How to Make Windows 11 Actually Usable

Windows 11 is a mess of popups, preinstalled junk, and pushy defaults. This guide shows you how to clean it up and make it usable.

Windows 11 is a mess that’s been forced upon many computer users. It’s full of unnecessary features, forced Microsoft services, aggressive prompts, preinstalled junk, and background tracking. Out of the box, it prioritizes Microsoft’s ecosystem and bottom line over your preferences and privacy.

This guide walks you through everything I do to make it more usable, from removing apps and ads to disabling tracking, controlling updates, and even removing the Edge browser. None of these steps require the use of the command line.

Start with Windows Toolbox (Highly Recommended)

Windows Toolbox is a $ 10 USD utility that provides a checklist interface to apply dozens of essential fixes in one go. With just a few clicks, you can:

• Remove all Microsoft Store apps (even the ones that normally can’t be uninstalled)

• Disable telemetry and background tracking

• Turn off OneDrive folder backup prompts and uninstall it

• Hide Bing from the Start menu

• Disable ads, tips, Snap Assist Flyouts, and other clutter

• Enable missing basics like file extensions, hidden files, and NumLock on boot

It’s the first tool I run after every reinstall of Windows 11 (and even Windows 10).

If you would prefer to do certain things manually, here are the steps:

Remove Preinstalled Apps (Bloatware)

Windows 11 ships with apps you didn’t ask for. Removing them improves performance and reduces clutter.

• Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps

• Uninstall apps like Xbox, Spotify, Clipchamp, Office trial, etc.

• Open Settings → Apps → Startup

• Turn off anything you don’t want loading at boot

You can also use Microsoft PC Manager, a free tool from Microsoft, to make this process faster and more thorough

• Download and install Microsoft PC Manager

• Use the App Management section to uninstall multiple apps at once

• Use Cleanup to remove temporary files and large unused files

• Use Startup management to see and disable background apps

Disable Telemetry and Data Collection

To reduce what Windows tracks and sends to Microsoft:

• Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics & feedback

• Set Diagnostic data to Required only

• Turn off Tailored experiences

• Set Feedback frequency to Never

Then review and disable what you don’t use in these sections:

• Location

• Microphone

• Account info

• Inking & typing personalization

You can also check the telemetry box in Windows Toolbox to do this automatically.

Switch to a Local Account (Post-Install Method)

To reduce syncing, tracking, and dependency on Microsoft accounts, switch from a Microsoft account to a local one.

• Open Settings → Accounts → Your info

• Click Sign in with a local account instead

• Enter your current Microsoft account password

• Create a local username and password

• Sign out and sign in with your new local account

This disables OneDrive auto-setup, turns off cross-device personalization, and gives you more control over privacy.

Replace Edge and Stop Its Interference

Even if you only plan to use Edge briefly to install Firefox or another browser, it’s important to change a few of its settings first. Edge can still run background processes, hijack default apps, and sync your browsing data with Microsoft, even after you think you’ve closed it.

Changing these settings limits the interference during the short time it’s on your system and ensures it won’t continue running in the background after you uninstall it.

• Open Edge and click the three-dot menu → Settings

• Go to Start, home, and new tabs

  • Set it to open a blank tab or a page you control

• Go to Privacy, Search, and Services

  • Turn off Show me search and site suggestions

  • Turn off Shopping in Microsoft Edge

  • Turn off Get tips and suggestions when using Windows

  • Turn off every toggle under Services

• Go to System and Performance

  • Disable Continue running extensions and apps in the background

  • Turn off Startup boost

Download Firefox (I honestly prefer Zen Browser) or grab it using PatchMyPC (portable version).

Set your preferred browser as the default:

Open Settings → Apps → Default apps → Firefox

• Set your preferred browser for:

  • HTTP

  • HTTPS

  • .HTM

  • .HTML

  • .PDF

Turn off remaining Microsoft nudges

• Open Settings → Privacy & Security → General

  • Turn off Let Windows improve Start and search results

  • Turn off Show suggested content in Settings

• Open Settings → Personalization → Taskbar

  • Turn off the Copilot button

Safely Uninstall Microsoft Edge with Wise Uninstaller

After replacing Edge and limiting its background behavior, you can safely remove it using Wise Program Uninstaller

• Download and install Wise Program Uninstaller

• Open the app and find Microsoft Edge under Desktop Apps

• Click Force Uninstall and confirm removal of all related files

• Check the Metro Apps tab and uninstall Edge again if it appears

• Allow Wise to create a system restore point

• Restart your PC

This removes Edge cleanly, without requiring scripts, commands, or any leftover background services.

