How to Remove Bloatware from Windows 11 Using Tiny11: A Complete Guide

For many Windows users, the arrival of Windows 11 brought not just a modern interface and feature upgrades, but also an unwelcome load of preinstalled apps—commonly referred to as bloatware. These surplus programs, ranging from Microsoft Clipchamp to Maps and Feedback Hub, often remain untouched, cluttering the system and occupying precious resources. A growing chorus of users has long questioned their necessity, and in response, creative solutions have emerged. Among the most effective is Tiny11, an open-source tool that allows for a streamlined Windows 11 installation, free from all but the most essential components. For anyone considering a clean upgrade as official support for Windows 10 winds down, Tiny11 has rapidly become the utility of choice.

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Background: The Persistent Challenge of Bloatware​

Windows operating systems have, for years, come loaded with a curious mix of tools, games, and utilities. While Microsoft frames many preinstalled apps as conveniences, users often see them as unnecessary baggage. The precise definition of bloatware varies: what’s redundant for one person could be indispensable for another. For example, the Weather app may be critical for some but entirely superfluous to others.
Underlying Microsoft’s strategy are two primary motivations:

• Revenue Generation: Bundling apps like Microsoft Edge ensures users remain within Microsoft’s ecosystem, boosting engagement and, by extension, ad, subscription, or transaction revenue.
• Supposed User Convenience: Preloaded apps expedite the out-of-the-box experience, theoretically lessening the need for further downloads before basic computing tasks can begin.

However, this approach often backfires. Not only do these apps consume disk space, but they can also run background processes, slow boot times, and provide avenues for unwanted system notifications. The frustration is amplified as users find that removing some of these apps—especially core ones like Edge—can break other, dependent features, adding complexity to what should be a simple system clean-up.

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Deconstructing the Problem: Understanding Windows 11’s Bloatware​

When a fresh Windows 11 system boots for the first time, the Start menu likely contains dozens of preinstalled apps. Among them:

• Microsoft Edge
• Photos
• Maps
• Feedback Hub
• Solitaire Collection
• Clipchamp
• Weather
• Xbox Console Companion

While some of these are basic utilities, many serve niche purposes or duplicate the functionality of third-party apps users might prefer. The cumulative effect is a system bursting with items most users never intended to install.
It’s important to note that there is no universally agreed-upon list of bloatware; it remains a subjective judgment, but the presence of non-removable or hidden apps particularly irks advanced users who expect tighter control.

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Tiny11: Open-Source Solution for Bloatware-Free Windows 11​

Recognizing user frustration, the open-source community has stepped in with Tiny11—an ingenious tool designed to pare down Windows 11 to only its essential preinstalled components. Unlike manual removal methods or post-installation de-bloating scripts, Tiny11 targets the source: the Windows installation media.

What Tiny11 Does​

Tiny11 creates a debloated Windows 11 ISO that only includes core system applications, like:

• Calculator
• Paint
• Camera
• Notepad

Gone are Microsoft Edge, Solitaire, Weather, Maps, and various other default apps. Tiny11’s approach ensures that, from the first boot, the new system remains clean and lightweight, significantly reducing clutter and potential distractions.

Key Features​

• Elimination of Preinstalled Bloatware: Only the essentials make it into the installed OS.
• User Autonomy: Users start fresh, adding only the apps they truly want.
• Improved Performance: A lighter system consumes fewer resources and boots faster.

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Installation Process: Building a Clean Windows 11 ISO​

Setting up Windows 11 via Tiny11 is methodical but straightforward for those with some technical comfort. The process is as follows:

• Download Tiny11 from GitHub. This open-source utility is freely available, with regularly updated versions to maintain compatibility with each Windows 11 release.
• Extract the Files. Copy the downloaded Tiny11 folder to a convenient location (such as the C:\ drive).
• Obtain an Official Windows 11 ISO. Always download this from Microsoft’s own site to avoid tampered media.
• Configure PowerShell. Open PowerShell as an administrator and set the execution policy to ‘Unrestricted’ to permit the script to run:
  Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
  Confirm the setting with:
  Get-ExecutionPolicy
  You should now see Unrestricted as the output.
• Mount the Windows 11 ISO. Right-click, choose ‘Mount’, and note the new drive letter assigned to it.
• Run Tiny11. Navigate to the Tiny11Maker script, right-click, and choose ‘Run with PowerShell’. Supply the mounted drive letter when prompted, as well as the desired Windows edition (e.g., enter 1 for Windows 11 Home).
• Wait for the Process to Complete. Tiny11 works through the ISO, stripping away non-essential components. Upon completion, a new, debloated ISO is saved to the Tiny11 folder.

This new ISO can then be used with a flash drive creation tool such as Rufus to produce installation media for any compatible PC.

