Live data from Hacker News

Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

github.com

121–130 of 196 posts

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#121
post #5

I don't remember which one I have used in the past, if it was this one or not. (I think it is but not 100% sure) But this really is not for someone who does not really understand Windows. I ended up having a ton of issues gaming on my computer after this and it took a few tries to get it right. Personally if you don't mind the less than legal options, I highly recommend Windows 10 LTS. I use it on my Steam Deck and i…

LTSC versions of Windows are literally missing major features and APIs, you should not be surprised if certain apps don't work on this version of Windows. It's designed for kiosk applications, not general purpose computers.

> LTSC versions of Windows are literally missing major features and APIs

That's the point. Nearly all of the new "features" they've added are either useless or actively user-hostile.

Don't just parrot their marketing/sales BS, obviously they don't want a majority of their normal users running a version of the OS they can't just shove any new crapware into whenever they feel like. That looks bad on the balance sheet.

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#122
post #63

I'd love to have a way to remove Edge. But it seems impossible.

Have you tried to do an internet search? There are simple step-by-step tutorials that tell you how to do it (and no 3rd party software is required).

Note: it can get reinstalled automatically after an update, but you can add a registry setting to prevent that.

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#123

I have a love and hate relationship with this type of tools. On one hand, I want to remove all that I don't need and keep my privacy on my computer; on the other I don't want to have to fiddle and google why the Windows update failed. Because, I stopped counting how many times one of those registry changes/app removal actually broke Windows update. In the end, I just run other software like StartAllBack that I can ea…

> times one of those registry changes/app removal actually broke Windows update.

If there is an option in Registry, it's clearly an acceptable use-case.

The truth is that Microsoft developers are lazy (like most devs) and just fail to test their updates properly - or even intentionally ship broken software, in order to force this or that option back to its (typically privacy-invasive) default.

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#124
post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Afaik is the only one that supports a vertical sidebar.

I wish there was one of these Start replacement programs that expanded the functionality instead of just giving back what Microsoft has taken from us. How about a Taskbar that auto-hides but only after a certain amount of time? How about a Taskbar that expands to show additional rows when you have a lot of windows open and hides itself when you don't?

It has some other features, I just don’t need them. I was perfectly happy with the Windows taskbar as it was, all that was missing was a sane position for it, as, unlike the MS devs, I do not have a portrait monitor (at least that’s the only¹ reason I can think of for forcing people to use a horizontal taskbar).

¹: Yes, that’s hyperbole.

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#125
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, exactly. A video player should be easily installed via the operating systems package manager.

Rando: "Gud, why's there no video player installed? How do I get to play my video player?" Gud: "Just use the operating system's package manager." Rando: "What's that? How do I find it?" Gud explains what it is and how to find it. Rando: "Wow, finally found it. What do I do next?" Gud: "You search for a video player. Try [...]." Rando: "I can't find it. This sucks. Why is there no video player installed by default? M…

I can't reply to Gud below, but their comment really shows they haven't worked with real users at all. A lot of people on hacker news assume everyone is in the demographic of hacker news for some odd reason.

It absolutely can take 2 hours to help someone with a task it would take you 2 minutes to do (with 1.5 of those minutes watching progress bars)

Some people are just dumb as rocks. Some, if you say to click a button labeled whatever, they will instead close the window. Some will just get up and walk away while you're talking to them. Some arn't dumb, but are just trying to stretch time to keep from having to go back to work. Some people won't tell you their laptop turned off because they're not plugged into power.

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#126
post #122
post #63

I'd love to have a way to remove Edge. But it seems impossible.

Have you tried to do an internet search? There are simple step-by-step tutorials that tell you how to do it (and no 3rd party software is required). Note: it can get reinstalled automatically after an update, but you can add a registry setting to prevent that.

Yes that's my issue, it always come back (like weekly). I was not aware I could add a registry entry. I'll try, thank you :=)

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#127
post #70

Some bad advice in there... Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force Should be: Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process Turning off that feature permanently is a bad idea.

You're trying to convince a bunch of people that think curl | sudo sh with random scripts off the internet is perfectly okay.

What better alternatives do you recommend?

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#128
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, what programs?

I know how this works: I give a list of programs, and someone comes and says "half of those run more or less well on wine, and then the other half have native alternatives that work more or less well".

Meh, I keep a Windows installation around for gaming myself, so I'm not hardcore about it. More and more of my work and personal stuff does move over to Linux every year though.

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#129
post #70

Some bad advice in there... Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force Should be: Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process Turning off that feature permanently is a bad idea.

You're trying to convince a bunch of people that think curl | sudo sh with random scripts off the internet is perfectly okay.

This is kind of the problem with Windows-y thinking, yes.

"Oh the security stuff is in the way, why does it need that, MSDOS doesn't have it, no-one needs it"

Re: Win11Debloat is a simple script that removes pre-installed windows bloatware

#130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been using default Gnome and PopOS's Gnome version as daily drivers for years , probably like 10 years or so. I also keep a Windows partition for gaming and use Windows at work. Can't say I've had any problems.

Well, one glaringly obvious problem is that you're using GNOME.

Mind elaborating, or just want to contribute empty snark? I know there's a bit of a meme about Gnome being terrible, but it works really well for my workflow, and plays nicely with my multi-monitor setup. It's also been super stable for me.

I like having the super key bound to a single quick animation that: 1. Let's me see all my windows in context 2. allows me to quickly access files and applications via the keyboard by typing their name

Like, it's barebones, but I can keep it very uncluttered. At first I was bothered by the lack of desktop icons, but came to really like it. It works super well for switching between local work and remote environments (via remmina). Over the years I've run Mate, Cinnamon, KDE, and Unity among others, and I really fail to understand the Gnome hate.

Post reply on HN