34 votes

What are your Windows 10 post-install and crap removal procedures and recommendations?

Posted by lou (edited )
Tags: microsoft, ask.advice, windows.10, trusted platform module
  • I have an AMD processor that is not supported by Windows 11.
    • I don't wanna deal with the consequences of workarounds.
  • I have an old NVIDIA graphics card that was never even close to being a flagship. It is essentially unsupported on Linux (I’ve tested it).
  • I intend to keep running Windows 10 for as long as possible, using either official or unofficial means.
  • My current Windows installation is becoming unmanageable, as Windows often does.
  • I am a competent Linux user, and I run Linux on my laptop.
    • I have WSL2 on Windows 10 and it is great. Especially because I am a heavy Emacs user. I cannot live in an OS that does not allow me the full power of Emacs over a Linux base. This greatly reduces the need for bare-metal Linux.
    • One reason to keep running Windows (at least in a dual-boot setup) is that WoW runs at around 30 FPS on Linux for me. Other games have different issues.
      • I often run games from shady origins that are not obtained from Steam and tools such as Lutris and Bottles are just not there yet in terms of ease of use. I don't enjoy doing a lot of work just to play a game.
    • I understand that there are ways around almost any issue on Linux; I just don’t have the energy right now.

Any suggestions for post-installation cleanup and removing crap from Windows 10?

Thanks!

13 comments

  1. [9]
    JIGABOT
    Link
    I personally like the IoT Enterprise LTSC versions of Windows. Without the Microsoft Store junk there is a lot less that needs to be cleaned up post install. The Windows 10 version is supported...

    I personally like the IoT Enterprise LTSC versions of Windows. Without the Microsoft Store junk there is a lot less that needs to be cleaned up post install. The Windows 10 version is supported till 2032.

    If you need Microsoft Store you open powershell as admin and run wsreset -i

    If you need Xbox + Gamebar stuff you run the Gaming Repair Tool
    found here

    17 votes
    1. [6]
      lou
      Link Parent
      Thanks! I considered that. Isn't that version something Microsoft only dispenses to business though? Also, I do have two dictionary apps that I purchased on the Microsoft Store. Won't I be locked...

      Thanks! I considered that. Isn't that version something Microsoft only dispenses to business though?

      Also, I do have two dictionary apps that I purchased on the Microsoft Store. Won't I be locked out of those? What about the Xbox app?

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        fxgn
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links Also see here for how to get official Win10 updates without LTSC: https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

        Isn't that version something Microsoft only dispenses to business though?

        https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links

        Also see here for how to get official Win10 updates without LTSC:

        https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

        12 votes
        1. [3]
          lou
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          Google Search AI listed some disadvantages of Windows 10 LTSC. Do you think that make sense? There is also an IOT version some people are using.

          Google Search AI listed some disadvantages of Windows 10 LTSC. Do you think that make sense?

          Disadvantages (Cons)

          • Missing Features: Lacks new features, drivers, and enhancements found in standard Windows 10/11, potentially impacting modern hardware support (like new Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).

          • No In-Place Upgrades: Upgrading to a newer LTSC version or switching back requires a full, clean reinstall and often a new license.

          • Software Compatibility: Some modern apps (especially those relying on the Store or newer APIs) might not work or need manual installation/tweaking.

          • Gaming Limitations: May lack optimizations or DirectX support for newer games, potentially leading to lower performance or compatibility issues.

          There is also an IOT version some people are using.

          1. [2]
            fxgn
            Link Parent
            The MassGrave page I linked talks in detail about LTSC limitations. I don't think those points are true (unless the search AI linked a proper source, in which case you should link that instead of...

            The MassGrave page I linked talks in detail about LTSC limitations. I don't think those points are true (unless the search AI linked a proper source, in which case you should link that instead of just referring to what the AI said)

            The in-place upgrade one is definitely false:

            https://massgrave.dev/update-windows-iso

            The "new features" one isn't really relevant because Windows 10 is EoL so it's not getting new features either way, only maintenance, which LTSC receives

            Software compatibility could be an issue, but that depends on the app itself just dropping support for Win10

            3 votes
            1. lou
              Link Parent
              Yeah, I don't have the source anymore, and I don't remember the search terms. But I most certainly believe more in your comment than in an AI summary. Thanks! ;)

              Yeah, I don't have the source anymore, and I don't remember the search terms. But I most certainly believe more in your comment than in an AI summary. Thanks! ;)

      2. JIGABOT
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        I know off hand that you can get a legitimate license from CDW but they aren't cheap. I'm sure there are other vendors you could get a single license from. There are also alternative methods for...

