From the IT desk, how to debloat your new (or old) windows computer

Welcome back to One Systems Installation’s Newsletter!

Today, we’re here to make your life a little easier and your computer a lot faster. At 1 Systems Installation, we regularly deploy new devices for our customers, including servers and work devices for our installers.

One issue we face in the field is when a computer starts to slow down. While this is expected with older machines, it can be frustrating when it happens with brand-new computers.

So, why does this happen? The answer lies in the fact that both Microsoft and the computer manufacturer pre-install unnecessary software and enable "telemetry" (a fancy way of saying the computer sends back details about how you’re using it—basically, spying).

All these factors contribute to a new computer running slowly, especially when you're working in the field with less-than-ideal internet connections.

Today, we’ll share a tip we use to keep computers running fast.

Let’s dive in—you’re in a hurry, and so are we!

Have You Heard About Debloating?

Over time, Windows accumulates unnecessary apps and background processes that slow down performance by consuming valuable system resources. Debloating removes these unwanted programs, improving speed and efficiency.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to debloating your Windows PC using a simple and powerful open source tool created by Jeffrey Raphire which you can view on his github as well.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

1. Press Win + S and type PowerShell.

2. Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as Administrator.

3. Click Yes if prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).

4. Copy and paste the code below into PowerShell, press enter to run the script:

& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://debloat.raphi.re/")))

5. Wait for the script to automatically download Win11Debloat.

6. A new PowerShell window will open, displaying the Win11Debloat menu. Select either the default or custom mode to continue.

Step 2: Restart Your Computer

Once you’ve completed these steps, restart your system to apply the changes effectively.

Other Ways to Debloat Your Computer:

If you’re not comfortable using PowerShell, here are additional methods to speed up your PC:

1. Disable Startup Programs

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

• Go to the Startup tab and disable unnecessary apps (e.g., Teams, Spotify, OneDrive).

2. Remove Background Apps

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

• Turn off apps you don’t need running in the background.

3. Clean Up Temporary Files

• Open Run (Win + R) and type %temp%, then delete everything inside.

• Also, delete temp files from C:\Windows\Temp and C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Temp.

4. Perform Disk Cleanup

• Open Disk Cleanup, select C:, and remove Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, Thumbnails, and Windows Update Cleanup.

By following these simple steps, you can significantly improve your PC’s performance, ensuring a smoother and faster computing experience.

That’s it for today’s newsletter—stay tuned for more tech tips!