Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script

This Powershell Script creates a heavily stripped down Version of Windows 11, Adds portable Classic Calculator, Notepad, Paint & StartAllBack and also creates a TakeOwnership.cmd file in System32, Apart from these files everything else is stock Windows 11.

Latest 26H2 build 26300.9550 installation consumes around 3.80 GB and iso file size is around 1.07 GB.

1.Mount Windows 11 iso using Windows Explorer

2.Extract the downloaded archive into C:\Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script or C:\Micro 11 Barebones StartAllBack Powershell Script

3.Open PowerShell as Administrator

4.Open & Copy PowerShell Script Instructions

5.Paste them in PowerShell and press enter

6.Now enter the mounted drive letter for the Windows 11 image (example F or G)

7.If you have multiple Windows editions like Home, Pro, Enterprise etc in the iso, Powershell Script will ask for edition you want to strip. So enter the index number and press enter.

8.Thats it all done, after few minutes Micro 11 Barebones.iso or Micro 11 Barebones StartAllBack.iso will be generated in the folder Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script or Micro 11 Barebones StartAllBack Powershell Script

Hope you enjoy this release and feel free to improve the PowerShell Script

Let me know any issues encountered, I will try to resolve them.

cheers

Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script

12.24 MB folder on MEGA

Micro 11 Barebones StartAllBack Powershell Script

15.82 MB folder on MEGA

I wouldn't recommend using any Windows debloating script that doesn't openly state what features are removed (or allow users to customize their removals).

This script removes key features which might be important to some users:

Not to mention you're removing Defender. Some users may agree with your removal list, but it should be listed up front.

Apparently, the "bare bones" Windows 11 market is open for business.

Two threads on the same topic today...

garlin said:

I wouldn't recommend using any Windows debloating script that doesn't openly state what features are removed (or allow users to customize their removals).

This script removes key features which might be important to some users:

Code:

"Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell-ISE-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-WMIC-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-TextToSpeech-en-us-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Hello-Face-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Speech-en-us-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-MSPaint-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-SnippingTool-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Hello-BioEnrollment-Package~",  <-- required for Windows Hello
"Microsoft-Windows-BitLocker-DriveEncryption-FVE-Package~",  <-- required for BitLocker
"Microsoft-Windows-TPM-WMI-Provider-Package~",   <-- required for Secure Boot

Not to mention you're removing Defender. Some users may agree with your removal list, but it should be listed up front.

Click to expand...

Everything is removed, its a core os with basic app support ( Some apps might not work, as .Net Framework is also stripped down ) with no preloaded apps apart from some system tools like Powershell, Command Prompt, Disk Management, Device Manager, Classic Calculator, Classic Notepad, Classic Paint etc are present.

As requested what is removed, it can be huge list:

As garlin listed, System packages has been removed.

1. System Packages

"Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell-ISE-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Telnet-Client-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-AppServer-Client-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Qualcomm-Athw8x-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Realtek-Rtwlane-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-WMIC-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwns64-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwtw02-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwtw08-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwtw10-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-EnterpriseClientSync-Host-FOD-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-Notepad-System-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-StepsRecorder-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Broadcom-Bcmwl63al-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Qualcomm-Athwnx-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Qualcomm-Qcamain10x64-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-TFTP-Client-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Broadcom-Bcmwl63a-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwew01-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Marvel-Mrvlpcie8897-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-Optional-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-LA57-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell-ISE-FOD-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwtw04-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Realtek-Rtwlane13-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Ethernet-Client-Intel-E2f68-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-TextToSpeech-en-us-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-SmbDirect-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-TabletPCMath-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwlv64-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Realtek-Rtl8192se-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Realtek-Rtwlane01-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-DirectoryServices-ADAM-Client-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-EnterpriseClientSync-Host-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Hello-Face-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-SimpleTCP-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwtw06-FOD-Package~",
"OpenSSH-Client-Package~",
"Microsoft-Edge-WebView-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Ethernet-Client-Realtek-Rtcx21x64-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-ProjFS-OptionalFeature-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-StepsRecorder-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-AppServer-Client-FOD-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwbw02-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Intel-Netwsw00-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Wifi-Client-Ralink-Netr28x-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-WMIC-FoD-Package-wow64.cab",
"Microsoft-Windows-Ethernet-Client-Intel-E1i68x64-FOD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Handwriting-en-us-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Speech-en-us-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-Optional-Package~31bf3856ad364e35",
"Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-LA57-FoD-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Handwriting-$languageCode-Package~31bf3856ad364e35",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Speech-$languageCode-Package~31bf3856ad364e35",
"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-TextToSpeech-$languageCode-Package~31bf3856ad364e35",
"Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package~31bf3856ad364e35",
"Windows-Defender-Client-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~",
"Microsoft-Windows-WordPad-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-MSPaint-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-SnippingTool-FoD-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Xps-Xps-Viewer-Opt-Package~",
"*IME-ja-jp*",
"*IME-ko-kr*",
"*IME-zh-cn*",
"*IME-zh-tw*",
"Microsoft-Windows-Hello-BioEnrollment-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-BitLocker-DriveEncryption-FVE-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-TPM-WMI-Provider-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Narrator-App-Package~",
"Microsoft-Windows-Magnifier-App-Package~"

