Hi everyone, I was wondering what your usual steps are after doing a fresh install of Windows 11. Things like: Tweaks or settings you always change Apps you remove or install Privacy or performance adjustments Tools or scripts you recommend I’m looking to build a solid post-install checklist and thought it’d be interesting to see what experienced users here usually do. Feel free to share your full routine or even small tips Right now I usually just run updates and remove a few apps, but I feel like I’m missing a lot.
remove all bloatware that's what i do anyway and then use glary utilities to stop whatever loading at boot and remove excess empty folders
I check for and install updates every time I boot up, and check Disk Cleaner to see how much storage is being used and how to free some space. Explorer also shows the amount of disk space left. Then I check for and install package updates in WinGet and Microsoft Store, and I check my Time and Language in Settings because I dualboot EndeavourOS to ensure the time is not UTC, and then I just start using my computer as normal.
Covid-19 + TPM If you look deeper, you'll see that identification is everywhere. Installing anything on a motherboard with TPM is already a big risk. Soon, your laptops won't start unless you pass verification (ID, passport, insurance number, etc.).
I use MRP for my pre-settings. When installing LTSC versions, no need but MRP still can handle a good part of removing the, "safe to remove" pre-installed UWP apps. Use Education, Enterprise or best (IoT) Enterprise 202x LTSC and set Telemetry to "0". MRP has my preference. I would not advise to chop stuff out, it can ans moslty will lead to (future) problems. Software to install is entirely at your own preference, nobody can tell you what your needs are. Not really. Multi-OEM/Retail Project {MRP} - Mk3 (We lost the developer for 1 year already )
Here's my post install activities (intel Z890), WIn11 heh 1. Setting a bunch of settings to my liking than I activate it, set computer name than restart. 2, Run Windows Update 3. Install chipset drivers restart 4. Install more drivers, IME software, GNA drivers, Serial I/O driver, DTT drivers 5. Install sound driver 6. Install GPU driver 7. Disk Cleanup 8. Enjoy!
One tip off the top of my head that I think most people don't know: make sure to connect to the internet, and manually update all microsoft store apps before trying to remove any UWP apps. Anything you remove before that point will likely reinstall itself when the ms store connects to the internet for the first time. They always stay gone for me I follow that order. My method for any windows install is: Install offline, when finished run through the UWP settings app and control panel to set all desired settings, then move on to group policy editor and regedit to get everything in one go. Finally I will rename the computer and reboot. Next boot I take care of drivers. I only do drivers for gpu and onboard audio, everything else I hold off for windows update to take care of. I reboot again and then connect to the internet for the first time, take care of activation, open ms store and update manually, then remove all bloatware apps at that point. Next thing is to update windows itself if necessary, and then I consider the windows install to be usable where I can relax and install all my software.
All network deployed Windows install Drivers and Updates are installed automatically Then it process with chosen applications Runs a second update Runs a couple of ps1 and bat files to copy over some files to a user folder and perform basic cleanup Done