Win11Debloat releases

What's Changed

• fix: honor cancellation during changes by @ShiroKSH in #700
• fix: escape Windows Terminal path by @ShiroKSH in #702
• fix(registry-restore): reject Data/Kind mismatches before restore begins by @STiFLeR7 in #704
• feat: add comprehensive test suite by @Raphire in #708
• refactor: rename function and file names to match approved verbs by @Raphire in #708
• refactor: rename NoRestartExplorer parameter to SkipExplorerRestart by @Raphire in #709
• fix: force stop widget processes to prevent prompt by @Raphire in #713
• feat: improve registry backup safety and add optional backup skipping by @Raphire in #710
• fix: support QWord, ExpandString and MultiString in the .reg fallback writer by @SashankBhamidi in #715
• fix: remove Mark-of-the-Web from script files at startup by @HetCreep in #724
• feat: add timeout for WinGet uninstall to prevent hanging by @Raphire in #731
• feat: Enhance app removal verification and error reporting by @Raphire in #735
• fix: actually handle ForceRemoveEdge parameter by @Raphire in #736
• fix: match tweak presets and app-removal scope by stable ID instead of translatable text by @SashankBhamidi in #737
• fix: improve error handling in Set-StoreSearchSuggestionsDisabled by @Raphire in #739
• feat: add FeatureId and launcher parameter contract tests by @ryanduguid in #751
• fix: improve error reporting when fetching files from GitHub by @Raphire in #753
• feat: add an option to hide the desktop Spotlight icon without disabling wallpaper rotation by @ryanduguid in #746
• feat: improve error reporting & handling by @Raphire in #741

New Contributors

• @ShiroKSH made their first contribution in #700
• @STiFLeR7 made their first contribution in #704
• @ryanduguid made their first contribution in #751

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add WhatIf support to Get.ps1 by @Raphire in #681
• Add feature to disable Windows Notifications by @Sqidy-P in #690
• Add feature to prevent automatic driver companion app installation by @Raphire in #695
• Refuse to run under PowerShell 7 with a clear message by @HetCreep in #676
• Fix: Properly surface registry-backup load failures to the user by @HetCreep in #685
• Fix broken contributing link in README.md by @HetCreep in #688
• Fix resetting permissions when re-enabling store suggestions in search by @HetCreep in #684
• Fix main script admin relaunch not working correctly for paths with certain characters by @HetCreep in #683
• Fix icons not loading correctly on Windows 10 by @Raphire in #696
• Fix issues with domain accounts by @Raphire in #693
• Fix run.bat breaking when launched from path with certain characters by @Raphire in #693
• Fix: Show reboot warning for undoing features that require it by @Raphire in #699
• Add reboot required warning when disabling Window Snapping by @Raphire
• Hide irrelevant Settings home page settings in Windows 10 by @Raphire
• Add tooltip to user selection selectbox by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @Sqidy-P made their first contribution in #690

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

Features & Improvements

• Clean up styling to better match Windows fluent design guidelines by @Raphire in #638
• Add GPO domain policy override warning alert by @HetCreep in #611
• Add WhatIf support to preview what changes the script will make by @HetCreep in #611
• Disable telemetry-related scheduled tasks under Microsoft\Windows by @HetCreep in #615
• Guard against loading, saving & executing undefined features by @Raphire in #665
• Simplify Window management & update minimum window sizes by @Raphire in #671
• Update start menu backup/restore with timestamped filenames to support multiple backups by @Raphire in #672
• Clean up feature execution logic for readability by @Raphire in #641
• Clean up & improve app removal methods, remove legacy CLI app removal methods by @Raphire in #662
• Remove support for CustomAppsList file format, including -RemoveAppsCustom and -RunAppsListGenerator parameters
• Update CLI app removal to use newer app removal methods
• Drop support for sunset apps (Fitbit, Shazam, Twitter, Viber, Wunderlist, XING) and Plex
• Fix removal of Microsoft Copilot

