I've watched a YT vid about using Rufus 4.15 to install a Win 11 iso and remove all the bloatware, just get a clean, lean installation.

So I'm keen to go ahead and use this method, however I have a question: after setting up this nice clean bloat free installation what happens when I do future updates? Will Win updates put all the bloat back?

Use an offline updater like WSUS. You can weed out what you don’t want.

Install Windows 11 from Microsoft. Then, install Windows 11 debloater from github and run it. Chose what you want to keep, and what you don't want to keep. Eg. telemetry.

Yes, after monthly updates, you have to run the debloater again.

On 7/6/2026 at 6:12 PM, grain said:

I've watched a YT vid about using Rufus 4.15 to install a Win 11 iso and remove all the bloatware, just get a clean, lean installation.

So I'm keen to go ahead and use this method, however I have a question: after setting up this nice clean bloat free installation what happens when I do future updates? Will Win updates put all the bloat back?

Easy. You will not see bloatware ever again even after future updates.

1. Download Windows 11 disk image ISO. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

   and insert your USB

2. Install Rufus rufus-4.15_BETA2.exe

3. Here you will be asked as to what you want to keep and what to remove. In my case, I removed mostly all leaving the bottom 2 unchecked.

4. It is important that if you select the SILENT install, It will wipe you C drive and install a clean Windows 11 on that drive, therefore make sure that you have no other drives attached to your PC.

5. When rufus has completed, restart your pc and repeatedly tap on the appropriate f key (in my case f12 as I have a Dell laptop) to enter the BIOS menu and select the drive you just downloaded.

6. Wait for the installation to complete (might take a while depending on your internet speed).

7. Ensure you have a backup of all your files and apps as they will be deleted.

Edited July 8Jul 8 by anchadian

2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Install Windows 11 from Microsoft. Then, install Windows 11 debloater from github and run it. Chose what you want to keep, and what you don't want to keep. Eg. telemetry.

Yes, after monthly updates, you have to run the debloater again.

Not correct.

I tried it with Rufus but after installation I was missing drivers, couldn't even get online to search for drivers. Fortunately I had a system image backup so used that. All's well now.

3 hours ago, anchadian said:

Not correct.

Rubbish.

There are plenty of Windows debloaters out there. Here's another one.

https://winhance.net

Here's a youtube video of the above.

Have a look at Windows X-Lite. It's already debloated and works very well. I'm running Windows 11 25H2 ver 26200 8117 on a fairly old i3 machine.

Still use Windows 10 without problems.

28 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Still use Windows 10 without problems.

I debloat Windows 10 after every Windows update.

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I debloat Windows 10 after every Windows update.

I use Linux Mint. No bloat, no unwanted updates.

13 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I use Linux Mint. No bloat, no unwanted updates.

I was going to take a serious look at Linux, but then Microsoft announced the ESU for Windows 10. Now, it's been extended out to 2027. By then, Windows 12 will be released, and I'll probably upgrade my machine. No doubt Windows 12 will be full of bloat as well, so as the time nears, I might load Linus on an old media player laptop and have a play with it.

If Linux doesn't get updated, how does the operating system patch vulnerabilities?

49 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I was going to take a serious look at Linux, but then Microsoft announced the ESU for Windows 10. Now, it's been extended out to 2027. By then, Windows 12 will be released, and I'll probably upgrade my machine. No doubt Windows 12 will be full of bloat as well, so as the time nears, I might load Linus on an old media player laptop and have a play with it.

If Linux doesn't get updated, how does the operating system patch vulnerabilities?

You tell Linux to update as and when you need/want to. This applies to all your software and apps too.

29 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

You tell Linux to update as and when you need/want to. This applies to all your software and apps too.

Thanks.

I might make it a self education project and learn a new OS language.

I'm on a Mac at the moment but I have used this on Windows in the past.

More of a privacy tool I suppose but it's completely free. Somebody might find it useful.

O&O ShutUp10 The antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Thanks.

I might make it a self education project and learn a new OS language.

One week and you will know everything. Pleanty of help online or via AI. Linux Mint is the closest to W11.

23 hours ago, Bannoi said:

I'm on a Mac at the moment but I have used this on Windows in the past.

More of a privacy tool I suppose but it's completely free. Somebody might find it useful.

O&O ShutUp10 The antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

A good option but I came across this about 6 months ago and added it on top of other stuff. Very comprehensive - (also for 11 I believe)

https://www.w10privacy.de/english-home

On 7/10/2026 at 9:27 AM, Srikcir said:

Still use Windows 10 without problems.

If anybody else wants to use Win 10 with only security updates until 2032 then have a read here - specifically Windows 10 IOT LTSC -

https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

Background here - https://www.theregister.com/software/2025/04/22/windows-10-ltsc-the-version-that-wont-expire-for-years/1250901

I went from Win 10 Pro 22H2 down to this. It kept all currently loaded software and data when I switched over. And a bonus is you do not get any extra Microsoft cruft on every monthly update.

Nobody should be using that Bill Gates devilry.

Do yourself a favor, get a MacBook Pro.

On 7/11/2026 at 4:09 AM, topt said:

If anybody else wants to use Win 10 with only security updates until 2032 then have a read here - specifically Windows 10 IOT LTSC -

https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

Background here - https://www.theregister.com/software/2025/04/22/windows-10-ltsc-the-version-that-wont-expire-for-years/1250901

I went from Win 10 Pro 22H2 down to this. It kept all currently loaded software and data when I switched over. And a bonus is you do not get any extra Microsoft cruft on every monthly update.

What about the license / key?

Also, I heard the version stays the same, while other programs / apps evolve, so they might not work on that OS in the future.

Edited July 12Jul 12 by KhunHeineken

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

What about the license / key?

Like @totp says Github activation script.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

What about the license / key?

Not needed using MAS.

On 7/10/2026 at 9:57 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I debloat Windows 10 after every Windows update.

I don't of course get any Windows 10 updates, just pop up notices to install Windows 11.

Perhaps one reason for lack of Windows updates is that I never "Activate Windows" that continues to popup on my desktop screen.

The correct solution is throw away the Windoze machine and buy a Chromebook.

Runs Linux smooth as silk no AI bloat ware no update headaches every update is a simple restart.

You're welcome. 👍

52 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

The correct solution is throw away the Windoze machine and buy a Chromebook.

Runs Linux smooth as silk no AI bloat ware no update headaches every update is a simple restart.

You're welcome. 👍

Would you care to recommend a cheap Chromebook that would be a good machine to install Mint on so I could play around with it?

9 minutes ago, grain said:

Would you care to recommend a cheap Chromebook that would be a good machine to install Mint on so I could play around with it?

Lenovo or whatever. They're all pretty good depends on which USB type ports you need. Mine only has C so adapters are needed for the B interfaces.

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

I don't of course get any Windows 10 updates, just pop up notices to install Windows 11.

Perhaps one reason for lack of Windows updates is that I never "Activate Windows" that continues to popup on my desktop screen.

That leaves your device open to for hackers wishing to exploit an OS vulnerability.