Best way to install Windows 10 without the bloat

OZONE · 12 Aug 2020 at 00:07

Any recommendations for this?

Django x2 · 12 Aug 2020 at 14:29

Yes, several threads exist on this, one I even included a PowerShell script for to remove it from the WIM.

Ignore anyone who says you can remove it all from a live image. They're wrong. Whilst it does work, the next time Windows see's the app missing (usually a feature update) it puts it straight back in. The apps need to be removed from an offline image via PowerShell or DISM and then turned into a bootable iso.

Removing Windows 10 bloat with powershell ?

darael · 13 Aug 2020 at 00:15

Google MSMG ToolKit. I can't provide a link, as OcUK frown upon the forum. That'll do everything you want and then some.

OZONE · 13 Aug 2020 at 09:05

darael said:
Google MSMG ToolKit. I can't provide a link, as OcUK frown upon the forum. That'll do everything you want and then some.

Perfect, thanks.

Django x2 · 13 Aug 2020 at 09:25

darael said:
Google MSMG ToolKit. I can't provide a link, as OcUK frown upon the forum. That'll do everything you want and then some.

Doesn't remove bloatware, only hides it, therefore, pointless.

darael · 13 Aug 2020 at 10:01

Django x2 said:
Doesn't remove bloatware, only hides it, therefore, pointless.

So how come the size of my original ISO image is reduced after building my new customised ISO? Surely if it was hidden, the file size would barely change, if at all. I'm not talking about a reduction of a few MB either, as I see a reduction of over 1 GB and that's with the updates integrated.

Django x2 · 13 Aug 2020 at 15:58

darael said:
So how come the size of my original ISO image is reduced after building my new customised ISO? Surely if it was hidden, the file size would barely change, if at all. I'm not talking about a reduction of a few MB either, as I see a reduction of over 1 GB and that's with the updates integrated.

You know how compressed files and installers work in Windows right? A 100Mb installer could well be a 500Mb application once installed. It's the same here, you've removed the full fat application, but the installer and it's capability to be installed remains, hell, the site you refer to even states that.

The ONLY way to permanently remove the application, it's installer stub, and ensure it never comes back, or be sideloaded by a feature update is to remove it from an offline WIM. The key difference is this. One way removes the apps, but easily allows them to return, the other borks your start menu, but gives you 100% piece of mind (and visual confirmation) that the apps have gone for good.

darael · 13 Aug 2020 at 17:22

Django x2 said:
You know how compressed files and installers work in Windows right? A 100Mb installer could well be a 500Mb application once installed. It's the same here, you've removed the full fat application, but the installer and it's capability to be installed remains, hell, the site you refer to even states that.

The ONLY way to permanently remove the application, it's installer stub, and ensure it never comes back, or be sideloaded by a feature update is to remove it from an offline WIM. The key difference is this. One way removes the apps, but easily allows them to return, the other borks your start menu, but gives you 100% piece of mind (and visual confirmation) that the apps have gone for good.

Whereabouts is that mentioned, I don't see it so am probably looking in the wrong place. Just quoting the text will perhaps enable to find it myself. But I do remove the apps from an offline image.

However, I am aware that my conversion from WIM to ESD has reduced the filesize, I take that onboard completely, but I am certain that my removal of apps further contributes to the reduction - otherwise the ESD file would be bigger. For example, I converted an untouched and unmodified WIM image to ESD, which reduced the original ISO size from 3.03 GB to 2.54 GB - that's compression for you. But my customised image is 2.24 GB. So if the components haven't been removed, what has happened to them?

How would you check the applications and installer stubs have gone? I used the Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Select Name, PackageFullName in PowerShell to list applications - first in an untouched ISO, then my own customised image.