Fixes

• Fix: Replace P/Invoke dynamic DLL imports with WPF native methods to prevent false positive detections by @Raphire in #661
• Fix Start Menu apps not being set correctly for all users when running script for other user by @Raphire in #637
• Fix store suggestions not getting disabled correctly for all users when running as other user by @Raphire in #642
• Fix: Respect Feature min/max version for comboboxes by @Raphire in #639
• Fix: Don't treat AllUsers/CurrentUser as a username at startup by @HetCreep in #647
• Fix: treat dismissed unsafe-removal confirmation as decline by @HetCreep in #651
• Fix: Surface runspace errors instead of swallowing them in GUI mode by @HetCreep in #655
• Fix: Correct sub-key path matching in backup allow-list validation by @HetCreep in #645* Fix: Detect WinGet uninstall failures by exit code, not English text by @HetCreep in #658
• Fix: Detect installed OneDrive in the "Only show installed" filter by @HetCreep in #656

Release page on GitHub

This is a minor release that hopefully addresses the false positives in Windows Defender and Bitdefender that prevented users from downloading and/or running Win11Debloat.

What's Changed

• Refactor Get-RegFileOperations.ps1 to address false positives by @Raphire in #626
• Add logging around WinGet app retrieval and increase timeout to 20s by @Raphire

Release page on GitHub

This release brings some long-requested features alongside a host of fixes. For starters, Win11Debloat can now automatically detect previously applied tweaks for the logged-in user. And reverting them is as simple as unchecking the corresponding setting.

The script now also fully supports running under the SYSTEM account, which has also made it possible to apply changes to users who are still logged in. This makes it far easier to integrate Win11Debloat into your automations and deployments.

What's Changed

• Fix lock screen spotlight option being disabled when disabling the start recommended section by @Raphire in #619
• Fix log message formatting by @Raphire

What's Changed in the Last Release

• Add confirmation dialogs & warning for Windows Terminal Removal by @Raphire
• Add Support for running the script under SYSTEM account by @soccerzockt in #609
• With this, support was also added for applying changes to users that are still logged-in.
• Add option to show & undo previously applied tweaks by @Raphire in #599
• Add additional options to change the All Apps view in the start menu (Hide, Grid, Category, List) by @Raphire in #599
• Clean up logging of exceptions during Appx Package uninstallation via Write-Verbose by @HetCreep in #617
• Improve log output in Get.ps1/Get-Dev.ps1 and clean up file exclusions by @Raphire
• Remove RemoveCommApps and RemoveW11Outlook app removal parameters. Use -RemoveApps parameter instead by @Raphire in #599
• Resolve nested quoting bug in Run.bat when path has spaces, see #583 by @Raphire in #599
• Fix desync issue when toggling "Only Show Installed" checkbox too fast by @Raphire in #599
• Fix: add missing keys in Sysprep/Undo regfiles for Disabling Recall and Windows Suggested content by @Raphire in #599
• Fix 'Disable Animations' Sysprep settings not being set for new users by @Raphire in #599
• Fix typo in Disable_Game_Bar_Integration Sysprep registry file by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @soccerzockt made their first contribution in #609
• @HetCreep made their first contribution in #617

Release page on GitHub

This release brings some long-requested features alongside a host of fixes. For starters, Win11Debloat can now automatically detect previously applied tweaks for the logged-in user. And reverting them is as simple as unchecking the corresponding setting.

The script now also fully supports running under the SYSTEM account, which has also made it possible to apply changes to users who are still logged in. This makes it far easier to integrate Win11Debloat into your automations and deployments.

