Windows 11 25H2 Update Introduces Minor Changes and Feature Removals

"...Microsoft's continuous update cadence for Windows 11 means that even the 24H2 version as it currently exists isn't the same one Microsoft released a year ago...."

"...To keep things current, we've combed through our Windows cleanup guide, updating it for the current build of Windows 11 25H2 (26200.7019) to help anyone who needs a fresh Windows install or who is finally updating from Windows 10 now that Microsoft is winding down support for it...."

"...We'll outline dozens of individual steps you can take to clean up a 'clean install' of Windows 11, which has taken an especially user-hostile attitude toward advertising and forcing the use of other Microsoft products...."

"...As before, this is not a guide about creating an extremely stripped-down, telemetry-free version of Windows; we stick to the things that Microsoft officially supports turning off and removing...."

"...There are plenty of experimental hacks and scripts that take it a few steps farther, and/or automate some of the steps we outline here—NTDev's Tiny11 project is one—but removing built-in Windows components can cause unexpected compatibility and security problems, and Tiny11 has historically had issues with basic table-stakes stuff like 'installing security updates.'..."

"...These guides capture moments in time, and regular monthly Windows patches, app updates downloaded through the Microsoft Store, and other factors all can and will cause small variations from our directions...."

"...You may also see apps or drivers specific to your PC's manufacturer...."

"...This guide also doesn't cover the additional bloatware that may come out of the box with a new PC, starting instead with a freshly installed copy of Windows from a USB drive...."