Windows 11

The latest release of the most popular desktop operating system, succeeding Windows 10 in Fall 2021. Has artificially high system requirements, though these can be bypassed pretty easily.

I don’t personally use Windows for much of my primary computing needs anymore, but I do always keep a “sacrificial Windows machine” around.

Useful Software

Package Manager

  • Winget — The new built-in package manager for Windows, I try to install software with this when possible

Debloating/Telemetry Removal

  • Tiny11 Builder — A script to build a slimmed down Windows 11 install ISO with a lot of unnecessary bits removed/disabled
  • Simplewall — A simple firewall that helps easily block a lot of telemetry calls from Windows

Containers/Dev Environments

  • Windows Subsystem for Linux — Run Linux environments under a Windows host, invaluable for attempting any development work on a Windows machine

Tips and Tricks

Removing Cortana

Cortana can be removed entirely with:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

Removing Widgets

The Widgets feature in Windows 11 can be disabled with:

winget uninstall "Windows web experience pack"

Disabling Security Notifications

I personally dislike the built in security notifications in Windows, as what Microsoft’s security recommendations are don’t always align with how I administer and secure my machines. They can be disabled using Group Policy at this path:

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Security/Notifications

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