This is great, although my use-case is a bit different to your original use case. I would love a group policy version (xml or something) of this that can be centrally setup for any PCs we unbox. I think InTune itself can actually do most of this stuff if you can track down the right settings ...

The trouble is keeping it up to date between Windows updates because they auto-install the bloatware.

> The trouble is keeping it up to date between Windows updates

Just run the script again after a major update. Only takes a minute. And don't let Windows update automatically. I have used this script and it works well.

Also found this in the other comments https://atlasos.net

Atlas OS default setup seems a lot like Windows Server out of the box. Server 2022 (with gui) comes with Windows 10 look and feel and is very lightweight in terms of features, no search, no background tasks, etc. Most desktop apps are compatible with it.

I've tried a number of these solutions, but if it needs constant babying it's not really useful for daily driving IMO. Still might be good for test VMs, but I want something that feels like it's actually supported if I'm going to run an actual desktop machine. "Just rerun this powershell script after shit breaks and hopefully the person maintaining it doesn't stop because it will need to be updated periodically to keep up with changes." That's not a solution. It's a collection of workarounds in a solution-shaped trenchcoat, and it's ready to tumble over at any moment.

Another big problem with a lot of these things is you run them, then later Photoshop or Winget or VS isn't working suddenly and you have to try to figure out what service or component needs to be re-enabled. At one point I just re-installed over this...

That's too bad. I only use Windows for games. Have not had issues with the script there. If you're forced to use Windows for work then it's worth finding the minimum set of crap you can remove while keeping things stable.

Fair enough. For me, I don't play enough video games to warrant using Windows, so I am mainly venting the frustrations of trying to help other people who I know are not going to want to use Linux or macOS. The video games I do play are on emulators, have native ports or run under Proton, so I'm covered personally. Absolutely would not work for people who are playing many of the latest AAA titles I know, but I suppose if you only boot into Windows for just that you probably don't have to worry too much about some other things breaking.

Apparently this one is optimized specifically for "AAA game" players and is frequently updated. I'm installing it now https://atlasos.net

Or the ones that intentionally turn off Windows Update… because if I’m 14 just want to play games I guess I don’t care about security.

It takes more time to find the proper script and even more to tweak it not to break stuff you need