I'm a Windows 10 users and have just acquired a new (used) Dell AIO PC. Not for gaming or a super DAW, it's a glorified office PC but I want to use it to test VST plugins etc.
Offline or online not sure yet as I have an older laptop for basic tasks.

I want to de-bloat Win11 Pro.
MajorGeeks & YouTube are usually my go-to resources for utilities and tutorials... Winhance looks to be a highlight.

So I'm reaching out here for advice & suggestions on where to start.
Thanks for replies.

 

Go get WINAERO. It's free & extremely valuable!!!

 

What you need is to use rufus 4.15 and an 8-16 gb USB 3 drive, your Windows 10 or 11 ISO, use the new silent instal option after it is completed you will be very surprised by the end result. check out rufus 4.15 on youtube, watch the latest one by date. All the useless crap automatically removed leaving you with a fast, efficient, bloatware free PC. This will meet and surpass all your requirements.

 

O&O ShutUp10++:Free antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
In reality, Windows 11 works perfectly and without problems once you have configured it correctly.

Spoiler: Then optimize your computer for music production:

Then optimize your computer for music production:
0.) Don't let audio glitches ruin your performances! www.cantabilesoftware.com/glitchfree/

1.) The Ultimate Guide to Optimize your Windows PC for the Stage
https://gigperformer.com/docs/ultimate-guide-to-optimize-windows-for-stage/index.html

2.) LatencyMon 7.20
The LatencyMon software analyzes and identifies which device, which driver or which service is causing audio dropouts or malfunctions. Real-time audio suitability checker for Windows 10/8.1/8/7/2016/2012/2008 (x86 and x64)
Scroll Down to: System Monitoring Tools www.resplendence.com/downloads

3.) Windows Tuning Tips for Audio Processing
https://support.native-instruments....1729-Windows-Tuning-Tips-for-Audio-Processing

4.) PreSonus - Optimizing Your Computer for Audio - Windows 11
https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-...Optimizing-Your-Computer-for-Audio-Windows-11

5.) Ableton - Optimizing Windows for Audio
https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/209071469-Optimizing-Windows-for-Audio

6.) FL Studio - Optimizing FL Studio performance
www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/fl-studio-online-manual/html/app_opt.htm

7.) Windows: How to set up and optimize a Digital Audio Workstation
https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/...t-up-and-optimize-a-Digital-Audio-Workstation

8.) Focusrite - Optimising your PC for Audio on Windows 11
https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/207355205-Optimising-your-PC-for-Audio-on-Windows-10

 

debloat what? network I/O? then use NetLimiter
if you want debloat lackluster performance, then you might as well just get a better PC,
speaking of glorified office PCs, they're surprisingly capable if you spend few minutes cleaning things up (maybe repasting cpu cooler if it's really old), then few minutes in BIOS and few more minutes in Windows power settings to make sure performance is consisent and not bursting unreliably,

if you debloat by carving out windows components, you inevitably end up with broken system after few updates (which you can't really avoid unless you absolutely don't want latest plugins, daws and hardware), so that's something you gotta clarify in advance

 

i used revios to debloat my win 11 pro laptop still happy with my desision a year on it lets you choose which bloat you do or don't want and has a thing where you can choose to update windows or not and seems to automatically maintain your debloatedness after updates i would use it again myself on another pc if i got one i dont know if its the most comprehensive de bloat as it works best if you keep the revios software on for win updates and maintainance (you can just remove if you prefer) but it just worked for me and made the whole process really easy https://www.revi.cc/

 

Last edited: Jul 4, 2026 at 6:16 PM

i was on windows x-lite for years. before half a year i got new pc and decided to switch to windows 11 ltsc iot. its official ms build without (most) bloat.

i installed own firewall (in my case it was simplewall - i want to be in control, block everything than allow only selected programs); startallback; updated windows and disabled windows updates; installed all my shit and disabled antivirus - using already mentioned winaerotweaker; disabled network; pull out network cable :D also disabled memory protection (windows security -> device security -> core isolation -> core isolation details -> memory integrity -> toggle off)

also disable telemetry (oo shutup), because this fucker can eat cpu even if you are offline.

edit: i also some guide for audio pc optimization + latencymon as PulseWave mentioned in his post

nice tool also is process lasso from bitsum (i use its max performance overlay power profile)

 

Last edited: Jul 4, 2026 at 6:38 PM