How Can I Clean Install Windows 11 and Remove Bloatware?
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TechieTr33
I'm considering doing a clean reinstall of Windows 11 because my laptop has been acting up, and it's been at least three years since the last reset. I'd like to know the best way to go about the installation process following the guides here. Also, I'm concerned about bloatware—will reinstalling bring back all the unwanted programs I had, or is there a way to avoid those during the installation?
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Just to add, it's important to note that there's no way to pre-select what Windows downloads and installs during the setup. If you want to avoid programs like McAfee, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you’ll have to uninstall them afterward. Cleaning out the telemetry features usually involves changing some settings manually after installation.
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A clean install of Windows 11 means you're starting fresh with just the OS. When people mention 'bloatware', they're usually talking about unwanted features that come with Windows, like telemetry. These might not be desirable, but when you install Windows, it doesn't automatically bring back third-party programs unless you installed them previously. You'll have control over what additional software you put on your device afterwards.
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