        I know off hand that you can get a legitimate license from CDW but they aren't cheap. I'm sure there are other vendors you could get a single license from. There are also alternative methods for activation.

        Once you run the wsreset -i command to install the Microsoft Store there should be no issue running any purchased UWP apps.

        The game repair tool installs all the xbox and gamebar apps/services missing from the ltsc version.

        If you don't run the game repair tool you might get a popup when launching games saying an app is missing for ms-gamingoverlay link. The popup is annoying but harmless, triggered probably by residual gamebar stuff in ltsc. Installing all the xbox stuff is the easiest way to get rid of it without doing registry edits.

        2 votes
    2. [2]
      CrypticCuriosity629
      Link Parent
      Oh that actual seems really cool. I'm a fan of repurposing software like this for personal use. I dual boot Windows on my Linux daily driver I know I might have more questions, but these are the...

      Oh that actual seems really cool. I'm a fan of repurposing software like this for personal use. I dual boot Windows on my Linux daily driver

      I know I might have more questions, but these are the first off the top of my head:

      • Do IoT Enterprise LTSC versions of Windows lack Microsoft's tracking and data analytics?
      • Does the IoT Enterprise LTSC versions of Windows typically have a smaller footprint and/or less memory requirements?
      1 vote
      1. JIGABOT
        Link Parent
        Its mostly just a fresh windows install without any apps and websearch disabled by default. The only start menu items are normal system utilities and Microsoft Edge(which you can uninstall). It...

        Its mostly just a fresh windows install without any apps and websearch disabled by default. The only start menu items are normal system utilities and Microsoft Edge(which you can uninstall). It feels nice not having Office, Onedrive, Bing, Copilot, Outlook and Xbox being shoved in your face. You can get a regular windows install to a similar state but it's generally tedious or requires 3rd party utilities/scripts.

        All the usual telemetry is still there but can be disabled per usual.

        It might use a tiny bit less memory but the difference isn't enough to matter most of the time. Space wise W10 IoT Enterprise LTSC uses maybe 5-10GB less compared to a regular install.

        2 votes
  2. [2]
    xk3
    (edited )
    Link
    Here's my setup script: https://github.com/chapmanjacobd/computer/tree/main/.github/Windows/#setup #1 tip: use scoop as much as possible. There's also choco, ninite, WinGet... which are pretty...

    Here's my setup script: https://github.com/chapmanjacobd/computer/tree/main/.github/Windows/#setup

    #1 tip: use scoop as much as possible. There's also choco, ninite, WinGet... which are pretty good but scoop is simpler and therefore more robust. Scoop is popular because it doesn't require admin rights so it works even on most locked-down corporate machines. Setup a weekly tasksched.msc task to run scoop.cmd update --all

    I tried out a lot of terminals on Windows and liked WezTerm the most but vtm and Windows Terminal are also decent. Also nushell is an excellent alternative to cmd.exe and even PowerShell (unless you are already very comfortable with writing PowerShell scripts--then keep using PS!)

    (I love GNU/Linux userspace but I'm very sensitive to the latency in WSL and would rather use nushell than run WSL when running Windows. But, disclaimer, I've only used Windows for two months these past five years--usually I'm using Fedora Linux / Kitty terminal / fish shell)

    10 votes
    1. lou
      Link Parent
      I use Scoop. It's great. I even configured it to install everything on another partition to avoid filling C:. Those are good tips you have to make it even beter. Thanks! On Windows 10 I like...

      I use Scoop. It's great. I even configured it to install everything on another partition to avoid filling C:. Those are good tips you have to make it even beter. Thanks!

      On Windows 10 I like Windows Terminal when I am using the terminal for long and Alacritty for short bursts. I haven't figured out how to keep WSL2/Ubuntu running in the background at all times, so I often keep Windows Terminal running in Quake mode.

      I love GNU/Linux userspace but I'm very sensitive to the latency in WSL

      I haven't noticed any latency using non-gui Emacs and the cli. Maybe I am not that sensitive.

      unless you are already very comfortable with writing PowerShell scripts-

      I hate them and wish they were bash.

      3 votes
  3. ents
    Link
    install normal, use winhance to remove the trash i dont want. i have a folder that persists of all the apps i reinstall but should automate this to always grab the newer versions

    install normal, use winhance to remove the trash i dont want.

    i have a folder that persists of all the apps i reinstall but should automate this to always grab the newer versions

    2 votes
  4. tlhunter
    Link
    I've always used this: https://github.com/W4RH4WK/Debloat-Windows-10 It's a collection of powershell scripts to remove the junk.

    I've always used this:
    https://github.com/W4RH4WK/Debloat-Windows-10

    It's a collection of powershell scripts to remove the junk.

    1 vote