What's Changed

• Add confirmation dialogs & warning for Windows Terminal Removal by @Raphire
• Add Support for running the script under SYSTEM account by @soccerzockt in #609
• With this, support was also added for applying changes to users that are still logged-in.
• Add option to show & undo previously applied tweaks by @Raphire in #599
• Add additional options to change the All Apps view in the start menu (Hide, Grid, Category, List) by @Raphire in #599
• Clean up logging of exceptions during Appx Package uninstallation via Write-Verbose by @HetCreep in #617
• Improve log output in Get.ps1/Get-Dev.ps1 and clean up file exclusions by @Raphire
• Remove RemoveCommApps and RemoveW11Outlook app removal parameters. Use -RemoveApps parameter instead by @Raphire in #599
• Resolve nested quoting bug in Run.bat when path has spaces, see #583 by @Raphire in #599
• Fix desync issue when toggling "Only Show Installed" checkbox too fast by @Raphire in #599
• Fix: add missing keys in Sysprep/Undo regfiles for Disabling Recall and Windows Suggested content by @Raphire in #599
• Fix 'Disable Animations' Sysprep settings not being set for new users by @Raphire in #599
• Fix typo in Disable_Game_Bar_Integration Sysprep registry file by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @soccerzockt made their first contribution in #609
• @HetCreep made their first contribution in #617

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Fix: Increase System Restore point creation timeout to 90 seconds by @ahmadsh2007 in #586
• Limit backup restore files to .json only by @Raphire
• Add Registry write fall-back in case applying registry file fails by @Raphire in #592
• Continue on registry failures and show details after execution by @Raphire in #592
• Remove DisableSearchHighlights and DisableSearchHistory settings by @Raphire in #592
• Remove widget-related registry changes as they're no longer required for disabling widgets by @Raphire in #592
• Update tooltip for DisableTelemetry feature to clarify impact on Windows Insider updates by @Raphire in #592

New Contributors

• @ahmadsh2007 made their first contribution in #586

Release page on GitHub

This is just a minor release to fix an issue with registry backup creation introduced with release 2026.05.10

What's Changed

• Fix capture and restore of signed dword/qword registry values
• Add restart instructions to registry restore success message

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Improve user validation by @Raphire in #568
• Add System Registry backup & restore by @Raphire in #566
• Add Start Menu pinned apps layout backup & restore by @Raphire in #566
• Make tweak columns responsive
• Refactor app removal scope handling & styling
• Update feature labels to include Windows default indicators

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Manually add system32 to System PATH when it's missing by @Raphire see #548
• Added prompt asking user to run as adminstrator by @David17c in #556
• Fix full-screen window snapping on secondary monitors by @Raphire in #557
• Improve app & tweak selection UI by @Raphire in #558
• This includes new presets to quickly select all settings in the Privacy & Suggested Content and AI categories
• Improve HideOnedrive feature so it also work in Windows 11 by @Raphire in #559
• This feature hides the OneDrive section in the File Explorer navigation pane
• Improve DisableWidgets feature by removing additional apps by @Raphire in #561
• Add setting details in config import/export interface by @Raphire in #562
• Remove 'Disable Fast Startup' from default settings by @Raphire
• Update tooltip for BitLocker automatic device encryption feature to clarify behavior by @Raphire
• Add Get-Dev.ps1 launch script for development by @Raphire
• Update regfile encoding for consistency by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @David17c made their first contribution in #556

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add option to export/import settings configuration by @Raphire in #522
• Add drive letter position and visibility options (#527) by @natanheringer in #533
• Add support for multiple AppIds for app removal by @Raphire in #526
• Fix: Skip confirmation when running last used settings with -Silent parameter by @Raphire see #521
• Fix inconsistent search highlighting after sorting by @Raphire
• Fix: Close app preset menu when main window loses focus by @Raphire
• Set default launch mode to CLI for deployment-targeted parameters by @Raphire
• Improve registry file import error handling by @Raphire
• Improve Window controls by @Raphire
• Improve user validation by @Raphire
• Improve styling on various UI elements by @Raphire
• Fix: block window resizing beyond min. height/width by @Raphire
• Remove DisableSearchHighlights from default mode as this is already implicitly disabled by DisableBing setting by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @natanheringer made their first contribution in #533

