Updated: June 19, 2025
I have no intention of using Windows 11. It's a pointless operating system. But I test it occasionally, just to see what the state of the estate is, so to speak. I recently did a fairly extensive test on my dual-boot IdeaPad laptop, which included a version 24H2 upgrade, with all its associated problems. Long story short, it would seem my Administrator account on said box is borked beyond repair, and I will need to do a reset or a fresh install.
Before attempting that, I wanted to check how Windows 11 behaves if configured afresh, no old stuff. On the test laptop, I had gone from Windows 10 to 11, and done a great deal of tweaks and customization. So, for the sake of fairness, let's do a new, blank-slate experiment. Follow me.
Installation
To remove any doubt of configuration problems, I set up Windows 11 (Pro) in a virtual machine. I decided to go with version 23H2 (or whatever it's called). The setup was quite interesting. Specifically:
- Windows insisted on an Internet connection to continue (sans any tweaks). This is monumentally stupid. One should be able to set up a system without any network, especially if they need custom drivers for their card, which might not be available early on in the setup. Yes, you can work around it, but that's not the point.
- Windows allowed me to configure a "work" account easily, without resorting to any tricks, to avoid having to set up a cloud account, which I don't want to do, for a billion reasons. Local account, like it should be.
- Then, Windows decided to install updates. It downloaded and configured Windows 11 version 24H2 as part of the setup process. This ain't a bad thing, as you won't have to waste extra time doing the same kind of updates later on. However, it could also take a huge amount of time, and you have no idea what Windows does in the background, data wise.
- Windows used my network card fully, so the download was quick - unlike the same attempt done on physical hardware just a few days ago., when the download speed was a trickle of the available bandwidth.
Removing the cruft
Predictably, the PRO version of the desktop was loaded with garbage. Tons of shitty apps that serve no purpose, search laced with online crap, and then some. I could sort of understand if this is the default configuration for the HOME version, but PRO should be free of IQ85 cutesy apps and touch-like nonsense.
To that end, I performed my usual purification ritual, and and removed all the extras:
- I went through the Settings and disabled pretty much everything.
- I uninstalled all of the apps. Even though I set my region to EU, Edge's uninstall button was grayed out. I had to change the NoRemove registry key (as outlined in the tutorial above) for it to be clickable. Even so, Edge would simply not uninstall. Even the command-line setup.exe force-uninstall flag didn't work. That means I have to use my IFEO option to stop Edge from ever working.
- Edge was also set to preload/start with the system. Nope. GTFO.
Look how Edge has "no" impact on startup. Amazing thermodynamics.
- I installed Firefox as my default browser (with UBO), naturally, obviously. When I set the file association to Firefox, it only changed a few HTML-related protocols, but not all. For example, PDF, SVG were still set to Edge. I had to change those manually. And then, later on, I found still more file types associated with Edge, and changed them to Firefox. Except FTP, it would only allow Edge, and not Firefox.
- I didn't need to use registry much, except to neuter Bing (see tutorial above).
Next, I used Group Policies for several tweaks:
- Disable automatic updates.
- Disable all online/cloud content (as much as possible).
- Disable Copilot.
I also tried to disable Windows Defender (as there's a policy for that), but no, it kept reverting itself on. Useless turd. So I booted into a Linux live session, and manually deleted Windows Defender from both Program Files directories, and from ProgramData. Problem solved.
As it happens, and as it should be, BitLocker wasn't enabled by default. Good.
This process took "only" about two hours. It was surprisingly straightforward, and there was less hassle than in the past. Then again, I've already accumulated many years of knowledge on how to fight Windows 11 and its pointless features. Even so, there are problems and inconsistencies, even in the latest build, including both Edge and Windows Defender. No, Microsoft, I won't run these. On purpose. You don't get to scan my disk, and you don't get to see my browsing habits. Nopety nope. Even if this is a meaningless virtual machine, you still don't deserve it. Maybe if you pay me a PRO subscription, something like USD17.99/month (plus VAT), then I might let you run your useless programs (or apps). Maybe.
