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 software to debloat my win 11 pro laptop still happy with my decision 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 or just disable them completely so no need to fear updates like everyone else in here, 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 maintenance (you can just remove if you prefer) but it just worked for me and made the whole process really easy https://www.revi.cc/, https://github.com/meetrevision

 

Last edited: Jul 8, 2026 at 12:18 AM

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

thumbs up for the LTSC version from my side as well. and I use WUB (windows update blocker) and I use that Defender uninstaller from github.
And there are some security things that really slow down, like memory protection and stuff like that, read this:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-core-isolation-memory-integrity-in-windows-11.4942/

//edit// and don't make yourself mad, a european magazine benched a windows with all the 'optimization setting' from the interwebz on and a second install straight out of the box.
The performace enhancement was practically not measurable. plus a lot of the tips that float around are for older versions.
So I would just install it, get some classic shell or startallback and just use it and change settings as you come by them.

 

Last edited: Jul 5, 2026 at 1:22 AM

Either get a optimized install iso (there are many to choose from) or install win11 LTSC. Both require additional reverse engineering after install, but will prove WAY less problematic in the long run. With LTSC the user has much more actual control over getting the system in check than with an OEM retail version. That is to say when you turn something OFF it stays OFF.

Also, the LTSC version like the optimized iso's do NOT require a TPM to install.

visit github and get the 4 main scripts everyone should be applying to new LTSC/IoT builds after completion of the install. These can be applied to pre-optimized iso builds as well because it makes the final reverse engineering task almost fun;

1. Edge Remover - removes the edge browser and all its associated junk
2. Defender Remover - removes defender A/V completely
3. Telemetry disabler - removes and/or disables all telemetry producing junk including TS jobs
4. Update Disabler - completely tanks all autonomous updating with an undo as well

- manually apply any cumulative update, patches, or feature updates OFFLINE before running the update disabler.
- depending on the activation method of choice - if you use KMS38 (which is the best OFFLINE activator there is) make certain the cumulative update is not on or past 9/25 because any cumulative's after that date are going to apply the KMS killer patch wherein mickeysoft disables the use of KMS offline activations.

once these scripts are applied to the build and a proper (controllable) FW and A/V are installed you are pretty much internet ready at that point. just fire up your favorite offline activator and you're off.

 

Last edited: Jul 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM

Wow thanks everyone for your feedback so far.
- lots of info meat to chew on.

Although I prefer not to install or trim an install so much that it breaks on any future update or app install.

 

Anyone with experience of tiny11 , Ghost Spectre , Exacoustics GHOST ?

 

yes, not worth it in the long run,
you rely on shady updates and uncertain future support and incompatibility

 

Best Tool I know to decrapify Windows is Winhance:

https://github.com/memstechtips/Winhance

It lets you uninstall all the default crap that Windows comes with, tweak settings, and aslo contains a list of apps you can install for various categories.

But: if you want to start off with a completely vanilla, bs free Windows 11 install, you build your own Windows 11 Iso using this (takes about 30 to 45 minutes):

https://uupdump.net/

You need to edit a config file and enable/disable apps which should be included/disgarded.

Instructions are here: https://github.com/5T33Z0/OC-Little-Translated/tree/main/Content/I_Windows/UUPDUmp_Config

 

I have used for the last 6 years Ghost Spectre Lite and lately X-Lite versions and they work like a charm. You can update without problem and throw every program at them. Just don't use ultra-lite (or similar) versions.

The other alternatives are, like already commented:
- a Windows IoT LTSC. Most of the bloat out. A couple of tweaks and ready to go
- a good and battle-tested debloat tool for a regular windows home/pro. I've tried several but the most maintained seems to be chris-titus tools. Again, don't go cowboy. I've heard good things of Winhance and some others but haven't tested them.

Easily the best and most optimized and bloat-free. Endorsed by R2R themselves. Why? It's not Microslop's
Also, as a side remark, it's a synth plugin. Might wanna keep that in mind

Edited: typo, I wrote Microsoft instead of Microslop

 

I would recommend GhostSpectre ISO's, or a LTSC IoT Enterprise build of win10 or 11. i've tested both of those with new builds and they work fine. would NOT recommend any OEM retail iso's for anything. The overhead reverse engineering that has to be done on those is way more than than they are worth. NONE of the LTSC or GS iso's require a TPM for install and can be easily reverse engineered for safety. If you need to apply an update or a patch, download the specific update or patch and apply it OFFLINE with internet disabled.

Make certain you apply the scripts I mentioned above before taking any new build onto the internet. Exposing any build to the autonomous update garbage will potentially undo every single privacy/security measure you have taken to date, and possibly render the system unusable or disabled in some way.

 

Last edited: Jul 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM