Optimized and debloated Windows 11 fresh install

• No more default app bloat
• Less processes running in the background of your system
• More CPU for your games and other heavy tasks

[Step 1] Creating and editing the autounattend xml file

Why autounattend?

• Create a local account
• Prevent device encryption (Windows 11 otherwise forces Bitlocker by default)
• Remove 55+ preinstalled default apps (You can still keep apps you use)
• Uninstall Edge (Supported by Microsoft since recent updates)

[Step 1.1] How to get the custom pre-configured base file

1. Click the autounattend.xml file in this GitHub repo
2. Click the 3 dots in the top right corner of the file page
3. Click Download or press CTRL+Shift+S to save it on your PC

[Step 1.2] Upload and edit the base file

1. Head over to the Windows Autounattend File Generator website
2. Select Choose File to upload the saved file
3. Click Import File next to it
4. Make changes as mentioned in the next step

[Step 1.3] Double check the following options and edit as needed

• Use CTRL+F on the site to search for and edit the following keywords

1. Windows display language: Base file default English
2. Keyboard language: Base file default German (Germany)
3. Keyboard layout: Base file default German
4. Home location and device setup region: Base file default Germany
5. Processor architectures: Base file default Intel / AMD 64-bit
6. Time zone: Base file default UTC+1 (Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, ...)
7. User accounts: Change account name Lucky to your own
8. Remove bloatware: Checkbox ticked means the Microsoft app won't be installed

[Step 1.4] Download and save the final autounattend xml file

1. Scroll to the very bottom of the website
2. Click the button Download .xml file
3. Save and don't change the file name

[Step 2] Creating a bootable USB drive

Requirements:

• A USB drive with at least 8GB of space - formatted in FAT32
• The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool
• Use the second download button Create Windows 11 Installation Media
• Do not attempt this with Ventoy or Rufus - it can end up in bluescreens during the installation

[Step 2.1] Finalizing the bootable USB drive

1. Run the MediaCreationTool.exe and go through all steps - select the formatted USB drive
2. Wait for the tool to finish and close it
3. Copy your autounattend.xml file into the root of the USB drive
   • It should now appear alongside files like bootmgr, bootmgr.efi, and setup.exe
   • like in this screenshot

[Step 2.2] Prepare core drivers

1. Prepare all necessary drivers (Second USB drive or external backup)
2. Download them only from your motherboard vendor's website
3. Unzip and install all of them - then reboot your PC
4. Audio - LAN - Chipset is recommended - rest is bloat

[Step 3] Installing Windows with the prepared USB

• Ensure your prepared bootable USB drive is connected to the PC
• Remove your Ethernet cable for the installation process to avoid telemetry and geolocation

[Step 3.1] Method 1: Command prompt or Powershell

1. Open either command prompt or Powershell as an admin
2. Paste shutdown /r /fw /t 0 and hit enter

[Step 3.2] Method 2: Manually

1. Shut down the PC and turn it back on
2. Hold the DEL key (or the respective key for your motherboard) to enter BIOS/UEFI
3. Set your USB drive to priority 1 in the boot order - save - exit

[Step 3.3] Installation

1. Most steps will be auto skipped with our autounattend file
2. For the disk partition step - make sure to delete all drives and partitions

[Step 4] Initial setup steps after the installation

• Here are the recommended steps to follow for the perfect Windows installation

[Step 4.2] Custom NVIDIA driver without bloat

• It is highly recommended to use NVCleanStall

1. NVCleanStall components: Component Settings
2. NVCleanStall tweaks: Tweaks Settings
3. NVIDIA control panel: Nvidia Control Panel

[Step 4.3] Privacy and DNS

• I recommend NextDNS to block ads and malware across all devices ($1,99/month)
• Free alternatives: Cloudflare DNS or AdGuard DNS
• In case you need a guide how to change your DNS check out this wiki guide

[Step 4.4] Activating the Windows license

• Search for "Activation Settings" and enter your product key (use Pro or Pro N)
• You can grab a cheap volume license OEM/Retail on eBay or g2g for less than $2

[Step 4.5] Noteworthy Windows options

• Enable "Hardware accelerated GPU scheduling" (Search for "Graphics settings")
• Turn off "Memory integrity" (Search for "Device security" > "Core isolation")
  • Memory integrity is roughly a 5% fps loss if enabled read more

[Step 5] Using the chris titus windows utility

• See Windows Utility - a popular GitHub Powershell project

[Step 5.1] Before you use it

1. Run all Windows updates (Search for "Check for updates") - MANDATORY
2. Reboot after completing all updates - MANDATORY
3. Open the Microsoft Store once to trigger/fix WinGet package manager (Can be closed immediately)

[Step 5.2] Using the windows utility

1. Search for "Powershell" and right-click run it as admin
2. Type the following and hit enter:
   irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iex
3. Head to the "Tweaks" tab and (optionally) copy my personal settings
4. Click "Run Tweaks" and wait for it to finish (check console output)
5. I also recommend adding the Ultimate Performance Profile in the "Tweaks" tab and enabling Security Settings in the "Updates" tab
6. It is also highly recommended to run the RemoveWindowsAI which is linked in step 6.1 below

[Step 6] Extra tools & Recommendations

• Here are a few apps and tools that I use, though they’re not recommended for everyone
• Make sure you understand their purpose and can make use of them

[Step 6.1] Executables (Portable - No Installation)

1. O&O ShutUp10++ – Privacy tool to disable spying/telemetry
2. RemoveWindowsAI – Remove the entire Copilot and other Microsoft AI features
3. Sysinternals Autoruns – Clean up what's loading on Windows startup
4. nvidiaProfileInspector – Customize your Nvidia GPU settings (Here's what I do: Example)

[Step 6.2] More apps (App installers)

1. Nilesoft Shell – Personalize and skin the right-click context menu
2. Vencord – Modifies Discord with plugins/themes (Technically against ToS)
3. Brave Browser – The best browser and adblocking engine (Based on Chrome)
4. PowerToys - Set of utilities for power users