"Lite" builds of Windows 10.

[GTP]

Does anyone play around with "Lite" versions of Windows 10?
I'm going to setup a test system and play around with a few things I found on the webs, like NTLite, (just for testing purposes) and a few other scripts and tools I found on GitHub.

At the moment I have a Windows 10 1803 machine with it's guts ripped out and although rock solid (and super fast!) it has some issues like the start menu search not working, notifications not working etc.
I have disabled many services as well, but managed to keep the stability and usability albeit with a couple of broken bits.
I can live without these things but I have read a lot from others who have completely removed the Telemetry, Cortana, Store etc and are basically left with a fully functional OS.
Windows Updates and Networking are still fully functional.
I have gone too far on many occasions but I keep a series of images that I can roll back to and System Restore helps as well.

 

[timeshifter]

The name Black Viper comes to mind
http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-10-service-configurations/

 

[Porthos]

I may gut a personal system but I would never do that to any clients system and I would not ever reccomendit considering the bi-yearly new versions of Windows. But I know you know this already and are not that crazy.

 

[GTP]

I may gut a personal system but I would never do that to any clients system and I would not ever reccomendit considering the bi-yearly new versions of Windows. But I know you know this already and are not that crazy.

Thanks for your vote of confidence.
Of course I wouldn't recommend this for client systems and apart from tweaks like turning off Cortana (some people find the American voice unpleasant) any changes I make to client systems are completely reversible by either myself, the client or MS.

But when it comes to my own systems - especially when my privacy is at risk by multinational snoops looking to use me as their revenue "cash cow" - I will hack/slash/bend/break/ to my hearts content.
I do understand that what I'm doing is outside the EULA and fraught with the danger of opening up huge security holes which could compromise the very privacy I seek to maintain.

But it is also a fun learning curve.

 

[Porthos]

but I keep a series of images that I can roll back to

That is the important part of computing today even if you are not gutting your system. I do monthly system images and super important stuff is in my IDrive account. Of course I have nothing on IDrive I wouldnt post in a public forum.

 

[GTP]

The name Black Viper comes to mind
http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-10-service-configurations/

Black Vipers and/or Mad Bombs's recommendations will only take you so far.
Although you can disable certain services, Microsoft can and will re-enable them at will.
It is the complete removal of certain services without breaking the OS that is the goal here.
Inside Windows 10 there is an OS that is crazy fast, even on old hardware, free of Telemetry spyware, that should work as previous OS's worked without the data collection.
I intend to find it...

 

[timeshifter]

Why not just stop the services you don't want? Seems like you could even write a PowerShell script or some other way to automate the process. That would make it easy to set up new systems and fix existing ones where MS turns things back on.

Also, what about the LTSB version of Windows? Would that fit your needs here?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I do use a lite version on my mini pc and vm's I call it....windows 7

Edit:

Also, what about the LTSB version of Windows? Would that fit your needs here?

didnt even know that existed, thats sweet.

 

[GTP]

Why not just stop the services you don't want? Seems like you could even write a PowerShell script or some other way to automate the process. That would make it easy to set up new systems and fix existing ones where MS turns things back on.
Also, what about the LTSB version of Windows? Would that fit your needs here?

I'm doing this for my own amusement.
Turning off services is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Actually removing those services (and programs) from the OS while still keeping the stability is the goal.

LTSB is for Enterprise. I'm not deploying lite versions to clients. Both LTSB and Windows "S" which is Microsofts "official" lite build still contains all the telemetry collectors.

 

[johnrobert]

I put it on a laptop that ran fast with Win 7 a big slow down with Win 10
Back to Win 7 the last real O/S
Give me Win 8.1 any day over Win 10 I can install classic shell and it stays

 

[Porthos]

Give me Win 8.1 any day over Win 10 I can install classic shell and it stays

Till 2023 when support ends.

 

[glennd]

I'm doing this for my own amusement.
Turning off services is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Actually removing those services (and programs) from the OS while still keeping the stability is the goal.

LTSB is for Enterprise. I'm not deploying lite versions to clients. Both LTSB and Windows "S" which is Microsofts "official" lite build still contains all the telemetry collectors.

Did you ever find a good tool that lightens up a working installation?

 

[GTP]

Oh yes I did indeed!
It's called NTLite and Iv'e used it successfully on many occasions. I bought the Home version as I don't intend to ever apply it to a client system.
You can remove all the garbage from an .iso or run it on a running Windows installation to remove components without having to reboot into a pre boot environment or "Safe Mode."

If you want I can send you several of my builds on a USB stick.

But you should have a go at doing your own. If you break it it's no big deal. Just start again.
NTLite will warn you if you go too far, which is very nice!

The version I use on my gaming system is incredibly fast and boots in just 3 seconds to desktop. I have it installed on a 1TB Samsung M.2
Also have it on my cloning station which has full functionality without all the BS. It does take a bit longer to boot from the WD "Blue" drive it's installed on though. (like 30 seconds)

 

[glennd]

Oh yes I did indeed!
It's called NTLite and Iv'e used it successfully on many occasions. I bought the Home version as I don't intend to ever apply it to a client system.
You can remove all the garbage from an .iso or run it on a running Windows installation to remove components without having to reboot into a pre boot environment or "Safe Mode."

If you want I can send you several of my builds on a USB stick.

But you should have a go at doing your own. If you break it it's no big deal. Just start again.
NTLite will warn you if you go too far, which is very nice!

The version I use on my gaming system is incredibly fast and boots in just 3 seconds to desktop. I have it installed on a 1TB Samsung M.2
Also have it on my cloning station which has full functionality without all the BS. It does take a bit longer to boot from the WD "Blue" drive it's installed on though. (like 30 seconds)

Well my work machine is now Win10 which happened all of a sudden this morning so I thought I'll try and do a little tweaking to get a few extra milliseconds out of it.

 

[GTP]

Yeah, you might have to pony up the $85 for the Home version like I did.
Well worth it though, not just for Win 10 but Win 7/8.1 etc.

Offers still there to send some builds on a stick...

 

[Your PCMD]

But I know you know this already and are not that crazy.

Well, I wouldn't say that. That's a bit of a stretch.

 

[GTP]

Well, I wouldn't say that. That's a bit of a stretch.

I'd be careful if I were you! Texas is not that far away....

 

[Umbra]

The con for me is you have to redo it every 6 months... Feels like a girl doing extensive gym to prepare for the incoming summertime lol

 

[GTP]

The con for me is you have to redo it every 6 months... Feels like a girl doing extensive gym to prepare for the incoming summertime lol

But the big pro is that it only takes 10~15 minutes for NTLite to work it's magic.
Either run it while windows is running or build your custom .iso, Fabs, install, restore, drink stubbie while marvelling at your cleverness!

 

[Galdorf]

I use a script i have looked at it before running it to make sure it was not doing bad things does a very good job at de-bloating windows 10 removes junk apps i say it made a 30% increase in performance on my mini HTC PC.
Windows10Debloater