Reference · Config files

Win11Debloat config files

A config file is your Win11Debloat selection saved as JSON: which apps to remove, which tweaks to apply and how to run. You make one in the wizard and use it on other PCs, in the wizard or with -Config. Below are the format, the rules Win11Debloat 2026.08.24 applies when it reads one, and a checker that shows what a file will do before you run it.

Checked against Win11Debloat 2026.08.24Updated October 30, 20265 min read

On this page 7 sections

What a config file looks like
Check a config file
How Win11Debloat reads a config file
Config file, saved settings and defaults
Errors and what they mean
Coming in the next release
Questions

Short answer

How do I save and reuse Win11Debloat settings?

Export: in the wizard, click the menu button (☰, top right) and choose Export config. Pick what to include and save the .json file.
Import in the wizard: ☰ → Import config. You can review and change the selection before applying.
Use it unattended: .\Win11Debloat.ps1 -Config "C:\path\file.json" -Silent
Same PC, last run again: you do not need a file; -RunSavedSettings repeats your last selection.

What a config file looks like

This is the shape of a file exported by the wizard. Every part except Version is optional; the export only includes the categories you tick.

Win11Debloat-Config-20261030.json

{
  "Version": "1.0",
  "Apps": [
    "Microsoft.BingNews",
    "Microsoft.GetHelp",
    "Clipchamp.Clipchamp"
  ],
  "Tweaks": [
    { "Name": "DisableTelemetry", "Value": true },
    { "Name": "DisableCopilot", "Value": true },
    { "Name": "TaskbarAlignLeft", "Value": true }
  ],
  "Deployment": [
    { "Name": "UserSelectionIndex", "Value": 0 },
    { "Name": "AppRemovalScopeIndex", "Value": 0 },
    { "Name": "CreateRestorePoint", "Value": true },
    { "Name": "SkipRegistryBackup", "Value": false },
    { "Name": "RestartExplorer", "Value": true }
  ]
}

Field	What it holds
`Version`	Always `"1.0"`. Required: without it the file is rejected.
`Apps`	Package names to remove, as in the app list. Having any here turns on app removal for exactly these apps.
`Tweaks`	Tweak names, the same as the command-line switches without the dash. Only entries with `"Value": true` are applied.
`UserSelectionIndex`	Whose settings to change: `0` your own account, `1` the account in `OtherUsername` (like `-User`), `2` accounts created later (like `-Sysprep`).
`OtherUsername`	The account name for `1` above, and for app scope `2`.
`AppRemovalScopeIndex`	Who loses the apps: `0` all users, `1` the current user, `2` the account in `OtherUsername`. Like `-AppRemovalTarget`.
`CreateRestorePoint`	`true` makes a restore point first.
`SkipRegistryBackup`	`true` skips the registry backup. Keep it `false`.
`RestartExplorer`	`false` leaves Explorer running, like `-SkipExplorerRestart`.

Check a config file

Paste a config file, pick the Windows version of the PC it is for, and see what -Config will do there. The checker follows the 2026.08.24 code that reads config files, including its quirks. It runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Config file contents Windows version of the target PC

You can also paste a LastUsedSettings.json: the checker turns it into a config file you can use on other PCs.

How Win11Debloat reads a config file

Tweaks that do not fit the PC's Windows version are skipped, silently. A file made on Windows 11 25H2 works on Windows 10, but only the tweaks for Windows 10 apply. This is different from switches typed on the command line, which 2026.08.24 applies regardless; see build limits.
Unknown tweak names are ignored without a message. A typo such as DisableTelemtry does nothing. Use the checker above.
Unknown app names are skipped with a message: Removal of app '…' is not supported and will be skipped.
If nothing in the file applies, for example a file of Windows 11 tweaks on Windows 10, Win11Debloat stops with exit code 1: The config file contains no importable data.
Without -Silent, it lists the changes and waits for Enter. In a deployment, always add -Silent.
-Config runs in text mode, not in the wizard, and can be combined with switches such as -LogPath.

Config file, saved settings and defaults

Win11Debloat keeps two settings files of its own in its Config folder, and they are not the same thing as a config file.

File	Made by	Used by	Holds
Your config file	☰ → Export config, or by hand	`-Config`, ☰ → Import config	Apps, tweaks and deployment settings
`LastUsedSettings.json`	Every run, automatically	`-RunSavedSettings`, and the wizard's preset of your last run	Your last selection of tweaks and apps
`DefaultSettings.json`	The project	`-RunDefaults`, Default mode	The recommended selection; see Default mode

With the one-liner, the Config folder is %TEMP%\Win11Debloat\Config. The one-liner keeps LastUsedSettings.json when it downloads a new version, along with the Logs and Backups folders.

Errors and what they mean

Message	Cause
Unable to find config file at path: …	The path is wrong. Use the full path in quotes.
Provided config file must be a .json file: …	The file name must end in `.json`.
Failed to parse JSON file: …	The file is not valid JSON: a missing comma, quote or bracket.
… version mismatch (expected 1.0, found …)	`Version` is not `"1.0"`.
Configuration is missing a Version field.	Add `"Version": "1.0"`.
The configuration file contains no importable data.	No `Apps`, `Tweaks` or `Deployment`, or they are empty.
Configuration Apps entries must be strings.	Each app must be a name in quotes.
Configuration Tweaks entries must contain Name and Value properties.	Each tweak must be `{ "Name": "…", "Value": true }`. The same message exists for `Deployment`.
The config file contains no importable data: …	The file is valid, but nothing in it applies to this PC.

All of these stop Win11Debloat before it changes anything, with exit code 1. See troubleshooting for other errors.

Coming in the next release

The true/false fix above (#833): deployment values written as text, such as "false", are read correctly, and anything else gives a warning that names the setting.
LastUsedSettings.json and the logs move from the temp folder to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Win11Debloat. Config files you export are not affected.
The Drag Tray tweak is removed (#850). A config file that includes DisableDragTray keeps working: the name is simply ignored.

Questions

Where is the Win11Debloat config file saved?

Wherever you choose when you export it; the suggested name is Win11Debloat-Config- plus the date. The settings Win11Debloat saves on its own are in its Config folder, as LastUsedSettings.json.

Can I use one config file on many PCs?

Yes. That is what it is for. Each PC applies only the tweaks that fit its Windows version, so one file can serve Windows 10 and Windows 11. For deployment examples, see automation.

Can I write a config file by hand?

Yes. Use the tweak names from the parameter list without the dash and app names from the app list, write true and false without quotes, and check the result with the checker above. The easiest start is to export one from the wizard and edit it.

Does a config file undo anything?

No. It only applies. To undo, untick tweaks in the wizard, or see undo.

Keep going

Automation & ITIntune, SCCM, Task Scheduler, Sysprep and other users.Command line & builderTick what you want and get the exact command, plus every parameter.Undo & restoreRevert any tweak, restore the registry backup, reinstall removed apps.

Something wrong or out of date? Email hello@win11debloat.dev and we will fix it.

#What a config file looks like

#Check a config file

#How Win11Debloat reads a config file

#Config file, saved settings and defaults

#Errors and what they mean

#Coming in the next release

#Questions