After looking closely at Linux Mint for two weeks, I’m coming to the conclusion that Linux has just one too many drawbacks when it comes to drivers, Windows software etc. Not to mention all the learning of its arcane ways which would be needed, and how apparently easy it is to break the OS entirely just by trying out the wrong bit of software.
So…. I’ve recently discovered how far the ‘debloat’ of Windows 11 has come in the last few years. I’m impressed. What used to be a little script that turned off some settings, has become a range of robustly de-bloated ISO installers. Installers that rip out all the crap, not just politely flick at a few switches.
These ISOs go by names such as Nano11, Tiny 11 and Ghost Spectre Superlight. The latter appears to junk the most junk, along with the need for a Microsoft account, telemetry, privacy invasion, ads, hardware snootiness and more. Not just ‘turning it off’, but (judging by what I read) actually ripping it out. Also taking down all the hardware barriers, so it can basically be installed on any x64 PC (even old ones, though note the CPU does need to support SSE 4.2). And yet still run very well. Automatic forced Windows updates can even be turned off until 2077!
Hmmm… all sounds very nice, and videos and benchmarks show it leads to a very lean fast OS (these ISOs are aimed mostly at gamers who want that ‘Win 7 feel’ to their PC). But… such ISOs don’t sound all that trustworthy.
Perhaps better to run the freeware debloater utility NTLite on the official Microsoft ISO, which creates your own custom debloat installer ISO. Doesn’t look too hard.
So that looks like the way to go. The freeware Rufus is thus the initial starting point, just as it would be for Linux Mint, being a free utility for putting the installer ISO onto a properly bootable USB. Then you’d disconnect the existing SSD, slot in a fresh new SSD, boot and install the OS.
And, handily released this week… BetaNews reports “Windows 7 Reloaded solves Windows 11’s biggest problem”…
“Windows 7 Reloaded Edition is a custom theme built for Windows 11 that transforms the look and feel of the OS, restoring the classic left-aligned layout and other design elements. It’s completely free.”
Requires Windhawk, a handler for Windows tweak-mods. Not perfect by the look of it on the video, but Reloaded appears to fix several likely Windows 11 annoyances. The Start menu needs instead to be the Windows 7-like StartAllBack (included with Ghost Spectre Superlight SE version). Then OldNewExplorer would be needed to modify Windows 11 File Explorer. But all the above is now looking like the most viable route — a fast ripped-down Windows 11 with a light Windows 7 makeover.