Security wise, I did my usual setup:
- Standard user, once everything is configured, and once I enabled the Administrator account.
- Exploit protection, the one correct way to do Windows security, and none of that anti-virus nonsense. Indeed, I cannot stress enough how useful Exploit protection is (like the old, fabulous EMET, which still works in Windows 7). It is a travesty how little attention this mitigation framework gets in the news, even from Microsoft itself. But it's simply amazing.
Final verdict?
Well, let me be fair and objective, as much as I can:
- The new installation process is a bit better than before (the upgrade).
- Then again, the upgrade ought to be optional.
- The network (and account) requirements remain idiotic.
- The cleansing was easier than in the past, but still rather long.
- Edge remains a pest, even though it ought to removable - maybe a bug.
- Windows Defender refused to stop running, even though I used Group Policies for that. A bug or something else, you decide.
Updates wise, I tried running the old Windows hide updates tool, and while it supposedly hid some of the useless stuff (like the malicious software removal tool and the Windows Defender signature updates), those still showed in the list. So if I want to run updates, I have to click on each one individually, to avoid installing stuff I don't want. Technically though, this means the Windows Update functionality has become rather tricky and dangerous, because even as an admin, you can't really decide which updates you want or not. This means the situation will become untenable at some point in the future, for those who wish to keep using this operating system. Ah, control, sweet control. Data, sweet data.
You may also be surprised to hear I chose not to install Open-Shell right away. I wanted to see what the new menu feels like. Yes, you can remove recommendations (most of them), which is better than before, but you still have the pinned apps as your first view, and you can't see All without an extra click. So yes, the menu is better, but it's still rather useless. Modern nonsense, and touch-inspired click-a-monkey-fest.
Conclusion
My fresh test with Windows 11 is a good indicator of where the operating system is heading. The user has less and less control than ever before. Even since the pandemic, most of the cloud companies simply became obsessed with data, and they cannot even begin to ponder relinquishing their filthy grab, and so, they are trying every dirty, weasely trick in the book to keep it that way. Hence, installer network and cloud account nonsense, hence the unstoppable anti-virus nonsense (despite obvious policies), hence Edge being the loser turd that it is, hence the phone-like attempts to take control from the user.
Sure, the fresh install was a lot better than my past endeavors. But even with the Pro version, it's still rather unbearable. It's not about what happens today, it's about what happens tomorrow. Also, why should one need to go into registry or use policies to stop programs from running. Why? Microsoft, if I don't want to run stupid anti-virus crap, then why should you have any say in that decision? Or if I don't want to use your browser? Cope harder. That's the crux of it. The principle. And funnily, if the existing toggles actually worked, my indignation and resistance would be far, far less.
And so, I won't use Edge in Windows, on purpose. And that's why I won't use online accounts, on purpose, even though I have a Microsoft account since the amazing Nokia Lumia days, as that was my favorite smartphone operating system, and it still remains the best attempt at touch ever made. But I won't use that account on purpose, because I hate Microsoft's attempt to make me into a cash borglet slaving in the data mine, and I won't ever forgive them for axing the beautiful Windows Phone operating system. Nope. That simply won't do.
This is where we are. Yes, the fresh install was significantly less painful than the accumulated mess I have on my IdeaPad. Even so, there are inexcusable, almost insurmountable problems even in the latest build, which go against the very tools Microsoft provides (uninstall button, group policies), the UI is nice but the menu is pointless, and File Explorer remains slow, still. People will use this only because 1) they must, for work 2) they don't know any better. There most likely won't be an enjoyment factor in the equation. I see no compelling reasons to use Windows 11, only drawbacks, tons and tons of them. So, Linux it is. And, most likely, Mac. Boom. See ya, fellow nerds.
Cheers.