Ars Technica
How to declutter, quiet down, and take the AI out of Windows 11 25H2
A new major Windows 11 release means a new guide for cleaning up the OS.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/what-i-do-to-clean-up-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-23h2-and-edge/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Nov 5 at 4:44pmArsBot 🤖
Show threadFreevoltNov 5
@arstechnica Just stop using Windows already.
Show threadAndy 🌎Nov 5
@arstechnica Queue all the useless "Just use Linux" responses...
Show threadKevin Boyd (he/him) 🇨🇦Nov 5

@asmaloney @arstechnica Cue all the useless "Queue all the useless 'Just use Linux' responses..."

I use macOS. Apple isn't much better than Microsoft, but it IS better.

2009 was my last year as a Win user. I've been ignoring it for a LONG time. I think more people - regular people - need to play with their devices. And that includes trying out new OSes.

If they continue to gaze into Windows, Microsoft will ever-increasingly exploit them.

So. Don't "Just use Linux" - but do "Maybe try Linux".

Show threadAndy 🌎Nov 5

@kboyd @arstechnica The point is the vast majority of users are at least aware of Linux. Not everyone has a choice about what OS they use, so a post like this can be useful for them.

These "just use Linux" comments for *every single post* related to Windows just don't add anything useful to the world. They're almost as bad as Rust evangelists. 🙃

(FWIW I'm a macOS user (since 1985) who occasionally has to use Windows. I was also a "compile my own kernel" Linux user in the late 90s/early 2000s.)

Show threadzetabetaNov 5

@asmaloney @arstechnica
your response might have been good in the older days, maybe windows 7 or something.

website offers some solution to microsoft current enshittification, which probably work for some weeks. then microsoft introduces new enshittifications, and users need to re-adapt for those.

i already got sick of this cat and mouse game of never ending enshittification. so, long term solution is dropping enhittified operating systems.

apple is also enshittifying macos.

Show threadLard MotelNov 5
@asmaloney @arstechnica
I tried Linux a few times. Its best feature was uninstall.
Show threadErik JohnsonNov 5

@arstechnica Some folks in the Ars comments also mention this script for people more comfy with command line/powershell:

https://github.com/ntdevlabs/tiny11builder

GitHub - ntdevlabs/tiny11builder: Scripts to build a trimmed-down Windows 11 image.

Scripts to build a trimmed-down Windows 11 image. Contribute to ntdevlabs/tiny11builder development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHub
Show threadkgndiueNov 5
@arstechnica meanwhile i use my time learning and setting nore and more advanced linux systems happily not having to bother with fighting my own oss spyware. Also i have a working (start) menu and htop doesnt suddenly quadruple.
Show threadGuillotine Jones, FlâneurNov 5
@arstechnica
Tagging for:
@Rejected_cryptid
@rejected_cryptid
Show threadDrYakNov 5
@arstechnica step 1: install Linux
Show threadzetabetaNov 5
@dryak @arstechnica
step 2: keep linux.
Show threadDrYakNov 5

@zetabeta step 3: there's no step 3.

(parody of an old iMac ad)

Show threadjudgyweevilNov 5
@arstechnica A new deshitting guide for every Windows release is a bit exhausting, isn't it
Show threadBillNov 5

@judgyweevil @arstechnica

Whack-a-mole

Show threadjudgyweevilNov 5
@w_b @arstechnica more like Smash-a-window
Show threadFrank HeijkampNov 5
@arstechnica Does M$ allow end users to switch off all of that useless ai functionality?
Show threadDanielle PondNov 5
@arstechnica step 1 - install linux
Show threadSam CranfordNov 5
@arstechnica The easiest way to clean it is to clean install Linux in its place!
Show threadgunstickNov 5
@arstechnica yes, did that by installing linux. It's awesome.
Show threadWayne the Science GuyNov 5
@arstechnica The best way I know to declutter Windows 11 or any other version of Windows is switch to Linux.
Show threadHonorNov 5

@arstechnica personally, I think anybody willing to keep & use W11 after seeing copilot/recall, TPM... Are insane.

Imagine buying a car & then finding hidden cameras INSIDE it!? I'm a tech n00b, but partitioned my 1TB SSD 80gb W10/the rest Linux Cinnamon. Wished I had done it 7 years ago on this laptop. Never going back to windows.

Show threadSpongeFeb 10
To be fair, Linux CAN USE TPM2.0 as well, and it's not a bad idea. If you create a very long randomly generated LUKS passphrase, and then enable TPM2.0 unlocking with a PIN it can be much more secure if your device ever gets stolen than a basic "hunter42" style password.
Show threadHonorFeb 10
@schtick2940 @arstechnica I bought a new dell i7 laptop. Replaced W11 with Linux Mint straight away.
I may end up keeping it offline.
Using old dell i5 laptop with LMCE to grab content to watch offline.
Show threadkitteh Feb 10

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/what-i-do-to-clean-up-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-23h2-and-edge/
Now without tracking! 


#srsly-why-tho
How to declutter, quiet down, and take the AI out of Windows 11 25H2

A new major Windows 11 release means a new guide for cleaning up the OS.

Ars Technica