Windows 11 24H2: A Fresh Start, But Not So Fresh

Windows 11 24H2 is the latest version of the operating system. It's not the most beloved, especially when compared to the Enterprise versions. The consumer versions, Home and Pro, are known for their annoying extra apps and constant nudges to use more Microsoft services. This guide will help you clean up your fresh install. It won't remove everything, but it will make your experience better. The focus is on what Microsoft officially supports. The setup process is a pain. It forces you to sign in with a Microsoft account. There's no easy way around it, unlike in Windows 10. This is true for both Home and Pro editions. Microsoft has been pushing this change for a while now. The goal here is to make your Windows 11 experience smoother. It's not about stripping it down to the bare bones. There are other guides for that, like the NTDev's Tiny11 project. But those can cause problems with security updates and compatibility. Let's start with the setup. The first thing you'll notice is the Microsoft account sign-in. It's a hassle, but it's the first step. You can't skip it, so just go with it. Once you're in, you'll want to start cleaning up. There are a few things you can do right away. First, turn off the built-in apps you don't want. Microsoft Edge is one of them. You can remove it or at least turn off its automatic updates. There are other browsers out there, and you might prefer them. Next, take a look at the settings. There are a lot of them, and they can be overwhelming. But don't worry, you don't have to change everything. Just focus on the ones that matter to you. One thing you might want to do is turn off telemetry. This is the data that Windows collects about your usage. It's not the most exciting topic, but it's important. Microsoft uses this data to improve the operating system, but it can also be a privacy concern. Another thing to consider is the built-in apps. Windows 11 comes with a lot of them, and you might not want all of them. You can remove some of them, but not all. Microsoft has made it harder to remove certain apps, like the Microsoft Store. But you can still turn off its updates. The goal of this guide is to help you make your Windows 11 experience better. It's not about making it perfect, but about making it work for you. So, take your time and explore the settings. You might find something you like, or you might find something you don't. But that's okay, because you can always change it. Remember, this is your computer. You should be in control of it, not the other way around. So, take the time to clean up your fresh install of Windows 11 24H2. It might seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it in the end.