Stop OneDrive From Taking Over

OneDrive tries to back up your Documents, Desktop, and Pictures folders whether you want it to or not. It also starts automatically unless disabled.

• Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray → Settings

• Go to Sync and backup → Manage backup

• Turn off Desktop, Documents, and Pictures

• Go to Settings → Apps → Startup

  • Turn off Microsoft OneDrive

• If you don’t use OneDrive at all:

  • Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps

  • Uninstall Microsoft OneDrive

Windows Toolbox can also disable or remove OneDrive for you.

Make Office Save Files Locally

Microsoft Office defaults to saving everything in OneDrive and encourages cloud storage.

• Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

• Go to File → Options → Save

• Check Save to Computer by default

• Uncheck AutoSave to OneDrive

• Choose local folders like Documents or Downloads when saving

If you're using something else, like LibreOffice or Google Docs, uninstall the Office trial.

Remove Ads and Suggestions

• Open Settings → Personalization → Start

  • Turn off Show recently added apps

  • Turn off Show most used apps

  • Turn off Show recommendations

• Open Settings → System → Notifications

  • Turn off Offer suggestions

  • Turn off Get tips and tricks

• In File Explorer → View → Show → Options → View tab

  • Uncheck Show sync provider notifications

• Open Settings → Privacy & Security → General

  • Turn off Let apps show me personalized ads

  • Turn off Improve Start and search with my data

  • Turn off Show suggested content in Settings

Windows Toolbox includes a checkbox to remove all of this.

Disable Background and Resource-Hungry Features

• Go to Windows Security → Device Security → Core isolation

  • Turn off Memory Integrity

• Search Turn Windows features on or off

  • Uncheck Virtual Machine Platform

• Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Searching Windows

  • Click Customize search locations → Modify

  • Uncheck folders you don’t want indexed

• Open Settings → System → Power & battery

  • Set Power mode to Best performance

Limit Windows Update Rollouts

• Open Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options

  • Turn off Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available

Turn On Storage Sense and System Restore

• In Settings, search for create a restore point

  • Select your system drive and click Configure

  • Turn on System Protection and click Create

• Open Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense

  • Turn it on

  • Set it to delete temporary files

  • Set Recycle Bin cleanup to 30 days

  • Set Downloads cleanup to 30 days

  • 

Restore a Usable Start Menu and Taskbar

If you don’t like the Start Menu layout, tools like Start11 or StartAllBack help restore more familiar behavior.

• Install Open Shell (my favorite), Start11, or StartAllBack

• Restore the Windows 10-style Start menu

• Hide the Recommended section

• Reposition the taskbar to your liking: Right-click Taskbar → Taskbar Settings → Taskbar Behaviors → Taskbar Alignment

Disable Clutter on the Windows 11 Lock Screen

The Windows 11 lock screen can show ads, tips, entertainment, and other content that most people don’t want or need. By default, it’s often set to “Windows Spotlight,” which changes the background and includes extra information.

It's a good idea to remove this visual clutter and disable anything that distracts or promotes Microsoft content before you even sign in.

Disabling lock screen clutter not only makes your system feel more minimal and consistent, but also stops it from pulling down internet-based content every time your computer turns on. Here’s how to do it:

• Open Settings → Personalization → Lock screen

• Under Personalize your lock screen, change the background to Picture or Solid color (not Windows Spotlight)

• Scroll down and set Lock screen status to None

• Turn off Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen

• Go back to Settings → Notifications and disable any lock screen notifications you don’t want

This will give you a static background and remove dynamic content, Microsoft promotions, and unwanted updates from the lock screen.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 doesn’t come configured with your priorities in mind. It pushes cloud services, installs apps you didn’t ask for, and hides useful features behind ads and recommendations. Windows Toolbox handles most of this in a few minutes. Wise Uninstaller safely removes Edge after you’re done using it. These changes take Windows 11 from being difficult and pushy to something you can rely on.

For more steps you can take to improve your experience with Windows 11, check out my First Things You Should Do With Your New Windows 11 Computer guide.

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