2. Aggressive manual file deletions ( My hand picked features, folders, files and also dll's based on requirement , needs and experience on what to delete, I have been doing this since 2011 )

How its done, I cant explain each and every folder, its files and Dll's but in short I start finding features by going folder by folder its all starts with basic idea for whom this version is and its features.

For example i used to release multiple versions of Windows 7 , 8, 8.1, 10 & 11 in these variants

Slim: This version is for Folks who are interested in Complete Windows Desktop Environment Features where windows can not be updated as winsxs is removed, no Windows Store & no Windows 10 Universal Apps, everything else is intact.

Extreme: This version is for Folks who are interested in Stable yet heavily stripped down Windows Desktop Environment, has Stock Dot Net Framework.

Barebones: This version is for Folks who are enthusiasts & interested in Experimental Windows Desktop Environment, has Stripped down Dot Net Framework.

Barebones Dot Net Framework 4.0 Only: This version is for folks who doesn't use Software based on Dot Net Framework 2.0, 3.0 & 3.5.

New Laptops: I have kept the hardware features intact such as Windows Hello Bio-metric reader & IR webcam features, Touch & Pen support.

Old Laptops: the above mentioned new laptop features has been removed.

Core OS: Just a Core OS with Portable Classic Notepad, Paint & Calculator everything else is removed including a lot of system Dll's.

So this current Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script is an amalgamation of these versions with Barebones Dot Net Framework 4.0 Only, This version is for Folks who are enthusiasts & interested in Experimental Windows Desktop Environment with no Universal Windows Platform (UWP) support and
has Stripped down Dot Net Framework ( Some software might not work ) and at the same time who doesn't use Software based on Dot Net Framework 2.0, 3.0 & 3.5. Along with Core OS features like Portable Classic Notepad, Paint & Calculator everything else is removed including a lot of system Dll's. One more thing to note down is 99% Winsxs is removed, so dont expect windows update to work. Search works in file explorer but not in Start menu, as this feature search in start menu is linked with or in technical language has a dependency with get started app and backup app, which makes start menu ugly, but its upto you can customize it in your own way. All New laptop features has been removed such as Windows Hello Bio-metric reader & IR webcam features, Touch & Pen support. One more important thing to notify, I have made the installation unattended at start it justs asks for Disk and partition for installation and then later in oobe its ask for Naming the Computer. So for people who want to select region time zone currency format and also keyboard language doesnt work during installation, you have to change it once you are on the desktop.

I am hopeful that i have explained what to expect from this script. If you want technical information like what has been removed just go through the script by opening it in a notepad.

To simplify what has been removed First step in the script is to Taking Ownership of the folders Program Files, Program Files (x86), ProgramData, Users & Windows ⟶ Removal of System packages ( check Script for what has been removed, also listed above) ⟶ Agressive Manual File Deletions ( Logic Explained above) ⟶ WinSxS Reduction ⟶ Registry Tweaks Applied ( AutoUnattended.xml is embedded in C# code here, TakeOwnership.cmd file is craeted here and sits in System32, its important to take ownership of the folders without any errors ) ⟶ Windows Services Tweaked ⟶ Custom File or Applications Injection like Classic Calculator, Notepad & Paint ⟶ Extensive Registry Cleanup for Install wim ( there is a lot to clean ) ⟶ Boot Wim Agressive Manual File Deletions ⟶ Boot Wim Extensive Registry Cleanup ⟶ Wim to ESD conversion ⟶ ISO Manual File Cleanup ⟶ ISO creation ⟶ Temporary File Cleanup ⟶ End

Since 2011 i was releasing customized version of Windows in different forums & communities, but as i am getting older, i just thought to share my knowledge with everyone by means of this Powershell Script. I recently purchased a Snapdragon X2 Elite Laptop, none of the famous softwares like NTlite, Winreducer EX Series were compatible with arm64, So i decided to create my own customized stripped down Windows version again but was lazy to hand pick and delete the files, So decided to create bat files for automatic deletion but it doesnt work with future builds of Windows.

So decided to write the Powershell Script from scratch with what ever knowledge i remember from my good old Uni days of 2011 where i did my research and submitted my thesis on customized stripped down Windows versions.

