Win11Debloat

Win11Debloat Changelog

2026

2026.06.14

Contributors: Raphire

  • Reworked Get-RegFileOperations.ps1 so Windows Defender and Bitdefender stop flagging the script as a false positive, which had been blocking some users from downloading or running it.
  • Added logging around WinGet app retrieval and raised its timeout to 20 seconds for more reliable results on slow connections.

2026.06.11

Contributors: Raphire

  • Note: The -RemoveCommApps and -RemoveW11Outlook command-line parameters have been removed. Use the -RemoveApps parameter instead — the project wiki documents the new way to remove these specific apps.
  • Follow-up patch to the large 2026.06.10 update that finalizes its feature set.
  • Fixed the lock-screen spotlight option being switched off when you disabled the Start "recommended" section.
  • Cleaned up log message formatting.

2026.06.10

Contributors: Raphire, soccerzockt, HetCreep

  • Note: The -RemoveCommApps and -RemoveW11Outlook command-line parameters have been removed. Use the -RemoveApps parameter instead — the project wiki covers the new method for these apps.
  • Win11Debloat can now automatically detect tweaks you previously applied for the signed-in user — reverting one is as simple as unchecking it.
  • Full support for running under the SYSTEM account, which also makes it possible to apply changes to users who are still logged in — ideal for automations and deployments.
  • Added confirmation dialogs and a warning before Windows Terminal is removed.
  • New "All Apps" Start menu view options: Hide, Grid, Category and List.
  • Quieter, cleaner logging during Appx package uninstalls and improved output in Get.ps1 / Get-Dev.ps1.
  • Fixed a Run.bat quoting bug when the path contains spaces, a desync when toggling "Only Show Installed" too quickly, and several missing Sysprep/Undo registry keys (Recall, suggested content, animations, Game Bar).

2026.05.20

Contributors: Raphire, ahmadsh2007

  • Note: The options to disable local search history and taskbar search highlights were removed because they did not apply reliably for everyone. You can still suppress search highlights by removing Bing/Copilot integration from Windows Search.
  • Raised the System Restore point creation timeout to 90 seconds so it no longer gives up too early.
  • Added a registry write fall-back: if applying a registry file fails, the script keeps going and reports the details afterward instead of stopping.
  • Restricted backup restore to .json files only.
  • Removed the now-redundant widget registry changes and the DisableSearchHighlights / DisableSearchHistory settings.
  • Clarified the DisableTelemetry tooltip regarding its effect on Windows Insider updates.

2026.05.11

Contributors: Raphire

  • Minor fix for a registry-backup bug introduced in 2026.05.10.
  • Corrected capturing and restoring of signed dword/qword registry values.
  • Added restart instructions to the "restore successful" message.

2026.05.10

Contributors: Raphire

  • Added full System Registry backup & restore so you can snapshot the registry before making changes.
  • Added backup & restore for the Start menu pinned-apps layout.
  • Made the tweak columns responsive and refactored how app-removal scope is handled and styled.
  • Improved user validation and added "Windows default" indicators to feature labels.

2026.04.26

Contributors: Raphire, David17c

  • Note: "Disable Fast Startup" was removed from the default settings — for most users fast startup helps more than it hurts. You can re-enable it with the matching Undo registry file in the project repository.
  • The script now adds system32 to the system PATH automatically when it is missing.
  • Added a prompt asking the user to run as administrator.
  • Improved the app & tweak selection UI, including new presets that select everything in the Privacy & Suggested Content and AI categories.
  • Improved the HideOneDrive feature so it also works on Windows 11, hiding the OneDrive entry in the File Explorer navigation pane.
  • Improved DisableWidgets to remove additional related apps, and added setting details to the config import/export screen.
  • Fixed full-screen window snapping on secondary monitors, clarified the BitLocker auto-encryption tooltip, and added a Get-Dev.ps1 script for development.

2026.04.05

Contributors: Raphire, natanheringer

  • Added export/import of your settings configuration so you can reuse a setup across machines.
  • Added drive-letter position and visibility options.
  • Added support for multiple AppIds per app when removing apps.
  • Deployment-targeted parameters now default to CLI launch mode, and -Silent skips the confirmation when running your last used settings.
  • Fixed inconsistent search highlighting after sorting and the app-preset menu staying open when the window loses focus.
  • Improved registry-import error handling, window controls, user validation and general styling, and blocked resizing below the minimum size.
  • Removed DisableSearchHighlights from Default Mode since DisableBing already covers it.

2026.04.04-R2

Contributors: Raphire, natanheringer

  • Release candidate that first introduced settings export/import — superseded the next day by 2026.04.05.
  • Added export/import of settings configuration, drive-letter position & visibility options, and support for multiple AppIds per app removal.
  • -Silent now skips the confirmation when running last used settings, and deployment-targeted parameters default to the CLI.
  • Fixed search highlighting after sorting, the preset menu losing focus, window controls and minimum-size resizing.