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add option to export/import settings configuration by @Raphire in #522
• Add drive letter position and visibility options (#527) by @natanheringer in #533
• Add support for multiple AppIds for app removal by @Raphire in #526
• Fix: Skip confirmation when running last used settings with -Silent parameter by @Raphire see #521
• Fix inconsistent search highlighting after sorting by @Raphire
• Fix: Close app preset menu when main window loses focus by @Raphire
• Set default launch mode to CLI for deployment-targeted parameters by @Raphire
• Improve registry file import error handling by @Raphire
• Improve Window controls by @Raphire
• Improve user validation by @Raphire
• Improve styling on various UI elements by @Raphire
• Fix: block window resizing beyond min. height/width by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @natanheringer made their first contribution in #533

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add a hint bubble to highlight the selected changes in Default Mode by @Raphire in #519
• Improve app selection page by @Raphire in #520
• Add app presets for Xbox gaming and OEM apps
• Add option to sort app table
• Add app removal recommendations for all apps
• Add proper titlebar button styling @Raphire in #520
• Improve logic for loading/populating GUI elements by @Raphire in #520
• Fix UI stuttering when creating system restore point by @Raphire in #520

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Fix error with module importing when launching the script from PowerShell 7 by @Raphire in #514
• Add option to hide the 'All Apps' section from the start menu by @Raphire in #514
• Move all config files to a dedicated Config folder by @Raphire in #514
• Replace support button with a Report a bug button when script encounters an error when applying changes by @Raphire in #514

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add option to disable MS Store app results in Windows Search by @Raphire in #509
• Add option to prevent WSAIFabric service from automatically starting by @Raphire in #501
• Add option to disable Storage Sense automatic disk cleanup by @Raphire in #507
• Add option to disable Find My Device location tracking by @CMD126 in #508
• Add option to disable Search Highlight by @CMD126 in #508
• Add support for removing additional apps from Microsoft, Lenovo & Dell by @CMD126 in #508
• Add warning about some changes requiring a reboot @Raphire in #506
• Add warning about removing Edge and its impact on Sandbox by @AnonymousWP in #491
• Improve & simplify the overview & apply interface by @Raphire in #505
• Fix Search Icon and Label options by @Raphire in #504
• Fix focus loss after Explorer restart by @Raphire in #506
• Updated feature labels & descriptions by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @AnonymousWP made their first contribution in #491
• @CMD126 made their first contribution in #508

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Fix force remove edge prompt by @Raphire in #483
• Update winget check by @Raphire in #484

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Improve app page with table-like styling by @Raphire
• Update app/tweak descriptions by @Raphire
• Add option to disable local Windows search history by @Raphire in #477
• Add option to enable Windows Sandbox by @Raphire in #477
• Add option to enable Windows Subsystem for Linux by @Raphire in #477
• Add option to disable location services by @Raphire in #478
• Add option to quickly apply default settings from home page by @Raphire in #479

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add titlebar menu by @Raphire in #470
• Add proper MessageBox styling by @Raphire in #470
• Add GUI prompt after failure to create restore point by @Raphire in #469 (Suggested in #468)
• Add tweak category icons by @Raphire in #471
• Add tooltips to all tweaks by @Raphire in #473
• Remove Strip-Progress function to prevent localization issues by @Raphire in #473 (Reported in #472)
• Refactor code structure for improved readability and maintainability by @Raphire in #473

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Fix styling for other user input box by @Raphire in #459
• Add option to select target user(s) for app removal by @Raphire in #462
• Add Multi-tasking settings by @Raphire in #458
• Disable window snapping
• Disable snap suggestions when snapping windows
• Disable Snap Layouts on dragging windows to the top of the screen or when hovering over the maximize button
• Change showing tabs when snapping or pressing Alt+Tab
• Improve DisableEdgeAds feature to disable additional clutter/ads in Microsoft Edge by @Raphire
• Disable the first run experience
• Disable default browser prompts
• Disable Adobe Acrobat buttons/ads
• Disable spotlight experiences and recommendations

