Windows 10 LTSC 2021 with latest security updates, without Windows Backup/Outlook/Spotlight etc.?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by NiordFresh, Aug 11, 2026.

  1. NiordFresh

    NiordFresh MDL Novice

    Aug 20, 2025
    18
    3
    0
    I found a script that probably cuts Windows Backup once and does not restore it with new updates. At least that's how it works for me.

    $removeappx = @("Client.CBS"); $provisioned = get-appxprovisionedpackage -online; $appxpackage = get-appxpackage -allusers; $eol = @() $store = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore' $users = @('S-1-5-18'); if (test-path $store) {$users += $((dir $store -ea 0 |where {$ -like 'S-1-5-21'}).PSChildName)} foreach ($choice in $removeappx) { if ('' -eq $choice.Trim()) {continue} foreach ($appx in $($provisioned |where {$.PackageName -like "$choice"})) { $next = !1; foreach ($no in $skip) {if ($appx.PackageName -like "$no") {$next = !0}} ; if ($next) {continue} $PackageName = $appx.PackageName; $PackageFamilyName = ($appxpackage |where {$.Name -eq $appx.DisplayName}).PackageFamilyName ni "$store\Deprovisioned$PackageFamilyName" -force >''; $PackageFamilyName foreach ($sid in $users) {ni "$store\EndOfLife$sid$PackageName" -force >''} ; $eol += $PackageName dism /online /set-nonremovableapppolicy /packagefamily:$PackageFamilyName /nonremovable:0 >'' remove-appxprovisionedpackage -packagename $PackageName -online -allusers >'' } foreach ($appx in $($appxpackage |where {$.PackageFullName -like "$choice"})) { $next = !1; foreach ($no in $skip) {if ($appx.PackageFullName -like "$no") {$next = !0}} ; if ($next) {continue} $PackageFullName = $appx.PackageFullName; ni "$store\Deprovisioned$appx.PackageFamilyName" -force >''; $PackageFullName foreach ($sid in $users) {ni "$store\EndOfLife$sid$PackageFullName" -force >''} ; $eol += $PackageFullName dism /online /set-nonremovableapppolicy /packagefamily:$PackageFamilyName /nonremovable:0 >'' remove-appxpackage -package $PackageFullName -allusers >'' } }

    This is not an ideal solution for me, due to the fact that I wanted to create a system that contains only security patches without major changes from around 2023-2024 (and without modding), but apparently (at least for now) it is not possible.
     
  2. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    683
    1,931
    30
  3. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    683
    1,931
    30
  4. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    683
    1,931
    30
    #25 hoak, Aug 13, 2026
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2026
    My point, which seems to have been missed entirely is: since you're using an all-in-one PS script to find and remove the "AppPackage", maybe there's a syntax issue, or like a lot of things in Windows (and PS) it's not really doing quite what you intend or what it's supposed to -- and a simpler more manual approach using just the explicit "Remove-WindowsPackage" command and parameters not even in your script might work for you -- because when I run it, this way, Windows Backup doesn't get reinstalled with any of the updates described, or any updates, ever... Sorry if trying to be helpful inconvenienced you... But it might help someone else...
     
  5. pp03

    pp03 MDL Expert

    Apr 12, 2014
    1,770
    677
    60
    backup and spotlight are in systemapps\client.cbs
     
  6. pp03

    pp03 MDL Expert

    Apr 12, 2014
    1,770
    677
    60
    #31 pp03, Aug 15, 2026
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2026
    19044.7663 enterprise s eval x64 pl without edge, defender, copilot, onedrive of course, watermark, backup, spotlight, ink (inactive) and "news and interests"
    with win+shift+s working - only outlook and peopleband left :)

    upload_2026-8-15_22-17-44.png
     
  7. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    683
    1,931
    30
    Fantastic! I wouldn't miss win+shift+s one bit to get rid of the rest of it -- there are other (and probably better) ways to get hot key function in Windows -- I (and I think a lot of people) just want an OS, and nothing more...
     
  8. pp03

    pp03 MDL Expert

    Apr 12, 2014
    1,770
    677
    60
    #33 pp03, Aug 16, 2026
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2026
    done :)

    19044.7663 enterprise s eval x64 pl
    without edge, defender, copilot, onedrive of course, watermark, backup, spotlight, bing search, ink (inactive), news and interests, outlook and people
    with win+shift+s working

    upload_2026-8-16_10-6-9.png
     
  9. hoak

    hoak MDL Addicted

    Nov 13, 2009
    683
    1,931
    30
    Okay! Very cool! BUT! Are you going to show us how you did it?
     
  10. pp03

    pp03 MDL Expert

    Apr 12, 2014
    1,770
    677
    60
    #35 pp03, Aug 16, 2026
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2026
    best way is to construct it - then you can delete from packages what you want (same structure have to be in .7663)

    if you use official for example enterprise s:

    uninstall edge
    disable defender with gpedit
    uninstall copilot
    there is no onedrive by default
    disable watermark with ease of access
    to get rid of backup, spotlight, news and interest, web search and ink except win+shift+s - uninstall user experience desktop .6280 and install user experience desktop .2913
    to prevent oulook from installing - https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...tlook-spotlight-etc.90485/page-2#post-1919167
    disable people with gpedit
     
  11. whitestar_999

    whitestar_999 MDL Addicted

    Dec 9, 2011
    755
    349
    30
    Just to be sure, are you saying that latest updates on win 10 IoT LTSC enables the "windows search highlights icon" in start bar search box just like in regular version (pic attached for reference) ?

    upload_2026-8-30_16-18-18.png

    @Enthousiast
     
  12. pp03

    pp03 MDL Expert

    Apr 12, 2014
    1,770
    677
    60
    by spotlight i mean desktop or lockscreen wallpaper
     
  13. whitestar_999

    whitestar_999 MDL Addicted

    Dec 9, 2011
    755
    349
    30
    You mentioned "news & interests" which I assumed to be search highlight icon as it also shows news feed of the day when clicked. Now I am guessing by "news & interests" you meant the weather widget displayed adjacent to system tray in task bar.
     
  14. pp03

    pp03 MDL Expert

    Apr 12, 2014
    1,770
    677
    60
    by "news and interests" i mean taskbar context menu
     
  15. whitestar_999

    whitestar_999 MDL Addicted

    Dec 9, 2011
    755
    349
    30
    That is same thing, it gives an option to display an icon next to system tray & most of the time it shows weather info visually so I basically consider it as weather widget.