When you install Windows, be it Windows 10 or 11, Microsoft bundles a number of apps with their operating system. These range from useful tools like Calculator, Paint and Edge Browser, to games and trial versions of software and app.
While some users may find these apps helpful, others may see them as unnecessary clutter. These pre-installed applications, commonly known as bloatware apps, can slow down your system and take up valuable storage space.
Now, wouldn’t it be great if you could clean install Windows 11 without bloatware, and with just the apps that are absolute necessary?
The good news is that there’s a way to install Windows 11 without these bloatware apps. Thanks to @ThioJoe for sharing this up on his Twitter. This method allows you to have a clean, uncluttered system right from the start. You won’t have to spend time or resources removing unwanted apps after installation.
In this guide, we will show you the process of installing Windows 11 without bloatware apps. This way, you can enjoy the best of what Windows has to offer, without the unnecessary clutter.
Easiest way to install Windows 11 without bloatware apps.
If you want to clean install Windows 11 without bloatware apps, you just have to select English (World) or English (Europe) as the Time & Currency format during the initial setup.
And after that you can follow the usual installation process and finish installing Windows on your computer. Once you’ve completed the setup, you’ll notice that your Windows 11 system is free from unnecessary pre-installed bloatware apps.
Remember, while this method removes most bloatware, it doesn’t remove all of it. Some built-in Microsoft apps like Edge Browser, Calculator, Calendar, Mail, etc., will still be present as they are considered essential for the functioning of the operating system. (Or let’s just say it’s Microsoft pushing their own apps.)
However, these apps take up minimal space and are generally useful, so they shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
The Problem with this approach!
When you choose English (World) or English (Europe) as the Time & Currency format during the initial setup, you might face some minor inconveniences during and after the installation.
For instance, you may get an error message saying OOBEREGION during installation, which you can skip by clicking on the Skip button. This error is due to the region settings and doesn’t affect the installation process.
You may also notice that some regional features and settings might not be available or properly configured. This could include things like date and time format, keyboard layout, or even some localized content.
Other than that, you won’t be able to use Microsoft store for installing apps as the store requires a specific region to function. But don’t worry, most of these settings can be manually adjusted later in the windows settings.
Simply, go to Windows Settings » Time & language » Language & region, and change Country or region to your preferred settings for missing features to work. Note that, you might need to perform a system restart before the changes take effect.
What’s the catch here?
Although there is no official explanation or clarification on why Microsoft bundles these apps within Windows installation. But logically, it seems like these apps or games pays Microsoft for their inclusion in their operating system. This could be one of the sources of revenue for Microsoft, and perhaps a reason why they are included by default.
But when you select English (World) or English (Europe) as the Time & Currency format during setup changes this because it seems to trigger a region-specific installation script. Which is likely designed for international and European markets, installs only Microsoft apps, due to their strict laws and regulations on data privacy and software bundling.
Also, it’s important to note that this method is not perfect, as it does not completely eliminate all bloatware, for that you can use tools like WinUtil. However, these apps are generally useful and do not take up much space, so they shouldn’t be a significant issue.
Conclusion – Install Windows 11 without bloatware apps!
While this method is not perfect and may not remove all bloatware, it can significantly reduce the number of unnecessary apps that come pre-installed with Windows 11. This can lead to a cleaner, more streamlined user experience. However, users should be aware of the potential downsides and make an informed decision based on their individual needs and preferences.
If you find that you do need an app that was not included in the clean install, you can always download it from the Microsoft Store.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. You can choose to install Windows 11 with all the bloatware apps, or you can choose to clean install and add only the apps you need. Either way, you will have a functioning Windows 11 system that is tailored to your needs. Additionally, you can install Microsoft PC Manager to further boost your Windows 11/10 Performance.
So, give this method a try the next time you install Windows 11 (or, Windows 10), and see the difference it makes. Happy computing!