2026.03.15

Contributors: Raphire

  • Added a hint bubble that highlights which changes Default Mode will apply.
  • Reworked the app selection page: presets for Xbox gaming and OEM apps, a sortable app table, and removal recommendations for every app.
  • Added proper titlebar button styling and improved how GUI elements are loaded and populated.
  • Fixed UI stuttering while a system restore point is being created.

2026.03.09

Contributors: Raphire

  • Note: All config files now live in a dedicated Config folder (Features.json, DefaultSettings.json, Apps.json, LastUsedSettings.json and CustomAppsList). This only affects users who downloaded the script locally and edited those files — copy them into the new Config folder after updating.
  • Fixed a module-import error when launching the script from PowerShell 7.
  • Added an option to hide the "All Apps" section from the Start menu.
  • Moved all config files into a dedicated Config folder.
  • Replaced the Support button with a "Report a bug" button when the script hits an error while applying changes.

2026.03.07

Contributors: Raphire, CMD126, AnonymousWP

  • Note: This release changes the default apps and settings — see the project wiki for the updated defaults.
  • Added options to disable Microsoft Store app results in Windows Search, stop the WSAIFabric service from auto-starting, turn off Storage Sense automatic disk cleanup, and disable Find My Device location tracking.
  • Added an option to disable Search Highlights and support for removing more Microsoft, Lenovo and Dell apps.
  • Added warnings that some changes need a reboot and that removing Edge affects Windows Sandbox.
  • Simplified the overview & apply screen and updated feature labels and descriptions.
  • Fixed the Search Icon/Label options and a focus loss after Explorer restarts.

2026.02.18

Contributors: Raphire

  • Gave the app page a cleaner, table-like layout and refreshed the app/tweak descriptions.
  • Added options to disable local Windows search history and to disable location services.
  • Added options to enable Windows Sandbox and Windows Subsystem for Linux.
  • Added a way to quickly apply the default settings straight from the home page.

2026.02.15

Contributors: Raphire

  • Added a titlebar menu and proper styling for message boxes.
  • Added a GUI prompt for when a restore point cannot be created.
  • Added category icons and tooltips to every tweak.
  • Removed the Strip-Progress function to avoid localization issues, and refactored the code for readability and maintainability.

2026.02.12

Contributors: Raphire

  • Added Multi-tasking settings: disable window snapping, snap suggestions, and Snap Layouts (on drag-to-top or maximize hover), plus control over showing tabs when snapping or pressing Alt+Tab.
  • Added an option to choose which user(s) app removal targets.
  • Expanded DisableEdgeAds to also turn off the Edge first-run experience, default-browser prompts, Adobe Acrobat buttons/ads, and spotlight recommendations.
  • Fixed the styling of the "other user" input box.

2026.02.07

Contributors: Raphire

  • Reworked the Overview page: a "restart Windows Explorer" checkbox now replaces the old post-run prompt, with refreshed styling.
  • The script now cancels cleanly if you close it mid-execution.
  • Added forceful Microsoft Edge removal from the GUI.
  • Removed the maximum-version limit on DisableStartRecommended and added a wiki link next to each tweak category header.
  • Fixed a key in the Enable_Game_Bar_Integration registry file.

2026.02.04

Contributors: Raphire, makhlwf

  • Refined the new GUI with better functionality and accessibility, and fixed bugs introduced alongside it.
  • Improved screen-reader accessibility and added a search bar to the tweak page with Ctrl+F support.
  • Made the GUI window resizable and ensured it respects the NoRestartExplorer flag.
  • Added Windows Update settings and an option to disable BitLocker automatic device encryption.
  • Fixed a crash when clearing Start menu pinned apps for all users.

2026.02.01-R2

Contributors: Raphire, SashankBhamidi, N0tHorizon

  • Note: Several undocumented parameters were removed in this release — see the project discussions for details.
  • The long-requested graphical UI arrives and becomes the default way to use Win11Debloat — the classic CLI menu is still available via the -CLI parameter.
  • Redesigned the app selection UI and moved app definitions from Appslist.txt into Apps.json with proper names and descriptions; feature definitions moved to Features.json.
  • You can now apply changes to other users or the default user profile directly from the GUI.
  • Added options to disable the "Drag Tray" and to remove bloat from the Brave browser.
  • Added error logging to run.bat and the missing Sysprep registry files for multi-monitor taskbar settings.

2026.02.01

Contributors: Raphire, SashankBhamidi, N0tHorizon

  • Note: Several undocumented parameters were removed in this release — see the project discussions for details.
  • First cut of the brand-new graphical UI, replaced the same day by 2026.02.01-R2.
  • Introduced the full GUI (with the CLI still reachable via -CLI), the redesigned app selection screen, and the move to Apps.json / Features.json definitions.
  • Added Brave browser cleanup, a "Drag Tray" toggle, run.bat error logging, and removed several deprecated parameters.