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• UI improvements to Overview page by @Raphire in #455
• Add Windows Explorer restart checkbox, replacing the prompt after execution
• Updated styling
• Properly cancel script when closing during execution by @Raphire in #455
• Allow forceful MS Edge removal via GUI by @Raphire in #454
• Remove max version from DisableStartRecommended feature by @Raphire in #454
• Fix key in Enable_Game_Bar_Integration.reg file by @Raphire
• Add link to wiki next to tweak category headers by @Raphire

Release page on GitHub

Following our recent update, this release focuses on refining the new Win11Debloat GUI with improved functionality & accessibility, as well as addressing some bugs that were introduced. Additionally, this version introduces a few new options for managing Windows Updates and BitLocker encryption.

What's Changed

• Improve UI accessibility for screen readers by @makhlwf in #441
• Add search bar to tweak page by @Raphire in #440
• Support Ctrl+F for search boxes by @Raphire in #449
• Respect NoRestartExplorer flag in GUI by @Raphire
• Fix crash on clearing Start menu pinned apps for all users by @Raphire in #447
• Make GUI resizable by @Raphire in #448
• Add Windows Update Settings by @Raphire in #450
• Add option to disable BitLocker automatic device encryption by @Raphire in #451

New Contributors

• @makhlwf made their first contribution in #441

Release page on GitHub

<img width="1218" height="585" alt="menu" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/24c6b36d-da7d-46c8-a2e6-9087d611dfcd" />

This is a big one, for quite a while people have requested a proper graphical UI for Win11Debloat. Today it's finally here!

The new graphical UI will become the new default way to use Win11Debloat, but don't worry, Win11Debloat powerful CLI features are still here. If you choose, you can even access the old CLI menu by launching the script with the -CLI parameter.

This release also includes some new settings, as well as some big changes under the hood, please refer to the changelog below for more details.

What's Changed

• Add full GUI by @Raphire, with help from @SashankBhamidi & @N0tHorizon in #432
• Update App Selection UI to be in line with new GUI
• Move supported app definitions from Appslist.txt to Apps.json and add proper app names and descriptions
• Move Feature definitions to Assets/Features.json
• Add option to apply changes to other users or the default user profile through the GUI.
• Add -CLI parameter to open CLI menu instead of GUI
• Add missing Sysprep registry files for Multi-Monitor taskbar settings
• Add option to disable the 'Drag Tray' by @Raphire in #433
• Add option to disable bloat in Brave browser by @Raphire in #408
• Add error logging to run.bat by @N0tHorizon in #437
• Removed deprecated parameters, see discussions/435

Release page on GitHub

<img width="1218" height="585" alt="menu" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/24c6b36d-da7d-46c8-a2e6-9087d611dfcd" />

This is a big one, for quite a while people have requested a proper graphical UI for Win11Debloat. Today it's finally here!

The new graphical UI will become the new default way to use Win11Debloat, but don't worry, Win11Debloat powerful CLI features are still here. If you choose, you can even access the old CLI menu by launching the script with the -CLI parameter.

In addition to the new UI, some big changes have been made under the hood, please refer to the changelog below for more details.

What's Changed

• Add full GUI by @Raphire, with help from @SashankBhamidi & @N0tHorizon in #432
• Update App Selection UI to be in line with new GUI
• Move support app definitions from Appslist.txt to Apps.json and add proper app names and descriptions
• Move Feature definitions to Assets/Features.json
• Add option to apply changes to other users or the default user profile through the GUI.
• Add -CLI parameter to open CLI menu instead of GUI
• Add missing Sysprep registry files for Multi-Monitor taskbar settings
• Add option to disable the 'Drag Tray' by @Raphire in #433
• Add option to disable bloat in Brave browser by @Raphire in #408
• Add error logging to run.bat by @N0tHorizon in #437
• Removed deprecated parameters, see discussions/435

Release page on GitHub

This release includes some significant improvements under the hood, in addition to the changes listed below.

