove the telemetry.
So although it's a step forward, it will not replace debloating tools like the one from Chris Titus.
And the most obvious thing to consider is that users shouldn't have to go through so much trouble to have a clean Windows install.
 
If Microsoft really cared, they'd make the bloat opt-in during the setup or first boot and not opt-out after the fact. But still a step in the right direction. I wonder if you can also can throw out any "AI" bullshit.

Edit: And for the love of God, please stop harassing users to make a Microsoft account during install. I know they will eventually let you proceed without having to make one if you "cancel" or "go back" enough times. But this shit is what makes me not want to use Windows.
 
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"Selecting it opens a menu where users can choose programs for removal, including the Camera, Sound Recorder, Windows Media Player, Xbox, Windows Terminal, Notepad, and more"

w3hUyFC.gif
 
StereoVsn said:
Group Policy should be available on the Pro as well. It's very useful for Windows configuration.
Click to expand...

Sure....that makes sense. Still, wish is what available for all versions and more accessible than group policy for average users. But.....that would require a less greedy Microsoft so.....
 
Will it be as good as the debloaters ive had to use to git rid of their over the top crap i will never use though, it is Microsoft after all and they don't want us debloating Windows.
 
Article:
The new Group Policy currently allows for the uninstallation of 25 default applications, which include:

  • Feedback Hub
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot
  • Microsoft Clipchamp
  • Microsoft News
  • Microsoft Photos
  • Microsoft Solitaire Collection
  • Microsoft Sticky Notes
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft To Do
  • MSN Weather
  • Outlook for Windows
  • Paint
  • Quick Assist
  • Snipping Tool
  • Windows Calculator
  • Windows Camera
  • Windows Media Player
  • Windows Notepad
  • Windows Sound Recorder
  • Windows Terminal
  • Xbox Gaming App
  • Xbox Gaming Overlay
  • Xbox Identity Provider
  • Xbox Speech To Text Overlay
  • Xbox TCUI


"Since this feature utilizes the Group Policy Editor, home users will not have access to it, which seems a missed opportunity for Microsoft to enhance usability across all editions.

It's important to remember that the policy exclusively removes Microsoft's default applications, not the promotional apps that can sometimes clutter a new device. While this addition is certainly advantageous for users wishing to streamline their Windows 11 experience, there should ideally be a more universal solution that allows Home edition users to manage installed applications more freely."

---------------------

Half-assed debloating tool. I hope this is just their first step towards giving the users full control of their systems. If this is all they have to show for in this supposed "MS working towards a more streamlined OS" then they are fucked.

Let's hope that the rumored gaming mode/big screen mode does ALOT more to declutter the system.

Article:
In a briefing reported by The Verge, Jason Beaumont, vice president of experiences at Xbox, said: "When the player boots into the full-screen experience, there is a whole bunch of Windows stuff that doesn't get loaded." "We're not loading the desktop wallpaper, the taskbar, or a bunch of processes that are really designed around productivity scenarios for Windows."


We'll see I guess, dosen't excactly fill me with confidence. 🤷‍♂️
 
StereoVsn said:
Group Policy should be available on the Pro as well. It's very useful for Windows configuration.
Click to expand...
Assuming Windows actually obeys the settings on Pro, which it doesn't always seem to. I've had zero luck disabling compatibility telemetry via Group Policy, for example. The only way I've found to (temporarily) get rid of it is to take control of the executable and delete it.
 
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Topher said:
Sure....that makes sense. Still, wish is what available for all versions and more accessible than group policy for average users. But.....that would require a less greedy Microsoft so.....
Click to expand...
Yep, and they don't want users uninstalling their crapware, hence only allowing additional controls into business editions. Same for controlling patch installs and many other configurations.

And even in Windows "Pro" they are leaving in telemetry, CoPilot crap and more.
 
Topher said:
Sure....that makes sense. Still, wish is what available for all versions and more accessible than group policy for average users. But.....that would require a less greedy Microsoft so.....
Click to expand...

I agree Microsoft is greedy, but the average user usually doesn't notice the bloat, doesn't know what Group Policy is, and probably shouldn't be messing with it.

It shouldn't be a Group Policy thing. It should be it's own app so everyone can use it easily.
 
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Shockwave_Fox said:
Ive just heard of these apps from some randomly recommended yuotube vids.

Is it easy to use and not completely mess your machine up?
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Yes, it's easy to use. Each setting has a tool tip and recommendations.
Still, I would recommend you create a restore point before doing anything.
Also, take a look at his youtube channel.
 
Ulysses 31 said:
Co-Pilot can be uninstalled, right?
Click to expand...
Not easily, this only removes the Microsoft 365 Copilot. Which is a different beast from the regular CoPilot AI. So you'd still need workarounds to disable/remove it.

In the EU you'd be able to remove Edge aswell, which would hamper the functionality of Copilot.

Here's an unrelated gif catching Microsoft, Telemetry and AI sharing a bath.
giphy.gif
 
Seriously, who the hell wants Copilot in Windows? I can't believe they're investing tens of billions into something that people are either going to ignore or just completely wipe from the OS. What, in a nutshell, is the fucking point of all of this.
 
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Group Policy? Only on Enterprise?

But why tho .. make it an app so anyone can use it.

Make it a segment in the PC Manager app.
 
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spons said:
Seriously, who the hell wants Copilot in Windows? I can't believe they're investing tens of billions into something that people are either going to ignore or just completely wipe from the OS. What, in a nutshell, is the fucking point of all of this.
Click to expand...

AI is the only thing these tech companies care about now. They all have dreams of firing 80% of their staff once AI is "good enough"
 
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