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How to Make Windows 11 Actually Usable [Paid Subs]

How to Make Windows 11 Actually Usable [Paid Subs]

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.

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Kevin The Tech Guy
Jul 30, 2025
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Kevin The Tech Guy
How to Make Windows 11 Actually Usable [Paid Subs]
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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:

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