Name PackageFullName
---- ---------------
1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89 1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515 c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
E2A4F912-2574-4A75-9BB0-0D023378592B E2A4F912-2574-4A75-9BB0-0D023378592B_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AccountsControl Microsoft.AccountsControl_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AsyncTextService Microsoft.AsyncTextService_10.0.19041.1_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.BioEnrollment Microsoft.BioEnrollment_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.CredDialogHost Microsoft.CredDialogHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.ECApp Microsoft.ECApp_10.0.19041.1_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.LockApp Microsoft.LockApp_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdgeDevToolsClient Microsoft.MicrosoftEdgeDevToolsClient_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_44.19041.1.0_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Win32WebViewHost Microsoft.Win32WebViewHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.Apprep.ChxApp Microsoft.Windows.Apprep.ChxApp_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CallingShellApp Microsoft.Windows.CallingShellApp_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CapturePicker Microsoft.Windows.CapturePicker_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.NarratorQuickStart Microsoft.Windows.NarratorQuickStart_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePortal Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePortal_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ParentalControls Microsoft.Windows.ParentalControls_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.PeopleExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.PeopleExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.PinningConfirmationDialog Microsoft.Windows.PinningConfirmationDialog_1000.19041.1.0_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.Search Microsoft.Windows.Search_1.14.0.19041_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI_10.0.19041.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.SecureAssessmentBrowser Microsoft.Windows.SecureAssessmentBrowser_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.XGpuEjectDialog Microsoft.Windows.XGpuEjectDialog_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_120.2202.130.0_x86__cw5n1h2txyewy
MicrosoftWindows.UndockedDevKit MicrosoftWindows.UndockedDevKit_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
NcsiUwpApp NcsiUwpApp_1000.19041.1.0_neutral_neutral_8wekyb3d8bbwe
Windows.CBSPreview Windows.CBSPreview_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
windows.immersivecontrolpanel windows.immersivecontrolpanel_10.0.2.1000_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Windows.PrintDialog Windows.PrintDialog_6.2.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_1.1911.21713.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement_10.0.18101.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.0 Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.0_2.1810.18004.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7 Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7 Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.27323.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.27629.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2 Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.27328.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2 Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.27405.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Advertising.Xaml Microsoft.Advertising.Xaml_10.1808.3.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.BingWeather Microsoft.BingWeather_4.25.20211.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_1.0.30251.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.GetHelp Microsoft.GetHelp_10.1706.13331.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Getstarted Microsoft.Getstarted_8.2.22942.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.HEIFImageExtension Microsoft.HEIFImageExtension_1.0.22742.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Microsoft3DViewer Microsoft.Microsoft3DViewer_6.1908.2042.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub_18.1903.1152.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.4.8204.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_3.6.73.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.MSPaint Microsoft.MSPaint_6.1907.29027.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Office.OneNote Microsoft.Office.OneNote_16001.12026.20112.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.People Microsoft.People_10.1902.633.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.ScreenSketch Microsoft.ScreenSketch_10.1907.2471.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.SkypeApp Microsoft.SkypeApp_14.53.77.0_x86__kzf8qxf38zg5c
Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp_11811.1001.18.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.VP9VideoExtensions Microsoft.VP9VideoExtensions_1.0.22681.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Wallet Microsoft.Wallet_2.4.18324.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions_1.0.20875.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WebpImageExtension Microsoft.WebpImageExtension_1.0.22753.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Windows.Photos Microsoft.Windows.Photos_2019.19071.12548.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsAlarms Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_10.1906.2182.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsCalculator Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.1906.55.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsCamera Microsoft.WindowsCamera_2018.826.98.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16005.11629.20316.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_1.1907.3152.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsMaps Microsoft.WindowsMaps_5.1906.1972.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_10.1906.1972.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsStore Microsoft.WindowsStore_11910.1002.5.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI_1.23.28002.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.XboxApp Microsoft.XboxApp_48.49.31001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay_1.46.11001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_2.34.28001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_12.50.6001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay_1.17.29001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.YourPhone Microsoft.YourPhone_0.19051.7.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.ZuneMusic Microsoft.ZuneMusic_10.19071.19011.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.ZuneVideo Microsoft.ZuneVideo_10.19071.19011.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

Name PackageFullName
---- ---------------
1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89 1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515 c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
E2A4F912-2574-4A75-9BB0-0D023378592B E2A4F912-2574-4A75-9BB0-0D023378592B_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AccountsControl Microsoft.AccountsControl_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AsyncTextService Microsoft.AsyncTextService_10.0.19041.423_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.BioEnrollment Microsoft.BioEnrollment_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.CredDialogHost Microsoft.CredDialogHost_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.ECApp Microsoft.ECApp_10.0.19041.423_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.LockApp Microsoft.LockApp_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdgeDevToolsClient Microsoft.MicrosoftEdgeDevToolsClient_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_44.19041.423.0_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Win32WebViewHost Microsoft.Win32WebViewHost_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.Apprep.ChxApp Microsoft.Windows.Apprep.ChxApp_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CallingShellApp Microsoft.Windows.CallingShellApp_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CapturePicker Microsoft.Windows.CapturePicker_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.NarratorQuickStart Microsoft.Windows.NarratorQuickStart_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePortal Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePortal_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ParentalControls Microsoft.Windows.ParentalControls_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.PinningConfirmationDialog Microsoft.Windows.PinningConfirmationDialog_1000.19041.423.0_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.Search Microsoft.Windows.Search_1.14.0.19041_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI_10.0.19041.423_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.XGpuEjectDialog Microsoft.Windows.XGpuEjectDialog_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_120.2212.31.0_x86__cw5n1h2txyewy
MicrosoftWindows.UndockedDevKit MicrosoftWindows.UndockedDevKit_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
NcsiUwpApp NcsiUwpApp_1000.19041.423.0_neutral_neutral_8wekyb3d8bbwe
Windows.CBSPreview Windows.CBSPreview_10.0.19041.423_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
windows.immersivecontrolpanel windows.immersivecontrolpanel_10.0.2.1000_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Windows.PrintDialog Windows.PrintDialog_6.2.1.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.27323.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7 Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2 Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.27405.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7 Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2 Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.27328.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement_10.0.18101.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp_11811.1001.18.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.0 Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.0_2.1810.18004.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.27629.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Microsoft.WindowsStore Microsoft.WindowsStore_11910.1002.5.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

In my eyes, this tells me that the applications no longer exist on that installation of Windows. Perhaps they will return when a new version of Windows is released (ie: 20H2). I might try on my own 1909 image tonight, by upgrading to 2004 on another SSD.