This is how it started my interest towards stripping down versions of windows and here it is almost after a month and a half of designing, building and testing, hope everyone like it and customize the script accordingly based on your requirements, by the way its compatible with arm64 as well.

You can share your thoughts on improving, feel free to improve the powershell script. If you have any questions on the script, I am here to help.

cheers

Looks like the files got corrupted while uploading, here is a fresh set of links to the files archive

Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script:


Micro 11 Barebones StartAllBack Powershell Script:

Looks like the files got corrupted while uploading, here is an another fresh set of links to the files archive

Micro 11 Barebones Powershell Script:



Micro 11 Barebones StartAllBack Powershell Script:

This is amazing thank you so much.

@mackyreddy
Although many people "debloat" Windows, most of them eventually go back to using the official version. That is what I have observed over time.
But, nice share

Here some suggestions. If I'm wrong, please go easy on me :)

• Bundle latest DISM. Running this script on a stripped Windows will throw errors since DISM won't function properly. Including DISM eliminates this issue.
• Why disable services when you can remove them? You are removing actual component but the service name stays in the services.msc with a disabled state. If you also remove it from the services list, services.msc will look much cleaner.
• Why not run "dism /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase" just before WinSxS reduction?
• You also run "dism /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase" after several operations.
• Performing component removals after a ResetBase or deep clean can corrupt it and throw dependency errors.
• Shouldn't the order of operations be like this? 1. Remove all components 2. Run the DISM command 3. Aggresive cleaning of WinSxS. 4. No further component removal after this. 5. Start boot.wim editing.
• Poor documentation not sure what's exactly left.
• Wish you provide options to retain: printing, VPN, MS Office, .NET Framework 3.5+, Android MTP/Phone Connection support. I could swear that, for many people, these have now become fundamental in 2026.

You should definitely make GitHub repo and reach more people.

braaphub said:

@mackyreddy
Although many people "debloat" Windows, most of them eventually go back to using the official version. That is what I have observed over time.
But, nice share

Click to expand...

I’ll personally never willingly ever reinstall Edge. Now that is 3.5gb of bloatware (in my opinion!) that is of absolutely no use to me whatsoever. Thankyou EU and the DMA

Shambles Bank said:

I’ll personally never willingly ever reinstall Edge. Now that is 3.5gb of bloatware (in my opinion!) that is of absolutely no use to me whatsoever. Thankyou EU and the DMA

Click to expand...

I know that the main issue with Windows 11 actually stems from Edge and WebView; both have a wide scope of use and consume significant resources for users with limited memory.

braaphub said:

I know that the main issue with Windows 11 actually stems from Edge and WebView; both have a wide scope of use and consume significant resources for users with limited memory.

Click to expand...

To be fair, I just don’t like Edge full stop. There is no other reason, I just can’t stand it

chn97 said:

Why disable services when you can remove them? You are removing actual component but the service name stays in the services.msc with a disabled state. If you also remove it from the services list, services.msc will look much cleaner

Click to expand...

See you in a few weeks when you have some obscure error you can’t figure out.

pseymour said:

See you in a few weeks when you have some obscure error you can’t figure out.

Click to expand...

I've been using NTLite and scripts like Tiny11 for years. Never encountered a obscure or absurd error if you know what you are doing.

chn97 said:

I've been using NTLite and scripts like Tiny11 for years. Never encountered a obscure or absurd error if you know what you are doing.

Click to expand...

If we’re getting into a measuring contest, I’ve been administering Windows devices since NT 4, thousands at a time.

braaphub said:

@mackyreddy
Although many people "debloat" Windows, most of them eventually go back to using the official version. That is what I have observed over time.
But, nice share

Click to expand...

yeah, as every windows H version update/upgrade bring back a lot.. so people give up as they have to do it over and over and over again after every big uproll.

pseymour said:

If we’re getting into a measuring contest, I’ve been administering Windows devices since NT 4, thousands at a time.

Click to expand...

You quoted my post dude I was talking to OP. Not sure what you are up to. Don't act like 4 years old.

Marie SWE said:

yeah, as every windows H version update/upgrade bring back a lot.. so people give up as they have to do it over and over and over again after every big uproll.

Click to expand...

Ok, so 25H2 to 26H2 was only an enablement package, but Windows hasn’t reinstalled Edge back onto either my PC or laptop.

Just for kicks the previous day to this post, I reinstalled 26H2 On my laptop using the 26H2 repair version just to see if anything drastic would happen. It essentially downloaded a fresh OS but kept all my Apps and settings. Obviously I lost any registry tweaks I’d done and I had to run O&O ShutUp! again, but otherwise it was a complete success, no attempt to reinstall Edge or Copilot, a piece of cake. But that is the beauty of EU regulations, MS aren’t allowed to break your OS.