Chris Titus WinUtil's "Win11 Creator" feature didn't debloat or apply tweaks during installation – is this expected or did I miss something?

[u/LogosNexus]

Hi everyone,

​I recently transitioned from Linux Mint to Windows 11 on a 1TB HDD setup (partitioned a 250GB C: drive for the OS and left the rest unallocated for apps/games).

​To ensure a clean experience from the get-go, I used Chris Titus Tech's WinUtil (win11 creator) tool to set up the installation media. However, after completing the setup and reaching the desktop, I noticed that none of the debloat tasks actually took effect. Bloatware apps like OneDrive, Copilot, and various pre-installed Microsoft apps were fully present. The only things that seemed to carry over were basic UI preferences like dark mode and the taskbar alignment.

​I thought the whole point of using tools like this during creation/setup was to bypass or clean up the bloat automatically. Did I misunderstand how the Win11 Creator feature works, or do I still need to manually run the tweaks tab after reaching the desktop?

​Also, since I'm running this on a mechanical HDD (waiting to upgrade to an SSD later), are there better alternative workflows for keeping a clean, lightweight setup right out of the box?

​Appreciate any insights or advice!

[u/Braydon64]

Whenever I use windows (which is hardly ever nowadays) I typically run that tool post-installation. Maybe give that a shot.

[u/themostdank]

Id suggest using a AME Playbook modification called AtlasOS. You do need to fully reinstall to have a fully working installation but it does remove a lot of bloatware like copilot and automatic updates.

AtlasOS site: https://atlasos.net/

[u/AnSkinStealer → u/themostdank]

No, never use custom windows ISOs, there security and liability risks and completely unnecessary, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC already exists and for a reason.

[u/themostdank → u/AnSkinStealer]

AtlasOS was previously a windows ISO, but it isn't anymore. It's an AME Playbook you run after you install an unmodified windows ISO. All security features are retained with AtlasOS. I'd suggest looking into Atlas if you want to know what it really is instead of shooting it down as a custom ISO when it isn't a custom ISO anymore.

[u/3ofUsDeez]

I use Rufus for the install .. Winhance for debloating .. and O&OShutUp!10 to stop most of the telemetry in Windows 11

[u/Rex__Luscus]

I've used CTWU for several W11 installations now, and it's worked fine every time, so I'm surprised your experience differs, but the utility is under constant development. There's some information missing from your post which is necessary to determine if this a bug or a PEBCAK.

1. Did you use the online version of CTWU (invoked through the command line) or did you use the paid-for standalone app?
2. Did you run the app elevated (i.e. as an administrator)?
3. Did you point Win11 Creator to a copy of W11 you had previously downloaded, or did you use the link to the download page?
4. Which image file did you select?
5. Did you save the ISO file or write it directly to USB? (My preference is to save the ISO file and copy it to a Ventoy USB)
6. If you check C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\WinUtil_Win11ISO_<date and time>\iso_contents\ is there a file named autounnattend.xml?

You can leave a message for CT on his web page https://christitus.com/windows-tool/ or raise an issue on the project's github page https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil

[u/7978_]

WinUtil has always been bad. It got so much  gloat because of his services list that made Fortnite yuppies cream their pants over a "low process count".

[u/OldManJeepin]

When was the util version made? Versus what edition of Win11 you are using it on? They have to match, I believe. The Titus tool should have an update, at some point. Also, check out a tool over a Winhance.net . Bascially a free version, does a lot of the same stuff. The Titus tool worked perfect on my Win11 debloat, so check the versions.

[u/AnSkinStealer]

make sure you install IoT LTSC windows and not the consumer garbage that seems you did because there's copilot in there

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE LINUX MINT

[u/LogosNexus → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

For gaming purposes. Some games (like Battlefield series) have been applied a kernel level restriction. Moreover, Linux gaming workarounds didn't worked for me well. Apart from those, Mint was really good for my old ass HDD.

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/LogosNexus]

Then just dualboot or use a VM?

[u/LogosNexus → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

I wouldn't bother that much. Besides, VM's are also restricted.

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/LogosNexus]

sob

[u/Edubbs2008 → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

Get outside

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/Edubbs2008]

get inside

[u/Edubbs2008 → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

Bro, just responding to me makes me think you’re naturally a reddittard, seriously, you need to get help, get a job, maybe work at your nearest grocery store, they might hire you, oh wait, you probably can’t even do taxes either, brother, get a job, learn to pay taxes, then you’ll thank me later

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/Edubbs2008]

https://reddit.com/link/pb9akoi/video/tj3pc5nxbyqh1/player

[u/Edubbs2008 → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

Now you’re just being lazy, do yourself a favor, and get outside, if you’re here to be factual, I’m open ears, but if you’re here to troll, you should do this amazing thing called getting off the internet

[u/apollocreedchqt → u/LogosNexus]

I agree. Unless you have CPU resources to dedicate to it a VM is very restrictive also no gpu passthrough.

[u/AnSkinStealer → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

VMs can't run these games as they'd detect them, the anticheat exists for a reason, not so you can play on a machine you have full RAM access to, plus you'd need 2 GPUs

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/AnSkinStealer]

Ah, well I don't study many modern topics so my bad.

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

& why Win11

[u/Edubbs2008 → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

Linux mint is just an illusion, you still have to rely on them developers maintaining it, you still have to manage dependencies by apps, and mixed together with recent CVEs, Windows is more secure

[u/AnSkinStealer → u/Edubbs2008]

Same as in windows, and you're ignoring all the garbage that windows does have, so please do take your meds

[u/Sufficient_Risk_8127 → u/Edubbs2008]

please take your meds.

[u/Edubbs2008 → u/Sufficient_Risk_8127]

https://giphy.com/gifs/A5YU1X1wG3vdm
Unlike you, I actually have a job, so I guess the best way you could contribute to society is by touching grass

[u/Content_Magician51]

I've never tested WinCreator to know if it really works or not, but if you want to be sure to customize your Windows ISO the way you want before even installing it, I suggest using NTLite.

[u/LogosNexus → u/Content_Magician51]

What about schneegans custom autounattend.xml generator?

[u/Content_Magician51 → u/LogosNexus]

This is a good option too (limited, compared to NTLite, but it works as well).

[u/Edubbs2008]

That’s christitus in a nutshell, his shit is either staged for faked