Django x2 · 13 Aug 2020 at 19:28

Do you still have a Windows Apps folder at %localappdata%\Microsoft\WindowsApps folder? If so, what's in there?

Essentially your reduced file size is due to the way UWP apps work and Microsoft's unbelievable exploitable approach, using SquirelTemp to install them. On a online image, the app executable remains, which means, at any time (and they do) MS can replace, update, re-install those built in apps, if required or not. One case in point is, the XBOXTcui app is required for feature updates. If it's removed from an offline WIM, Windows won't update beyond 1809. If it's removed from an online image, WU will simply reinstall the file from the stub installer and may pull the relevant files from the internet if needed, hence your reduced WIM file size.

Removing them will of course show them removed from a PS command, but believe me, they are very much still there unless removed from an offline image.

darael · 13 Aug 2020 at 22:54

Django x2 said:
Do you still have a Windows Apps folder at %localappdata%\Microsoft\WindowsApps folder? If so, what's in there?

Essentially your reduced file size is due to the way UWP apps work and Microsoft's unbelievable exploitable approach, using SquirelTemp to install them. On a online image, the app executable remains, which means, at any time (and they do) MS can replace, update, re-install those built in apps, if required or not. One case in point is, the XBOXTcui app is required for feature updates. If it's removed from an offline WIM, Windows won't update beyond 1809. If it's removed from an online image, WU will simply reinstall the file from the stub installer and may pull the relevant files from the internet if needed, hence your reduced WIM file size.

Removing them will of course show them removed from a PS command, but believe me, they are very much still there unless removed from an offline image.

This is from a 2004 image with the latest Cumulative Update installed on virtual machine:

Out of curiosity, I also checked on my 1909 installation, which was originally 1903 before updating, and the folder has the same files there.

I haven't had the time tonight to test a 2004 on my live machine using a spare SSD, but I'll let you know the results once I have.

Nasher · 14 Aug 2020 at 10:11

Install the LTSB or LTSC version

That doesn't come with the bloatware. MS doesn't like home users installing it, because they want to spy on you. But **** Microsoft.

OZONE · 14 Aug 2020 at 12:49

Nasher said:
Install the LTSB or LTSC version

That doesn't come with the bloatware. MS doesn't like home users installing it, because they want to spy on you. But **** Microsoft.

Where do I get that from?

Django x2 · 14 Aug 2020 at 22:27

Nasher said:
Install the LTSB or LTSC version

That doesn't come with the bloatware. MS doesn't like home users installing it, because they want to spy on you. But **** Microsoft.

You keep going on about this, and it's woefully inaccurate. The "bloatware" is still in LTSC and you can disable "diagnostics" in all versions...

Django x2 · 14 Aug 2020 at 22:27

OZONE said:
Where do I get that from?

Ignore him, his tin foil is running out

hyperseven · 14 Aug 2020 at 22:49

grab a compact build from TeamOS.

Django x2 · 14 Aug 2020 at 23:16

hyperseven said:
grab a compact build from TeamOS.

and definitely don't do this. Lesson 1, the clean source principle. If you didn't create the WIM, you have no idea what's on it.

darael · 14 Aug 2020 at 23:42

Django x2 said:
and definitely don't do this. Lesson 1, the clean source principle. If you didn't create the WIM, you have no idea what's on it.

This a millions times over.

darael · 14 Aug 2020 at 23:43

Django x2 said:
and definitely don't do this. Lesson 1, the clean source principle. If you didn't create the WIM, you have no idea what's on it.

This a millions times over.

darael · 14 Aug 2020 at 23:43

Django x2 said:
and definitely don't do this. Lesson 1, the clean source principle. If you didn't create the WIM, you have no idea what's on it.

This a millions times over.

GIBURROWS · 16 Aug 2020 at 20:38

darael said:
This a millions times over.

This 4 million times over

haveaniceday · 16 Aug 2020 at 23:08

There is no straight answer to remove bloatware in windows 10.

Django x2 · 17 Aug 2020 at 13:50

haveaniceday said:
There is no straight answer to remove bloatware in windows 10.

Yes there is. Do it to an offline WIM and it's gone for good. It's been the same since v1511.