Installing Windows 11

Despite my love for Linux, the hardware I currently use works best on Windows. I’ve installed Windows more times than I can count, usually because the system starts to feel bloated or messy, and I end up doing a full reinstall. Not the most efficient use of my time, but it’s taught me a lot about setting up and maintaining Windows 11.

Right now, I’m writing this from a Windows 11 machine that I’ve finally dialed in. Everything’s clean, lean, and exactly how I want it, so for once, I have no urge to reinstall.

A big reason I’m still on Windows comes down to two open-source projects that make the experience actually bearable:

The first handles activation, which means I don’t have to pay for Windows. Honestly, if I did have to pay for it, I’d probably have ditched it by now. It’s just not worth the price tag to me. The second project helps me quickly debloat the system, install essential software, and tweak everything to my liking.

If you’re using Windows like I am, these tools are priceless.

How I Reinstall Windows 11

Here’s my personal reinstall process. It’s not the only way, but it works well for me:

Download the Windows 11 ISO
Use the English (United States) version from the official Microsoft site.
Create a MicroWin ISO
Use WinUtil to generate a streamlined ISO using the default settings.
Flash the ISO
Use Rufus to flash the ISO to a USB stick.
Reboot into BIOS/UEFI
If you’re already on Windows, some modern PCs support running
```
shutdown /r /fw /t 0
```
in PowerShell as admin to enter firmware settings directly. Otherwise you should refer to your motherboards guide on how to get into the BIOS
Boot from the USB stick.
Change language settings
During setup, set Time and Currency to Dutch (or another locale that allows Edge to be removed).
Skip product key
Choose “I don’t have a product key.”
Wipe the drive
Delete all partitions on Disk 0 (at least in my case) until it shows as unallocated space. Select that for the install.
Complete Windows setup.
Install drivers
Install chipset, network, and other essential drivers.
Connect to Wi-Fi.
Wait ~5–10 minutes and make some tea
Let Windows apply background updates silently.
Manually check for updates
Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and wait. If part of the update fails restart windows and try again. If it fails again restart windows and run the update troubleshooter in Powershell using.
```
msdt.exe /id WindowsUpdateDiagnostic
```
And then try again.
Restart after updates are installed.
Use Microsoft-Activation-Scripts to get Windows 11 Pro
(Optional) Restart again
Check for updates after going Pro just incase
Run WinUtil
- Apply the standard debloat and performance tweaks.
- Apply more tweaks where desired.
- Use the toggles on the right side to further customize.
(Using WinUtil) Enable extra features (for developers)
In the “Config” section, install Hyper-V and WSL2.
(Using WinUtil) Set updates to security-only.
Exit WinUtil and reboot.
Fine-tune system settings
- Go through all of Windows Settings and adjust preferences.
- Set your Region format to English (Europe), if preferred.

Final Notes

You can use WinUtil to install apps via winget as well. What you install depends on your workflow and personal needs. The important thing is that your system is now clean and minimal. Keep in mind your user might need a password to install specific software so set that first.

Some good software

Notepad++ (Text editor)

Obsidian (Markdown editor)

ImageGlass (Image viewer)

VLC (Media player)

Chromium (Web browser)

uBlock Origin (Ad content blocker)

PowerToys (Microsoft Windows utilities for power users)

GlazeWM (A tiling window manager for Windows inspired by i3wm.)