2025

2025.12.29

Contributors: Raphire, soulcloude00

  • Note: This release changes how last-used settings are saved, so files saved in the old format will not work. Use the included MigrateSavedSettings.ps1 script to convert them. Several undocumented parameters are also now deprecated and will be removed in the next release.
  • You can now remove specific apps from the command line with -RemoveApps -Apps "App1,App2" (a comma-separated list).
  • Default settings now live in a DefaultSettings.json file you can inspect and edit, and your last run is saved to LastUsedSettings.json in the same format.
  • Restored all common folders under "This PC" in File Explorer.
  • Includes significant under-the-hood improvements.

2025.12.16

Contributors: Raphire, agadiffe

  • Bug-fix release that also cleans up the main script for better readability.
  • Get.ps1 now always fetches the latest release instead of a hardcoded version (suggested by agadiffe).
  • Added a Default Mode option to disable Game Bar integration and removed the obsolete Windows 10-specific app-removal logic.
  • Fixed changes occasionally being applied before the restore point was created, the script not exiting when no Custom Mode options were chosen, and "Disable Give access to" wrongly disabling the Share tab in folder properties.

2025.11.30

Contributors: Raphire, oyxnaut

  • Added a NoRestartExplorer switch and support for removing Microsoft 365 Business companion apps.
  • Improved OneDrive and Edge removal when running in User or Sysprep mode.
  • Added an option to fully suppress the annoying pop-ups left behind after uninstalling Xbox Game Bar.
  • Hid the now-obsolete "disable Start recommended section" option on build 26200 and newer.

2025.10.06

Contributors: Raphire, tsumi

  • Note: This release changes the default app selection and removes the -RemoveDevApps command-line parameter.
  • Added options to manage the taskbar across multiple monitors.
  • Added Dev Home (no longer supported) and Power Automate (rarely used) to the default app selection.
  • Removed the -RemoveDevApps parameter for uninstalling specific developer apps.

2025.09.28

Contributors: Raphire

  • Fixed a crash that could occur when clearing or replacing the Start menu pinned apps.
  • Corrected the app count shown in the script output when removing apps.
  • Added the missing Sysprep registry keys for the "combine taskbar buttons" feature.

2025.09.27

Contributors: Raphire, tylerhekman, tsumi

  • Added an option to disable "Click to Do" (the Copilot+ PC AI text & image analysis tool).
  • Added a choice of combine mode for taskbar buttons.
  • Default Mode now lists every app it removes.
  • Fixed Run.bat failing when the username contains spaces, and removed the prompts shown after system-restore creation errors.

2025.09.13

Contributors: Raphire

  • Default Mode can now remove no apps at all, or a custom selection.
  • Added DisableRecall to the default settings.
  • Disabling telemetry now also fully disables both optional and required telemetry in Microsoft Edge.
  • Disabling Edge ads & suggestions now also turns off the shopping assistant, error-navigation suggestions and tab-organization suggestions.

2025.09.08

Contributors: Raphire

  • Minor release that fixes the script stopping when clearing the Start menu for all users.

2025.09.07

Contributors: Raphire, SashankBhamidi, JohannesK71083, soccerzockt

  • Added an option to disable Modern Standby networking to prevent battery drain.
  • Added a DisableBackupNotifications parameter.
  • Fixed dark mode not applying correctly in Sysprep mode and incorrect user-directory paths when run under the system account.
  • Reworded the DisableWidgets feature description.

2025.08.16

Contributors: Raphire

  • Added an option to disable telemetry, ads, the MSN news feed and AI features in Microsoft Edge.
  • Added a timeout to system-restore-point creation so the script no longer gets stuck.
  • Fixed a missing key in the Disable Paint AI Sysprep/Undo files.

2025.08.01

Contributors: Raphire, amarcum, cwshugg

  • Added an option to disable AI features in Paint & Notepad.
  • Added a "Last Active Click" taskbar option.
  • Updated the app descriptions.

2025.06.12

Contributors: Raphire

  • Added options to enable dark mode and to disable transparency effects.
  • Added an option to disable animations and visual effects.
  • Added an option to disable the Start menu mobile-devices integration.
  • Fixed some settings not applying immediately when run as another user.

2025.05.26

Contributors: Raphire, TPAXcc

  • Added support for launching the script through Windows Terminal.
  • Added an option to completely disable/hide the Settings home page and to disable the Microsoft 365 ads shown there.
  • Added support for removing the StartExperiencesApp.
  • Moved DisableDesktopSpotlight into its own option in Custom Mode.

2025.05.19

Contributors: Raphire, SimplyYourAverageDev, lucas-timeworkstudio

  • Note: The first tagged release of Win11Debloat — and the launch of the new Win11Debloat Wiki — with thanks to the many first-time community contributors.
  • Added the ability to create a System Restore point, with a check for whether System Restore is enabled and an option to turn it on.
  • Added a "Disable Fast Startup" option and HP app removal.
  • Added an option to replace the Start menu pinned-apps layout with your own template.
  • Added logging throughout the script.