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Best Practices: Ensuring a Clean Install​

While Tiny11 does an exceptional job at curating a minimal install, users must take additional steps to avoid post-installation bloat:

• Disconnect the Internet During Setup: Windows Setup, left connected, may attempt to download additional apps or requirements for cloud-driven features.
• Choose 'I Don't Have Internet' When Prompted: This option bypasses online onboarding steps that might introduce further software.
• After Installation, Connect and Use Microsoft Store Selectively: While Edge won’t be installed, the Microsoft Store remains available. Users seeking browsers like Firefox or Opera can download them directly through the Store, maintaining system minimalism.

This methodology ensures the installed system remains as lean as possible from day one.

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Analyzing the Benefits: What Clean Installations Offer​

A Windows environment free from surplus components is not just an aesthetic preference—it delivers measurable advantages:

• Improved Boot Times and Responsiveness: With fewer background processes fighting for CPU time, systems start up and respond quicker.
• Greater Security: Fewer unused applications mean fewer potential attack vectors for malware or exploits.
• More Control: Users dictate precisely which apps enter their system, reducing unwanted notifications and updates.
• Maximized Storage: Particularly crucial on smaller drives (e.g., budget SSDs), a minimal install saves several gigabytes.

Perhaps most importantly, it puts power back into the hands of users, letting them reclaim the familiar Windows experience of earlier generations where only the basics were included.

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Evaluating Potential Risks and Limitations​

Yet, as with any unofficial or community-driven solution, Tiny11 is not without caveats:

Support and Compatibility​

• Lack of Official Microsoft Support: Using modified installation media falls outside Microsoft’s support umbrella. Troubleshooting, especially with future updates or system errors, could become more complex.
• Update Behavior: There’s a small but real risk that Windows Update may reintroduce some components or fail if it detects missing dependencies during major upgrades.
• App Dependencies: Some modern apps or features might expect default components to be present. For instance, uninstalling Microsoft Edge may cause certain system tools or web-based functions to break or behave unpredictably.

Security​

• Risks of Modified Media: Only download Tiny11 from its official GitHub repository, and always verify checksums. Third-party sites offering ‘de-bloated ISOs’ are notorious for injecting malware.
• Potential Gatekeeping: Enterprise environments may insist on official, unmodified Windows ISOs for imaging and compliance.

Maintenance​

• Manual Intervention Required: The process, though streamlined, still requires steps in the command line and reconfiguration for each fresh Windows 11 release. This may deter less technically inclined users.

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Microsoft's Direction: Is Native Debloating on the Horizon?​

Microsoft has acknowledged user complaints surrounding unnecessary preinstalled content, and hints about more customizable installations have appeared within Windows preview builds. However, as of now, there is no native method to deliver a truly bloatware-free install.
The continued popularity of tools like Tiny11 underscores the gap between user expectations and official offerings. Until Microsoft addresses these pain points directly, open-source projects will continue playing a pivotal role in tailoring Windows to user needs.

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Practical Real-World Outcomes​

In practice, users who have installed Windows 11 via Tiny11 report systems with as few as 14 preinstalled applications—stripped down to only what’s genuinely necessary for basic functionality. Even Microsoft Edge is omitted, resolving a long-standing point of annoyance for those with alternative browser preferences.
Despite the absence of Edge, users remain free to install browsers of their choice directly via the Microsoft Store, or by other means after connecting to the Internet. Customized installs via Tiny11 are well-suited for:

• Performance-conscious enthusiasts
• Small SSD or eMMC devices with limited storage
• Virtual machines and test environments
• Users seeking maximum privacy and minimal telemetry

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Critical Analysis: Is Tiny11 the Future of Windows Installations?​

Tiny11’s rapid adoption and glowing community feedback reflect a deep-seated desire for simplicity and user agency. Its technical approach—working at the ISO level rather than post-install scripting—delivers a cleaner, more consistent result than most known alternatives. The tool is especially timely as more users transition to Windows 11, particularly when the end of Windows 10 support pushes millions to upgrade.
Notably, Tiny11 isn’t for everyone. Those unfamiliar with PowerShell or cautious of command-line operations may feel uncomfortable. The lack of official support makes it less suitable for enterprise use or mission-critical deployments, where strict compliance and predictable maintenance cycles are non-negotiable.
Still, Tiny11 remains a potent reminder to Microsoft of user priorities: performance, efficiency, and control. Its success could very well push the company toward offering a genuinely minimal install option in the future, much as consumer demand prompted earlier changes such as downloadable N-editions or reduced Bing integration.

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Conclusion​

Tiny11 stands as a beacon for those craving a clean operating system experience. It directly addresses one of the most consistent user complaints around Windows 11—excessive preinstalled software—by putting control back in user hands. The process, while slightly technical, is accessible and thoroughly documented, providing a pathway for anyone dissatisfied with Microsoft’s default approach.
With the demand for minimal, privacy-respecting, and performance-optimized PCs on the rise, Tiny11’s philosophy resonates stronger than ever. Its continued relevance will likely hinge upon whether Microsoft itself steps up with configurable, lightweight installation options. Until then, for power users and enthusiasts alike, Tiny11 offers a compelling route to reclaim the streamlined Windows experience that so many still demand.

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Source: How-To Geek I Use This Free Tool to Install Windows 11 Without Any Bloatware