What's Changed

• Add app removal of specific apps via command-line by @Raphire in #402
• Add default and last used config files by @Raphire & @soulcloude00 in #402
• Add all common folders back under 'This PC' in File Explorer by @Raphire in #407

<details>

<summary>Click here for more details</summary>

You can now remove specific apps via the command-line by launching the script with the -RemoveApps parameter, and specifying the app(s) in the -Apps parameter as a comma separated list. Example: -RemoveApps -Apps "Microsoft.OneDrive,Microsoft.Copilot"

If you only use the -RemoveApps parameter then it will, like before, remove the default selection of apps as defined in the Appslist.txt file.

Until now the script's defaults were hardcoded in the script. With this release the script now comes with a DefaultSettings.json file allowing you to easily see (and change) what the script does by default. In addition, after running Default Mode, Custom Mode or App Removal Mode your settings will now be saved to LastUsedSettings.json which follows the same JSON format as the DefaultSettings.json file.

Please refer to the wiki for more information.

</details>

New Contributors

• @soulcloude00 made their first contribution in #362

Release page on GitHub

This release is focussed on fixing a few bugs and cleaning up the main script to improve overall readability.

What's Changed

• Added option to disable Game Bar Integration in Default Mode, based on #367 & #386
• Removed Windows 10 specific app removal logic in #394, this was originally added as a workaround for W10 specific issues
• Fixed issue that, under certain circumstances, caused changes to be applied before creating a restore point in #394
• Fixed some default parameters not being applied correctly when running the script with both the -RunDefaults/-RunDefaultsLite and -Silent parameters in #394
• Fixed script not exiting correctly when not selecting any options in Custom Mode
• Fixed issue with Disable Give access to feature also disabling share tab in folder properties, based on #390
• Updated Get.ps1 to always fetch latest release, instead of using a hardcoded release version, based on suggestion by @agadiffe in #381

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Add NoRestartExplorer switch by @oyxnaut in #370
• Add support for removing Microsoft 365 Business companion apps by @Raphire
• Hide the (now obsolete) option to disable start recommended section on build 26200+ by @Raphire
• Improve removal of OneDrive and Edge when run in User or Sysprep mode by @raphire based on #366
• Add option to fully disable annoying popups after uninstalling Xbox Game Bar by @raphire based on #367

New Contributors

• @oyxnaut made their first contribution in #370

Release page on GitHub

> [!Important]

> This release includes changes to the default selection of apps and the removal of the -RemoveDevApps command-line parameter from the script.

What's Changed

• Added options to manage taskbar in multi-monitor mode by @tsumi in #346
• Added Dev Home (no longer supported) and Power Automate (Rarely used) to default app selection by @Raphire
• Removed option to uninstall specific developer related apps with the -RemoveDevApps parameter by @Raphire

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Fix issue where clearing/replacing the start menu pinned apps would fail and crash under certain circumstances
• Fix displayed app count in script output when removing apps
• Add missing sysprep registry keys for the combine taskbar buttons feature

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Fix issue with Run.bat not working correctly when username has spaces in it by @tylerhekman in #322
• Added an option to choose combine mode for Taskbar buttons by @tsumi in #329
• Added option to disable Click to Do (AI text & image analysis tool included for Copilot+ PC's) by @Raphire
• Updated Default Mode to show a list of all apps that are removed by @Raphire
• Removed prompts after system restore creation errors by @Raphire

New Contributors

• @tylerhekman made their first contribution in #322
• @tsumi made their first contribution in #329

Release page on GitHub

What's Changed

• Added option to not remove any apps, or remove a custom selection of apps in Default mode.
• Added DisableRecall feature to the Default settings.
• Disabling telemetry now also fully disables optional and required telemetry in Microsoft Edge.
• Disabling ads & suggestions in Microsoft Edge now also disables shopping assistant, error navigation suggestions and tab organization suggestions.
• Fixed missing entry for the Quick Assist app in the README.

Release page on GitHub